Steel P355GH
EN P355GH · ASTM A516 Grade 70 · GB Q345R
P355GH is a non-alloy carbon pressure-vessel and boiler plate steel to EN 10028-2 (material 1.0473), specified for elevated-temperature service and broadly equivalent to ASTM A516 Grade 70 and GB Q345R.
Values for the HR condition
P355GH tempers and conditions
P355GH is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. HR 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
full/sub-critical anneal (soft, stress-free) | Choose for maximum softness and dimensional stability before heavy cold forming or machining; strength drops toward the spec minimum. | 320 | 500 | 30 | 140 HB | 8.3 % IACS |
Normalized and tempered | Normalized then tempered/PWHT-simulated; used for heavy sections and post-weld heat-treated vessels needing stable elevated-temperature properties. | 375 | 530 | 27 | 155 HB | 8.2 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | As-rolled thin plate/strip where normalizing is waived by thickness or agreement; slightly coarser and less uniform properties than +N. | 385 | 550 | 24 | 165 HB | 8.2 % IACS |
Normalized (standard EN 10028-2 delivery condition) | Standard supply condition for P355GH plate: uniform fine-grained ferrite-pearlite giving guaranteed ReH 355 MPa and RT impact energy for code vessels. | 390 | 545 | 26 | 160 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Optional accelerated-cooled/quenched and tempered route for thick plate or forged parts where higher through-thickness strength and toughness are agreed with the mill. | 450 | 600 | 24 | 12 HRC | — |
What is P355GH?
P355GH is a non-alloy carbon pressure-vessel and boiler plate steel to EN 10028-2 (material 1.0473), specified for elevated-temperature service and broadly equivalent to ASTM A516 Grade 70 and GB Q345R. Engineers choose it for welded pressure equipment because of its combination of good weldability and certified elevated-temperature properties; it is supplied as hot-rolled, normalized, N&T or Q&T plate. Typical values are 385 MPa yield, 550 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation and about 165 HB, with service to roughly 380 °C. It has no inherent corrosion resistance and needs coating or a corrosion allowance; for higher temperatures use a Mo-alloyed grade such as 16Mo3. P355GH 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). P355GH has a yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is P355GH used for?
- Welded boiler drums
- Pressure vessel shells and heads
- Heat exchanger shells
- Steam headers and piping components
- Air receivers and storage tanks
- Autoclave bodies
- Tube sheets and flanged nozzles
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 64/100, better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
P355GH properties
Typical room-temperature values for P355GH-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P355GH 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
P355GH has a yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P355GH is rated for continuous service to 380°C (716 °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).
Electrical3
P355GH conducts electricity at 8.2 % IACS, better than 61% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P355GH takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
P355GH's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability good (64/100).
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. P355GH is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P355GH
Is P355GH easy to machine?
Machines like ordinary C-Mn plate steel at ~65 % of AISI 1212; use rigid setups and coated carbide, watch for gummy chips at low Mn-S levels.
Can P355GH be welded?
Very good weldability by SMAW/SAW/GMAW with matching low-hydrogen consumables; preheat 100–150 °C for t >30 mm or high restraint, PWHT 550–620 °C per EN 13445/AD 2000.
Can P355GH be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms and rolls readily to about 3t bend radius; hot form 850–1000 °C followed by re-normalizing to restore certified properties.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to P355GH. Every P355GH part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better58 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better64 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent85 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
P355GH 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, EN 10028-2 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 1.1 – 1.7 | 1.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.08 | 0.02 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| VNb+Ti+V ≤ 0.05 total | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| N | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P355GH?
No anodizing — shot-blast to Sa 2½ and paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize; internal surfaces usually run with a corrosion allowance or weld overlay.
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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel P355GH in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A516 Grade 70
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0473
- GB (China)
- Q345R
How much does P355GH cost?
P355GH is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
P355GH — frequently asked
What is P355GH used for?
P355GH is typically used for welded boiler drums, pressure vessel shells and heads, heat exchanger shells, steam headers and piping components, air receivers and storage tanks and autoclave bodies. In short: european boiler-plate steel.
What is the yield strength of P355GH?
P355GH has a typical yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 65% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is P355GH easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like ordinary C-Mn plate steel at ~65 % of AISI 1212; use rigid setups and coated carbide, watch for gummy chips at low Mn-S levels.
Can P355GH be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Very good weldability by SMAW/SAW/GMAW with matching low-hydrogen consumables; preheat 100–150 °C for t >30 mm or high restraint, PWHT 550–620 °C per EN 13445/AD 2000.
What surface finishes work on P355GH?
No anodizing — shot-blast to Sa 2½ and paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize; internal surfaces usually run with a corrosion allowance or weld overlay.
Can P355GH be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms and rolls readily to about 3t bend radius; hot form 850–1000 °C followed by re-normalizing to restore certified properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of P355GH?
P355GH is rated for continuous use to about 380°C (716 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does P355GH cost?
P355GH is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in P355GH?
Yes — P355GH is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10028-2 Flat products made of steels for pressure purposes — Part 2: Non-alloy and alloy steels with specified elevated temperature properties — CEN (2017)
- EN 10027-2 / material number 1.0473 — CEN (2015)
- EN 13445-2/-3 Unfired pressure vessels — materials and design — CEN (2021)
- 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)
- Pressure vessel plate P355GH data sheets (Dillinger / voestalpine / Ancofer) — mill datasheets (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.