Steel P280GH-C
Supply condition
EN P280GH
Cold-drawn precision tube with tight tolerances and raised strength; must be re-normalized (+N) before use as pressure tube under EN 10216-2.
Values for the C condition
Other P280GH tempers and conditions
P280GH is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at P280GH.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Softest state, used between cold-drawing passes or where maximum cold formability and easy machining matter more than strength. | 250 | 420 | 32 | 120 HB | 10 % IACS |
As-rolled / hot finished | Intermediate hot-finished stock before normalizing; acceptable only for non-pressure or further-processed parts. | 305 | 500 | 23 | 150 HB | 10 % IACS |
normalized and tempered | Choose when residual stresses must be lowered and toughness scatter tightened, e.g. thick-wall headers after hot forming. | 310 | 460 | 27 | 138 HB | 10 % IACS |
NDefault Normalized | Default stocked condition: fine ferrite-pearlite grain, meets full EN 10216-2 room- and elevated-temperature property set. | 320 | 480 | 26 | 145 HB | — |
normalizing rolled (thermomechanically finished, plate/strip) | Plate/coil route giving properties equivalent to +N without a separate furnace cycle; economical for welded pressure tube and vessel shells. | 330 | 490 | 25 | 148 HB | 10 % IACS |
CThis page cold drawn / cold finished (hard, as-drawn) | Cold-drawn precision tube with tight tolerances and raised strength; must be re-normalized (+N) before use as pressure tube under EN 10216-2. | 460 | 570 | 12 | 175 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
What is P280GH-C?
P280GH-C is P280GH supplied in the C condition — cold-drawn precision tube with tight tolerances and raised strength; must be re-normalized (+N) before use as pressure tube under EN 10216-2. P280GH-C has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). P280GH-C 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). N is the default condition FabDigit quotes; C is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 66/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 79% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
P280GH-C properties
Typical room-temperature values for P280GH-C; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are P280GH reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P280GH-C 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
P280GH-C has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P280GH-C is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 47 W/m·K (27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
P280GH-C conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P280GH-C takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
P280GH-C's machinability is good (66/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with P280GH-C
Is P280GH easy to machine?
Machines like normalized 1020/1518 carbon steel — free chipping with carbide at 150–250 m/min, but gummy in the annealed state; use chip breakers and adequate coolant.
Can P280GH be welded?
Excellent weldability (CEV ≈ 0.40–0.45); SMAW/GTAW/SAW with matching low-hydrogen consumables, preheat 100–150 °C for wall >30 mm, PWHT per EN 13480/EN 13445 when required.
Can P280GH be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and tube bending (min bend radius ≈ 3D); hot forming 850–1050 °C followed by re-normalizing at 880–920 °C to restore certified properties.
What surface finishes work on P280GH?
Not anodizable — protect with shop primer, epoxy/high-temperature silicone paint, phosphating or hot-dip galvanizing; internal boiler surfaces rely on controlled water chemistry and magnetite films.
P280GH 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 | 0.17 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.4 | 1.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.08 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.08 | 0.02 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| V | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr+Cu+Mo+Nisum limit per EN 10216-2 | ≤ 0.7 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
P280GH-C — frequently asked
What is P280GH-C used for?
P280GH-C is typically used for high-pressure vessel shells, boiler components, heavy-wall pipe flanges and steam drums. In short: higher-strength boiler plate; rated to 450 °C; weldable pressure vessel grade.
What is the yield strength of P280GH-C?
P280GH-C has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is P280GH-C easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (66/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Machines like normalized 1020/1518 carbon steel — free chipping with carbide at 150–250 m/min, but gummy in the annealed state; use chip breakers and adequate coolant.
Can P280GH-C be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Excellent weldability (CEV ≈ 0.40–0.45); SMAW/GTAW/SAW with matching low-hydrogen consumables, preheat 100–150 °C for wall >30 mm, PWHT per EN 13480/EN 13445 when required.
What surface finishes work on P280GH-C?
Not anodizable — protect with shop primer, epoxy/high-temperature silicone paint, phosphating or hot-dip galvanizing; internal boiler surfaces rely on controlled water chemistry and magnetite films.
Can P280GH-C be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and tube bending (min bend radius ≈ 3D); hot forming 850–1050 °C followed by re-normalizing at 880–920 °C to restore certified properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of P280GH-C?
P280GH-C 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 P280GH-N and P280GH-C?
N is the default condition — default stocked condition: fine ferrite-pearlite grain, meets full EN 10216-2 room- and elevated-temperature property set. C: cold-drawn precision tube with tight tolerances and raised strength; must be re-normalized (+N) before use as pressure tube under EN 10216-2. Yield strength is 320 MPa in N versus 460 MPa in C.
Sources
- EN 10216-2 — Seamless steel tubes for pressure purposes, non-alloy and alloy steels with specified elevated temperature properties — CEN (2020)
- EN 10217-2 — Welded steel tubes for pressure purposes with specified elevated temperature properties — CEN (2019)
- EN 10028-2 — Flat products of steels for pressure purposes: alloy steels with specified elevated temperature properties — CEN (2017)
- EN 10027-2 / material number 1.0426 — CEN (2015)
- 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 5310 ( , 20G/Q345R comparison grades) — SAC (2017)
- Mysteel / SMM (2025)
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.