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Steel P500Q QT-HEAVY

Heat-treated state

EN 1.8873

Same heat treatment on heavy gauge; specify when plate thickness exceeds 50 mm and lower guaranteed yield is acceptable.

Budget cost $

Values for the QT-HEAVY condition

Other P500Q tempers and conditions

P500Q is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at P500Q.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
QT-HEAVYThis page
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.5106402017 HRC7.2 % IACS
Stress relieved
Condition of fabricated vessels after PWHT; expect modest loss of yield and hardness.5106302115 HRC7.2 % IACS
QTDefault
Quenched and tempered
Standard delivery condition for plate up to ~50 mm; impact tested at 0 °C.5456602019 HRC7.2 % IACS
P500QH
Choose when the vessel sees elevated design temperature and guaranteed hot yield values are needed.5456602019 HRC7.2 % IACS
P500QL1
Use for cold-service pressure equipment down to about -40 °C.5456602019 HRC7.2 % IACS
P500QL2
Highest toughness sub-grade for cryogenic-leaning service and heavy restraint welds.5456602118 HRC7.2 % IACS

What is P500Q QT-HEAVY?

P500Q QT-HEAVY is P500Q heat treated to QT-HEAVY — same heat treatment on heavy gauge; specify when plate thickness exceeds 50 mm and lower guaranteed yield is acceptable. P500Q QT-HEAVY has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). P500Q QT-HEAVY 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). QT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-HEAVY is available on request or by drawing note.

P500Q QT-HEAVY properties

Typical room-temperature values for P500Q QT-HEAVY; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are P500Q reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

P500Q QT-HEAVY 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical17

P500Q QT-HEAVY has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus81 GPa11.7 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)640 MPa92.8 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)510 MPa74 ksi
Elongation at Break20%
Reduction in Area56%
Compressive Strength510 MPa74 ksi
Shear Strength385 MPa55.8 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)285 MPa41.3 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)105 MPa·√m95.6 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)70 J51.6 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell205 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B94 HRB
Hardness, Rockwell C17 HRC
Hardness, Vickers215 HV

Thermal6

P500Q QT-HEAVY 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).

Thermal Conductivity38 W/m·K22 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature0°C32 °F

Electrical3

P500Q QT-HEAVY conducts electricity at 7.2 % IACS, worse than 71% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity7.2 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.45 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.62 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended13/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in humid air, water and chlorides; requires paint, metallizing or cathodic protection. Resistant to dry hydrocarbons and alkalis; susceptible to hydrogen-induced and sulfide stress cracking at high hardness.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of P500Q QT-HEAVY takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability6

P500Q QT-HEAVY's machinability is fair (47/100, worse than 58% of steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (40/100).

MachinabilityFair47/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)57%
WeldabilityGood65/100
Formability (cold)Fair40/100
PolishabilityFair50/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use painting, zinc/metallizing or phosphating instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with P500Q QT-HEAVY

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Cladle analysis≤ 0.180.15
Si≤ 0.60.35
Mn0.8 – 1.71.35
P0.020 max for QL2≤ 0.030.01
S0.005 max for QL2≤ 0.020
Altotal Al, grain refining≥ 0.020.04
Cr≤ 1.50.5
Ni≤ 20.8
Mo≤ 0.70.35
Cu≤ 0.50.15
V≤ 0.120.04
Nb≤ 0.060.03
Ti≤ 0.050.02
Zr≤ 0.05—
B≤ 0.010
N≤ 0.020.01
Febalance—

P500Q QT-HEAVY — frequently asked

What is P500Q QT-HEAVY used for?

P500Q QT-HEAVY 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 QT-HEAVY?

P500Q QT-HEAVY has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is P500Q QT-HEAVY easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (47/100, worse than 58% 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 QT-HEAVY be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). 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 QT-HEAVY?

No anodizing; blast-and-paint, metallize or zinc-rich primer systems are standard, and phosphating works for temporary protection.

Can P500Q QT-HEAVY 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 QT-HEAVY?

P500Q QT-HEAVY 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.

Sources

  1. EN 10028-6 Flat products made of steels for pressure purposes — Part 6: Weldable fine grain steels, quenched and tempered — CEN (2020)
  2. EN 10025-6 (related S500Q structural Q&T plate) — CEN (2019)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.