Steel P460Q
EN 1.8870
A quenched-and-tempered fine-grain nickel-alloy structural steel plate grade offering high yield strength (460 MPa min) combined with good low-temperature toughness, used for welded pressure vessels and structural applications.
Reference datasheet — P460Q 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 QT condition
P460Q tempers and conditions
P460Q is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. QT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QT | Thickest standard class; lowest guaranteed yield (400 MPa) due to reduced quench severity at mid-thickness. | 450 | 580 | 20 | 12 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
QT | Heavier plate class: mass-effect reduces the guaranteed yield to 440 MPa. | 490 | 600 | 21 | 14 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
quenched, tempered and stress-relieved / simulated PWHT | Choose when the vessel will see post-weld heat treatment; properties are certified after a simulated PWHT cycle, with a modest strength drop. | 490 | 595 | 22 | 11 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard EN 10028-6 delivery condition for plate up to 50 mm — full 460 MPa yield and 40 J at 0 °C. | 510 | 620 | 21 | 200 HB | — |
What is P460Q?
A quenched-and-tempered fine-grain nickel-alloy structural steel plate grade offering high yield strength (460 MPa min) combined with good low-temperature toughness, used for welded pressure vessels and structural applications. P460Q 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). P460Q has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is P460Q used for?
- Pressure vessels
- Boiler and tank plate
- Offshore structures
- Heavy welded fabrications
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 72/100, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
P460Q properties
Typical room-temperature values for P460Q-QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P460Q 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).
Mechanical16
P460Q has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P460Q is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
P460Q has an electrical resistivity of 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P460Q takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
P460Q's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. P460Q is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P460Q
Is P460Q easy to machine?
Machines like a 200 HB Q&T low-alloy steel — carbide tooling, moderate speeds, rigid setups; avoid overheating that could locally temper the plate.
Can P460Q be welded?
Readily welded by SAW/FCAW/GMAW with low-hydrogen matching consumables; preheat 100–150 °C for heavier sections, control interpass ≤250 °C and limit heat input to protect HAZ toughness.
Can P460Q be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-bend with inner radius ≥3t (transverse) and generous die openings; hot forming above the tempering temperature requires re-quench and temper to restore properties.
P460Q 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 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 0.9 – 1.7 | 1.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Cr | ≤ 1.5 | 0.4 |
| Nimain toughness contributor | ≤ 2 | 0.7 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.7 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.04 |
| Nbgrain refiner | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Altotal Al, fine-grain practice | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Bhardenability | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Zr | ≤ 0.05 | |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P460Q?
No inherent corrosion resistance — shot-blast to Sa 2½ and apply epoxy/zinc-rich primer, metallize, or use stainless weld overlay for wet 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 P460Q in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8870
How much does P460Q cost?
P460Q is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
P460Q — frequently asked
What is P460Q used for?
P460Q is typically used for pressure vessels, boiler and tank plate, offshore structures and heavy welded fabrications. In short: weldable 460 MPa plate; good low-temperature toughness; pressure-vessel Q&T grade.
What is the yield strength of P460Q?
P460Q has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is P460Q easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Machines like a 200 HB Q&T low-alloy steel — carbide tooling, moderate speeds, rigid setups; avoid overheating that could locally temper the plate.
Can P460Q be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily welded by SAW/FCAW/GMAW with low-hydrogen matching consumables; preheat 100–150 °C for heavier sections, control interpass ≤250 °C and limit heat input to protect HAZ toughness.
What surface finishes work on P460Q?
No inherent corrosion resistance — shot-blast to Sa 2½ and apply epoxy/zinc-rich primer, metallize, or use stainless weld overlay for wet service.
Can P460Q be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-bend with inner radius ≥3t (transverse) and generous die openings; hot forming above the tempering temperature requires re-quench and temper to restore properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of P460Q?
P460Q is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does P460Q cost?
P460Q is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 10028-6 — Flat products made of steels for pressure purposes, Part 6: Weldable fine grain steels, quenched and tempered — CEN (2020)
- EN 10027-2 — Designation systems for steels: steel numbers (1.8870) — CEN (2015)
- EN 13445-3 — Unfired pressure vessels: Design (physical/design data for ferritic steels) — CEN (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Quenched and tempered pressure-vessel plate datasheets (P355Q–P690Q family) — 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.