S550MC Steel Strip: High-Strength Precision Strip with Slitting, Pickling & Annealing Services
S550MC (material number 1.0986) is a thermomechanically rolled, micro-alloyed fine-grain structural steel under EN 10149-2. With a minimum yield strength of 550 MPa and tensile strength of 600–760 MPa, it is engineered for cold forming, bending, and roll forming applications where high strength and consistent formability are both required.
What sets our S550MC supply apart is not just the material—it is the processing. We provide precision slitting, pickling, and annealing (stress-relief) services on S550MC coil, delivering strip that arrives ready for your production line with tight tolerances and clean edges.
Why Choose Our S550MC Steel Strip?
1. Precision Slitting to Your Exact Width
We slit S550MC coil to widths as narrow as 10 mm, with thickness capability from 0.10 mm to 5.0 mm. Burr-free edges and consistent strip width reduce downstream stamping and forming issues. Whether you need narrow precision strip for brackets or wider blanks for roll forming, we slit to your specification.
2. Pickled & Oiled Surface for Clean Forming
S550MC is commonly supplied in the pickled condition to remove mill scale and provide a clean surface for cold forming and welding. We offer pickled and oiled S550MC strip with controlled oil weights, suitable for downstream bending, punching, and laser cutting.
3. Annealing for Stress Relief & Improved Formability
While S550MC derives its strength from thermomechanical rolling—not from quenching and tempering—it can benefit from subcritical annealing to relieve stresses introduced during slitting or cold working. If your process involves severe bending or forming after slitting, our annealing service can help reduce cracking risk and improve dimensional stability.
4. EN 10149-2 Compliance & Mill Traceability
Every S550MC shipment is accompanied by EN 10149-2 mill certificates with full chemical and mechanical testing. We source from ISO-certified mills and maintain full heat-number traceability.
Technical Specifications at a Glance
| Property | Value |
| Standard | EN 10149-2 |
| Material Number | 1.0986 |
| Yield Strength (ReH) | ≥ 550 MPa |
| Tensile Strength (Rm) | 600–760 MPa |
| Elongation (A80, <3mm) | ≥ 14% |
| Elongation (A5, ≥3mm) | ≥ 17% |
| Typical Thickness Range (our service) | 0.10–5.0 mm |
| Slitting Width Range | 10–1250 mm |
| Delivery Conditions | Pickled, annealed, slit, mill edge / cut edge |
Important Technical Note: S550MC and Heat Treatment
Can S550MC be quenched and tempered?
No—and this is important for buyers to understand. S550MC is produced via thermomechanical rolling (TMCP) with micro-alloying elements (Nb, V, Ti). Its high strength comes from a fine-grain microstructure developed during controlled rolling, not from a subsequent hardening and tempering process. Subjecting S550MC to austenitizing temperatures followed by quenching can destroy the fine-grain structure and result in unpredictable—often degraded—mechanical properties.
What we recommend instead:
If your application requires quench-and-tempered high-strength strip, consider grades specifically designed for that route (such as C67S, 51CrV4, or 60Si2Mn).
If you need stress relief after slitting or cold forming on S550MC, subcritical annealing is the appropriate thermal process and is available through our service line.
Typical Applications for S550MC Steel Strip
Automotive structural parts (chassis brackets, cross members, seat components)
Truck and trailer frame reinforcements
Roll-formed profiles for construction and agricultural equipment
Battery pack housings and EV structural components (where high strength and formability are required)
General cold-formed high-strength parts in machinery
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the chemical composition of S550MC?
A: S550MC (1.0986) per EN 10149-2 has a maximum carbon content of 0.12%, manganese up to 1.80%, and micro-alloying elements Nb, V, and Ti with a combined maximum of 0.22%. Full ladle analysis limits are listed in the specification table above.
Q: What is the difference between S550MC and S355MC?
S550MC offers a minimum yield strength of 550 MPa versus 355 MPa for S355MC. It is chosen when higher strength allows down-gauging or improved load capacity. Formability is lower than S355MC, so tighter bending radii and springback compensation should be considered in part design.
Q: Is S550MC the same as QStE 550TM?
QStE 550TM is an older German designation. S550MC under EN 10149-2 is the current European standard grade and is generally considered the direct successor in terms of application and mechanical properties. Many European buyers still reference QStE 550TM in legacy drawings.
Q: Can you supply S550MC in narrow slit widths?
Yes. Our slitting capability covers widths from 10 mm to 1250 mm on S550MC, with thickness from 0.10 mm to 5.0 mm. We can also provide sample quantities for qualification testing.
Q: Do you offer annealing on S550MC?
Yes—we offer stress-relief annealing on S550MC strip after slitting or cold working. We do not recommend quench-and-temper processing on this grade, as it is a TMCP steel.
Request a Quote for S550MC Steel Strip
Send us your required thickness, width, delivery condition (pickled / annealed / slit), and quantity. We will respond with a technical proposal and pricing within 24 hours.
We also supply: S355MC, S420MC, S500MC, QStE 380TM, and other high-strength structural steel strips, along with heat-treatable grades (C67S, 51CrV4, 60Si2Mn) for hardening and tempering applications.
