Steel S460-QL
Heat-treated state
QL = quenched and tempered, −40 °C impact grade
Q&T heavy plate with 30 J at −40 °C for mobile cranes and mining equipment in cold service.
Values for the QL condition
Other S460 tempers and conditions
S460 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at S460.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NormalizedDefault Normalized (S460N, EN 10025-3) | General-purpose 460 MPa plate/section with guaranteed 40 J at −20 °C; the standard stocked condition for bridges and heavy structures. | 470 | 600 | 22 | 11 HRC | 8.6 % IACS |
Hot-finished hollow section, normalized | Normalized/normalized-rolled hot-finished RHS/CHS for high-strength tubular trusses and offshore nodes. | 470 | 600 | 20 | 180 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
Normalized, low-temperature impact grade | Same normalized strength as S460N but with 27 J guaranteed at −50 °C and tighter P/S; pick for cold-climate or offshore service. | 475 | 605 | 23 | 180 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Lower carbon and CEV than S460N thanks to controlled rolling — the best choice when heavy welding with minimal preheat is required. | 490 | 590 | 22 | 178 HB | — |
Cold-formed welded hollow section, TMCP base | Cold-formed square/rectangular tube from TMCP strip; economical high-strength hollow sections, corner ductility is the limit. | 490 | 590 | 19 | 185 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
Thermo-mechanically rolled, low-temperature grade | TMCP plate with 27 J at −50 °C and very low CEV; standard for offshore jackets, crane booms and arctic structures. | 495 | 595 | 23 | 178 HB | 8.6 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Water-quenched and tempered plate holding 460 MPa yield in heavy thicknesses (to ~100 mm) where N/M grades drop off. | 500 | 620 | 20 | 14 HRC | — |
QLThis page Quenched and tempered, −40 °C impact grade | Q&T heavy plate with 30 J at −40 °C for mobile cranes and mining equipment in cold service. | 505 | 625 | 20 | 190 HB | 8.4 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered, −60 °C impact grade | Highest-toughness Q&T variant, 30 J at −60 °C, for arctic and critical fracture-controlled heavy sections. | 505 | 625 | 21 | 190 HB | 8.4 % IACS |
What is S460-QL?
S460-QL is S460 heat treated to QL — q&T heavy plate with 30 J at −40 °C for mobile cranes and mining equipment in cold service. S460-QL has a yield strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 625 MPa (90.6 ksi) — stronger than 64% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). S460-QL 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). Normalized is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QL is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 150 MPa·√m (136.5 ksi·√in), better than 96% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
S460-QL properties
Typical room-temperature values for S460-QL; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S460 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S460-QL 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).
Mechanical17
S460-QL has a yield strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 625 MPa (90.6 ksi) — stronger than 64% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S460-QL is rated for continuous service to 380°C (716 °F). It conducts heat at 43 W/m·K (24.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 51% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S460-QL conducts electricity at 8.4 % IACS, better than 62% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S460-QL 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-QL's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S460-QL
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-QL — frequently asked
What is S460-QL used for?
S460-QL 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-QL?
S460-QL has a typical yield strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 625 MPa (90.6 ksi) — stronger than 64% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is S460-QL easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% 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-QL be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). 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-QL?
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-QL 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-QL?
S460-QL is rated for continuous use to about 380°C (716 °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-QL?
Yes — S460-QL 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
- 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.