Steel P460QL2
EN 1.8864, 10028-6
P460QL2 (1.8864) is a quenched and tempered, nickel-alloyed pressure vessel steel to EN 10028-6 with L2-level impact toughness for cold service.
Reference datasheet — P460QL2 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
P460QL2 tempers and conditions
P460QL2 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 | Maximum thickness range normally supplied; lowest strength level due to reduced quench severity in the mid-thickness. | 450 | 580 | 20 | 180 HB | 7.5 % IACS |
quenched, tempered and stress relieved / simulated PWHT | Order this when the fabricated vessel will see PWHT; properties are certified after a simulated post-weld heat treatment cycle (typically 530–580 °C). | 480 | 590 | 22 | 11 HRC | 7.7 % IACS |
QT | Heavier plate for thick shells and nozzle forgings-substitute; slightly de-rated strength per EN 10028-6 thickness table. | 490 | 600 | 21 | 190 HB | 7.5 % IACS |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard as-delivered condition for most vessel shells and heads up to 50 mm; full 460 MPa yield level. | 510 | 620 | 21 | 195 HB | — |
What is P460QL2?
P460QL2 (1.8864) is a quenched and tempered, nickel-alloyed pressure vessel steel to EN 10028-6 with L2-level impact toughness for cold service. It is specified for high-strength cryogenic and arctic vessels and is supplied as plate up to 150 mm, including a QT+SR condition for stress-relieved fabrication. Default values are 510 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 21 % elongation, about 195 HB and a maximum service temperature of 400 °C. Machinability (45) and formability (48) are lower than TMCP P460ML1: cold bends need radii of at least 3t, and hot forming above the tempering temperature requires a full re-quench and temper. P460QL2 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). P460QL2 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 P460QL2 used for?
- cryogenic pressure vessels
- LNG storage
- arctic pipelines
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
P460QL2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for P460QL2-QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P460QL2 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
P460QL2 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
P460QL2 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 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
P460QL2 has an electrical resistivity of 2.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P460QL2 takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
P460QL2's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability good (68/100); formability fair (48/100).
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. P460QL2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P460QL2
Is P460QL2 easy to machine?
Machines like Q&T 4130 at ~200 HB — use rigid setups, carbide tooling and moderate speeds; avoid grinding burns that locally re-harden the surface.
Can P460QL2 be welded?
Good weldability with low-hydrogen consumables matched to 460 MPa; control preheat (typically 100–150 °C for thick plate), keep heat input moderate and interpass ≤ 250 °C to preserve −60 °C HAZ toughness.
Can P460QL2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming possible with generous bend radii (≥3t) and allowance for high springback; hot forming above the tempering temperature requires a full re-quench and temper to restore properties.
P460QL2 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, EN 10028-6 | ≤ 0.18 | 0.14 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.7 | 1.4 |
| Ptightened for QL2 | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Slow-S for through-thickness toughness | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Nimain low-temperature toughness alloy | ≤ 1.5 | 0.9 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.04 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Zr | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Bhardenability booster in thick plate | ≤ 0.01 | |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P460QL2?
Not anodizable; blast to Sa 2½ and apply epoxy/zinc-rich primer systems, metallize or hot-dip galvanize (check for hydrogen and temper effects) for atmospheric or offshore 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 P460QL2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.886410028-6
How much does P460QL2 cost?
P460QL2 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
P460QL2 — frequently asked
What is P460QL2 used for?
P460QL2 is typically used for cryogenic pressure vessels, LNG storage and arctic pipelines. In short: Q&T grade for −60 °C; 460 MPa yield in heavy plate; nickel-alloyed cryogenic vessel steel.
What is the yield strength of P460QL2?
P460QL2 has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is P460QL2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machines like Q&T 4130 at ~200 HB — use rigid setups, carbide tooling and moderate speeds; avoid grinding burns that locally re-harden the surface.
Can P460QL2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (68/100). Good weldability with low-hydrogen consumables matched to 460 MPa; control preheat (typically 100–150 °C for thick plate), keep heat input moderate and interpass ≤ 250 °C to preserve −60 °C HAZ toughness.
What surface finishes work on P460QL2?
Not anodizable; blast to Sa 2½ and apply epoxy/zinc-rich primer systems, metallize or hot-dip galvanize (check for hydrogen and temper effects) for atmospheric or offshore service.
Can P460QL2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming possible with generous bend radii (≥3t) and allowance for high springback; hot forming above the tempering temperature requires a full re-quench and temper to restore properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of P460QL2?
P460QL2 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does P460QL2 cost?
P460QL2 is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 (1.8864) — CEN (2015)
- EN 13445-3 — Unfired pressure vessels: design (material data, E, CTE) — CEN (2021)
- 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 plate (P460Q/QH/QL1/QL2) data sheets — Dillinger / Voestalpine / Industeel (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.