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Steel P285QH-N (Normalized)

Heat-treated state

EN P285QH

Normalized plate meeting the same 285 MPa class; used for thinner plate or when the mill/purchaser prefers the normalized route (cross-order with P285NH / Q245R).

Budget cost $

Values for the N condition

Other P285QH tempers and conditions

P285QH is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at P285QH.

Compare all 3 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
quenched, tempered and stress relieved / simulated PWHT
Choose when the vessel will see one or more post-weld heat treatments (typically 550–620 °C) and the purchaser requires simulated-PWHT test coupons.30544528135 HB10 % IACS
NThis page
Normalized
Normalized plate meeting the same 285 MPa class; used for thinner plate or when the mill/purchaser prefers the normalized route (cross-order with P285NH / Q245R).31045028135 HB10 % IACS
QTDefault
Quenched and tempered
Standard mill delivery condition for P285QH plate; use for general pressure-vessel shells, heads and boiler drums.32046027140 HB10 % IACS

What is P285QH-N?

P285QH-N is P285QH heat treated to N — normalized plate meeting the same 285 MPa class; used for thinner plate or when the mill/purchaser prefers the normalized route (cross-order with P285NH / Q245R). P285QH-N has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 83% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). P285QH-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). QT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; N is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Readily welded — 92/100, better than 93% 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
  • Forms and bends easily — 74/100, better than 89% of steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
  • Low strength — 310 MPa (45 ksi), worse than 83% of steel grades

P285QH-N properties

Typical room-temperature values for P285QH-N; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are P285QH reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

P285QH-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 Temperature1,520°C2,768 °F

Mechanical16

P285QH-N has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 83% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus81 GPa11.7 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)450 MPa65.3 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)310 MPa45 ksi
Elongation at Break28%
Reduction in Area57%
Compressive Strength310 MPa45 ksi
Shear Strength290 MPa42.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)205 MPa29.7 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)130 J95.9 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell135 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B75 HRB
Hardness, Vickers142 HV

Thermal6

P285QH-N is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 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)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

P285QH-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)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in humid air, water and chlorides; acceptable in dry hydrocarbons, steam and caustic within limits (watch caustic embrittlement and wet H2S/HIC service, where Z-quality or HIC-tested plate is specified). Requires paint, coating, cladding or corrosion allowance.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of P285QH-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 Water40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability6

P285QH-N's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (74/100).

MachinabilityGood62/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)68%
WeldabilityExcellent92/100
Formability (cold)Very good74/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityFair45/100

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

Working with P285QH-N

Is P285QH easy to machine?

Machines like ordinary C-Mn plate steel (~65 % of AISI 1212); use sharp carbide tooling and generous feed to break the gummy chip, drill edge preparations without difficulty.

Can P285QH be welded?

Excellent weldability with SAW/SMAW/GMAW at CEV ≈ 0.40; use low-hydrogen consumables, preheat 50–150 °C for heavy sections and PWHT at 550–620 °C per EN 13445/AD 2000.

Can P285QH be formed, bent or molded?

Readily cold rolled into shells and cold/hot dished into heads; keep bend radius ≥ 2t cold, and re-normalize or re-QT after hot forming above ~580 °C.

What surface finishes work on P285QH?

Shot blast to Sa 2½ and paint or metallize — the steel has no inherent corrosion resistance; weld overlay or roll-bonded stainless cladding is common for aggressive process sides.

P285QH 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≤ 0.180.14
Si≤ 0.40.25
Mn0.6 – 1.41.1
P≤ 0.030.01
S≤ 0.010
Altotal Al, fully killed / fine grain≥ 0.020.04
Cr≤ 0.30.05
Cu≤ 0.30.08
Mo≤ 0.080.02
Ni≤ 0.50.1
Nb≤ 0.050.02
Ti≤ 0.030.01
V≤ 0.050.01
N≤ 0.010.01
Febalance—

P285QH-N — frequently asked

What is P285QH-N used for?

P285QH-N is typically used for boiler drums, pressure vessel shells, heat exchangers and storage tanks. In short: quenched-and-tempered vessel plate; Q245R cross-reference; Z35 through-thickness available.

What is the yield strength of P285QH-N?

P285QH-N has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 83% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.

Is P285QH-N easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines like ordinary C-Mn plate steel (~65 % of AISI 1212); use sharp carbide tooling and generous feed to break the gummy chip, drill edge preparations without difficulty.

Can P285QH-N be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent weldability with SAW/SMAW/GMAW at CEV ≈ 0.40; use low-hydrogen consumables, preheat 50–150 °C for heavy sections and PWHT at 550–620 °C per EN 13445/AD 2000.

What surface finishes work on P285QH-N?

Shot blast to Sa 2½ and paint or metallize — the steel has no inherent corrosion resistance; weld overlay or roll-bonded stainless cladding is common for aggressive process sides.

Can P285QH-N be formed, bent or molded?

Readily cold rolled into shells and cold/hot dished into heads; keep bend radius ≥ 2t cold, and re-normalize or re-QT after hot forming above ~580 °C.

What is the maximum service temperature of P285QH-N?

P285QH-N 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 P285QH-QT and P285QH-N?

QT is the default condition — standard mill delivery condition for P285QH plate; use for general pressure-vessel shells, heads and boiler drums. N: normalized plate meeting the same 285 MPa class; used for thinner plate or when the mill/purchaser prefers the normalized route (cross-order with P285NH / Q245R). Yield strength is 320 MPa in QT versus 310 MPa in N.

Sources

  1. EN 10028-2 Flat products made of steels for pressure purposes — Non-alloy and alloy steels with specified elevated temperature properties — CEN (2017)
  2. EN 10164 Steel products with improved deformation properties perpendicular to the surface — CEN (2018)
  3. GB/T 713 Steel plates for boilers and pressure vessels (Q245R) — SAC (2014)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. EN 13445-2/-3 Unfired pressure vessels — Materials and Design — CEN (2021)
  6. Mysteel / 1688 (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.