E36-2 Steel

E36-2 is a historical French structural steel designation used in engineering, construction and industrial fabrication applications. It is associated with structural steel products requiring good mechanical strength, toughness and weldability.

The historical designation E36-2 is generally linked to the European structural steel grade S355J2. This comparison must be verified against the original French specification, product form, thickness and material test certificate before material substitution.

E36-2-type structural steel is relevant to the manufacturing of load-bearing structures, industrial platforms, support systems, machinery frames and fabricated steel components.

Technical Specifaction

Note: S355J2 is the commonly cited historical comparison for E36-2. It should not be considered a guaranteed equivalent without checking the original material specification.

E36-2 Chemical Composition

The exact chemical composition of historical E36-2 must be verified against its original specification. The following table gives reference maximum values for modern S355J2 under EN 10025-2, subject to product thickness and applicable requirements.

Actual permitted values depend on the product form, thickness and delivery condition. Always refer to the manufacturer’s material test certificate.

E36-2 Mechanical Properties

The historical E36-2 designation is generally associated with the mechanical property range of S355J2. The following values are reference requirements for modern S355J2, not universal guaranteed values for every historical E36-2 product.

Elongation and additional mechanical requirements depend on the product dimensions and the applicable standard.

Grade Specification Comparison

E36-2 is a historical French designation commonly compared with S355J2. Other international grades may be considered for engineering evaluation, but they are not automatically interchangeable.

Possible Alternative Grades

Depending on structural design requirements, thickness, impact toughness and operating conditions, the following modern grades may be evaluated as alternatives to E36-2.

Important: These grades are possible alternatives for engineering evaluation, not certified equivalents. Chemical composition, mechanical properties, impact energy, thickness, delivery condition and applicable design codes must be compared before substitution.

Corrosion Resistance

E36-2 is a conventional non-alloy structural steel designation. It does not provide the corrosion resistance of stainless steel or specialised weathering steel grades.

In humid, marine, chemical and industrial environments, corrosion protection is generally required.

Common protection methods include:

• Hot-dip galvanizing, subject to material and fabrication suitability.
• Industrial anti-corrosion paint systems.
• Epoxy coatings for demanding industrial environments.
• Surface preparation and protective primer application.
• Regular inspection and maintenance.

For coastal, offshore, petrochemical and phosphate industry installations, the coating system should be selected according to the actual operating environment.

Heat Resistance

E36-2 is not specifically designed for high-temperature service.

When exposed to elevated temperatures, structural steel can experience a reduction in yield strength and other mechanical properties.

Important considerations include:

• Operating and maximum design temperature.
• Reduction in mechanical strength at elevated temperatures.
• Thermal expansion and dimensional stability.
• Oxidation and scaling.
• Fire protection requirements.
• Applicable structural design standards.
• For high-temperature equipment and pressure applications, a material specifically designed for those operating conditions should be selected.

Heat Treatment

E36-2, when compared with conventional S355J2 structural steel, is not generally considered a specialised heat-treatment grade.

Depending on the product condition and fabrication requirements, the following processes may be considered:

• Normalising: Used where specified to obtain a more uniform microstructure and mechanical properties.
• Stress Relieving: May be considered after extensive welding or fabrication when required by the engineering specification.
• Annealing: Not normally required for standard structural fabrication.
• Quenching and Tempering: Not a standard assumed treatment for this structural steel grade.

Heat-treatment parameters must be determined from the verified material specification and manufacturer’s recommendations.

Welding 

E36-2, when its composition and properties correspond to the S355J2 family, generally offers good weldability using conventional industrial welding processes.

Common welding methods include:

• MMA / SMAW: Manual metal arc welding for structural fabrication and site assembly.
• MIG / MAG (GMAW): Gas metal arc welding for industrial production and workshop fabrication.
• TIG / GTAW: Gas tungsten arc welding for applications requiring precise control.
• SAW: Submerged arc welding for suitable heavy structural components.

Important welding considerations:

1. Verify the chemical composition and material certificate.
2. Calculate the carbon equivalent when sufficient chemical data are available.
3. Assess preheating requirements according to thickness, restraint and welding conditions.
4. Select compatible welding consumables.
5. Control heat input and interpass temperature.
6. Apply post-weld heat treatment only when required by the approved welding procedure or engineering specification.

Welding procedures can be qualified according to EN ISO 15614-1, and welders qualified according to EN ISO 9606-1, where applicable.

Fabrication

E36-2-type structural steel is suitable for evaluation in conventional industrial fabrication processes when its material identity and mechanical properties have been verified.

• Cutting: Mechanical cutting, sawing, shearing and thermal cutting can be used according to material thickness and fabrication requirements.
• Machining: Drilling, milling and turning can be performed using suitable cutting tools and parameters.
• Bending and Forming: Cold forming may be possible depending on material ductility, thickness, delivery condition and bend radius.
• Drilling and Punching: Used for preparing structural connections, bolted joints and fabricated assemblies.
• Welding and Assembly: Components can be assembled using qualified welding procedures and compatible consumables.
• Surface Treatment: Industrial painting, galvanizing and other protective coating systems can be applied according to the service environment.

Applications 

E36-2 and its modern comparison grades are associated with structural engineering and industrial fabrication applications, including:

• Structural steel frameworks and building structures.

• Industrial platforms and walkways.

• Pipe supports and equipment supports.

• Machinery frames and equipment bases.

• Bridges and infrastructure components, subject to design requirements.

• Energy and power generation structures.

• Mining and phosphate processing infrastructure.

• Petrochemical and industrial fabrication projects.