Steel 16Mo3
EN 16Mo3
16Mo3 (1.5415, A204 Gr A) is the classic carbon-molybdenum pressure-vessel and piping steel, supplied N, NT, QT, A, AR, SR or C.
Reference datasheet — 16Mo3 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 condition
16Mo3 tempers and conditions
16Mo3 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. N is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Softest condition for deep cold forming, heavy machining or cold-drawn tube intermediate stage. | 265 | 450 | 30 | 135 HB | 7.9 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Ordered when the vessel will see post-weld heat treatment; properties are certified after the simulated PWHT cycle (~620–680 °C). | 295 | 470 | 27 | 145 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
normalized and tempered | Used for heavy plate and forgings where tempering after normalizing improves toughness uniformity through thickness. | 300 | 475 | 27 | 145 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
NDefault Normalized | Standard stocked condition for boiler plate, tube and pipe; fine-grained ferrite-pearlite with guaranteed elevated-temperature proof stress. | 310 | 490 | 26 | 150 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
as-rolled (hot rolled, no subsequent heat treatment) | Economy condition for thin plate/strip where normalizing is not required by the code; properties vary more with thickness. | 315 | 500 | 24 | 155 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Chosen for thick forgings and flanges (EN 10222-2) needing higher yield strength and low-temperature toughness. | 400 | 560 | 22 | 178 HB | 7.6 % IACS |
cold drawn (seamless tube / bar, as-drawn) | Cold-drawn tube or bar for tight tolerance and higher strength; must be normalized before use above design creep temperatures. | 450 | 560 | 13 | 175 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
What is 16Mo3?
16Mo3 (1.5415, A204 Gr A) is the classic carbon-molybdenum pressure-vessel and piping steel, supplied N, NT, QT, A, AR, SR or C. In the default condition it provides 310 MPa yield, 490 MPa tensile, 26% elongation and about 150 HB, with elevated-temperature service to roughly 450 °C and a 500 °C maximum on file, making it standard for boiler tubes, plate and heat exchanger components. Weldability is good (80/100) with 1%Mo consumables, but PWHT is normally required and the steel has no corrosion resistance, so coatings and control of corrosion under insulation are needed. 18MnMo4-5 is the higher-strength alternative. 16Mo3 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). 16Mo3 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 83% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 212 GPa (30.7 Msi).
What is 16Mo3 used for?
- boiler tubes
- pressure vessels
- piping
- heat exchangers
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 90% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 26%, better than 82% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 81% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low strength — 310 MPa (45 ksi), worse than 83% of steel grades
16Mo3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 16Mo3-N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
16Mo3 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical16
16Mo3 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 83% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 212 GPa (30.7 Msi).
Thermal6
16Mo3 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
16Mo3 conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 16Mo3 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
16Mo3's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); 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. 16Mo3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 16Mo3
Is 16Mo3 easy to machine?
Machines like a medium-carbon steel — carbide tooling, ~120–180 m/min turning speed in the normalized state; Mo gives slightly gummier chips than plain C-Mn steel.
Can 16Mo3 be welded?
Good weldability with SMAW/SAW/GTAW using matching 1%Mo consumables (E7018-A1, ER80S-G); preheat 100–200 °C for t > 20 mm and PWHT at 620–680 °C to restore HAZ toughness.
Can 16Mo3 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form at 900–1050 °C followed by re-normalizing; cold bending is practical to about 3t radius in annealed or normalized plate.
16Mo3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.12 – 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 0.9 | 0.65 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Mocreep-strengthening addition | 0.25 – 0.35 | 0.3 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 16Mo3?
No anodizing; protect by shot blasting plus epoxy/high-temperature silicone paint, aluminizing or thermal insulation, and control corrosion under insulation.
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 16Mo3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.5415
- Similar grades
- A204 Gr A
How much does 16Mo3 cost?
16Mo3 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
16Mo3 — frequently asked
What is 16Mo3 used for?
16Mo3 is typically used for boiler tubes, pressure vessels, piping and heat exchangers. In short: baseline C-Mo boiler steel; best weldability in family; service to about 450 °C.
What is the yield strength of 16Mo3?
16Mo3 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 83% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 16Mo3 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Machines like a medium-carbon steel — carbide tooling, ~120–180 m/min turning speed in the normalized state; Mo gives slightly gummier chips than plain C-Mn steel.
Can 16Mo3 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Good weldability with SMAW/SAW/GTAW using matching 1%Mo consumables (E7018-A1, ER80S-G); preheat 100–200 °C for t > 20 mm and PWHT at 620–680 °C to restore HAZ toughness.
What surface finishes work on 16Mo3?
No anodizing; protect by shot blasting plus epoxy/high-temperature silicone paint, aluminizing or thermal insulation, and control corrosion under insulation.
Can 16Mo3 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form at 900–1050 °C followed by re-normalizing; cold bending is practical to about 3t radius in annealed or normalized plate.
What is the maximum service temperature of 16Mo3?
16Mo3 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 16Mo3-N and 16Mo3-C?
N is the default condition — standard stocked condition for boiler plate, tube and pipe; fine-grained ferrite-pearlite with guaranteed elevated-temperature proof stress. C: cold-drawn tube or bar for tight tolerance and higher strength; must be normalized before use above design creep temperatures. Yield strength is 310 MPa in N versus 450 MPa in C.
How much does 16Mo3 cost?
16Mo3 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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 10028-2 — Flat products of steels for pressure purposes, Part 2: Non-alloy and alloy steels with specified elevated temperature properties — CEN (2017)
- EN 10216-2 — Seamless steel tubes for pressure purposes, Part 2: Non-alloy and alloy steel tubes with specified elevated temperature properties — CEN (2020)
- EN 10222-2 — Steel forgings for pressure purposes, Part 2: Ferritic and martensitic steels with specified elevated temperature properties — CEN (2017)
- ASME SA-204 / ASTM A204 Grade A — Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Molybdenum — ASTM / ASME (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Boiler and pressure vessel steel 16Mo3 data sheet — Dillinger / Voestalpine (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.