Choosing the right steel grade can make or break your project—literally.
Q355 and Q460 are two widely used structural steel grades under GB/T 1591. But when it comes to cold drawn seamless pipes, understanding their differences is key to selecting the right one.
Whether you’re building a hydraulic cylinder or a lightweight mechanical frame, this guide will help you choose between Q355 and Q460 based on strength, cost, and application.
What do Q355 and Q460 stand for?
Both belong to GB/T 1591-2018—but they serve different strength classes.
Q355 and Q460 represent structural steel grades with minimum yield strengths of 355 MPa and 460 MPa, respectively.
- “Q” stands for “Qu” (yield strength)
- “355” or “460” is the minimum yield in megapascals (MPa)
- Optional suffixes like B/C/D indicate impact test performance at different temperatures
These grades are commonly used in:
- Bridges and structural frames
- Machinery components
- Seamless steel tubes for fluid or load-bearing applications
Key differences between Q355 and Q460
Higher strength comes at a price—but also with performance gains.
| Property | Q355 | Q460 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength (MPa) | ≥ 355 | ≥ 460 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 470–630 | 550–720 |
| Elongation (%) | ≥ 21% | ≥ 17% |
| Common Thickness Range | 2–25 mm | 2–20 mm |
| Impact Test (Grade D) | -20°C | -20°C |
| Weldability (CEV) | ≤ 0.40 | ≤ 0.45 |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Availability | High | Moderate (often made to order) |
At Yige Steel, both grades can be used for cold drawn seamless tubes with excellent dimensional control.
When to choose Q355 seamless pipes?
The “go-to” structural grade for balanced performance and cost.
Q355 is the most popular and cost-effective choice for general structural and fluid-carrying pipe applications.
Ideal when you need:
- Good strength at low-to-mid thickness
- Good weldability
- Low temperature performance (Q355D: -20°C)
- Broad availability in OD 20–168 mm
Applications include:
- Construction support systems
- Agricultural machinery parts
- Pressure cylinders
- Transport equipment
With our cold drawing + heat treatment process, Q355 seamless pipes can be customized to tight tolerances and small batch sizes.
When to choose Q460 seamless pipes?
Lighter structures, stronger parts—without thickening the wall.
Q460 offers higher yield strength, making it ideal for applications where space or weight is limited.
Choose Q460 when you need:
- High load-bearing capacity
- Thinner walls with the same or higher strength
- Cold performance (Q460D: -20°C)
- Fatigue resistance under vibration or impact
Typical uses include:
- Telescopic booms
- Excavator arms
- Crane pipes
- Offshore structure tubing
Q460 may require better welding preparation, such as preheating or low-hydrogen electrodes, due to higher CEV.
Can you substitute Q460 for Q355?
Technically yes—but not always cost-efficient.
While Q460 can do everything Q355 can (and more), the cost and weldability requirements might not be worth it for general use.
We recommend:
| If your project needs… | Use |
|---|---|
| Moderate strength, low cost | Q355B or Q355D |
| Light weight with high load | Q460C or Q460D |
| Low-temp or impact resistance | Q355D / Q460D |
| Small quantities with tight tolerance | Both Q355 and Q460 (cold drawn) |
Q355 and Q460 seamless pipes at Yige Steel
Precision-built, small-batch, and always certified.
At Yige Steel, we manufacture both Q355 and Q460 cold drawn seamless steel pipes for structural and mechanical applications. Our products feature:
- OD range: 20 mm – 168 mm
- Wall thickness: 2 mm – 16 mm
- Tolerance: ±0.1 mm OD, ±0.15 mm WT
- Length: Up to 12 meters or as required
- MOQ: From 2 tons
- Delivery condition: +N (Normalized), +A (Annealed)
Every order comes with full MTC, impact test reports, and optional ultrasonic testing.
Conclusion: Which should you choose?
Choose Q355 if you’re looking for a versatile, weldable, and affordable solution.
Choose Q460 if your design demands more strength in less space, or weight saving is critical.
At Yige Steel, we help buyers balance performance, cost, and availability for every project.
