Steel A516 Gr 60
ASTM A516 Gr 60
A516 Grade 60 (ASME SA516 Gr 60) is a silicon-killed, fine-grain carbon-manganese plate steel specified for welded boilers and pressure vessels at moderate temperatures, with the composition and grain refinement tuned for notch toughness and clean weldability rather than high strength.
Values for the HR condition
A516 Gr 60 tempers and conditions
A516 Gr 60 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
full anneal / subcritical (stress-relief) annealed plate | Pick when maximum ductility, dimensional stability after heavy forming, or minimum residual stress is needed; slightly lower strength than as-rolled. | 250 | 440 | 30 | 122 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Standard stock condition for general Section VIII vessels down to −29 °C where no low-temperature impact testing is required. | 265 | 460 | 27 | 130 HB | — |
Normalized and tempered | Use for thick heads/shells needing uniform toughness and low residual stress, or where sour/caustic service requires a tempered, low-hardness microstructure. | 275 | 460 | 30 | 130 HB | — |
austenitized ~880–920 °C and air cooled | Mandatory above 40 mm and the usual choice for low-temperature (down to −46 °C) or impact-tested vessels; refines grain and raises Charpy energy. | 285 | 470 | 29 | 135 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Rarely ordered; chosen only when a thick plate must meet high sub-zero Charpy requirements — strength rises but tensile must still stay inside the 415–550 MPa band. | 370 | 515 | 25 | 160 HB | — |
What is A516 Gr 60?
A516 Grade 60 (ASME SA516 Gr 60) is a silicon-killed, fine-grain carbon-manganese plate steel specified for welded boilers and pressure vessels at moderate temperatures, with the composition and grain refinement tuned for notch toughness and clean weldability rather than high strength. It is chosen where ASME Section VIII/I code stamping, good bendability and easy field welding matter more than strength-to-weight. Limits are its low strength (220 MPa min yield), essentially no corrosion resistance without coating or cladding, a −29 °C service floor unless normalized and impact-tested, and a risk of graphitization above roughly 425 °C. A516 Gr 60 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,490°C (2,714 °F). A516 Gr 60 has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 203 GPa (29.4 Msi).
What is A516 Gr 60 used for?
- Boilers
- Pressure vessels
- Storage tanks
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 78/100, better than 91% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low strength — 265 MPa (38.4 ksi), worse than 92% of steel grades
A516 Gr 60 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A516 Gr 60-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A516 Gr 60 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,490°C (2,714 °F).
Mechanical16
A516 Gr 60 has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 203 GPa (29.4 Msi).
Thermal6
A516 Gr 60 is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A516 Gr 60 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A516 Gr 60 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
A516 Gr 60's machinability is good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (78/100).
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. A516 Gr 60 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A516 Gr 60
Is A516 Gr 60 easy to machine?
Machines like mild plate at ~70 % of 1212 — gummy chips and built-up edge, so use positive rake, generous feed and coolant; drilling and hole-flanging in vessel shells is routine.
Can A516 Gr 60 be welded?
Excellent weldability (CE typically 0.35–0.45): SMAW/SAW/GMAW with E7018 or F7A2-EM12K class consumables; preheat 100–150 °C above ~38 mm and PWHT 595–620 °C for code-required thicknesses or caustic/sour service.
Can A516 Gr 60 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-forms and rolls readily for shells and hot-forms for dished heads; keep bend radius ≥1.5–2 t cold, and re-normalize after hot forming above ~650 °C if grain coarsening or forming below 550 °C occurs.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to A516 Gr 60. Every A516 Gr 60 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better65 / 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 | Better78 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent92 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
A516 Gr 60 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C0.18 max ≤12.5 mm; 0.21 max >12.5–50 mm; 0.23 max >50–100 mm; 0.27 max >100 mm | ≤ 0.23 | 0.18 |
| Mn0.60–0.90 for ≤12.5 mm; 0.85–1.20 for thicker plate (heat analysis) | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Sisilicon-killed | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| P0.035 max in older editions | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S0.035 max in older editions | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A516 Gr 60?
No inherent corrosion resistance — blast to SA 2.5 and apply epoxy/zinc-rich primer, galvanize, or use stainless weld-overlay/roll-bond cladding for wetted vessel interiors.
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
How much does A516 Gr 60 cost?
A516 Gr 60 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
A516 Gr 60 — frequently asked
What is A516 Gr 60 used for?
A516 Gr 60 is typically used for boilers, pressure vessels and storage tanks. In short: pressure-vessel grade plate.
What is the yield strength of A516 Gr 60?
A516 Gr 60 has a typical yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is A516 Gr 60 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades). Machines like mild plate at ~70 % of 1212 — gummy chips and built-up edge, so use positive rake, generous feed and coolant; drilling and hole-flanging in vessel shells is routine.
Can A516 Gr 60 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent weldability (CE typically 0.35–0.45): SMAW/SAW/GMAW with E7018 or F7A2-EM12K class consumables; preheat 100–150 °C above ~38 mm and PWHT 595–620 °C for code-required thicknesses or caustic/sour service.
What surface finishes work on A516 Gr 60?
No inherent corrosion resistance — blast to SA 2.5 and apply epoxy/zinc-rich primer, galvanize, or use stainless weld-overlay/roll-bond cladding for wetted vessel interiors.
Can A516 Gr 60 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-forms and rolls readily for shells and hot-forms for dished heads; keep bend radius ≥1.5–2 t cold, and re-normalize after hot forming above ~650 °C if grain coarsening or forming below 550 °C occurs.
What is the maximum service temperature of A516 Gr 60?
A516 Gr 60 is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does A516 Gr 60 cost?
A516 Gr 60 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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 A516 Gr 60?
Yes — A516 Gr 60 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 A516/A516M — Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon Steel, for Moderate and Lower Temperature Service — ASTM International (2021)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part A (SA-516) and Part D (allowable stresses, physical properties) — ASME (2023)
- GB/T 713 — Steel plates for boilers and pressure vessels (Q245R) — SAC (2014)
- 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)
- Pressure-vessel plate datasheets (Dillinger, ArcelorMittal, Nippon Steel SA516 series) — various mills (2023)
- Mysteel / SMM (2026)
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.