Steel P500QL1
EN 1.8875
P500QL1 (1.8875) is the low-temperature toughness grade of the P500Q family, a quenched-and-tempered nickel-alloy plate steel with impact properties guaranteed down to −40 °C.
Reference datasheet — P500QL1 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
P500QL1 tempers and conditions
P500QL1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Q&T | Maximum-thickness plate; used for large forgeable shells where a further strength reduction is accepted. | 480 | 610 | 19 | 13 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Q&T | Heavy plate for thick-wall vessels; slightly reduced strength class because of lower quench severity through thickness. | 530 | 640 | 20 | 15 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Q&T + stress relieved / simulated PWHT | Ordered when the fabricated vessel will see PWHT; properties verified after a simulated post-weld heat treatment cycle, with a modest strength drop. | 530 | 630 | 21 | 15 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard as-delivered condition for plate up to 50 mm; full 500 MPa yield class with −40 °C impact guarantee. | 560 | 660 | 20 | 18 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
What is P500QL1?
P500QL1 (1.8875) is the low-temperature toughness grade of the P500Q family, a quenched-and-tempered nickel-alloy plate steel with impact properties guaranteed down to −40 °C. Delivered properties are about 560 MPa yield, 660 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and 210 HB, which suits cold-climate pressure vessels and process plant built from heavy welded plate. Maximum service temperature on file is 300 °C, the steel has no corrosion resistance in the bare state, and hot forming above the tempering temperature destroys the heat-treated condition. Standard P500Q is the lower-cost choice when sub-zero impact testing is not required. P500QL1 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). P500QL1 has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is P500QL1 used for?
- Cryogenic vessels
- LNG equipment
- Arctic pipeline components
- Low-temperature process plant
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 150 MPa·√m (136.5 ksi·√in), better than 96% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
P500QL1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for P500QL1-QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P500QL1 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical17
P500QL1 has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
P500QL1 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
P500QL1 conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (14/100), better than 70% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P500QL1 takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability5
P500QL1's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); 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. P500QL1 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P500QL1
Is P500QL1 easy to machine?
Machine as a ~210 HB Q&T alloy steel: rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds and generous feed; avoid overheating the surface to prevent local tempering.
Can P500QL1 be welded?
Weldable by SAW/GMAW/SMAW with low-hydrogen consumables, preheat typically 100–175 °C depending on thickness and CEV, and controlled interpass temperature and heat input to protect the −40 °C HAZ toughness.
Can P500QL1 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with generous bend radii (≈3–4 t) transverse to rolling direction; hot forming above the tempering temperature destroys the Q&T condition and requires full re-heat-treatment.
P500QL1 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 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.7 | 1.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Slow-S for QL1 toughness | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Cr | ≤ 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.7 | 0.45 |
| Nimain low-temperature toughness element | ≤ 2 | 1.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.05 |
| B | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P500QL1?
Not corrosion resistant — shot blast to Sa 2½ and apply epoxy/zinc-rich primer or metallising; suitable for painting and thermal spray, not for anodizing.
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 P500QL1 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8875
How much does P500QL1 cost?
P500QL1 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
P500QL1 — frequently asked
What is P500QL1 used for?
P500QL1 is typically used for cryogenic vessels, LNG equipment, arctic pipeline components and low-temperature process plant. In short: −40 °C toughness class; cold-service P500Q variant; heavy welded plate grade.
What is the yield strength of P500QL1?
P500QL1 has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is P500QL1 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine as a ~210 HB Q&T alloy steel: rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds and generous feed; avoid overheating the surface to prevent local tempering.
Can P500QL1 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weldable by SAW/GMAW/SMAW with low-hydrogen consumables, preheat typically 100–175 °C depending on thickness and CEV, and controlled interpass temperature and heat input to protect the −40 °C HAZ toughness.
What surface finishes work on P500QL1?
Not corrosion resistant — shot blast to Sa 2½ and apply epoxy/zinc-rich primer or metallising; suitable for painting and thermal spray, not for anodizing.
Can P500QL1 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with generous bend radii (≈3–4 t) transverse to rolling direction; hot forming above the tempering temperature destroys the Q&T condition and requires full re-heat-treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of P500QL1?
P500QL1 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does P500QL1 cost?
P500QL1 is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 — CEN (2015)
- EN 1011-2 Welding — Recommendations for welding of metallic materials: Arc welding of ferritic steels — CEN (2001)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Quenched and tempered pressure vessel plate datasheets (EN 10028-6 P355Q–P500QL2 range) — European plate mills (2022)
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.