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Steel A299-GrB

Grade

ASTM A299

GrB = aSTM A299 Grade B

Higher-strength grade of ASTM A299 Mn-Si plate, same chemistry family as Grade A but tested to a raised tensile/yield band for thicker vessel shells.

Budget cost $

Values for the GrB condition

Other A299 tempers and conditions

A299 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at A299.

Compare all 7 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Normalized + stress relieved / simulated PWHT
Ordered when plate must be tested in the simulated post-weld-heat-treated condition for code vessels.31555525155 HB10 % IACS
GrA-ARDefault
Grade A, as-rolled
Default stock condition for A299 Grade A plate up to about 38 mm where no normalizing is specified.32056023160 HB10 % IACS
ASTM A299 Grade A
Lower-strength grade of ASTM A299 carbon-manganese-silicon plate for welded boilers and pressure vessels, supplied as-rolled or normalized per thickness.32056024160 HB49 W/m·K
Grade A, normalized
Choose for thick plate (>38 mm) or where finer grain and better notch toughness are required.33054525155 HB—
GrBThis page
ASTM A299 Grade B
Higher-strength grade of ASTM A299 Mn-Si plate, same chemistry family as Grade A but tested to a raised tensile/yield band for thicker vessel shells.35060022175 HB48 W/m·K
Grade B, as-rolled
Higher-strength grade of A299 for maximum allowable stress / minimum wall thickness in as-rolled plate.36060021175 HB—
Grade B, normalized
Grade B in heavy sections or where toughness and through-thickness uniformity matter.37058523170 HB10 % IACS

What is A299-GrB?

A299-GrB is A299 in the GrB grade — higher-strength grade of ASTM A299 Mn-Si plate, same chemistry family as Grade A but tested to a raised tensile/yield band for thicker vessel shells. A299-GrB has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — weaker than 74% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). A299-GrB has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,415°C (2,579 °F). GrA-AR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GrB is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% of steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades

A299-GrB properties

Typical room-temperature values for A299-GrB; 36 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A299 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

A299-GrB has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,415°C (2,579 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,415°C2,579 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,495°C2,723 °F

Mechanical16

A299-GrB has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — weaker than 74% 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)600 MPa87 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)350 MPa50.8 ksi
Elongation at Break22%
Reduction in Area48%
Compressive Strength320 MPa46.4 ksi
Shear Strength385 MPa55.8 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)270 MPa39.2 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)95 MPa·√m86.5 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)50 J36.9 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell175 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B88 HRB
Hardness, Vickers184 HV

Thermal6

A299-GrB is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity48 W/m·K27.7 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)450°C842 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

A299-GrB conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity10 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.75×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.89 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.62 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended10/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in humid air and water; suitable for oil, dry gases, alkaline and non-oxidising neutral service with coating or corrosion allowance; not for acids, chlorides or wet H2S without cladding/PWHT hardness control.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of A299-GrB takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability6

A299-GrB's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability good (68/100); formability good (55/100).

MachinabilityGood55/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)55%
WeldabilityGood68/100
Formability (cold)Good55/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityFair45/100

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

Working with A299-GrB

Is A299 easy to machine?

Machines like medium-carbon C-Mn plate (~60 % of AISI 1212); use rigid setups, carbide tooling and moderate speeds — as-rolled banded structure can give stringy chips.

Can A299 be welded?

Weldable by SMAW/SAW/GMAW with low-hydrogen consumables; carbon equivalent near 0.45 means preheat 100–150 °C on thick plate and PWHT at 595–650 °C for code vessels.

Can A299 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot-form heads and shells at 900–1000 °C followed by re-normalizing; cold rolling of shells is practical with generous bend radii due to the higher yield strength.

What surface finishes work on A299?

No inherent corrosion resistance — shot blast to SA 2.5 and apply epoxy/zinc-rich primer, galvanizing or internal cladding; polishing gives only utility finishes.

A299 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
C0.28 max ≤25 mm; increases with thickness (to ~0.30–0.33)≤ 0.30.26
Mn0.90–1.40 for ≤25 mm; 1.15–1.50 for thicker plate0.9 – 1.51.25
Si0.15 – 0.40.25
Pheat analysis max≤ 0.040.02
Sheat analysis max≤ 0.040.01
Febalance, residual Cu/Ni/Cr/Mo per A20 limitsbalance—

A299-GrB — frequently asked

What is A299-GrB used for?

A299-GrB is typically used for pressure vessels, boiler shells and storage tanks. In short: stronger than A285/A515; weldable C-Mn vessel plate; 425 °C service limit.

What is the yield strength of A299-GrB?

A299-GrB has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — weaker than 74% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is A299-GrB easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like medium-carbon C-Mn plate (~60 % of AISI 1212); use rigid setups, carbide tooling and moderate speeds — as-rolled banded structure can give stringy chips.

Can A299-GrB be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (68/100). Weldable by SMAW/SAW/GMAW with low-hydrogen consumables; carbon equivalent near 0.45 means preheat 100–150 °C on thick plate and PWHT at 595–650 °C for code vessels.

What surface finishes work on A299-GrB?

No inherent corrosion resistance — shot blast to SA 2.5 and apply epoxy/zinc-rich primer, galvanizing or internal cladding; polishing gives only utility finishes.

Can A299-GrB be formed, bent or molded?

Hot-form heads and shells at 900–1000 °C followed by re-normalizing; cold rolling of shells is practical with generous bend radii due to the higher yield strength.

What is the maximum service temperature of A299-GrB?

A299-GrB is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between A299 GrA-AR and A299 GrB-N?

GrA-AR is the default condition — default stock condition for A299 Grade A plate up to about 38 mm where no normalizing is specified. GrB-N: grade B in heavy sections or where toughness and through-thickness uniformity matter. Yield strength is 320 MPa in GrA-AR versus 370 MPa in GrB-N.

Sources

  1. ASTM A299/A299M — Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon Steel, Manganese-Silicon — ASTM International (2020)
  2. ASTM A20/A20M — General Requirements for Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels — ASTM International (2020)
  3. ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Properties (Metric) — ASME (2023)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)

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.