Steel A516
ASTM A516
ASTM A516 is a carbon-manganese-silicon killed steel plate for moderate- and lower-temperature pressure vessel service, supplied in Grades 55, 60, 65 and 70 (Gr.70 is the highest-volume grade) plus HIC-tested variants, in hot-rolled, annealed, normalized, N&T and Q&T conditions.
Values for the HR condition
A516 tempers and conditions
A516 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grade 55 | Lowest-strength A516 class, chosen for maximum formability and toughness where design stress is not critical. | 250 | 445 | 30 | 130 HB | 10 % IACS |
Grade 60 | Intermediate strength class; common in thinner tank and heat-exchanger shells. | 275 | 480 | 28 | 140 HB | 10 % IACS |
Annealed (full/sub-critical anneal) | Pick when maximum softness and dimensional stability for heavy cold forming or machining is wanted; lowest strength of the conditions. | 285 | 500 | 28 | 143 HB | 10 % IACS |
Grade 65 | Used when a small strength step above Gr.60 is needed without moving to the higher-carbon Gr.70. | 300 | 510 | 26 | 148 HB | 10 % IACS |
Normalized and tempered | Normalizing plus a sub-critical temper for stress relief and hardness control (e.g. NACE ≤ 200 HB wet H2S service). | 325 | 515 | 27 | 148 HB | 10 % IACS |
Normalized (austenitize ~900 °C, air cool) | Mandatory for thick plate and for low-temperature (to -46 °C) impact-tested service; refines grain and raises notch toughness. | 330 | 525 | 27 | 150 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Standard stock condition for plate up to ~40 mm where no low-temperature impact requirement applies. | 340 | 540 | 25 | 155 HB | — |
Grade 70 | The workhorse class: highest A516 strength, stocked worldwide for pressure vessels and boiler drums. | 340 | 540 | 25 | 155 HB | 10 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Used on heavy sections where accelerated cooling is needed to meet strength and low-temperature toughness through thickness. | 400 | 570 | 24 | 170 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways A516 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
HIC | HIC / NACE-tested (sour service) plate | Certification |
What is A516?
ASTM A516 is a carbon-manganese-silicon killed steel plate for moderate- and lower-temperature pressure vessel service, supplied in Grades 55, 60, 65 and 70 (Gr.70 is the highest-volume grade) plus HIC-tested variants, in hot-rolled, annealed, normalized, N&T and Q&T conditions. It is specified for good notch toughness, excellent weldability under ASME P-No.1 rules and low cost, in plate for drums, tanks, heat-exchanger shells and tubesheets. Default properties are 340 MPa yield, 540 MPa tensile, 25 % elongation and 155 HB (82 HRB). Corrosion resistance is poor, so a coating or corrosion allowance is required, strength is modest, and thick plate must be normalized to guarantee low-temperature impact values. A516 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 has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is A516 used for?
- Pressure vessels
- Boilers
- Cryogenic containment
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 150 MPa·√m (136.5 ksi·√in), better than 96% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low strength — 340 MPa (49.3 ksi), worse than 76% of steel grades
A516 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A516-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A516 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 has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A516 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 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 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
A516's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability very good (70/100).
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 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A516
Is A516 easy to machine?
Machines like 1020/1025 — free-cutting it is not; use sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speeds and good chip control to avoid gummy built-up edge.
Can A516 be welded?
Excellent weldability (P-No.1); SMAW/SAW/GMAW with E7018-class consumables, preheat 50–150 °C for thick sections and PWHT above 38 mm or per ASME UCS-56.
Can A516 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold rolls readily into shells and heads; hot form 900–1050 °C and re-normalize afterwards if formed in the 550–750 °C range.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to A516. Every A516 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Good60 / 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 | Better70 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better90 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
A516 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CGr.70: 0.27 max ≤12.5 mm, up to 0.31 max for >100 mm; lower grades 0.18–0.28 max | ≤ 0.31 | 0.24 |
| MnGr.70 heat analysis 0.85–1.20 (≤12.5 mm 0.79–1.30); Gr.55/60 lower | 0.79 – 1.3 | 1.05 |
| P0.025 max often specified for sour service | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| S≤0.002 for HIC-resistant plate | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Sisilicon-killed, fine grain practice | 0.13 – 0.45 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A516?
No anodizing; protect by blast + epoxy/inorganic-zinc paint, hot-dip galvanizing, or 304L/Alloy 625 weld overlay / roll-bond cladding 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 cost?
A516 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
A516 — frequently asked
What is A516 used for?
A516 is typically used for pressure vessels, boilers and cryogenic containment. In short: boiler grade; high-temp strength.
What is the yield strength of A516?
A516 has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 76% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is A516 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Machines like 1020/1025 — free-cutting it is not; use sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speeds and good chip control to avoid gummy built-up edge.
Can A516 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent weldability (P-No.1); SMAW/SAW/GMAW with E7018-class consumables, preheat 50–150 °C for thick sections and PWHT above 38 mm or per ASME UCS-56.
What surface finishes work on A516?
No anodizing; protect by blast + epoxy/inorganic-zinc paint, hot-dip galvanizing, or 304L/Alloy 625 weld overlay / roll-bond cladding for corrosive duty.
Can A516 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold rolls readily into shells and heads; hot form 900–1050 °C and re-normalize afterwards if formed in the 550–750 °C range.
What is the maximum service temperature of A516?
A516 is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does A516 cost?
A516 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 99% 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?
Yes — A516 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 (Q245R/Q345R comparison) — 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, Nucor, ) — various mills (2023)
- Mysteel / SMM — Mysteel (2025)
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.