Steel P460QL1
EN 1.8872
P460QL1 (1.8872) is the low-temperature toughness variant of P460Q, a quenched and tempered nickel-alloy pressure-vessel plate specified for sub-zero operating service.
Reference datasheet — P460QL1 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
P460QL1 tempers and conditions
P460QL1 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 EN 10028-6 range; reduced strength level, used for heavy nozzle and shell forgings/plates. | 440 | 580 | 21 | 12 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
QT | Heavy plate section where the standard drops the guaranteed yield to 440 MPa due to lower quench severity. | 480 | 610 | 22 | 15 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
quenched, tempered and stress relieved / simulated PWHT | Choose when the vessel receives post-weld heat treatment; properties are certified after a simulated PWHT cycle (typically 530–580 °C), with a small strength debit. | 480 | 600 | 23 | 15 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard EN 10028-6 delivery condition for plate up to 50 mm; full 460 MPa minimum yield with −40 °C impact guarantee. | 500 | 630 | 22 | 18 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
What is P460QL1?
P460QL1 (1.8872) is the low-temperature toughness variant of P460Q, a quenched and tempered nickel-alloy pressure-vessel plate specified for sub-zero operating service. Typical values are 500 MPa yield, 630 MPa tensile, 22 % elongation and about 210 HB in QT, QT thickness grades and QT+SR conditions. It welds readily with matching 460 MPa low-hydrogen consumables, but heat input and interpass temperature must be limited to protect −40 °C heat-affected-zone toughness, and the steel has no natural corrosion resistance. P460QH covers the same strength class in hollow-section form. P460QL1 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). P460QL1 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is P460QL1 used for?
- Cryogenic pressure vessels
- LNG storage tanks
- Low-temperature process equipment
- Offshore Arctic structures
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 150 MPa·√m (136.5 ksi·√in), better than 96% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
P460QL1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for P460QL1-QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P460QL1 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
P460QL1 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P460QL1 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
P460QL1 conducts electricity at 7.2 % IACS, worse than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P460QL1 takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
P460QL1's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); 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. P460QL1 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P460QL1
Is P460QL1 easy to machine?
Machines like a 200 HB quenched-and-tempered low-alloy steel — rigid setup, coated carbide, moderate speeds; expect ~55 % of AISI 1212 and residual-stress movement when taking deep cuts from heavy plate.
Can P460QL1 be welded?
Readily weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/SAW/FCAW consumables matching 460 MPa; control CEV, use ≥100–150 °C preheat on heavy sections, limit heat input and interpass (~250 °C) to protect −40 °C HAZ toughness, and keep any PWHT below the tempering temperature.
Can P460QL1 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming is possible but requires generous bend radii (≥3t transverse) because of the high yield/tensile ratio; hot forming above ~580 °C destroys the Q&T condition and requires re-quenching and tempering.
P460QL1 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 per EN 10028-6 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.7 | 1.4 |
| Ptightened for QL1 low-temperature grade | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Slow S for through-thickness toughness | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.7 | 0.35 |
| Nikey element for −40 °C toughness | ≤ 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.05 |
| Zr | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Bhardenability booster, optional | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P460QL1?
No natural corrosion resistance — shot-blast to Sa 2½ and apply epoxy/zinc-rich paint, metallizing or weld overlay; anodizing is not applicable.
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 P460QL1 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8872
How much does P460QL1 cost?
P460QL1 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.
P460QL1 — frequently asked
What is P460QL1 used for?
P460QL1 is typically used for cryogenic pressure vessels, LNG storage tanks, low-temperature process equipment and offshore Arctic structures. In short: sub-zero toughness plate; weldable 460 MPa vessel steel; high yield-to-tensile ratio.
What is the yield strength of P460QL1?
P460QL1 has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is P460QL1 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Machines like a 200 HB quenched-and-tempered low-alloy steel — rigid setup, coated carbide, moderate speeds; expect ~55 % of AISI 1212 and residual-stress movement when taking deep cuts from heavy plate.
Can P460QL1 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/SAW/FCAW consumables matching 460 MPa; control CEV, use ≥100–150 °C preheat on heavy sections, limit heat input and interpass (~250 °C) to protect −40 °C HAZ toughness, and keep any PWHT below the tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on P460QL1?
No natural corrosion resistance — shot-blast to Sa 2½ and apply epoxy/zinc-rich paint, metallizing or weld overlay; anodizing is not applicable.
Can P460QL1 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming is possible but requires generous bend radii (≥3t transverse) because of the high yield/tensile ratio; hot forming above ~580 °C destroys the Q&T condition and requires re-quenching and tempering.
What is the maximum service temperature of P460QL1?
P460QL1 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 P460QL1 cost?
P460QL1 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 (1.8872) — CEN (2015)
- EN 1011-2 Welding — Recommendations for welding of metallic materials: Arc welding of ferritic steels — CEN (2001)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Quenched and tempered pressure vessel plate P355Q–P460QL2 datasheets — 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.