Steel S460N-NL (S460NL)
Heat-treated state
EN S460N · GB Q460C
Choose when 27 J impact energy is required at −50 °C (offshore, arctic, cryo-adjacent structures).
Values for the NL condition
Other S460N tempers and conditions
S460N is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at S460N.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed / soft-annealed (special order) | Non-standard delivery for heavy cold forming or machining; mechanical properties fall below EN 10025-3 minima until re-normalized. | 320 | 500 | 28 | 150 HB | 9 % IACS |
+N | Maximum standard normalized thickness; 400 MPa minimum yield, preheat mandatory for welding. | 430 | 575 | 20 | 170 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
+N | Thick plate for heavy welded fabrication; 410 MPa minimum yield. | 440 | 580 | 21 | 172 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
+N | Heavy plate band with 430 MPa minimum yield; check through-thickness toughness for welded joints. | 460 | 585 | 21 | 175 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
+N | Medium plate thickness band; yield drops to 440 MPa minimum per EN 10025-3. | 470 | 595 | 22 | 178 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
+NDefault Normalized | Standard stocked condition for plate and section up to 16 mm with full 460 MPa yield and −20 °C toughness. | 490 | 600 | 22 | 180 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
NLThis page S460NL | Choose when 27 J impact energy is required at −50 °C (offshore, arctic, cryo-adjacent structures). | 490 | 600 | 22 | 180 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
What is S460N-NL?
S460N-NL is S460N heat treated to NL — choose when 27 J impact energy is required at −50 °C (offshore, arctic, cryo-adjacent structures). S460N-NL has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). S460N-NL 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). +N is the default condition FabDigit quotes; NL is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 135 MPa·√m (122.9 ksi·√in), better than 93% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 78/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
S460N-NL properties
Typical room-temperature values for S460N-NL; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S460N reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S460N-NL 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
S460N-NL has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S460N-NL 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
S460N-NL conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, better than 63% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S460N-NL takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
S460N-NL's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability good (57/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S460N-NL
Is S460N easy to machine?
Machines like a tough HSLA steel at ~55 % of AISI 1212; use rigid setups, positive-rake coated carbide and generous feed to break the stringy chip.
Can S460N be welded?
Readily weldable by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with matching 46-50 kJ-class low-hydrogen consumables; control hydrogen and preheat (≈100–150 °C above ~30 mm, per EN 1011-2 CEV ≤0.53) and limit heat input to protect HAZ toughness.
Can S460N be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends with radii of roughly 2–3× thickness transverse; hot forming above 580 °C requires re-normalizing to restore the 460 MPa fine-grain properties.
What surface finishes work on S460N?
No natural corrosion resistance — shot blast to Sa 2½ then paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize (use low-Si chemistry to avoid excess zinc growth).
S460N 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 t ≤ 63 mm (EN 10025-3) | ≤ 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.7 | 1.45 |
| P≤0.025 for S460NL | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S≤0.020 for S460NL | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Nlimit may be exceeded if sufficient N-binding elements present | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, minimum | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| V | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| TiNb+V+Ti ≤ 0.26 % | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.8 | 0.2 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.7 | 0.2 |
| FeCEV ≤ 0.53 for t ≤ 63 mm | balance | — |
S460N-NL — frequently asked
What is S460N-NL used for?
S460N-NL is typically used for pressure vessels, heavy structural steelwork, cranes, bridges and welded frames. In short: highest-yield normalized grade; sub-zero toughness with NL; weldable 460 MPa plate.
What is the yield strength of S460N-NL?
S460N-NL has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is S460N-NL easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like a tough HSLA steel at ~55 % of AISI 1212; use rigid setups, positive-rake coated carbide and generous feed to break the stringy chip.
Can S460N-NL be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Readily weldable by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with matching 46-50 kJ-class low-hydrogen consumables; control hydrogen and preheat (≈100–150 °C above ~30 mm, per EN 1011-2 CEV ≤0.53) and limit heat input to protect HAZ toughness.
What surface finishes work on S460N-NL?
No natural corrosion resistance — shot blast to Sa 2½ then paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize (use low-Si chemistry to avoid excess zinc growth).
Can S460N-NL be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends with radii of roughly 2–3× thickness transverse; hot forming above 580 °C requires re-normalizing to restore the 460 MPa fine-grain properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of S460N-NL?
S460N-NL 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 S460N +N and S460N-NL?
+N is the default condition — standard stocked condition for plate and section up to 16 mm with full 460 MPa yield and −20 °C toughness. NL: choose when 27 J impact energy is required at −50 °C (offshore, arctic, cryo-adjacent structures). Yield strength is 490 MPa in +N versus 490 MPa in NL.
Sources
- EN 10025-3: Hot rolled products of structural steels — normalized/normalized rolled weldable fine grain steels — CEN (2019)
- EN 10027-2 material number 1.8901 / 1.8903 — CEN (2015)
- GB/T 1591 Q460C/Q460E high strength low alloy structural steel — SAC (2018)
- EN 1011-2 Welding — arc welding of ferritic steels — CEN (2001)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Structural steel plate S460N/NL datasheets — 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.