Steel A514 · grade
Steel A514 Gr H
Properties of the Gr H condition, compared with the other A514 tempers.
Vanadium-bearing Ni-Cr-Mo chemistry for medium-thickness plate; a frequent substitute for Grade F.
What is A514 Gr H?
A514 Gr H is A514 in the Gr H grade — vanadium-bearing Ni-Cr-Mo chemistry for medium-thickness plate; a frequent substitute for Grade F. A514 Gr H has a yield strength of 745 MPa (108 ksi) and a tensile strength of 815 MPa (118 ksi) — stronger than 83% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). A514 Gr H 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). Q&T is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Gr H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 125 MPa·√m (113.8 ksi·√in), better than 85% of steel grades
- High strength — 745 MPa (108 ksi), better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 36/100, worse than 81% of steel grades
A514 Gr H properties
Typical room-temperature values for A514 Gr H — 30 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A514 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A514 Gr H 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 Gr H has a yield strength of 745 MPa (108 ksi) and a tensile strength of 815 MPa (118 ksi) — stronger than 83% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
A514 Gr H is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 39 W/m·K (22.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A514 Gr H 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 Gr H takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
A514 Gr H's machinability is fair (36/100, worse than 81% of steel grades); weldability good (58/100); formability poor (34/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other A514 tempers and conditions
A514 is also supplied in 13 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the A514 overview.
- Q&TDefaultStandard stocked condition for A514 plate up to ~65 mm; the 690 MPa minimum-yield class used in crane booms and mobile equipment.760 MPa yield · 24 HRC
- Gr HVanadium-bearing Ni-Cr-Mo chemistry for medium-thickness plate; a frequent substitute for Grade F.745 MPa yield · 26 HRC
- Gr BCommon thin-plate chemistry with Ti/V microalloying; good weldability, limited hardenable thickness.740 MPa yield · 26 HRC
- Gr ALean Cr-Mo-Zr-boron chemistry for thin plate (roughly ≤32 mm) where deep hardenability is not required.730 MPa yield · 25 HRC
- Gr QThe most highly alloyed grade, used for very heavy quenched-and-tempered plate needing full hardenability and toughness.725 MPa yield · 25 HRC
- Gr SManganese-molybdenum chemistry offered for thin plate; economical general-purpose 690 MPa grade.725 MPa yield · 25 HRC
- Gr PRichly alloyed Ni-Cr-Mo chemistry for the heaviest sections (to ~150 mm) with good through-thickness properties.715 MPa yield · 24 HRC
- Gr EHigh-chromium deep-hardening chemistry supplied in heavy sections up to about 150 mm.710 MPa yield · 24 HRC
Working with A514 Gr H
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.
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.
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 | — |
A514 Gr H — frequently asked
What is A514 Gr H used for?
A514 Gr H 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 Gr H?
A514 Gr H has a typical yield strength of 745 MPa (108 ksi) and a tensile strength of 815 MPa (118 ksi) — stronger than 83% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 14 listed tempers.
Is A514 Gr H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (36/100, worse than 81% 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 Gr H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (58/100). 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 Gr H?
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 Gr H 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 Gr H?
A514 Gr H 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in A514 Gr H?
Yes — A514 Gr H is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.