Steel A514-T6
Temper
ASTM A514
T6 = 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.
Values for the T6 condition
Other A514 tempers and conditions
A514 is listed in 17 conditions; see the grade overview at A514.
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 |
T6This page 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-T6?
A514-T6 is A514 in the T6 temper — 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. A514-T6 has a yield strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). A514-T6 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; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 780 MPa (113 ksi), better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 36/100, worse than 81% of steel grades
A514-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A514-T6; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A514 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A514-T6 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-T6 has a yield strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
A514-T6 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-T6 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-T6 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-T6's machinability is fair (36/100, worse than 81% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (28/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A514-T6
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-T6 — frequently asked
What is A514-T6 used for?
A514-T6 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-T6?
A514-T6 has a typical yield strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 86% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 17 listed tempers.
Is A514-T6 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-T6 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-T6?
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-T6 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-T6?
A514-T6 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in A514-T6?
Yes — A514-T6 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.