Steel A514 Grade B
ASTM A514 Grade B
A514 Grade B is a quenched-and-tempered low-alloy structural plate with 100 ksi minimum yield — the classic 'T-1' steel of the ASTM A514 family.
Reference datasheet — A514 Grade B 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 QT condition
A514 Grade B tempers and conditions
A514 Grade B is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. QT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
over 65 mm to 150 mm (2.5–6 in), 620 MPa min yield | Choose for thick sections; ASTM allows a lower yield/tensile band because of reduced quench severity through thickness. | 690 | 780 | 18 | 22 HRC | — |
Q&T + stress relieved | Used after heavy welding or machining of thick weldments where dimensional stability matters; accept a small strength/toughness trade-off. | 720 | 790 | 20 | 23 HRC | 8 % IACS |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard as-rolled-and-Q&T mill condition for plate up to 65 mm — the normal stock item for T-1 fabrication. | 760 | 820 | 19 | 25 HRC | — |
Q&T with supplementary Charpy V-notch testing | Order this when the code or bridge/crane spec requires documented low-temperature notch toughness. | 760 | 820 | 20 | 24 HRC | 8 % IACS |
What is A514 Grade B?
A514 Grade B is a quenched-and-tempered low-alloy structural plate with 100 ksi minimum yield — the classic 'T-1' steel of the ASTM A514 family. It is specified to cut weight in heavy welded fabrications; QT plate typically gives 760 MPa yield, 820 MPa tensile, 19 % elongation, about 255 HB (25 HRC) and service to 400 °C. Plate is available in QT, heavy-thickness, stress-relieved and CVN-tested conditions. The limits are low machinability (score 35), cold forming only, and mandatory low-hydrogen welding with preheat; A517 Grade B is the pressure-vessel counterpart of the same strength class. A514 Grade B 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). A514 Grade B has a yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 85% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 19% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is A514 Grade B used for?
- mobile crane booms
- heavy equipment frames
- structural weldments
- bridge components
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 140 MPa·√m (127.4 ksi·√in), better than 94% of steel grades
- High strength — 760 MPa (110 ksi), better than 85% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
A514 Grade B properties
Typical room-temperature values for A514 Grade B-QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A514 Grade B 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
A514 Grade B has a yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 85% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 19% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
A514 Grade B is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A514 Grade B conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A514 Grade B takes about 31 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
A514 Grade B's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. A514 Grade B is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A514 Grade B
Is A514 Grade B easy to machine?
Machine at roughly 30 % of 1212 rates with rigid setups, carbide tooling and generous coolant; drill and tap slowly — the Q&T structure work-hardens and dulls HSS quickly.
Can A514 Grade B be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/FCAW/SAW consumables matching ~690 MPa; use moderate preheat (typically 50–150 °C by thickness), strictly limit heat input and interpass temperature, and never exceed the mill tempering temperature.
Can A514 Grade B be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form only, with bend radii of about 3–4 t and press-brake allowance for high springback; hot forming above ~600 °C destroys the quench-and-temper properties and requires re-heat-treatment.
A514 Grade B 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 – 0.21 | 0.17 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.35 | 0.28 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Cr | 0.4 – 0.65 | 0.52 |
| Mo | 0.15 – 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Tiprotects boron effectiveness | 0.01 – 0.1 | 0.04 |
| V | 0.03 – 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Bhardenability booster | 5×10⁻⁴ – 0.01 | 0 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A514 Grade B?
No anodizing; protect with blast-and-paint systems, thermal-spray zinc or metallizing. Avoid unbaked electroplating and aggressive acid pickling because of hydrogen-embrittlement risk at this strength level.
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 A514 Grade B in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- T-1 Steel
How much does A514 Grade B cost?
A514 Grade B 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.
A514 Grade B — frequently asked
What is A514 Grade B used for?
A514 Grade B is typically used for mobile crane booms, heavy equipment frames, structural weldments and bridge components. In short: classic 100 ksi T-1 plate; weldable high-strength plate; heavy-fabrication standard.
What is the yield strength of A514 Grade B?
A514 Grade B has a typical yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 85% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is A514 Grade B easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades). Machine at roughly 30 % of 1212 rates with rigid setups, carbide tooling and generous coolant; drill and tap slowly — the Q&T structure work-hardens and dulls HSS quickly.
Can A514 Grade B be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/FCAW/SAW consumables matching ~690 MPa; use moderate preheat (typically 50–150 °C by thickness), strictly limit heat input and interpass temperature, and never exceed the mill tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on A514 Grade B?
No anodizing; protect with blast-and-paint systems, thermal-spray zinc or metallizing. Avoid unbaked electroplating and aggressive acid pickling because of hydrogen-embrittlement risk at this strength level.
Can A514 Grade B be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form only, with bend radii of about 3–4 t and press-brake allowance for high springback; hot forming above ~600 °C destroys the quench-and-temper properties and requires re-heat-treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of A514 Grade B?
A514 Grade B is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A514 Grade B-QT and A514 Grade B QT-SR?
QT is the default condition — standard as-rolled-and-Q&T mill condition for plate up to 65 mm — the normal stock item for T-1 fabrication. QT-SR: used after heavy welding or machining of thick weldments where dimensional stability matters; accept a small strength/toughness trade-off. Yield strength is 760 MPa in QT versus 720 MPa in QT-SR.
How much does A514 Grade B cost?
A514 Grade B 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
- ASTM A514/A514M — Standard Specification for High-Yield-Strength, Quenched and Tempered Alloy Steel Plate, Suitable for Welding — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM A517/A517M — Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, High-Strength, Quenched and Tempered — ASTM International (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- T-1 / high-strength Q&T plate technical and welding data — plate mill producer literature (2020)
- AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code — Steel (preheat and heat-input guidance for A514) — American Welding Society (2020)
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.