Steel P500QL2
EN 1.8865, 10028-6
P500QL2 (1.8865) is a quenched and tempered, nickel-alloyed pressure vessel steel to EN 10028-6, one strength step above P460QL2 and with the same L2 low-temperature toughness class.
Reference datasheet — P500QL2 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
P500QL2 tempers and conditions
P500QL2 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 range offered; use when wall thickness governs and the reduced yield is acceptable. | 480 | 610 | 20 | 13 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
Q+T | Heavy plate condition; slightly lower guaranteed yield due to reduced quench severity through thickness. | 520 | 640 | 21 | 16 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
Q+T + stress relieved / simulated PWHT | Order this when the fabricated vessel will see PWHT — properties are certified after a simulated post-weld heat treatment cycle below the tempering temperature. | 520 | 630 | 22 | 15 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard delivery condition for plate up to 50 mm — full 500 MPa minimum yield with −60 °C toughness. | 545 | 660 | 21 | 19 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
What is P500QL2?
P500QL2 (1.8865) is a quenched and tempered, nickel-alloyed pressure vessel steel to EN 10028-6, one strength step above P460QL2 and with the same L2 low-temperature toughness class. It is used where high design stress and cold toughness must be combined in one plate, supplied in QT up to 150 mm and as QT+SR for stress-relieved shells. Default values are 545 MPa yield, 660 MPa tensile, 21 % elongation and about 215 HB. The extra strength costs formability and welding latitude: bend radii of at least 3t, preheat 100–150 °C, and PWHT held below the tempering temperature; P460QL2 is the easier alternative. P500QL2 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). P500QL2 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).
What is P500QL2 used for?
- high-pressure cryogenic vessels
- LNG tanks
- chemical reactors
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
P500QL2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for P500QL2-QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P500QL2 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
P500QL2 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
P500QL2 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
P500QL2 conducts electricity at 7.2 % IACS, worse than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P500QL2 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
P500QL2's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. P500QL2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P500QL2
Is P500QL2 easy to machine?
Machines like a 215 HB Q&T alloy steel — use rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds; avoid heavy grinding that could re-temper or crack the surface.
Can P500QL2 be welded?
Weldable by SAW/FCAW/SMAW with low-hydrogen consumables; preheat 100–150 °C (higher for t>50 mm), control interpass ≤250 °C and heat input to protect the −60 °C HAZ toughness, and keep PWHT below the tempering temperature.
Can P500QL2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with bend radii ≥3t across the rolling direction; hot forming above ~580 °C destroys the Q&T condition and requires full re-quench and temper.
P500QL2 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 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.7 | 1.3 |
| PQL2 grade, low P for toughness | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| SQL2 grade, calcium-treated | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Cr | ≤ 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.7 | 0.45 |
| Nimain contributor to low-temperature toughness | ≤ 2.5 | 1.2 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.05 |
| Zr | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Bhardenability booster | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P500QL2?
No inherent corrosion resistance — blast to Sa 2½ and apply epoxy/zinc-rich paint or metallizing; keep surface hardness ≤248 HV for wet H2S service.
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 P500QL2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.886510028-6
How much does P500QL2 cost?
P500QL2 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
P500QL2 — frequently asked
What is P500QL2 used for?
P500QL2 is typically used for high-pressure cryogenic vessels, LNG tanks and chemical reactors. In short: 500 MPa Q&T vessel plate; L2 toughness at high strength; step above P460QL2.
What is the yield strength of P500QL2?
P500QL2 has a typical yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is P500QL2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machines like a 215 HB Q&T alloy steel — use rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds; avoid heavy grinding that could re-temper or crack the surface.
Can P500QL2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weldable by SAW/FCAW/SMAW with low-hydrogen consumables; preheat 100–150 °C (higher for t>50 mm), control interpass ≤250 °C and heat input to protect the −60 °C HAZ toughness, and keep PWHT below the tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on P500QL2?
No inherent corrosion resistance — blast to Sa 2½ and apply epoxy/zinc-rich paint or metallizing; keep surface hardness ≤248 HV for wet H2S service.
Can P500QL2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with bend radii ≥3t across the rolling direction; hot forming above ~580 °C destroys the Q&T condition and requires full re-quench and temper.
What is the maximum service temperature of P500QL2?
P500QL2 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does P500QL2 cost?
P500QL2 is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 / EN 10029 (tolerances, related Q&T plate practice) — 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, thyssenkrupp) — various producers (2023)
- NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156-2 hardness limits for wet H2S service — ISO/NACE (2020)
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.