Steel Q460 · supply condition · default condition
Steel Q460-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other Q460 tempers.
Standard stocked condition for plate, sections and coil where service temperature stays at or above 0 °C.
What is Q460-HR?
Q460-HR is Q460 supplied in the HR condition — standard stocked condition for plate, sections and coil where service temperature stays at or above 0 °C. Q460-HR has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi). Q460-HR 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).
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
Q460-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for Q460-HR — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Q460 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Q460-HR 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).
Mechanical16
Q460-HR has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
Thermal6
Q460-HR is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Q460-HR conducts electricity at 8.2 % IACS, better than 60% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Q460-HR takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
Q460-HR's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (55/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Q460 tempers and conditions
Q460 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Q460 overview.
- HRDefaultStandard stocked condition for plate, sections and coil where service temperature stays at or above 0 °C.500 MPa yield · 185 HB
- MPick for the leanest carbon equivalent and best field weldability with low-temperature toughness, typically in thick plate.510 MPa yield · 180 HB
- NPick when guaranteed low-temperature notch toughness down to −40/−60 °C and uniform through-thickness properties are required.505 MPa yield · 185 HB
Working with Q460-HR
Is Q460 easy to machine?
Cuts like a tough 500 MPa-yield HSLA steel — use rigid setups, coated carbide at ~120–180 m/min and positive feeds to avoid work hardening; drilling and tapping are noticeably harder than Q235.
Can Q460 be welded?
Readily welded by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with 550–620 MPa class consumables; keep heat input moderate, preheat ~100–150 °C above 25–30 mm or with high CEV, and avoid over-welding TMCP plate to prevent HAZ softening.
Can Q460 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends to the GB/T 1591 mandrel with generous radii (≥2.5–3 t) and springback allowance; hot forming should stay below the normalizing/TMCP temperature or properties must be re-established by heat treatment.
What surface finishes work on Q460?
No anodizing; shot-blast to Sa 2.5 then zinc-rich epoxy, hot-dip galvanize (watch Si/P for coating appearance) or use the NH weathering variant for bare exposure.
Q460 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≤0.20 for as-rolled Q460C; ≤0.16 for Q460M | ≤ 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.8 | 1.55 |
| P≤0.025 for D, ≤0.020 for E/F class | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S≤0.020 for D, ≤0.010 for E/F class | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Nbmicro-alloying | ≤ 0.11 | 0.04 |
| Vmicro-alloying | ≤ 0.2 | 0.06 |
| Timicro-alloying | ≤ 0.2 | 0.02 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.8 | 0.15 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Altotal Al, fine-grain practice | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
Q460-HR — frequently asked
What is Q460-HR used for?
Q460-HR is typically used for bridges, crane structures and industrial frames. In short: high-strength structural plate.
What is the yield strength of Q460-HR?
Q460-HR has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Q460-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Cuts like a tough 500 MPa-yield HSLA steel — use rigid setups, coated carbide at ~120–180 m/min and positive feeds to avoid work hardening; drilling and tapping are noticeably harder than Q235.
Can Q460-HR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily welded by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with 550–620 MPa class consumables; keep heat input moderate, preheat ~100–150 °C above 25–30 mm or with high CEV, and avoid over-welding TMCP plate to prevent HAZ softening.
What surface finishes work on Q460-HR?
No anodizing; shot-blast to Sa 2.5 then zinc-rich epoxy, hot-dip galvanize (watch Si/P for coating appearance) or use the NH weathering variant for bare exposure.
Can Q460-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends to the GB/T 1591 mandrel with generous radii (≥2.5–3 t) and springback allowance; hot forming should stay below the normalizing/TMCP temperature or properties must be re-established by heat treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of Q460-HR?
Q460-HR is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Q460-HR and Q460-M?
HR is the default condition — standard stocked condition for plate, sections and coil where service temperature stays at or above 0 °C. M: pick for the leanest carbon equivalent and best field weldability with low-temperature toughness, typically in thick plate. Yield strength is 500 MPa in HR versus 510 MPa in M.
Can FabDigit make parts in Q460-HR?
Yes — Q460-HR is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- GB/T 1591 High strength low alloy structural steels (2018)
- GB/T 19879 Steel plates for building structure — SAC (2015)
- GB/T 714 Structural steel for bridge — SAC (2015)
- GB/T 4171 Atmospheric corrosion resisting structural steel — SAC (2008)
- GB 50017 Standard for design of steel structures — MOHURD (2017)
- 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)
- Mysteel / SMM (Q460C) (2026)
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.