A steel cord (30) with a high elongation at break of at least 5% comprises n strands (20), each of said strands (20) has m filaments (10) twisted together, n ranges from 2 to 7. m ranges from 2 to 9. The strands and the filaments are twisted in a same direction. The lay length of the cord is Lc and the lay length of said strand is Ls. The ratio of Ls to Lc (Ls/Lc) ranges from 0.25 to 1. Lc ranges from 16 mm to 26 mm. The strands are helically preformed. The E-modulus of the cord is more than 150000 N/mm2. The helical preforming of the strands allows to obtain a high elongation at break and a high E-modulus despite its long lay length Lc.