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Steel P280GH-N (Normalized)

Heat-treated state · default condition

EN P280GH

Default stocked condition: fine ferrite-pearlite grain, meets full EN 10216-2 room- and elevated-temperature property set.

Budget cost $

Values for the N 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Solution annealed
Softest state, used between cold-drawing passes or where maximum cold formability and easy machining matter more than strength.25042032120 HB10 % IACS
As-rolled / hot finished
Intermediate hot-finished stock before normalizing; acceptable only for non-pressure or further-processed parts.30550023150 HB10 % IACS
normalized and tempered
Choose when residual stresses must be lowered and toughness scatter tightened, e.g. thick-wall headers after hot forming.31046027138 HB10 % IACS
NDefaultThis page
Normalized
Default stocked condition: fine ferrite-pearlite grain, meets full EN 10216-2 room- and elevated-temperature property set.32048026145 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.33049025148 HB10 % IACS
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 10216-2.46057012175 HB9.5 % IACS

What is P280GH-N?

P280GH-N is P280GH heat treated to N — default stocked condition: fine ferrite-pearlite grain, meets full EN 10216-2 room- and elevated-temperature property set. P280GH-N has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 212 GPa (30.7 Msi). P280GH-N 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).

Advantages

  • Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
  • High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% 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
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 26%, better than 82% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
  • Low strength — 320 MPa (46.4 ksi), worse than 81% of steel grades

P280GH-N properties

Typical room-temperature values for P280GH-N; 12 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-N 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,460°C2,660 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,515°C2,759 °F

Mechanical16

P280GH-N has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 212 GPa (30.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus212 GPa30.7 Msi
Shear Modulus81 GPa11.7 Msi
Bulk Modulus165 GPa23.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)480 MPa69.6 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)320 MPa46.4 ksi
Elongation at Break26%
Reduction in Area55%
Compressive Strength320 MPa46.4 ksi
Shear Strength300 MPa43.5 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)215 MPa31.2 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)100 J73.8 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell145 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B78 HRB
Hardness, Vickers152 HV

Thermal6

P280GH-N is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity461 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)450°C842 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

P280GH-N conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity10 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.65 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryResists dry gases, oils and alkaline boiler water at controlled pH; rusts freely in humid air, seawater and any acidic or chloride-bearing condensate — requires paint, coating, oxygen-scavenged water chemistry or corrosion allowance.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of P280GH-N takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability7

P280GH-N's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability very good (70/100).

MachinabilityGood60/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)62%
WeldabilityExcellent90/100
Formability (cold)Very good70/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityFair40/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use painting, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphating or zinc/aluminium metallizing instead

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated61 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated27 MN·m/kg
Modulus of Resiliencecalculated242 kJ/m³
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated13.3 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated9

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with P280GH-N

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Cladle analysis≤ 0.20.17
Si0.15 – 0.350.25
Mn0.8 – 1.41.1
P≤ 0.030.02
S≤ 0.020.01
Altotal Al, grain refinement≥ 0.020.03
Cr≤ 0.30.08
Cu≤ 0.30.1
Mo≤ 0.080.02
Ni≤ 0.30.1
Nb≤ 0.040.01
Ti≤ 0.040.01
V≤ 0.030.01
Cr+Cu+Mo+Nisum limit per EN 10216-2≤ 0.7—
Febalance—

P280GH-N — frequently asked

What is P280GH-N used for?

P280GH-N 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-N?

P280GH-N has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is P280GH-N easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% 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-N be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). 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-N?

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-N 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-N?

P280GH-N is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °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

  1. EN 10216-2 — Seamless steel tubes for pressure purposes, non-alloy and alloy steels with specified elevated temperature properties — CEN (2020)
  2. EN 10217-2 — Welded steel tubes for pressure purposes with specified elevated temperature properties — CEN (2019)
  3. EN 10028-2 — Flat products of steels for pressure purposes: alloy steels with specified elevated temperature properties — CEN (2017)
  4. EN 10027-2 / material number 1.0426 — CEN (2015)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  6. ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
  7. GB/T 5310 ( , 20G/Q345R comparison grades) — SAC (2017)
  8. 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.