Steel 15NiMn6
EN 15NiMn6
15NiMn6 (1.6228) is a low-alloy Ni-Mn fine-grain pressure vessel steel with better low-temperature notch toughness than plain carbon boiler steels, usable down to −80 °C.
Reference datasheet — 15NiMn6 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the N+T condition
15NiMn6 tempers and conditions
15NiMn6 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. N+T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Pick for maximum machinability and cold formability of bar/forging stock before final heat treatment. | 290 | 470 | 30 | 140 HB | — |
Normalized, tempered and stress-relieved / simulated PWHT | Ordered when the vessel will see a post-weld heat treatment and properties must be certified in the simulated PWHT condition. | 360 | 540 | 27 | 158 HB | 7.5 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Semi-finished bar, billet or forging blank supplied untreated; must be normalized or Q&T before pressure-retaining service. | 370 | 580 | 22 | 9 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
Normalized | Standard delivery condition for plate where fine grain and uniform properties are enough without a separate tempering cycle. | 375 | 555 | 25 | 168 HB | — |
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Most commonly stocked pressure-vessel condition: guaranteed −80 °C Charpy values with good weldability. | 380 | 560 | 26 | 165 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Use for heavy forgings, flanges and thick shells where higher yield strength and better through-thickness toughness are needed. | 470 | 640 | 23 | 17 HRC | — |
What is 15NiMn6?
15NiMn6 (1.6228) is a low-alloy Ni-Mn fine-grain pressure vessel steel with better low-temperature notch toughness than plain carbon boiler steels, usable down to −80 °C. Typical forms are plate and hot-rolled sections for vessels, boiler parts and low-temperature equipment, giving 380 MPa yield, 560 MPa tensile, 26 % elongation and 165 HB (85 HRB) after normalizing and tempering. Weldability is good (score 75) with low-hydrogen practice and PWHT, while machinability is moderate (55). Maximum service temperature is about 350 °C with no corrosion resistance; 13MnNi6-3 is the leaner alternative. 15NiMn6 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). 15NiMn6 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 15NiMn6 used for?
- Pressure vessels
- Boiler components
- Low-temperature service equipment
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 26%, better than 82% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 81% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 76% of steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades
15NiMn6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 15NiMn6-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
15NiMn6 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
15NiMn6 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
15NiMn6 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 41 W/m·K (23.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 62% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
15NiMn6 conducts electricity at 7.5 % IACS, worse than 67% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 15NiMn6 takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
15NiMn6's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability good (65/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 15NiMn6 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 15NiMn6
Is 15NiMn6 easy to machine?
Machines like normalized C-Mn vessel steel — moderate speeds with coated carbide, positive rake and generous coolant to control gummy chips and built-up edge.
Can 15NiMn6 be welded?
Good weldability with low-hydrogen SMAW, SAW or FCAW using matching 1 % Ni consumables; preheat 100–150 °C on heavy sections, control heat input and PWHT at 530–600 °C to preserve −80 °C toughness.
Can 15NiMn6 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form 850–1000 °C followed by re-normalizing; cold forming is possible but limit strain and re-heat-treat if cold deformation exceeds code limits to restore notch toughness.
15NiMn6 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Cladle analysis; often 0.12–0.18 | ≤ 0.18 | 0.15 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.5 | 1.15 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Slow S for through-thickness toughness | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Nikey element for low-temperature toughness | 1 – 1.5 | 1.25 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Vresidual | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Nbgrain refining, optional | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Altotal Al for fine-grain practice | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 15NiMn6?
No anodizing; protect with blast-and-paint systems, zinc/aluminium metallising or Zn-Ni plating, and always use a vapour-tight insulation barrier in cryogenic service.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 15NiMn6 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.6228
How much does 15NiMn6 cost?
15NiMn6 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
15NiMn6 — frequently asked
What is 15NiMn6 used for?
15NiMn6 is typically used for pressure vessels, boiler components and low-temperature service equipment. In short: tough to −80 °C; 1 % Ni vessel steel; good code weldability.
What is the yield strength of 15NiMn6?
15NiMn6 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 15NiMn6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like normalized C-Mn vessel steel — moderate speeds with coated carbide, positive rake and generous coolant to control gummy chips and built-up edge.
Can 15NiMn6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Good weldability with low-hydrogen SMAW, SAW or FCAW using matching 1 % Ni consumables; preheat 100–150 °C on heavy sections, control heat input and PWHT at 530–600 °C to preserve −80 °C toughness.
What surface finishes work on 15NiMn6?
No anodizing; protect with blast-and-paint systems, zinc/aluminium metallising or Zn-Ni plating, and always use a vapour-tight insulation barrier in cryogenic service.
Can 15NiMn6 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form 850–1000 °C followed by re-normalizing; cold forming is possible but limit strain and re-heat-treat if cold deformation exceeds code limits to restore notch toughness.
What is the maximum service temperature of 15NiMn6?
15NiMn6 is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 15NiMn6 N+T and 15NiMn6-A?
N+T is the default condition — most commonly stocked pressure-vessel condition: guaranteed −80 °C Charpy values with good weldability. A: pick for maximum machinability and cold formability of bar/forging stock before final heat treatment. Yield strength is 380 MPa in N+T versus 290 MPa in A.
How much does 15NiMn6 cost?
15NiMn6 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 10028-4 — Flat products of steels for pressure purposes: nickel alloy steels with specified low temperature properties — CEN (2017)
- DIN 17280 — Tough steels for low temperature service (historic, 15NiMn6) — DIN (1985)
- EN 10250-3 / EN 10222-3 — Open die and pressure purpose forgings, nickel steels — CEN (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- AD 2000-Merkblatt W 1 / EN 13445-2 material selection for low temperature — Verband der TÜV / CEN (2021)
- Low-temperature pressure vessel plate datasheets (1.6228 / 15NiMn6) — European plate mills (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.