Steel P500Q
EN 1.8873
P500Q (1.8873) is a quenched-and-tempered, nickel-alloyed fine-grain steel in the 500 MPa minimum yield class, supplied under the EN alloy/pressure-vessel plate standards.
Reference datasheet — P500Q 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
P500Q tempers and conditions
P500Q is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. QT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Q&T heavy plate, 50–100 mm (reduced minimum yield) | Same heat treatment on heavy gauge; specify when plate thickness exceeds 50 mm and lower guaranteed yield is acceptable. | 510 | 640 | 20 | 17 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Condition of fabricated vessels after PWHT; expect modest loss of yield and hardness. | 510 | 630 | 21 | 15 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard delivery condition for plate up to ~50 mm; impact tested at 0 °C. | 545 | 660 | 20 | 19 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
P500QH | Choose when the vessel sees elevated design temperature and guaranteed hot yield values are needed. | 545 | 660 | 20 | 19 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
P500QL1 | Use for cold-service pressure equipment down to about -40 °C. | 545 | 660 | 20 | 19 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
P500QL2 | Highest toughness sub-grade for cryogenic-leaning service and heavy restraint welds. | 545 | 660 | 21 | 18 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
What is P500Q?
P500Q (1.8873) is a quenched-and-tempered, nickel-alloyed fine-grain steel in the 500 MPa minimum yield class, supplied under the EN alloy/pressure-vessel plate standards. Typical delivered values are 545 MPa yield, 660 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and about 215 HB, which lets designers cut wall thickness compared with normalized carbon-manganese plate; it is stocked mainly as plate in QT, QH, QL1, QL2, QT-HEAVY and stress-relieved conditions. Service is limited to about 400 °C, the bare surface has no corrosion resistance, and any hot forming above the tempering temperature requires re-quench and temper. Use P500QL1 where low-temperature impact toughness must be guaranteed, or P690Q where higher yield is needed. P500Q 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). P500Q has a yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is P500Q used for?
- High-pressure vessels
- Boiler drums
- Heavy structural plate
- Mining and construction equipment
P500Q properties
Typical room-temperature values for P500Q-QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P500Q 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
P500Q has a yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P500Q is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 38 W/m·K (22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
P500Q conducts electricity at 7.2 % IACS, worse than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P500Q takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
P500Q's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% 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. P500Q is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P500Q
Is P500Q easy to machine?
Machines like a 200–230 HB Q&T low-alloy steel: rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds; avoid heavy work hardening at the flame-cut edge.
Can P500Q be welded?
Weldable by SAW/GMAW/SMAW with low-hydrogen consumables; control CEV, preheat 100–150 °C on heavy sections and limit heat input to protect HAZ toughness and strength.
Can P500Q be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formable with bend radii of ~3×t transverse; hot forming above ~580 °C degrades the Q&T properties and requires re-quench-and-temper.
P500Q 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 | ≤ 0.18 | 0.15 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.7 | 1.35 |
| P0.020 max for QL2 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S0.005 max for QL2 | ≤ 0.02 | 0 |
| Altotal Al, grain refining | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Cr | ≤ 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Ni | ≤ 2 | 0.8 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.7 | 0.35 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.04 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Zr | ≤ 0.05 | |
| B | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P500Q?
No anodizing; blast-and-paint, metallize or zinc-rich primer systems are standard, and phosphating works for temporary protection.
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 P500Q in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8873
How much does P500Q cost?
P500Q 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.
P500Q — frequently asked
What is P500Q used for?
P500Q is typically used for high-pressure vessels, boiler drums, heavy structural plate and mining and construction equipment. In short: 500 MPa Q&T plate class; weldable high-strength vessel steel; thinner walls than normalized plate.
What is the yield strength of P500Q?
P500Q has a typical yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is P500Q easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machines like a 200–230 HB Q&T low-alloy steel: rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds; avoid heavy work hardening at the flame-cut edge.
Can P500Q be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Weldable by SAW/GMAW/SMAW with low-hydrogen consumables; control CEV, preheat 100–150 °C on heavy sections and limit heat input to protect HAZ toughness and strength.
What surface finishes work on P500Q?
No anodizing; blast-and-paint, metallize or zinc-rich primer systems are standard, and phosphating works for temporary protection.
Can P500Q be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formable with bend radii of ~3×t transverse; hot forming above ~580 °C degrades the Q&T properties and requires re-quench-and-temper.
What is the maximum service temperature of P500Q?
P500Q 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.
What is the difference between P500Q-QT and P500Q-SR?
QT is the default condition — standard delivery condition for plate up to ~50 mm; impact tested at 0 °C. SR: condition of fabricated vessels after PWHT; expect modest loss of yield and hardness. Yield strength is 545 MPa in QT versus 510 MPa in SR.
How much does P500Q cost?
P500Q 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 10025-6 (related S500Q structural Q&T plate) — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Quenched and tempered pressure-vessel plate datasheets (Dillinger / SSAB / Voestalpine) — various 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.