Steel A516 Gr 70
ASTM A516 Gr 70
A516 Gr 70 is the ASTM/ASME carbon-manganese pressure-vessel plate for moderate and lower-temperature service: silicon-manganese killed and fine-grain treated to 485–620 MPa tensile with a minimum yield of 260 MPa and good notch toughness.
Values for the HR condition
A516 Gr 70 tempers and conditions
A516 Gr 70 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
full/subcritical anneal for maximum softness and formability | Choose when severe cold forming, deep flanging or minimum hardness for machining of thick plate is needed; gives the lowest strength of the family. | 290 | 505 | 28 | 140 HB | — |
Stress relieved | Ordered when the plate must be tested in the simulated post-weld-heat-treated condition or when residual stress from forming must be removed before machining. | 300 | 530 | 26 | 145 HB | — |
Normalized and tempered | Pick for heavy-wall vessels needing both refined grain and stress-relieved, dimensionally stable plate with high, consistent Charpy energies. | 310 | 530 | 28 | 143 HB | — |
austenitized ~900 °C and air cooled | Standard requirement for plate over ~40 mm and for low-temperature Charpy qualification (typically to -45 °C); refines grain and raises toughness uniformity. | 315 | 540 | 27 | 146 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default stock condition for plate up to ~40 mm in ambient-service vessels and tanks where no low-temperature impact requirement applies. | 320 | 550 | 25 | 150 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Ordered for thick plate where the highest yield strength and lowest transition temperature within the grade are wanted; requires careful PWHT control of welds. | 400 | 590 | 24 | 180 HB | — |
What is A516 Gr 70?
A516 Gr 70 is the ASTM/ASME carbon-manganese pressure-vessel plate for moderate and lower-temperature service: silicon-manganese killed and fine-grain treated to 485–620 MPa tensile with a minimum yield of 260 MPa and good notch toughness. It is the default carbon plate for boilers, tanks, heat-exchanger shells and tubesheets — low cost, weldable, cold-formable, and it can be normalized and tempered for higher impact energy; typical plate runs 320 MPa yield, 550 MPa tensile and 25% elongation. Corrosion resistance is poor so coating or lining is needed, service is limited to about 425–450 °C, and non-normalized plate should not be used below −29 °C. A516 Gr 70 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). A516 Gr 70 has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is A516 Gr 70 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
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low strength — 320 MPa (46.4 ksi), worse than 81% of steel grades
A516 Gr 70 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A516 Gr 70-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A516 Gr 70 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
A516 Gr 70 has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A516 Gr 70 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 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A516 Gr 70 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A516 Gr 70 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
A516 Gr 70's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability very good (75/100).
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 70 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A516 Gr 70
Is A516 Gr 70 easy to machine?
Machines like 0.2–0.3 %C plate at ~65 % of AISI 1212; free-machining is limited by low sulfur in HIC grades, so use positive-rake carbide, generous coolant and expect gummy chips in annealed plate.
Can A516 Gr 70 be welded?
Excellent weldability (ASME P-No.1 Gr.2) with SMAW E7018 / SAW EM12K-F7; preheat 50–150 °C for thick sections and PWHT at 595–650 °C above ~38 mm or where code requires.
Can A516 Gr 70 be formed, bent or molded?
Readily cold-rolled into shells and cold-flanged (min bend radius ≈2t); hot forming 900–1000 °C followed by re-normalizing when the plate was ordered normalized.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to A516 Gr 70. Every A516 Gr 70 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better62 / 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 | Better75 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent90 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
A516 Gr 70 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C0.27 max ≤12.5 mm; 0.28/0.30/0.31 max for heavier thickness ranges per ASTM A516 | ≤ 0.31 | 0.22 |
| Mn0.85–1.20 for ≤12.5 mm; 0.85–1.20/0.79–1.30 heat vs product analysis | 0.79 – 1.3 | 1.05 |
| Si0.15–0.40 heat analysis (silicon-killed) | 0.13 – 0.45 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S≤0.002–0.005 typical for HIC/NACE service | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A516 Gr 70?
No anodizing; shot-blast to SA 2.5 then epoxy/zinc-rich primer, hot-dip galvanize, or weld-overlay/roll-bond clad with 308L/Inconel for corrosive duty.
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 70 cost?
A516 Gr 70 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 70 — frequently asked
What is A516 Gr 70 used for?
A516 Gr 70 is typically used for boilers, pressure vessels and storage tanks. In short: pressure-vessel quality plate.
What is the yield strength of A516 Gr 70?
A516 Gr 70 has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is A516 Gr 70 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines like 0.2–0.3 %C plate at ~65 % of AISI 1212; free-machining is limited by low sulfur in HIC grades, so use positive-rake carbide, generous coolant and expect gummy chips in annealed plate.
Can A516 Gr 70 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent weldability (ASME P-No.1 Gr.2) with SMAW E7018 / SAW EM12K-F7; preheat 50–150 °C for thick sections and PWHT at 595–650 °C above ~38 mm or where code requires.
What surface finishes work on A516 Gr 70?
No anodizing; shot-blast to SA 2.5 then epoxy/zinc-rich primer, hot-dip galvanize, or weld-overlay/roll-bond clad with 308L/Inconel for corrosive duty.
Can A516 Gr 70 be formed, bent or molded?
Readily cold-rolled into shells and cold-flanged (min bend radius ≈2t); hot forming 900–1000 °C followed by re-normalizing when the plate was ordered normalized.
What is the maximum service temperature of A516 Gr 70?
A516 Gr 70 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.
What is the difference between A516 Gr 70-HR and A516 Gr 70-SR?
HR is the default condition — default stock condition for plate up to ~40 mm in ambient-service vessels and tanks where no low-temperature impact requirement applies. SR: ordered when the plate must be tested in the simulated post-weld-heat-treated condition or when residual stress from forming must be removed before machining. Yield strength is 320 MPa in HR versus 300 MPa in SR.
How much does A516 Gr 70 cost?
A516 Gr 70 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 70?
Yes — A516 Gr 70 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)
- ASME BPVC Section VIII Div.1 UCS-66 impact test exemption curves — ASME (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)
- GB/T 713 Q245R/Q345R — SAC (2014)
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.