When choosing between mild steel and high tensile steel, the decision impacts not just strength, but cost, fabrication, and lifecycle performance. Mild steel is easy to work with and affordable, while high tensile plates deliver superior strength and lower weight-per-square-meter. In industries like construction, automotive, and pressure vessels, switching to high tensile steel can offer better performance at competitive costs — provided you’re buying from a trusted supplier like Hindustan Steel Corporation.
What is the Key Difference Between Mild Steel and High Tensile Steel?
| Property | Mild Steel (MS) | High Tensile Steel (HTS) |
|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength | ~250 MPa (e.g., E250) | 350–700 MPa (e.g., E350–S690) |
| Ultimate Strength | ~410 MPa | 500–800 MPa+ |
| Carbon Content | Low (0.05–0.25%) | Medium (up to 0.5%) |
| Weldability | Excellent | Very good (some grades need preheat) |
| Cost per Ton | Lower | 8–20% higher than MS |
| Applications | General fabrication | Heavy load, dynamic stress |
Why Choose High Tensile Steel Over Mild Steel?
- Higher load capacity with reduced thickness
- Ideal for bridges, trailers, cranes, and machinery
- Reduces total steel weight in structures
- Longer life + better fatigue resistance
- Can meet CE, PED, IBR certifications for critical projects
When weight, strength, or lifecycle cost matters — high tensile steel wins
We assist buyers in grade selection based on project design, load conditions, and fabrication technique.
Mechanical Properties at a Glance
| Grade | Yield Strength (MPa) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IS 2062 E350 | Min 350 | 490–610 | 22 |
| IS 2062 E450 | Min 450 | 570–700 | 20 |
| EN 10025 S355 | Min 355 | 470–630 | 22 |
E450 offers higher strength but slightly reduced elongation, making E350 and S355 more versatile for forming/welding.
Grade Variants Compared: E250 vs E350 vs S355J2
| Grade | Type | Yield Strength | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| IS 2062 E250 | Mild Steel | 250 MPa | Base plates, low-load structural use |
| IS 2062 E350 | High Tensile | 350 MPa | Beams, columns, fabricated structures |
| S355J2 | High Tensile | 355 MPa | Bridges, infra, high-impact projects |
| S690QL | Ultra High Tensile | 690 MPa | Cranes, offshore, defense |
What Standards Govern Mild and High Tensile Plates?
- Mild Steel: IS 2062 E250 (India), ASTM A36 (USA), EN 10025 S235JR (Europe)
- High Tensile Steel:
- IS 2062 E350 / E450
- EN 10025 S355J2 / S420NL
- ASTM A572 Gr 50 / A573
- SAILMA 410 / 450 / 550 / 650
- Weldox 700 / NAXTRA 70 / JFE Hiten 780LE
All high tensile grades at Hindustan Steel are available with mill TC, UT, CE, PED, and 3.1/3.2 certification.
Cost Difference: Is High Tensile Steel More Expensive?
Yes — per ton, high tensile steel may cost 8–20% more depending on the grade and thickness.
But in reality:
- You require lesser thickness of HTS for same load
- Lower fabrication cost due to fewer joints
- Longer lifespan = fewer replacements
- Less transportation & erection load
Total project cost often turns out to be the same or even lower with HTS, especially for bridges, trailers, and cranes.
Fabrication & Cutting – Which Is Easier?
- Mild steel is easier to cut, bend, and weld — ideal for manual fabrication shops
- High tensile plates like E350 and S355J2 offer very good weldability, but grades like S690QL, E650 may require:
- Preheat before welding
- Controlled cooling
- Special electrodes or filler rods
Hindustan Steel offers CNC-cut, beveled, pre-marked plates to ease fabrication at site.
Where Mild Steel Still Makes Sense
- Budget-restricted, non-critical projects
- Indoor structures with no load-bearing requirement
- Temporary structures or walkways
- Base plates for light machinery
We often suggest E250 or A36 where code permits — but guide buyers on when upgrade to E350+ makes technical and commercial sense.
Where High Tensile Steel is a Must
- Bridges, box girders, and crash barriers
- Cranes, booms, and trailer chassis
- Earthmoving machinery and dump trucks
- Offshore and marine applications
- Heavy-duty pressure vessels
We supply EPC contractors, government projects, and OEMs with grade-mapped HTS plates, complete with testing and certifications.
Related Grades You Can Compare
- IS 2062 E250 vs E350 vs E450
- ASTM A36 vs A572 vs A573
- S355J2 vs S690QL vs NAXTRA 70
- SAILMA vs JFE Hiten vs Weldox
We can help you cross-map equivalent grades as per your project drawing or tender BOQ.
Export Supply: Mild & High Tensile Plates from India
We export both mild steel and HTS plates to:
- UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar – for construction and infra
- Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia – for fabrication and OEMs
- South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria – for machinery and heavy industry
- Europe & USA – for buyers needing EN / ASTM compliant material
Plates come with mill TC, UT, impact test, CE, PED as required.
Buyer Advice – Which Steel Should You Choose?
| Scenario | Recommended Steel |
|---|---|
| Low-budget structure with no stress | Mild Steel (E250) |
| Fabricated beams and heavy load zones | High Tensile (E350+) |
| Bridges or trailers | S355J2 or S420 |
| Pressure vessel | E450BR or A572 |
| Cranes or offshore equipment | S690QL / Weldox / Hiten |
Let our engineers study your BOQ or drawing and suggest cost-saving options.
Certifications You Can Get with Hindustan Steel
- EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2
- ISO 9001 / CE / PED
- IBR (for boilers)
- UT, Charpy, Lamination Check
- Third-party inspection (TUV / SGS)
We also offer custom cutting + packaging for overseas projects.
Voice Search & Buyer FAQs – Mild Steel vs High Tensile
Is high tensile steel more expensive than mild steel?
Yes per ton, but overall project cost may be same or less due to lower weight.
Can I weld high tensile steel?
Yes — grades like E350 and S355J2 are weldable. Some high-end grades need preheat.
Which is better for trailers – mild steel or high tensile?
High tensile steel — due to weight reduction and higher fatigue strength.
What grade of mild steel is used in India?
IS 2062 E250 or E250BR are common mild steel grades.
Are E350 plates considered high tensile?
Yes, E350 is the entry-grade high tensile steel plate in India.
How do I calculate cost difference?
Factor in weight reduction, fewer joints, faster erection, and lifespan — we can assist.
Can I use S355J2 instead of E350?
Yes — especially for bridge or EU-standard projects
Is high tensile steel brittle?
No — it's strong with good ductility, especially in normalized or Q+T condition.
What are typical applications of mild steel?
Frames, brackets, base plates, and light structures.
What thicknesses are available in both grades?
5mm to 120mm — cut to size as required.
Are mild steel plates impact tested?
Usually not. High tensile plates like E350BR or S355J2 are impact-tested.
Which plate is better for seismic zones?
High tensile plates with Charpy-tested specs (J2, BR, NL).
Can I order small quantity?
Yes — we supply from 1 ton onwards with full test reports.
Do you offer comparison sheets between grades?
Yes — we provide cross-grade comparison + recommendation chart.
Request a Grade Comparison or Quote
- Email or WhatsApp us your material requirement
- Get instant help with grade selection
- Receive quote, datasheet, and lead time within 24 hrs
- MOQ starts at 1–2 tons for both MS and HTS