Steel P460M-ML2
Grade
EN 1.8826, 10028-5
ML2 = tMCP, low-temperature quality, impact tested at −50 °C
Highest-toughness sub-grade for cryogenic-adjacent LPG/ammonia and cold-climate service.
Values for the ML2 condition
Other P460M tempers and conditions
P460M is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at P460M.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TM | Heavy plate at the upper thickness limit of the TMCP route; lowest guaranteed yield. | 460 | 580 | 21 | 175 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Condition of fabricated vessels after post-weld heat treatment; expect a modest strength drop, so verify simulated-PWHT test coupons. | 465 | 575 | 24 | 172 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
TM | Medium-thickness plate; specified yield drops one step with section size. | 470 | 590 | 22 | 178 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
TMDefault thermomechanically rolled, t ≤ 16 mm | Standard as-rolled TMCP delivery condition for thin/medium plate; impact tested at 0 °C. | 490 | 600 | 22 | 180 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
TMCP, low-temperature quality, impact tested at −40 °C | Pick when the vessel design temperature reaches about −40 °C. | 490 | 600 | 22 | 180 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
ML2This page TMCP, low-temperature quality, impact tested at −50 °C | Highest-toughness sub-grade for cryogenic-adjacent LPG/ammonia and cold-climate service. | 490 | 600 | 23 | 180 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
What is P460M-ML2?
P460M-ML2 is P460M in the ML2 grade — highest-toughness sub-grade for cryogenic-adjacent LPG/ammonia and cold-climate service. P460M-ML2 has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). P460M-ML2 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,490°C (2,714 °F). TM is the default condition FabDigit quotes; ML2 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 190 MPa·√m (172.9 ksi·√in), better than 99% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 69/100, better than 84% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
P460M-ML2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for P460M-ML2; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are P460M reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P460M-ML2 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,490°C (2,714 °F).
Mechanical16
P460M-ML2 has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P460M-ML2 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
P460M-ML2 conducts electricity at 8.6 % IACS, better than 66% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P460M-ML2 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
P460M-ML2's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability good (69/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with P460M-ML2
Is P460M easy to machine?
Machines like a tough HSLA plate at roughly 60 % of 1212; use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide and generous coolant to control the gummy, work-hardening chips.
Can P460M be welded?
Excellent weldability thanks to low carbon and CEV — SAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching 460-class consumables, low hydrogen, little or no preheat in thin sections; keep heat input within the mill's recommended window (typically ≤ 3–4 kJ/mm) to protect HAZ toughness.
Can P460M be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with bend radii of about 2–3 t transverse; hot forming above ~580 °C destroys the TMCP condition and requires re-qualification or heat treatment.
What surface finishes work on P460M?
Shot-blast to Sa 2½ and paint or metallize; hot-dip galvanizing is possible but check Si/P levels for coating thickness and avoid strain-age embrittlement in tightly bent zones.
P460M 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 | ≤ 0.16 | 0.11 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.7 | 1.55 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| NbNb+V+Ti ≤ 0.22 % | ≤ 0.05 | 0.04 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.8 | 0.2 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.25 | 0.08 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.55 | 0.15 |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| B | ≤ 0.01 | 5×10⁻⁴ |
| Fe | balance | — |
P460M-ML2 — frequently asked
What is P460M-ML2 used for?
P460M-ML2 is typically used for pressure vessels, reactors and high-pressure piping. In short: highest-yield TMCP vessel grade; thin-wall vessel construction; weldable without heavy preheat.
What is the yield strength of P460M-ML2?
P460M-ML2 has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is P460M-ML2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like a tough HSLA plate at roughly 60 % of 1212; use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide and generous coolant to control the gummy, work-hardening chips.
Can P460M-ML2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent weldability thanks to low carbon and CEV — SAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching 460-class consumables, low hydrogen, little or no preheat in thin sections; keep heat input within the mill's recommended window (typically ≤ 3–4 kJ/mm) to protect HAZ toughness.
What surface finishes work on P460M-ML2?
Shot-blast to Sa 2½ and paint or metallize; hot-dip galvanizing is possible but check Si/P levels for coating thickness and avoid strain-age embrittlement in tightly bent zones.
Can P460M-ML2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with bend radii of about 2–3 t transverse; hot forming above ~580 °C destroys the TMCP condition and requires re-qualification or heat treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of P460M-ML2?
P460M-ML2 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 P460M-TM and P460M-SR?
TM is the default condition — standard as-rolled TMCP delivery condition for thin/medium plate; impact tested at 0 °C. SR: condition of fabricated vessels after post-weld heat treatment; expect a modest strength drop, so verify simulated-PWHT test coupons. Yield strength is 490 MPa in TM versus 465 MPa in SR.
Sources
- EN 10028-5: Flat products made of steels for pressure purposes — Weldable fine grain steels, thermomechanically rolled — CEN (2017)
- EN 10027-2 / Stahl-Eisen-Liste material numbers (1.8826/1.8827 series) — CEN / VDEh (2015)
- EN 13445-3 Unfired pressure vessels — Design (material physical data) — CEN (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- TMCP pressure vessel plate datasheets (Dillinger / voestalpine / SSAB) — various mills (2023)
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.