Steel P265NL
EN P265NL
P265NL is a normalized fine-grain non-alloy pressure vessel steel to EN 10028-3 (material 1.0453), supplied in N, NT, N+SR, A and CD+N conditions with guaranteed low-temperature notch toughness.
Reference datasheet — P265NL 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
P265NL tempers and conditions
P265NL is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. N 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Intermediate mill condition for deep cold drawing or severe bending; must be re-normalized before pressure service to restore the −50 °C toughness guarantee. | 255 | 425 | 33 | 118 HB | 10 % IACS |
normalized then stress relieved / simulated PWHT | Condition tested to prove properties after vessel-shop PWHT (typically 580–620 °C); slightly lower strength, unchanged toughness. | 288 | 450 | 30 | 125 HB | 10 % IACS |
normalized and tempered | Choose when thick sections or heavily cold-worked tube ends need extra ductility and lower residual stress while keeping low-temperature toughness. | 295 | 455 | 30 | 128 HB | — |
NDefault Normalized | Standard delivery condition for P265NL tube and plate; gives the fine-grain structure needed for the −50 °C Charpy requirement. | 300 | 470 | 28 | 132 HB | — |
Cold drawn seamless tube, subsequently normalized | Pick for close-tolerance, smooth-bore low-temperature tubing; final normalizing removes the cold-work and restores impact values. | 305 | 475 | 27 | 135 HB | 10 % IACS |
What is P265NL?
P265NL is a normalized fine-grain non-alloy pressure vessel steel to EN 10028-3 (material 1.0453), supplied in N, NT, N+SR, A and CD+N conditions with guaranteed low-temperature notch toughness. Engineers select it where a 300 MPa yield / 470 MPa tensile plate must stay tough in cold service, and it fabricates easily into shells, heads and piping (weldability rating 90, formability 75). Hardness is about 132 HB (73 HRB) with 28 % elongation and a 400 °C maximum service temperature. It has no inherent corrosion resistance, so coating is mandatory; where sub-zero toughness is not required, P285NH or P295GH give comparable weldability. P265NL 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). P265NL has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is P265NL used for?
- cryogenic storage tanks
- gas pressure vessels
- low-temperature piping systems
- offshore pressure equipment
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 300 MPa (43.5 ksi), worse than 86% of steel grades
P265NL properties
Typical room-temperature values for P265NL-N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P265NL 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
P265NL has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P265NL is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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
P265NL 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 P265NL takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
P265NL'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. P265NL is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P265NL
Is P265NL easy to machine?
Machines like mild steel at ~65 % of AISI 1212; gummy chips at low speed — use positive rake, sharp coated carbide and generous feed.
Can P265NL be welded?
Excellent weldability (CEV ≈ 0.35–0.42); SMAW/GMAW/SAW with low-hydrogen basic consumables of matching Ni-bearing type, preheat 100–150 °C for t > 30 mm, heat input controlled to protect the −50 °C HAZ toughness.
Can P265NL be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and flanging in +N or +A; keep bend radii ≥ 2t and re-normalize after heavy cold work (>5 % strain) if low-temperature impact properties must be guaranteed.
P265NL 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 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.4 | 1.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Slow S for toughness | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, grain refining | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.06 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.08 | 0.02 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Nbmicro-alloy, Nb+Ti+V limited | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| V | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| N | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P265NL?
No anodizing; protect with shot-blast plus epoxy/zinc-rich primer, hot-dip galvanizing or metallizing — bare surfaces rust rapidly in humid or marine air.
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 P265NL in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0453
How much does P265NL cost?
P265NL 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.
P265NL — frequently asked
What is P265NL used for?
P265NL is typically used for cryogenic storage tanks, gas pressure vessels, low-temperature piping systems and offshore pressure equipment. In short: cold-service pressure vessel plate; guaranteed low-temperature toughness; very high weldability rating.
What is the yield strength of P265NL?
P265NL has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is P265NL easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines like mild steel at ~65 % of AISI 1212; gummy chips at low speed — use positive rake, sharp coated carbide and generous feed.
Can P265NL be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent weldability (CEV ≈ 0.35–0.42); SMAW/GMAW/SAW with low-hydrogen basic consumables of matching Ni-bearing type, preheat 100–150 °C for t > 30 mm, heat input controlled to protect the −50 °C HAZ toughness.
What surface finishes work on P265NL?
No anodizing; protect with shot-blast plus epoxy/zinc-rich primer, hot-dip galvanizing or metallizing — bare surfaces rust rapidly in humid or marine air.
Can P265NL be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and flanging in +N or +A; keep bend radii ≥ 2t and re-normalize after heavy cold work (>5 % strain) if low-temperature impact properties must be guaranteed.
What is the maximum service temperature of P265NL?
P265NL is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between P265NL-N and P265NL-A?
N is the default condition — standard delivery condition for P265NL tube and plate; gives the fine-grain structure needed for the −50 °C Charpy requirement. A: intermediate mill condition for deep cold drawing or severe bending; must be re-normalized before pressure service to restore the −50 °C toughness guarantee. Yield strength is 300 MPa in N versus 255 MPa in A.
How much does P265NL cost?
P265NL 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 steels with specified low temperature properties — CEN (2013)
- EN 10028-3 — Flat products of steels for pressure purposes: weldable fine grain steels, normalized — CEN (2017)
- EN 10222-4 — Steel forgings for pressure purposes: weldable fine grain steels with high proof strength — CEN (2017)
- EN 1011-2 — Welding recommendations for ferritic steels — CEN (2001)
- 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)
- European seamless tube producer datasheets for 1.0453 / P265NL — various (Vallourec, Tenaris, Benteler) (2022)
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.