Steel A516 Gr 60 · heat-treated state
Steel A516 Gr 60 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other A516 Gr 60 tempers.
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.
What is A516 Gr 60 Q&T?
A516 Gr 60 Q&T is A516 Gr 60 heat treated to Q&T — 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. A516 Gr 60 Q&T has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 203 GPa (29.4 Msi). A516 Gr 60 Q&T 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 170 MPa·√m (154.7 ksi·√in), better than 98% of steel grades
- 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
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
A516 Gr 60 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for A516 Gr 60 Q&T — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A516 Gr 60 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A516 Gr 60 Q&T 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 Q&T has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 203 GPa (29.4 Msi).
Thermal6
A516 Gr 60 Q&T 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 Q&T conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A516 Gr 60 Q&T 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 Q&T's machinability is good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other A516 Gr 60 tempers and conditions
A516 Gr 60 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the A516 Gr 60 overview.
- HRDefaultStandard stock condition for general Section VIII vessels down to −29 °C where no low-temperature impact testing is required.265 MPa yield · 130 HB
- Q&TRarely 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 MPa yield · 160 HB
- NormalizedMandatory 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 MPa yield · 135 HB
- N&TUse for thick heads/shells needing uniform toughness and low residual stress, or where sour/caustic service requires a tempered, low-hardness microstructure.275 MPa yield · 130 HB
- AnnealedPick when maximum ductility, dimensional stability after heavy forming, or minimum residual stress is needed; slightly lower strength than as-rolled.250 MPa yield · 122 HB
Working with A516 Gr 60 Q&T
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.
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.
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 | — |
A516 Gr 60 Q&T — frequently asked
What is A516 Gr 60 Q&T used for?
A516 Gr 60 Q&T 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 Q&T?
A516 Gr 60 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is A516 Gr 60 Q&T 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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
A516 Gr 60 Q&T 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in A516 Gr 60 Q&T?
Yes — A516 Gr 60 Q&T 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 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.