High-tensile steel is a type of steel specifically engineered for its exceptional tensile strength, which is its resistance to being stretched or pulled apart without fracturing.

For example, while the most widely used Grade 400 structural steel has a guaranteed tensile strength of 400 MPa*, high-tensile steel is generally defined as having a tensile strength of 490 MPa or higher, though this definition can vary by country and manufacturer.

Traditionally, high-tensile steel was developed to improve the fuel efficiency of ships and automobiles. However, its use is now expanding into building materials, such as lightweight scaffolding and structural components for agricultural greenhouses. These applications leverage its high strength and low weight to reduce labor burdens, improve overall strength, and lower costs.

*MPa (megapascal) is a unit of pressure and stress, and it is an SI derived unit with a special name in the International System of Units (SI).