Steel S460 · heat-treated state · default condition
Steel S460 Normalized
Properties of the Normalized condition, compared with the other S460 tempers.
General-purpose 460 MPa plate/section with guaranteed 40 J at −20 °C; the standard stocked condition for bridges and heavy structures.
What is S460 Normalized?
S460 Normalized is S460 heat treated to Normalized — general-purpose 460 MPa plate/section with guaranteed 40 J at −20 °C; the standard stocked condition for bridges and heavy structures. S460 Normalized has a yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 58% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). S460 Normalized has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 80% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 76% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
S460 Normalized properties
Typical room-temperature values for S460 Normalized — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every S460 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
S460 Normalized has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
S460 Normalized has a yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 58% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S460 Normalized 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
S460 Normalized conducts electricity at 8.6 % IACS, better than 66% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S460 Normalized takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
S460 Normalized's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability good (60/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other S460 tempers and conditions
S460 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the S460 overview.
- NormalizedDefaultGeneral-purpose 460 MPa plate/section with guaranteed 40 J at −20 °C; the standard stocked condition for bridges and heavy structures.470 MPa yield · 180 HB
- QL1Highest-toughness Q&T variant, 30 J at −60 °C, for arctic and critical fracture-controlled heavy sections.505 MPa yield · 190 HB
- QWater-quenched and tempered plate holding 460 MPa yield in heavy thicknesses (to ~100 mm) where N/M grades drop off.500 MPa yield · 14 HRC
- MLTMCP plate with 27 J at −50 °C and very low CEV; standard for offshore jackets, crane booms and arctic structures.495 MPa yield · 178 HB
- TMCPLower carbon and CEV than S460N thanks to controlled rolling — the best choice when heavy welding with minimal preheat is required.490 MPa yield · 178 HB
- MHCold-formed square/rectangular tube from TMCP strip; economical high-strength hollow sections, corner ductility is the limit.490 MPa yield · 185 HB
- NLSame normalized strength as S460N but with 27 J guaranteed at −50 °C and tighter P/S; pick for cold-climate or offshore service.475 MPa yield · 180 HB
Working with S460 Normalized
Is S460 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough medium-carbon steel: rigid setups, positive-rake coated carbide, ~40 % lower speed than 1018; expect higher cutting forces than S355.
Can S460 be welded?
All arc processes suitable with matching 460-class low-hydrogen consumables; control heat input (typ. 1.0–2.5 kJ/mm) and preheat 100–150 °C for thick N/Q plate — TMCP (M/ML) usually needs little or no preheat.
Can S460 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-bend with generous radii (≈2–3 t transverse, 3–4 t longitudinal) and bend transverse to rolling direction; hot forming above 580 °C degrades TMCP and Q&T properties and requires re-treatment.
What surface finishes work on S460?
No inherent corrosion resistance — shot-blast to Sa 2½ and paint per ISO 12944, metallize, or hot-dip galvanize (watch Si content for coating thickness); it takes plating and powder coating readily.
S460 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CS460N/NL ≤0.20; S460M/ML ≤0.16; S460Q ≤0.20 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| MnS460M/ML: max 1.70, no minimum | 1 – 1.7 | 1.5 |
| P≤0.025 for NL/ML/QL grades | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S≤0.020 for NL/ML, ≤0.015 for QL1 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| NN-binding by Al/Nb/Ti/V | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, min 0.020 % | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Nbmicroalloying | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| V≤0.12 for M/ML | ≤ 0.2 | 0.08 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Crup to 1.50 in S460Q per EN 10025-6 | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Niup to 2.0 in S460Q/QL1 | ≤ 0.8 | 0.2 |
| Mo≤0.20 for M/ML, ≤0.70 for Q | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.55 | 0.15 |
| Zroptional | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Nb+Ti+Vsum limit, EN 10025-3 | ≤ 0.22 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
S460 Normalized — frequently asked
What is S460 Normalized used for?
S460 Normalized is typically used for bridge girders and deck sections, crane booms and jib structures, offshore and marine support structures, heavy welded steel structures, mobile equipment and machine frames and mining and earthmoving weldments. In short: normalized structural plate.
What is the yield strength of S460 Normalized?
S460 Normalized has a typical yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 58% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is S460 Normalized easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like a tough medium-carbon steel: rigid setups, positive-rake coated carbide, ~40 % lower speed than 1018; expect higher cutting forces than S355.
Can S460 Normalized be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). All arc processes suitable with matching 460-class low-hydrogen consumables; control heat input (typ. 1.0–2.5 kJ/mm) and preheat 100–150 °C for thick N/Q plate — TMCP (M/ML) usually needs little or no preheat.
What surface finishes work on S460 Normalized?
No inherent corrosion resistance — shot-blast to Sa 2½ and paint per ISO 12944, metallize, or hot-dip galvanize (watch Si content for coating thickness); it takes plating and powder coating readily.
Can S460 Normalized be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-bend with generous radii (≈2–3 t transverse, 3–4 t longitudinal) and bend transverse to rolling direction; hot forming above 580 °C degrades TMCP and Q&T properties and requires re-treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of S460 Normalized?
S460 Normalized 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 S460 Normalized and S460-QL?
Normalized is the default condition — general-purpose 460 MPa plate/section with guaranteed 40 J at −20 °C; the standard stocked condition for bridges and heavy structures. QL: q&T heavy plate with 30 J at −40 °C for mobile cranes and mining equipment in cold service. Yield strength is 470 MPa in Normalized versus 505 MPa in QL.
Can FabDigit make parts in S460 Normalized?
Yes — S460 Normalized 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
- EN 10025-3: Hot rolled structural steels — Normalized/normalized rolled weldable fine grain steels — CEN (2019)
- EN 10025-4: Thermomechanical rolled weldable fine grain structural steels — CEN (2019)
- EN 10025-6: Flat products of high yield strength structural steels in the quenched and tempered condition — CEN (2019)
- EN 10210-1 / EN 10219-1: Hot finished and cold formed structural hollow sections — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 1993-1-1 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures — CEN (2005)
- High-strength structural plate datasheets (S460N/NL/M/ML/Q) — SSAB / Dillinger / voestalpine (2023)
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.