Steel P92
AISI/SAE P92 · EN X10CrWMoVNb9-2
P92 is a 9%Cr martensitic creep-strength-enhanced ferritic (CSEF) steel derived from P91, with about 1.8% W replacing part of the Mo and a trace boron addition.
Values for the HR condition
P92 tempers and conditions
P92 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
subcritical/soft annealed ~730–780 °C, furnace cooled (machining or forming stock) | Softened condition for heavy machining or cold forming; the creep properties are only restored after a full re-normalize and temper. | 400 | 600 | 26 | 185 HB | — |
Normalized and tempered | The only condition allowed for pressure service — tempered martensite with fine MX/M23C6 precipitation giving the design creep strength. | 540 | 720 | 22 | 21 HRC | — |
Quenched and tempered | Used on thick forgings and castings where air cooling cannot fully harden the section; slightly higher strength than N&T at similar toughness. | 580 | 760 | 20 | 23 HRC | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | As-hot-worked mill stock with uncontrolled, position-dependent properties; never acceptable for code pressure parts without normalizing and tempering. | 620 | 850 | 17 | 29 HRC | 2.8 % IACS |
normalized only, untempered martensite (intermediate process condition) | Process-only condition after air cooling from austenitizing — hard and brittle, must be tempered before any service or hydro test. | 900 | 1,250 | 12 | 43 HRC | — |
What is P92?
P92 is a 9%Cr martensitic creep-strength-enhanced ferritic (CSEF) steel derived from P91, with about 1.8% W replacing part of the Mo and a trace boron addition. Supplied normalized and tempered as main steam and reheat pipe, headers and high-temperature valve bodies for supercritical and ultra-supercritical plant, it gives roughly 30% higher creep rupture strength than P91 near 600 °C, allowing thinner walls and lower thermal stress. Limits are a narrow welding window (200–250 °C preheat, 750–780 °C PWHT), type IV cracking and long-term temper softening risk, and steam-oxidation resistance below stainless steels, restricting use to about 620 °C steam. P92 has a density of 7.78 g/cm³ (0.281 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). P92 has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 216 GPa (31.3 Msi).
What is P92 used for?
- Ultra-supercritical main steam piping
- Hot reheat piping
- Boiler headers
- High-temperature valve bodies
- Thick-wall forged fittings
- Superheater outlet tubing
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 28/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- High strength — 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.8 % IACS, worse than 94% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 28/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 27 W/m·K (15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
P92 properties
Typical room-temperature values for P92-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P92 has a density of 7.78 g/cm³ (0.281 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
P92 has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 216 GPa (31.3 Msi).
Thermal6
P92 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 27 W/m·K (15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
P92 conducts electricity at 2.8 % IACS, worse than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (28/100), better than 94% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P92 takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
P92's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 91% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. P92 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with P92
Is P92 easy to machine?
Machine in the N&T (≤250 HB) or annealed condition with rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speed and heavy feed; the fine MX carbonitrides are abrasive and work-hardening is noticeable.
Can P92 be welded?
GTAW root / SMAW-FCAW fill with matching 9Cr-2W consumables, 200–250 °C preheat, interpass ≤300 °C, no interruption below preheat, mandatory PWHT 750–780 °C with careful hold time; watch Type IV cracking in the fine-grain HAZ and keep Ni+Mn low in filler.
Can P92 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form at 1050–1150 °C followed by a full re-normalize and temper; cold bending is limited and any cold strain above a few percent should be re-heat-treated to restore creep strength.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to P92. Every P92 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Poor28 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair20 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better30 / 100 |
P92 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.07 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cr | 8.5 – 9.5 | 9 |
| W | 1.5 – 2 | 1.8 |
| Mo | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| V | 0.15 – 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Nb | 0.04 – 0.09 | 0.06 |
| N | 0.03 – 0.07 | 0.05 |
| B | 0 – 0.01 | 0 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.4 | 0.2 |
| Al | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Zr | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on P92?
Not stainless — protect with high-temperature aluminium/silicone paint, aluminizing or Cr-diffusion coating for steam-side oxidation and shot-blast/pickle before coating; anodizing is not applicable.
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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel P92 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- X10CrWMoVNb9-2
How much does P92 cost?
P92 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
P92 — frequently asked
What is P92 used for?
P92 is typically used for ultra-supercritical main steam piping, hot reheat piping, boiler headers, high-temperature valve bodies, thick-wall forged fittings and superheater outlet tubing. In short: premium high-temp pipe.
What is the yield strength of P92?
P92 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is P92 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 91% of steel grades). Machine in the N&T (≤250 HB) or annealed condition with rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speed and heavy feed; the fine MX carbonitrides are abrasive and work-hardening is noticeable.
Can P92 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). GTAW root / SMAW-FCAW fill with matching 9Cr-2W consumables, 200–250 °C preheat, interpass ≤300 °C, no interruption below preheat, mandatory PWHT 750–780 °C with careful hold time; watch Type IV cracking in the fine-grain HAZ and keep Ni+Mn low in filler.
What surface finishes work on P92?
Not stainless — protect with high-temperature aluminium/silicone paint, aluminizing or Cr-diffusion coating for steam-side oxidation and shot-blast/pickle before coating; anodizing is not applicable.
Can P92 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form at 1050–1150 °C followed by a full re-normalize and temper; cold bending is limited and any cold strain above a few percent should be re-heat-treated to restore creep strength.
What is the maximum service temperature of P92?
P92 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 P92 cost?
P92 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in P92?
Yes — P92 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A335/A335M — Seamless Ferritic Alloy-Steel Pipe for High-Temperature Service (Grade P92) — ASTM International (2022)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part A, SA-335 / SA-182 F92 — ASME (2023)
- EN 10216-2 — Seamless steel tubes for pressure purposes, X10CrWMoVNb9-2 (1.4901) — CEN (2020)
- GB/T 5310 — (10Cr9MoW2VNbBN) — SAC (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- VdTÜV-Werkstoffblatt 552 — X10CrWMoVNb9-2 physical and elevated-temperature data — VdTÜV (2015)
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.