Steel P460QH
EN P460QH
P460QH (1.8871) is a quenched and tempered nickel-alloy pressure-vessel steel, the hollow-section variant of P460Q, delivering the same high-strength toughened performance in tubular form.
Reference datasheet — P460QH 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
P460QH tempers and conditions
P460QH 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Q+T | Very heavy sections and forgings; lowest guaranteed strength band of the grade. | 430 | 570 | 20 | 9 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Q+T | Heavy plate / thick-wall sections; specified strength drops one step due to lower quench severity. | 470 | 590 | 21 | 11 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Q+T + stress relieved / simulated PWHT | Order this when the vessel or hollow section will see post-weld heat treatment — properties verified after simulated PWHT (below tempering temperature). | 480 | 605 | 22 | 195 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard supply condition for plate, tube and forgings up to 50 mm — full 460 MPa yield class. | 500 | 620 | 21 | 14 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways P460QH is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
SHS | Hot-finished / cold-formed hollow section, Q+T | Surface finish |
What is P460QH?
P460QH (1.8871) is a quenched and tempered nickel-alloy pressure-vessel steel, the hollow-section variant of P460Q, delivering the same high-strength toughened performance in tubular form. Typical properties are 500 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 21 % elongation and about 200 HB, with service to 400 °C; conditions on file include QT, thickness-graded QT and QT+SR. Weldability is good with low-hydrogen consumables, but CEV of roughly 0.45–0.50 calls for preheat in heavy sections and there is no inherent corrosion resistance. P460QL1 is the choice when sub-zero toughness is required. P460QH 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). P460QH has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is P460QH used for?
- Structural hollow sections
- Pressure vessel nozzles
- Offshore tubular structures
- Heavy machinery frames
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 72/100, better than 75% of steel grades
P460QH properties
Typical room-temperature values for P460QH-QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P460QH 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).
Mechanical17
P460QH has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P460QH is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 40 W/m·K (23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 64% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
P460QH conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P460QH takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
P460QH's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% 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. P460QH is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P460QH
Is P460QH easy to machine?
Machines like 4130/4140 at ~200 HB: rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds and generous feed; avoid rubbing that work-hardens the surface.
Can P460QH be welded?
Good weldability with low-hydrogen consumables; CEV ≈0.45–0.50 so preheat 100–150 °C in thick sections, control heat input and keep any PWHT at least 30 °C below the tempering temperature.
Can P460QH be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with generous bend radii (≥3t for thin, ≥4–5t heavy) transverse to rolling direction; hot forming above the tempering temperature destroys the Q+T properties and requires re-quenching and tempering.
P460QH 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 max | ≤ 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.7 | 1.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Cr | ≤ 1.5 | 0.3 |
| NiNi raises hardenability and low-temperature toughness | ≤ 2 | 0.6 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.7 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.05 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Zr | ≤ 0.05 | |
| B | ≤ 0.01 | |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, for fine-grain practice | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P460QH?
Blast and paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize (check silicon level); no anodizing — phosphate or zinc-rich primer for atmospheric 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 P460QH in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8871
How much does P460QH cost?
P460QH is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
P460QH — frequently asked
What is P460QH used for?
P460QH is typically used for structural hollow sections, pressure vessel nozzles, offshore tubular structures and heavy machinery frames. In short: Q+T strength in tube; weldable 460 MPa grade; needs coating for corrosion.
What is the yield strength of P460QH?
P460QH has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is P460QH easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like 4130/4140 at ~200 HB: rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds and generous feed; avoid rubbing that work-hardens the surface.
Can P460QH be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Good weldability with low-hydrogen consumables; CEV ≈0.45–0.50 so preheat 100–150 °C in thick sections, control heat input and keep any PWHT at least 30 °C below the tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on P460QH?
Blast and paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize (check silicon level); no anodizing — phosphate or zinc-rich primer for atmospheric service.
Can P460QH be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with generous bend radii (≥3t for thin, ≥4–5t heavy) transverse to rolling direction; hot forming above the tempering temperature destroys the Q+T properties and requires re-quenching and tempering.
What is the maximum service temperature of P460QH?
P460QH is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does P460QH cost?
P460QH is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 of steels for pressure purposes — Weldable fine grain steels, quenched and tempered — CEN (2020)
- EN 10222-4 Steel forgings for pressure purposes — Weldable fine grain steels with high proof strength — CEN (2017)
- EN 10027-2 Numerical designation system (1.8871) — CEN (2015)
- 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)
- Quenched and tempered pressure-vessel steel plate datasheets (P460Q/QH class) — 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.