Steel P460QL2-QT (Quenched and tempered)
Heat-treated state · default condition
EN 1.8864, 10028-6
Standard as-delivered condition for most vessel shells and heads up to 50 mm; full 460 MPa yield level.
Values for the QT condition
Other P460QL2 tempers and conditions
P460QL2 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at P460QL2.
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 |
QTDefaultThis page 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-QT?
P460QL2-QT is P460QL2 heat treated to QT — standard as-delivered condition for most vessel shells and heads up to 50 mm; full 460 MPa yield level. P460QL2-QT 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). P460QL2-QT 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).
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
P460QL2-QT properties
Typical room-temperature values for P460QL2-QT; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are P460QL2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P460QL2-QT 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-QT 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-QT 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-QT 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-QT 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-QT'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with P460QL2-QT
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.
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.
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 | — |
P460QL2-QT — frequently asked
What is P460QL2-QT used for?
P460QL2-QT 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-QT?
P460QL2-QT 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-QT 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-QT 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-QT?
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-QT 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-QT?
P460QL2-QT 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.