Steel P500QH-QT (Quenched and tempered)
Heat-treated state · default condition
EN P500QH
Standard as-delivered condition for EN 10028-6 plate up to 50 mm; full 500 MPa minimum yield.
Values for the QT condition
Other P500QH tempers and conditions
P500QH is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at P500QH.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Q&T | Thickest standard supply range; reduced yield/tensile due to slower quench rate at mid-thickness. | 480 | 600 | 20 | 16 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Q&T | Heavy plate condition; standard-mandated strength step-down for section thickness above 50 mm. | 520 | 630 | 21 | 18 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Q&T + stress relieved / simulated PWHT | Choose when the fabricated vessel will receive PWHT; properties quoted after simulated post-weld heat treatment below the tempering temperature. | 525 | 635 | 22 | 18 HRC | 7 % IACS |
QTDefaultThis page Quenched and tempered | Standard as-delivered condition for EN 10028-6 plate up to 50 mm; full 500 MPa minimum yield. | 545 | 660 | 21 | 20 HRC | 7 % IACS |
What is P500QH-QT?
P500QH-QT is P500QH heat treated to QT — standard as-delivered condition for EN 10028-6 plate up to 50 mm; full 500 MPa minimum yield. P500QH-QT 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 21% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). P500QH-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 — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
P500QH-QT properties
Typical room-temperature values for P500QH-QT; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are P500QH reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P500QH-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).
Mechanical17
P500QH-QT 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 21% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P500QH-QT 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 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
P500QH-QT conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P500QH-QT takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
P500QH-QT's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (45/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with P500QH-QT
Is P500QH easy to machine?
Machines like a 220 HB Q&T alloy steel — rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds; avoid heating the surface above the tempering temperature.
Can P500QH be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen SAW/FCAW/GMAW consumables; control CEV-based preheat (typically 100–150 °C), limit heat input and hold PWHT below the tempering temperature.
Can P500QH be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending is possible with generous radii (typically ≥3t transverse); hot forming above the tempering temperature requires re-quench and temper.
What surface finishes work on P500QH?
Blast and paint, metallize or zinc-coat for atmospheric service; no anodizing — phosphate or primer systems are standard for vessel exteriors.
P500QH 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 maximum | ≤ 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.8 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.7 | 1.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Slow-S for through-thickness quality | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cr | ≤ 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Nitoughness/hardenability | ≤ 2 | 1 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.7 | 0.45 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.04 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Bhardenability booster | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance | — |
P500QH-QT — frequently asked
What is P500QH-QT used for?
P500QH-QT is typically used for structural tubing, pressure vessel connections, crane and lifting equipment and heavy fabrications. In short: tubular P500Q equivalent; 500 MPa yield hollow section; toughness in welded tube.
What is the yield strength of P500QH-QT?
P500QH-QT 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 4 listed tempers.
Is P500QH-QT easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machines like a 220 HB Q&T alloy steel — rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds; avoid heating the surface above the tempering temperature.
Can P500QH-QT be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen SAW/FCAW/GMAW consumables; control CEV-based preheat (typically 100–150 °C), limit heat input and hold PWHT below the tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on P500QH-QT?
Blast and paint, metallize or zinc-coat for atmospheric service; no anodizing — phosphate or primer systems are standard for vessel exteriors.
Can P500QH-QT be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending is possible with generous radii (typically ≥3t transverse); hot forming above the tempering temperature requires re-quench and temper.
What is the maximum service temperature of P500QH-QT?
P500QH-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 — Numeric system (material number 1.8874) — CEN (2015)
- 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 datasheets (P460Q–P690Q family) — European heavy-plate mills (2022)
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.