Steel P460NL2
EN 1.8918
P460NL2 (1.8918) is a normalized fine-grain pressure vessel plate steel, the stricter low-temperature variant of P460NL1 with toughness qualified to about -50 °C.
Reference datasheet — P460NL2 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
P460NL2 tempers and conditions
P460NL2 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; through-thickness properties and UT class should be specified. | 375 | 590 | 22 | 170 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
N | Very heavy sections for nozzles/tubesheets; 380 MPa minimum yield. | 405 | 595 | 22 | 172 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
N | Thick-wall vessels; tensile band and yield both step down, preheat mandatory for welding. | 425 | 600 | 23 | 176 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
N | Heavy shell/head plate where 420 MPa minimum yield is acceptable. | 445 | 610 | 23 | 180 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
N | Mid-thickness shell plate; yield class drops one step to 440 MPa minimum. | 465 | 615 | 24 | 182 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
Normalized then stress-relieved / simulated PWHT | Order when the fabricated vessel will see PWHT (typ. 530–580 °C); properties verified after simulated heat treatment. | 465 | 605 | 25 | 178 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
NDefault Normalized | Standard delivery condition for thin pressure-vessel plate; full 460 MPa yield class with −50 °C impact guarantee. | 480 | 620 | 24 | 185 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways P460NL2 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 | Normalized plate with through-thickness (Z-quality) requirement per EN… | Certification |
What is P460NL2?
P460NL2 (1.8918) is a normalized fine-grain pressure vessel plate steel, the stricter low-temperature variant of P460NL1 with toughness qualified to about -50 °C. It is used for vessel shells and drums that must stay ductile in cold duty and is available in N, N+SR and Z35 through-thickness qualities from under 16 mm to 150 mm. Default values are 480 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation and 185 HB. CEV up to about 0.53 means preheat on thick sections, and the steel has no corrosion resistance; P460NL1 is the lower-cost choice where -40 °C is sufficient. P460NL2 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). P460NL2 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 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is P460NL2 used for?
- cryogenic pressure vessels
- LNG-related equipment
- boiler drums
- chemical process vessels
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 150 MPa·√m (136.5 ksi·√in), better than 96% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 64/100, better than 79% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 76% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
P460NL2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for P460NL2-N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P460NL2 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
P460NL2 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 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P460NL2 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
P460NL2 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 P460NL2 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
P460NL2's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability very good (75/100); 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. P460NL2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P460NL2
Is P460NL2 easy to machine?
Machines like normalized S355/A516 plate — carbide tooling, ~120–180 m/min turning speed, good chip control, no special tooling needed.
Can P460NL2 be welded?
Readily weldable by SAW/SMAW/GMAW with low-hydrogen consumables; CEV up to ~0.53 means preheat 100–150 °C above ~30 mm, control heat input and interpass to keep HAZ toughness at −50 °C.
Can P460NL2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms and rolls to vessel shells with generous radii (≥2t); hot forming 900–1000 °C must be followed by re-normalizing to restore the fine grain and low-temperature toughness.
P460NL2 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 |
| Ptightened for NL2 grade | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| SNL2 low-sulphur requirement; ≤0.010 in some editions | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Altotal Al, grain refining | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.7 | 0.15 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.1 | 0.04 |
| Niaids low-temperature toughness | ≤ 0.8 | 0.3 |
| Nbmicroalloy | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Timicroalloy | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| VNb+Ti+V ≤ 0.22 total | ≤ 0.2 | 0.08 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P460NL2?
No inherent corrosion resistance — shot-blast to Sa 2½ and apply epoxy/zinc-rich paint, metallize or clad; not anodizable.
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 P460NL2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8918
How much does P460NL2 cost?
P460NL2 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.
P460NL2 — frequently asked
What is P460NL2 used for?
P460NL2 is typically used for cryogenic pressure vessels, LNG-related equipment, boiler drums and chemical process vessels. In short: -50 °C vessel grade; stricter than P460NL1; Z35 quality available.
What is the yield strength of P460NL2?
P460NL2 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 P460NL2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like normalized S355/A516 plate — carbide tooling, ~120–180 m/min turning speed, good chip control, no special tooling needed.
Can P460NL2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily weldable by SAW/SMAW/GMAW with low-hydrogen consumables; CEV up to ~0.53 means preheat 100–150 °C above ~30 mm, control heat input and interpass to keep HAZ toughness at −50 °C.
What surface finishes work on P460NL2?
No inherent corrosion resistance — shot-blast to Sa 2½ and apply epoxy/zinc-rich paint, metallize or clad; not anodizable.
Can P460NL2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms and rolls to vessel shells with generous radii (≥2t); hot forming 900–1000 °C must be followed by re-normalizing to restore the fine grain and low-temperature toughness.
What is the maximum service temperature of P460NL2?
P460NL2 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 P460NL2-N and P460NL2 N-50-70?
N is the default condition — standard delivery condition for thin pressure-vessel plate; full 460 MPa yield class with −50 °C impact guarantee. N-50-70: thick-wall vessels; tensile band and yield both step down, preheat mandatory for welding. Yield strength is 480 MPa in N versus 425 MPa in N-50-70.
How much does P460NL2 cost?
P460NL2 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 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)
- Pressure vessel plate datasheets (Dillinger / Voestalpine / Ilsenburger Grobblech P460NL1-NL2) — Various European plate mills (2023)
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.