If you sell MS plates, angles, channels or beams in India, almost every enquiry mentions IS 2062. The two grades you will quote most are E250 and E350. Understanding IS 2062 E250 vs E350 — strength, chemistry, impact sub-qualities and equivalents — helps you price correctly and answer buyers who compare Indian steel with ASTM or EN grades.
What is IS 2062?
IS 2062 is the Indian Standard for hot-rolled medium and high tensile structural steel. It covers plates, strips, sheets, sections (angles, channels, beams), flats and bars used in buildings, bridges, cranes, towers, machinery and general fabrication.
The grade designation shows minimum yield strength in MPa: E250, E275, E300, E350, E410, E450 and higher. Structural steel products sold in India generally need BIS certification under the Steel Quality Control Order, so buyers expect the ISI mark and licence details.
Mechanical properties
Typical minimum values for thinner sections (thickness below 20 mm):
| Property | E250 | E350 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield strength | 250 MPa | 350 MPa |
| Tensile strength | 410 MPa | 490 MPa |
| Elongation (5.65√So) | 23% | 22% |
Yield strength requirements reduce slightly for thicker sections, so always check the table for the actual thickness.
Chemistry
E350 achieves its higher strength through controlled chemistry and microalloying (niobium, vanadium, titanium) rather than just higher carbon. Both grades limit carbon, sulphur and phosphorus and specify a maximum carbon equivalent (CE) to ensure good weldability. Lower carbon and CE mean less risk of cracking during welding.
Sub-qualities: A, BR, B0 and C
Each IS 2062 grade comes in sub-qualities based on impact (Charpy V-notch) testing:
| Sub-quality | Impact test |
|---|---|
| A | Not required |
| BR | At room temperature |
| B0 | At 0°C |
| C | At –20°C |
So E250 BR is 250 MPa yield steel impact-tested at room temperature, and E350 C is 350 MPa steel impact-tested at –20°C. Sub-quality A is suitable for normal structures; BR, B0 and C are used for bridges, cranes, dynamic loads and cold climates. Killed steel (sub-qualities B0 and C are fully killed) is preferred for critical structures.
E250 vs E350: when to use which
Choose E250 when:
- designing ordinary buildings, sheds, platforms and frames,
- loads are moderate and weight is not critical,
- easy availability and lower price matter.
Choose E350 when:
- higher strength allows thinner, lighter sections,
- designing bridges, cranes, towers, trailers and heavy machinery,
- weight savings reduce transport or foundation cost.
E350 costs more per tonne but may need fewer tonnes. Always compare total cost, not just rate per kg.
International equivalents (approximate)
| IS 2062 | ASTM | EN 10025 |
|---|---|---|
| E250 | A36 | S235JR / S275JR |
| E350 | A572 Gr 50 | S355JR |
These are approximate — chemistry, impact and thickness limits differ. When exporting, offer the buyer's own standard or provide a dual-certified product if the mill can. Our ASTM vs EN vs IS standards guide explains the main differences.
Sections such as beams, channels and angles are also rolled in these grades — see our structural steel sections guide.
Checking an IS 2062 test certificate
Before accepting plates or sections, check the mill test certificate for:
- grade and sub-quality exactly as ordered (for example E350 BR, not E350 A),
- plate or heat number matching the marking on the material,
- chemical composition including carbon equivalent,
- yield strength, tensile strength and elongation for the actual thickness,
- impact test values at the right temperature for BR, B0 or C,
- BIS licence number and ISI mark where required.
Fabricators working on bridges, cranes and pressure-related structures often reject material where impact values or sub-quality do not match the drawing. For traceability basics, see our heat number guide.
Weights and pricing
MS plate weight per square metre is thickness × 7.85 kg (for thickness in mm). For example, a 10 mm plate weighs 78.5 kg/m². Use our free plate weight calculator and steel price calculator to quote quickly with GST. For a deeper look at the formula, read steel plate weight calculation.
How to write a clean quotation line
"MS plate IS 2062 E350 BR, 12 mm × 2500 × 6300 mm, mill: XYZ, with MTC, ISI marked."
That covers standard, grade, sub-quality, size, mill and certification. When buyers ask for "MS plate" only, ask for grade and sub-quality — it affects both price and suitability. QuoteMitra helps you build these quotes with weights and totals automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Is E250 the same as Fe 410?
Yes, broadly. Older versions of IS 2062 used names like Fe 410 WA; the current designation is based on yield strength, so Fe 410 corresponds to E250.
Which is stronger, E250 or E350?
E350 has a minimum yield of 350 MPa compared with 250 MPa for E250, so it is about 40% stronger in yield.
Is IS 2062 E250 weldable?
Yes. Both E250 and E350 are designed for good weldability with controlled carbon equivalent.
What does BR mean in E250 BR?
BR means the steel has been impact tested at room temperature.
Key takeaways
- IS 2062 is India's main structural steel standard.
- E250 has 250 MPa yield; E350 has 350 MPa yield.
- Sub-qualities A, BR, B0 and C define impact testing.
- E250 ≈ ASTM A36; E350 ≈ ASTM A572 Gr 50 / S355 — but confirm before substituting.
Clear grade information wins fabricator and contractor orders that cheaper but vaguer quotes lose.
