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Steel A225 GrC-N+SR

Heat-treated state

ASTM A225

GrC-N+SR = grade C, Normalized + Stress Relieved

Use when plate must be qualified after simulated post-weld heat treatment of heavy welded shells; slight strength loss, improved dimensional stability.

Budget cost $

Values for the GrC-N+SR condition

Other A225 tempers and conditions

A225 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at A225.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
GrC-NDefault
Grade C, Normalized
Higher-strength A225 level; standard supply condition for thick high-pressure vessel shells where wall thickness must be minimized.34554024160 HB44 W/m·K
Grade D, Normalized + Stress Relieved
Grade D plate delivered in the PWHT-simulated condition for heavy welded drums requiring guaranteed post-heat-treatment properties.36556025163 HB7.5 % IACS
Grade D, Normalized
Lower-carbon/lower-strength A225 level; chosen when better toughness, bendability and weld reliability matter more than peak strength.43062020190 HB42 W/m·K
GrC-N+SRThis page
Grade C, Normalized + Stress Relieved
Use when plate must be qualified after simulated post-weld heat treatment of heavy welded shells; slight strength loss, improved dimensional stability.44066022192 HB8 % IACS
Grade C, Quenched and Tempered
Optional accelerated-cooled/tempered condition for very heavy plate needing through-thickness strength and low-temperature toughness.5207202019 HRC8 % IACS

What is A225 GrC-N+SR?

A225 GrC-N+SR is A225 heat treated to GrC-N+SR — use when plate must be qualified after simulated post-weld heat treatment of heavy welded shells; slight strength loss, improved dimensional stability. A225 GrC-N+SR has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 50% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). A225 GrC-N+SR 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). GrC-N is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GrC-N+SR is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades

A225 GrC-N+SR properties

Typical room-temperature values for A225 GrC-N+SR; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A225 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

A225 GrC-N+SR 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical16

A225 GrC-N+SR has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 50% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)660 MPa95.7 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)440 MPa63.8 ksi
Elongation at Break22%
Reduction in Area55%
Compressive Strength440 MPa63.8 ksi
Shear Strength400 MPa58 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)300 MPa43.5 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)70 J51.6 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell192 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B92 HRB
Hardness, Vickers202 HV

Thermal6

A225 GrC-N+SR is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)425°C797 °F
Min Service Temperature-45°C-49 °F

Electrical3

A225 GrC-N+SR conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.62 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air and seawater; requires coating, cladding or corrosion allowance. Attacked by acids; susceptible to wet H2S sulfide stress cracking and, at elevated temperature/pressure, to high-temperature hydrogen attack — Nelson-curve limits apply.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of A225 GrC-N+SR takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

A225 GrC-N+SR's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (48/100).

MachinabilityGood55/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)58%
WeldabilityGood55/100
Formability (cold)Fair48/100
CastabilityFair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair40/100
PolishabilityFair50/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with A225 GrC-N+SR

Is A225 easy to machine?

Machines like normalized 1.3–1.5 %Mn low-alloy plate (~55 % of AISI 1212); use rigid setups, carbide inserts, moderate speeds, and expect abrasive V-carbide wear in the Grade C condition.

Can A225 be welded?

Weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/SAW but CE ≈ 0.5–0.6: preheat 100–150 °C, control interpass, use low-hydrogen consumables and apply PWHT at 590–620 °C — V-bearing HAZ is prone to reheat/hardening cracking.

Can A225 be formed, bent or molded?

Heavy plate is hot-formed or warm-formed for heads and shells; cold rolling of thin gauges is possible at generous bend radii (≥3t) with renormalizing if strain is large.

What surface finishes work on A225?

No inherent corrosion resistance — shot blast then prime/paint, weld-overlay or clad with stainless/Alloy 625 for process-side service; add a corrosion allowance in wall-thickness design.

A225 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CGrade C up to ~0.25; Grade D held lower (~0.20 max) for toughness/weldability≤ 0.250.2
Mnprincipal strengthener1.1 – 1.61.35
Sikilled steel0.13 – 0.450.28
Nitoughness / hardenability0.4 – 0.70.55
Vprecipitation strengthening; drives PWHT sensitivity0.1 – 0.180.14
P≤ 0.040.02
S≤ 0.040.01
Febalance—

A225 GrC-N+SR — frequently asked

What is A225 GrC-N+SR used for?

A225 GrC-N+SR is typically used for high-pressure reactor vessels, hydrogenation and hydroprocessing equipment shells, heavy-wall pressure vessel plate, formed reactor heads, ammonia and synthesis converter shells and thick-section vessel shell courses. In short: high-strength heavy-wall vessel plate; crack-sensitive V-bearing HAZ; legacy hydrogen reactor grade.

What is the yield strength of A225 GrC-N+SR?

A225 GrC-N+SR has a typical yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 50% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is A225 GrC-N+SR easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like normalized 1.3–1.5 %Mn low-alloy plate (~55 % of AISI 1212); use rigid setups, carbide inserts, moderate speeds, and expect abrasive V-carbide wear in the Grade C condition.

Can A225 GrC-N+SR be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/SAW but CE ≈ 0.5–0.6: preheat 100–150 °C, control interpass, use low-hydrogen consumables and apply PWHT at 590–620 °C — V-bearing HAZ is prone to reheat/hardening cracking.

What surface finishes work on A225 GrC-N+SR?

No inherent corrosion resistance — shot blast then prime/paint, weld-overlay or clad with stainless/Alloy 625 for process-side service; add a corrosion allowance in wall-thickness design.

Can A225 GrC-N+SR be formed, bent or molded?

Heavy plate is hot-formed or warm-formed for heads and shells; cold rolling of thin gauges is possible at generous bend radii (≥3t) with renormalizing if strain is large.

What is the maximum service temperature of A225 GrC-N+SR?

A225 GrC-N+SR is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between A225 GrC-N and A225 GrC-QT?

GrC-N is the default condition — higher-strength A225 level; standard supply condition for thick high-pressure vessel shells where wall thickness must be minimized. GrC-QT: optional accelerated-cooled/tempered condition for very heavy plate needing through-thickness strength and low-temperature toughness. Yield strength is 345 MPa in GrC-N versus 520 MPa in GrC-QT.

Sources

  1. ASTM A225/A225M Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Manganese-Vanadium-Nickel (withdrawn) — ASTM International (2003)
  2. ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Properties (Metric) — ASME (2023)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol. 19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
  5. API RP 941 — Steels for Hydrogen Service at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures — API (2016)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.