Mild Steel (Fe360 / S235)
Frequently asked questions
Can Mild Steel (Fe360 / S235) be laser cut?
With some limitations: Mild Steel (Fe360 / S235) can be laser cut. Adequate extraction/ventilation is required.
Can Mild Steel (Fe360 / S235) be CNC machined?
Yes: Mild Steel (Fe360 / S235) can be CNC machined.
Is Mild Steel (Fe360 / S235) food safe?
No, Mild Steel (Fe360 / S235) is not considered food safe.
Physical properties
| Density | 7850.0–7850.0 kg/m³ |
|---|---|
| Brinell hardness | 130.0 HB |
| Tensile strength | 360.0 MPa |
| Melting point | 1425.0–1540.0 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 12.0 µm/m·K |
| Moisture absorption | Negligible |
Laser processing
Cutting generates iron oxides as fine particulate. Not acutely toxic but irritating to the respiratory tract with prolonged exposure. Ventilation mandatory.
CO₂: The CO2 beam is almost entirely reflected by the metal surface. Cutting at maker level is impossible; surface engraving requires chemical marking sprays (Cermark) and does not produce acceptable quality results.
Diode: Impossible to cut or directly mark with diode laser due to the high reflectivity of iron.
Fiber: Excellent with fiber laser of adequate power. Cutting up to thicknesses of 10-20mm is common in industrial settings; engraving or oxidation marking is precise and permanent.
CNC / milling processing
Fair machinability. The material is ductile and may tend to form long chips that wrap around the bit if parameters are not correct. Prefer 3-4 flute bits with high helix angle. Cooling prevents overheating and built-up edge elongation.
Post-processing
Sanding: Easy to sand with corundum or zirconia abrasives. Always sand in the same direction for homogeneous finishes. Degrease with solvent before applying primer or paint.
Primer: mandatory. Rusts quickly in open air. Apply anti-rust epoxy primer or zinc chromate primer as soon as possible after machining, especially on edges and fresh cuts.
Gluing: Bondable with two-component structural epoxy adhesives after sanding and thorough degreasing. For structural applications prefer welding.
Over time: Without surface protection, rusts within a few hours in humid environments. Always requires a protective finish (paint, galvanizing, black oxidation) for outdoor or humid environment use.
Common defects
- Rapid oxidation and rust formation on cut edges within hours of exposure to humid air
- Long chip that wraps around the cutter if feed rate is too low or the cutter is not suited to ferritic metals
Safety
Recommended PPE: gloves_cut_resistant, eye_protection, mask_p2
Cut edges and chips are very sharp. Wear cut-resistant gloves during handling. Extract machining dust to avoid inhaling iron oxides.
Availability and formats
Commercial formats: bars, sheets, sections, round bars, square bars
Related materials
Sources
- EN 10025-2 — Prodotti laminati a caldo di acciai per impieghi strutturali (S235)
- MatWeb — ASTM A36 Steel Datasheet
Information on compatibility, processing parameters and safety is purely indicative. MakerSpecs accepts no liability for damage to persons or property arising from the use of this data. Always check the safety rules and the manufacturer's official manuals before carrying out any processing.