Steel P460NH
EN P460NH
P460NH (1.8935) is the higher-strength normalized, nickel-alloyed fine-grain pressure vessel steel of the NH series, rated for elevated-temperature service up to 400 °C at toughness comparable to P420NH.
Reference datasheet — P460NH is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the N condition
P460NH tempers and conditions
P460NH is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. N is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+N | Maximum standard thickness; 380 MPa minimum proof, toughness verified through-thickness. | 400 | 585 | 20 | 175 HB | 8.2 % IACS |
+N | Heavy plate for reactor shells; 400 MPa minimum proof strength. | 420 | 595 | 20 | 178 HB | 8.2 % IACS |
+N | Thick-wall drums and headers; 420 MPa minimum proof, tensile band 560–710 MPa. | 440 | 600 | 21 | 180 HB | 8.2 % IACS |
+N | Heavier vessel shells; minimum proof strength 430 MPa. | 450 | 610 | 21 | 182 HB | 8.2 % IACS |
+N + stress relieved / simulated PWHT | Specify when the fabricated vessel will see post-weld heat treatment; slight loss of proof strength, improved dimensional stability. | 460 | 605 | 23 | 180 HB | 8.2 % IACS |
+N | Medium-thickness vessel plate; proof strength de-rated to 445 MPa minimum. | 465 | 615 | 22 | 185 HB | 8.2 % IACS |
NDefault Normalized | Standard as-supplied condition for thin pressure-vessel plate; full 460 MPa minimum proof strength. | 480 | 620 | 22 | 12 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways P460NH is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Z35 | +N with Z35 through-thickness quality | Certification |
What is P460NH?
P460NH (1.8935) is the higher-strength normalized, nickel-alloyed fine-grain pressure vessel steel of the NH series, rated for elevated-temperature service up to 400 °C at toughness comparable to P420NH. It is used for boiler and vessel plate from under 16 mm to 150 mm, with N+SR and Z35 through-thickness qualities available. Default N values are 480 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 22 % elongation and 190 HB. CEV of about 0.43-0.50 calls for preheat above 30 mm, and the grade has no corrosion resistance; P420NH covers lower strength requirements. P460NH has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). P460NH has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is P460NH used for?
- boilers
- pressure vessels
- petrochemical and power plant equipment
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 78/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
P460NH properties
Typical room-temperature values for P460NH-N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P460NH has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical17
P460NH has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P460NH 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
P460NH conducts electricity at 8.2 % IACS, better than 61% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (14/100), better than 70% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P460NH takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 22%.
Manufacturability7
P460NH's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability good (60/100).
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. P460NH is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P460NH
Is P460NH easy to machine?
Machines like a normalized C-Mn-Ni plate steel (~55 % of AISI 1212) — use rigid setups, coated carbide, 120–180 m/min, and expect stringy chips from the low-S ladle chemistry.
Can P460NH be welded?
Readily welded by SMAW/SAW/GMAW with matching low-hydrogen consumables; CEV ≈ 0.43–0.50, so preheat 100–150 °C above 30 mm and control interpass to protect the −20 °C HAZ toughness.
Can P460NH be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-forms and rolls into shells with generous bend radii (≥2.5 t transverse); hot forming 900–1000 °C must be followed by re-normalizing at 880–930 °C to restore the fine grain.
P460NH 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 | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Mn | 1.1 – 1.7 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.7 | 0.15 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.1 | 0.04 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.8 | 0.45 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| VNb+Ti+V ≤ 0.26 % | ≤ 0.2 | 0.08 |
| Zr | ≤ 0.05 | |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P460NH?
Not anodizable — shot-blast to Sa 2½ then epoxy/zinc-rich primer, metallize, or apply a corrosion allowance/clad layer for wet or chloride service.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel P460NH in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8935
How much does P460NH cost?
P460NH is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
P460NH — frequently asked
What is P460NH used for?
P460NH is typically used for boilers, pressure vessels and petrochemical and power plant equipment. In short: strongest NH vessel grade; 400 °C service rating; nickel-alloyed normalized plate.
What is the yield strength of P460NH?
P460NH has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is P460NH easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Machines like a normalized C-Mn-Ni plate steel (~55 % of AISI 1212) — use rigid setups, coated carbide, 120–180 m/min, and expect stringy chips from the low-S ladle chemistry.
Can P460NH be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Readily welded by SMAW/SAW/GMAW with matching low-hydrogen consumables; CEV ≈ 0.43–0.50, so preheat 100–150 °C above 30 mm and control interpass to protect the −20 °C HAZ toughness.
What surface finishes work on P460NH?
Not anodizable — shot-blast to Sa 2½ then epoxy/zinc-rich primer, metallize, or apply a corrosion allowance/clad layer for wet or chloride service.
Can P460NH be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-forms and rolls into shells with generous bend radii (≥2.5 t transverse); hot forming 900–1000 °C must be followed by re-normalizing at 880–930 °C to restore the fine grain.
What is the maximum service temperature of P460NH?
P460NH 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 P460NH-N and P460NH N-50-70?
N is the default condition — standard as-supplied condition for thin pressure-vessel plate; full 460 MPa minimum proof strength. N-50-70: thick-wall drums and headers; 420 MPa minimum proof, tensile band 560–710 MPa. Yield strength is 480 MPa in N versus 440 MPa in N-50-70.
How much does P460NH cost?
P460NH is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Sources
- EN 10028-3 Flat products made of steels for pressure purposes — Part 3: Weldable fine grain steels, normalized — CEN (2017)
- EN 10164 Steel products with improved deformation properties perpendicular to the surface — CEN (2018)
- EN 10027-2 Designation systems for steels — steel numbers (1.8935) — CEN (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Pressure vessel plate grade data sheets (P355NH–P460NH) — Dillinger / voestalpine Grobblech (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.