Steel A514
ASTM A514
A514 (A517, T-1 Steel, S690Q, Q690D) is a quenched and tempered low-alloy high-strength weldable structural plate steel with a minimum yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi), supplied in chemistry-based grades B, E, F, H, Q and others — grade F is the classic USS T-1.
Values for the Q&T condition
A514 tempers and conditions
A514 is supplied in 17 conditions, soft to hard. Q&T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 17 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Q&T heavy plate | Pick for heavy sections over 65 mm, where the specification drops to 620 MPa minimum yield and only the deep-hardening grades (E, P, Q) are available. | 680 | 760 | 19 | 21 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Cooled from hot working and artificially aged | Not applicable to this grade: T5 is an aluminium extrusion temper designation, while A514/A517 plate is supplied only in the quenched-and-tempered condition — no T5 property data exists for this steel. | 690 | 760 | 20 | 21 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Grade E | High-chromium deep-hardening chemistry supplied in heavy sections up to about 150 mm. | 710 | 790 | 19 | 24 HRC | 40 W/m·K |
Grade P | Richly alloyed Ni-Cr-Mo chemistry for the heaviest sections (to ~150 mm) with good through-thickness properties. | 715 | 790 | 19 | 24 HRC | 38 W/m·K |
Grade Q | The most highly alloyed grade, used for very heavy quenched-and-tempered plate needing full hardenability and toughness. | 725 | 800 | 19 | 25 HRC | 38 W/m·K |
Grade S | Manganese-molybdenum chemistry offered for thin plate; economical general-purpose 690 MPa grade. | 725 | 795 | 19 | 25 HRC | 42 W/m·K |
Grade A | Lean Cr-Mo-Zr-boron chemistry for thin plate (roughly ≤32 mm) where deep hardenability is not required. | 730 | 800 | 19 | 25 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
Grade B | Common thin-plate chemistry with Ti/V microalloying; good weldability, limited hardenable thickness. | 740 | 810 | 19 | 26 HRC | 41 W/m·K |
Grade H | Vanadium-bearing Ni-Cr-Mo chemistry for medium-thickness plate; a frequent substitute for Grade F. | 745 | 815 | 20 | 26 HRC | 39 W/m·K |
As fabricated | As-fabricated A514/A517 plate: the steel is always delivered quenched and tempered, so as-fabricated bulk plate properties equal the mill Q&T condition — only weld heat-affected zones (softened or embrittled) deviate, which is why preheat and heat-input control are specified. | 750 | 795 | 18 | 24 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Q&TDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard stocked condition for A514 plate up to ~65 mm; the 690 MPa minimum-yield class used in crane booms and mobile equipment. | 760 | 800 | 19 | 24 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Grade C | Low-cost manganese-molybdenum-boron chemistry for thin plate; lowest alloy content of the family. | 760 | 800 | 18 | 24 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Grade F | The best-known chemistry (USS T-1): nickel-copper bearing, best notch toughness and mildly improved atmospheric corrosion resistance. | 760 | 810 | 19 | 25 HRC | 6.5 % IACS |
Grade J | Lean molybdenum-boron chemistry, thin plate only; economical where toughness demands are modest. | 760 | 800 | 18 | 24 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Grade K | Higher-manganese variant of the Mo-B family for thin plate; similar mechanicals to Grade J. | 760 | 800 | 18 | 24 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
Grade M | Nickel-molybdenum-boron chemistry giving good low-temperature toughness in light and medium plate. | 760 | 800 | 19 | 24 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Not applicable to this grade: T6 is an aluminium/precipitation-hardening temper designation, while A514/A517 plate is supplied only in the quenched-and-tempered condition — no T6 property data exists for this steel. | 780 | 830 | 18 | 25 HRC | 7 % IACS |
What is A514?
A514 (A517, T-1 Steel, S690Q, Q690D) is a quenched and tempered low-alloy high-strength weldable structural plate steel with a minimum yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi), supplied in chemistry-based grades B, E, F, H, Q and others — grade F is the classic USS T-1. It is used where weight must come out of highly stressed welded structures: crane booms, mining and construction equipment, bridges and pressure-vessel supports. Preheat and heat input must be controlled to avoid hydrogen cracking and HAZ softening, cold forming needs large bend radii and shows heavy springback, and corrosion resistance matches plain carbon steel, so painting is required. A514 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 has a yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 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 used for?
- Crane booms
- Heavy transport trailer frames
- Mining and construction equipment structures
- Excavator booms and arms
- Bridge girders
- Pressure vessel supports
- Lifting lugs and padeyes
Advantages
- High strength — 760 MPa (110 ksi), better than 85% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
A514 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A514-Q&T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A514 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).
Mechanical17
A514 has a yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 85% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 19% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
A514 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 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A514 conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (16/100), better than 79% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A514 takes about 31 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
A514's machinability is fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (30/100).
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 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A514
Is A514 easy to machine?
Machine like a 250 HB Q&T alloy steel — rigid setups, sharp carbide, moderate speed with heavy feed; drilling and tapping need reduced speeds and good coolant.
Can A514 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables matching 690 MPa class; use preheat/interpass per AWS D1.1 (typically 50–150 °C by thickness/CE), cap heat input to protect HAZ properties, and do not PWHT above the original tempering temperature.
Can A514 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form warm-free with generous bend radii (typically 3–5 t across grain), allow for large springback; hot forming above ~600 °C destroys the Q&T properties unless re-heat-treated.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to A514. Every A514 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair38 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair30 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better55 / 100 |
A514 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cvalues shown are Grade F (T-1); other grades differ per ASTM A514 Table 1 | 0.1 – 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Ni | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Cr | 0.4 – 0.65 | 0.52 |
| Mo | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Cu | 0.15 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| V | 0.03 – 0.08 | 0.05 |
| B | 5×10⁻⁴ – 0.01 | 0 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A514?
Not anodizable; protect with blast-and-paint, zinc-rich primer or metallizing. Avoid electroplating without baking — 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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel A514 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A517
- Trade names
- T-1 Steel
- Similar grades
- Q690DS690Q
How much does A514 cost?
A514 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 62% 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 — frequently asked
What is A514 used for?
A514 is typically used for crane booms, heavy transport trailer frames, mining and construction equipment structures, excavator booms and arms, bridge girders and pressure vessel supports. In short: high-yield structural alloy.
What is the yield strength of A514?
A514 has a typical yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 85% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 17 listed tempers.
Is A514 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades). Machine like a 250 HB Q&T alloy steel — rigid setups, sharp carbide, moderate speed with heavy feed; drilling and tapping need reduced speeds and good coolant.
Can A514 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables matching 690 MPa class; use preheat/interpass per AWS D1.1 (typically 50–150 °C by thickness/CE), cap heat input to protect HAZ properties, and do not PWHT above the original tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on A514?
Not anodizable; protect with blast-and-paint, zinc-rich primer or metallizing. Avoid electroplating without baking — hydrogen embrittlement risk at this strength level.
Can A514 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form warm-free with generous bend radii (typically 3–5 t across grain), allow for large springback; hot forming above ~600 °C destroys the Q&T properties unless re-heat-treated.
What is the maximum service temperature of A514?
A514 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 Q&T and A514-T5?
Q&T is the default condition — standard stocked condition for A514 plate up to ~65 mm; the 690 MPa minimum-yield class used in crane booms and mobile equipment. T5: not applicable to this grade: T5 is an aluminium extrusion temper designation, while A514/A517 plate is supplied only in the quenched-and-tempered condition — no T5 property data exists for this steel. Yield strength is 760 MPa in Q&T versus 690 MPa in T5.
How much does A514 cost?
A514 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 62% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in A514?
Yes — A514 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A514/A514M — High-Yield-Strength, Quenched and Tempered Alloy Steel Plate, Suitable for Welding — ASTM International (2023)
- 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)
- AWS D1.1/D1.1M Structural Welding Code — Steel — American Welding Society (2020)
- Quenched & tempered 100 ksi plate (T-1 type) technical data — plate mill / service center literature (2022)
- GB/T 16270 (Q690 class) — SAC (2009)
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.