Steel S460M
EN S460M
S460M is a high-strength thermomechanically rolled structural plate to EN 10025-4, material number 1.8827, also designated Q460M, with 490 MPa yield, 610 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation and about 185 HB.
Reference datasheet — S460M 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 M condition
S460M tempers and conditions
S460M is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. M is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M | Very heavy TMCP plate (special order); yield falls to 410–400 MPa minimum. | 440 | 570 | 23 | 8 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
M | Heavy TMCP plate for thick welded girders; 430 MPa minimum yield. | 460 | 590 | 23 | 9 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
ML | Thick low-temperature TMCP plate for cold-service heavy fabrication. | 465 | 595 | 24 | 10 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
M | Medium-thickness TMCP plate; minimum yield drops to 440 MPa per EN 10025-4. | 470 | 600 | 24 | 10 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
MDefault Thermomechanically controlled processed | Standard stocked TMCP plate for welded structures served down to −20 °C. | 490 | 610 | 24 | 185 HB | 8.2 % IACS |
M with Z35 through-thickness quality | Order this when heavy T-joints load the plate through its thickness and lamellar tearing must be avoided. | 490 | 610 | 24 | 11 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
Thermomechanically rolled, low-temperature toughness (27 J @ −50 °C), t… | Choose when service or test temperature reaches −50 °C (offshore, cold-climate cranes and bridges). | 495 | 610 | 25 | 11 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
What is S460M?
S460M is a high-strength thermomechanically rolled structural plate to EN 10025-4, material number 1.8827, also designated Q460M, with 490 MPa yield, 610 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation and about 185 HB. It is used for heavy welded fabrications where weight has to come down without losing low-temperature toughness, and is available in thickness-banded plate (16–40, 40–63, 63–100 mm), ML low-temperature and Z35 through-thickness variants. Weldability is good (score 80) at CEV ≤0.45, but heat input and interpass temperature must be controlled and the plate cannot be normalized or hot formed above about 580 °C. S355M is the lower-strength, easier-to-weld alternative. S460M has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). S460M has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is S460M used for?
- offshore platforms
- heavy crane structures
- large welded fabrications
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
S460M properties
Typical room-temperature values for S460M-M; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S460M has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical16
S460M has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S460M 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
S460M conducts electricity at 8.2 % IACS, better than 61% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S460M takes about 27 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 59% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 28%.
Manufacturability7
S460M's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); 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.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. S460M is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S460M
Is S460M easy to machine?
Machines like a 500 MPa-class HSLA steel — use rigid setups, coated carbide at ~120–180 m/min, positive rake and firm feeds to cut through the tough fine-grained bainitic skin.
Can S460M be welded?
Excellent weldability at CEV ≤0.45: use low-hydrogen consumables (matching 460-class wire), limit heat input (typ. 1.0–2.5 kJ/mm) and interpass ≤250 °C so the TMCP HAZ keeps its toughness; preheat 50–100 °C only for thick sections or restraint.
Can S460M be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form with minimum bend radius ≈2–3 t transverse to rolling; avoid hot forming or post-weld normalizing above ~580 °C, which destroys the thermomechanical strengthening.
S460M 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C0.16 max for t ≤ 63 mm | ≤ 0.16 | 0.1 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.7 | 1.5 |
| PML grade: 0.025 max | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| SML grade: 0.020 max | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, or other N-binding elements | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| NbNb+V+Ti ≤ 0.22 | ≤ 0.05 | 0.04 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.8 | 0.2 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.2 | 0.06 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.55 | 0.15 |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| FeCEV ≤ 0.45 for t ≤ 16 mm (EN 10025-4) | balance |
What surface finishes work on S460M?
Not anodizable — shot-blast to Sa 2½ then epoxy/PU paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize; keep Si+2.5P in mind for galvanizing coat thickness.
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 S460M in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.882710025-4
- Similar grades
- Q460M
How much does S460M cost?
S460M 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.
S460M — frequently asked
What is S460M used for?
S460M is typically used for offshore platforms, heavy crane structures and large welded fabrications. In short: weight-saving heavy plate; weldable 490 MPa structural steel; tough TMCP alternative to S355M.
What is the yield strength of S460M?
S460M has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is S460M easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades). Machines like a 500 MPa-class HSLA steel — use rigid setups, coated carbide at ~120–180 m/min, positive rake and firm feeds to cut through the tough fine-grained bainitic skin.
Can S460M be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Excellent weldability at CEV ≤0.45: use low-hydrogen consumables (matching 460-class wire), limit heat input (typ. 1.0–2.5 kJ/mm) and interpass ≤250 °C so the TMCP HAZ keeps its toughness; preheat 50–100 °C only for thick sections or restraint.
What surface finishes work on S460M?
Not anodizable — shot-blast to Sa 2½ then epoxy/PU paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize; keep Si+2.5P in mind for galvanizing coat thickness.
Can S460M be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form with minimum bend radius ≈2–3 t transverse to rolling; avoid hot forming or post-weld normalizing above ~580 °C, which destroys the thermomechanical strengthening.
What is the maximum service temperature of S460M?
S460M 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 S460M-M and S460M M-40-63?
M is the default condition — standard stocked TMCP plate for welded structures served down to −20 °C. M-40-63: heavy TMCP plate for thick welded girders; 430 MPa minimum yield. Yield strength is 490 MPa in M versus 460 MPa in M-40-63.
How much does S460M cost?
S460M 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 10025-4 Hot rolled products of structural steels — Thermomechanical rolled weldable fine grain steels — CEN (2019)
- GB/T 1591 (Q460M/Q460ME) — SAC (2018)
- EN 10164 Steel products with improved deformation properties perpendicular to the surface — CEN (2018)
- EN 1993-1-1 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures — CEN (2005)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 1011-2 Welding — Recommendations for arc welding of ferritic steels — CEN (2001)
- TMCP structural plate S460M/ML datasheets — Dillinger / SSAB / voestalpine (2023)
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.