Steel P215NL
EN P215NL
P215NL is a normalized fine-grain low-carbon pressure vessel steel to EN 10028-3 (1.0451) developed for equipment operating at sub-zero temperatures, with verified low-temperature impact toughness.
Reference datasheet — P215NL is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +N condition
P215NL tempers and conditions
P215NL is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. +N 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved | Applied to welded assemblies to relieve residual stress; slightly lowers yield but keeps low-temperature toughness. | 240 | 410 | 32 | 115 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
+N | Lower-cost EFW/SAW tube in the same normalized condition; pick when seamless is not required by the design code. | 245 | 415 | 29 | 120 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
+NDefault Normalized | Standard delivery condition for EN 10216-4 seamless low-temperature tube; use for all -50 °C pressure service. | 250 | 420 | 30 | 120 HB | — |
+N plate/strip | Normalized flat product supplied for tube-making, headers and low-temperature fabricated shells. | 250 | 420 | 31 | 118 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Cold drawn then normalized | Cold-drawn precision tube given a final normalizing anneal — tight tolerances and smooth bore with full low-temperature toughness restored. | 255 | 420 | 29 | 125 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Cold drawn | As-drawn tube for non-pressure or mechanical use only — higher strength but degraded -50 °C impact values. | 400 | 500 | 14 | 160 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
What is P215NL?
P215NL is a normalized fine-grain low-carbon pressure vessel steel to EN 10028-3 (1.0451) developed for equipment operating at sub-zero temperatures, with verified low-temperature impact toughness. It is supplied as plate and pipe for LPG tanks, cryogenic vessel shells and low-temperature piping, offering 250 MPa yield, 420 MPa tensile, 30 % elongation and 120 HB with service to about 300 °C. Weldability is the best in this family (score 95, CEV ≈ 0.30–0.38) and formability is high, but the steel is soft, has no corrosion resistance and must be re-normalized after hot forming. Where higher strength is needed at similar toughness, use P255QL. P215NL has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). P215NL has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is P215NL used for?
- cryogenic vessel plate
- LPG storage tanks
- low-temperature piping
- pressure equipment shells
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 96% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 93% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 94% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
P215NL properties
Typical room-temperature values for P215NL-+N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P215NL has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical16
P215NL has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P215NL is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
P215NL conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P215NL takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
P215NL's machinability is good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (85/100).
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. P215NL is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P215NL
Is P215NL easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and stringy chips.
Can P215NL be welded?
Excellent weldability (CEV ≈ 0.30–0.38); use low-hydrogen consumables with matching -50 °C impact properties, minimal preheat below ~30 mm, limit heat input to protect the fine grain size.
Can P215NL be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends and flanges readily in the normalized condition; hot forming above 950 °C must be followed by re-normalizing to restore low-temperature toughness.
P215NL 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cladle analysis | ≤ 0.16 | 0.12 |
| Si | ≤ 0.35 | 0.22 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 1.2 | 0.8 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| N | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.08 | 0.02 |
| Nbmicro-alloy, optional | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Timicro-alloy, optional | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Vmicro-alloy, optional | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P215NL?
No inherent corrosion resistance — shot blast then paint, zinc-coat or galvanize; not anodizable.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel P215NL in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0451
How much does P215NL cost?
P215NL is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
P215NL — frequently asked
What is P215NL used for?
P215NL is typically used for cryogenic vessel plate, LPG storage tanks, low-temperature piping and pressure equipment shells. In short: best weldability in family; sub-zero vessel plate; highly formable pressure steel.
What is the yield strength of P215NL?
P215NL has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is P215NL easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and stringy chips.
Can P215NL be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability (CEV ≈ 0.30–0.38); use low-hydrogen consumables with matching -50 °C impact properties, minimal preheat below ~30 mm, limit heat input to protect the fine grain size.
What surface finishes work on P215NL?
No inherent corrosion resistance — shot blast then paint, zinc-coat or galvanize; not anodizable.
Can P215NL be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends and flanges readily in the normalized condition; hot forming above 950 °C must be followed by re-normalizing to restore low-temperature toughness.
What is the maximum service temperature of P215NL?
P215NL is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between P215NL +N and P215NL-CD?
+N is the default condition — standard delivery condition for EN 10216-4 seamless low-temperature tube; use for all -50 °C pressure service. CD: as-drawn tube for non-pressure or mechanical use only — higher strength but degraded -50 °C impact values. Yield strength is 250 MPa in +N versus 400 MPa in CD.
How much does P215NL cost?
P215NL is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Sources
- EN 10216-4 Seamless steel tubes for pressure purposes — Non-alloy and alloy steel tubes with specified low temperature properties — CEN (2013)
- EN 10217-6 Welded steel tubes for pressure purposes — Submerged arc welded non-alloy steel tubes with specified low temperature properties — CEN (2019)
- EN 10027-1/-2 Designation systems for steels (1.0451) — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 13480-3 Metallic industrial piping — Design and calculation (physical property tables) — CEN (2017)
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.