Steel Billet 3SP – Properties, Production, Applications

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Steel Billet 3SP

Steel Billet 3SP is one of the most widely used semi-finished steel products in the world. It is the essential raw material for manufacturing rebar, profiles, I-beams, channels, and many other steel products used in construction and infrastructure projects. Due to its excellent weldability, high ductility, and cost-effectiveness, 3SP billet is considered the backbone of the steel construction industry.

If you are searching for a reliable billet supplier or want to learn more about the price, production, and applications of 3SP billets, this guide provides a complete overview.

What is Steel Billet 3SP?

Steel Billet 3SP is a semi-finished product with a square or round cross-section, produced through continuous casting.

  • Shape: Square (100×100, 120×120, 150×150 mm) or round

  • Standard: GOST 380-2005 (widely accepted in CIS, Middle East, Europe, and Asia)

  • Category: Low-carbon steel with high weldability and good formability

This grade of billet is specifically designed for producing long steel products that require both strength and flexibility.

Chemical Composition of 3SP Billet

ElementContent (%)
Carbon (C)0.14 – 0.22
Manganese (Mn)0.40 – 0.65
Silicon (Si)≤ 0.3
Phosphorus (P)≤ 0.04
Sulfur (S)≤ 0.04

This balanced composition provides a combination of strength, ductility, and cost efficiency, making 3SP billets ideal for mass construction projects.

Mechanical Properties of 3SP Billet

  • Tensile Strength: 370 – 500 MPa

  • Yield Strength: 240 – 260 MPa

  • Elongation: 25 – 32%

These properties guarantee that billets can be easily rolled, welded, and shaped into the final products required in infrastructure and construction.

Production Process of Steel Billet 3SP

  1. Raw Materials: Iron ore or scrap steel

  2. Iron Making: Either Blast Furnace (BF) or Direct Reduction Iron (DRI) methods

  3. Steelmaking: Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) or Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF)

  4. Refining: Ladle Furnace (LF) to adjust chemical composition

  5. Continuous Casting: Molten steel solidifies into billets

  6. Cutting & Cooling: Billets cut into standard lengths (6 – 12 m)

  7. Storage & Delivery: Quality-checked billets sent to rolling mills

Applications of Steel Billet 3SP

Steel Billet 3SP is a versatile material used across industries, especially in construction:

  • Reinforcement Bars (Rebar): Most common use of 3SP billet

  • I-Beams and H-Beams: For structural frameworks

  • Channels and Angles: For industrial and commercial projects

  • Square and Rectangular Profiles: Used in furniture, light construction, and mechanical applications

  • Welded Structures: Thanks to its excellent weldability

Global Market for 3SP Billets

The demand for 3SP steel billets is rising due to large-scale construction and infrastructure projects. Major consumers include:

  • Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq – Strong demand for rebar and profiles

  • China, India, Pakistan – Large infrastructure development programs

  • Europe (Italy, Spain, Eastern Europe) – Imports billets for rolling mills

  • North Africa (Egypt, Algeria) – Expanding construction and housing sectors

As global urbanization continues, the demand for high-quality billets is expected to grow significantly.

What Does SP Mean in Steel Billets?

In steel billet classification, the letters SP stand for “Steel for Profiles” under the Russian GOST standard. This means that billets labeled as 3SP or 5SP are intended for producing rolled profiles such as rebars, beams, channels, and angles. The number before SP (3 or 5) indicates the steel grade, mainly reflecting the carbon content and mechanical properties.

Comparison Between 3SP and 5SP Billets

FeatureSteel Billet 3SPSteel Billet 5SP
Carbon ContentLower (0.14–0.22%)Higher (up to ~0.28%)
WeldabilityExcellentModerate
DuctilityHigh (better for bending and rolling)Lower (more rigid)
StrengthMediumHigher
ApplicationsConstruction rebar, light and medium profiles, welded structuresHeavy profiles, industrial parts requiring more strength
Market DemandVery high (construction industry)Smaller but essential for heavy-duty projects

Summary:
3SP Billet is more flexible, easier to weld, and widely used in construction. 5SP Billet is stronger, harder, and used for heavy-duty industrial applications.

Advantages of Using Steel Billet 3SP

  • Excellent weldability

  • High ductility and formability

  • Cost-effective compared to alloyed billets

  • Suitable for large-volume construction projects

  • Available in multiple sizes and lengths

Conclusion

Steel Billet 3SP is the foundation of the modern construction industry. With its balanced chemical composition, mechanical strength, and affordable price, it remains the preferred choice for manufacturers and construction companies worldwide.

If you are looking for a trusted billet supplier, ensure that the billets meet the GOST 380-2005 standards and come with full mill certification for guaranteed quality.

3SP billets have lower carbon content, offering better weldability and ductility, making them ideal for construction. 5SP billets contain higher carbon, which increases strength but reduces flexibility.

3SP billets are primarily used for producing rebar, I-beams, channels, profiles, and welded structures.

It is produced through steelmaking in furnaces (EAF or BOF), refined in ladle furnaces, and cast continuously into square or round shapes.

Standard sizes are 100×100 mm, 120×120 mm, and 150×150 mm with lengths between 6 – 12 meters.

The construction industry is the largest consumer, followed by infrastructure, manufacturing of profiles, and general engineering sectors.

Steel Billet 3SP MSDS File

full Material Safety Data Sheet with safety instructions, chemical composition, and handling guidelines

Steel Billet 3SP Data Sheet

complete specifications, mechanical properties, and dimensional standards for industrial applications