Steel S460NL
EN S460NL
S460NL is a normalized (+N) weldable fine-grain structural steel of the EN low-temperature series (1.8903, WStE460), with guaranteed impact toughness down to -50 °C.
Reference datasheet — S460NL 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 +N t<=16 condition
S460NL tempers and conditions
S460NL is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. +N t<=16 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+N | Maximum stocked thickness band; 380 MPa yield, toughness values by agreement on thick sections. | 410 | 585 | 20 | 9 HRC | 9 % IACS |
+N | Very heavy plate; 400 MPa minimum yield, still -50 °C impact qualified. | 430 | 590 | 20 | 10 HRC | 9 % IACS |
+N | Thick plate band with reduced tensile range (530–710 MPa) and 410 MPa yield. | 440 | 595 | 21 | 10 HRC | 9 % IACS |
+N | Heavy plate for welded structures; 430 MPa minimum yield. | 460 | 610 | 21 | 11 HRC | 9 % IACS |
+N | Medium plate band; yield derated to 440 MPa minimum. | 470 | 615 | 22 | 12 HRC | 9 % IACS |
+N t<=16Default +N | Standard stock condition for plate, strip and sections up to 16 mm; full 460 MPa yield with -50 °C toughness. | 490 | 620 | 22 | 13 HRC | 9 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S460NL is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
+N +Z35 | Normalized with through-thickness (Z-quality) tensile testing per EN… | Certification |
What is S460NL?
S460NL is a normalized (+N) weldable fine-grain structural steel of the EN low-temperature series (1.8903, WStE460), with guaranteed impact toughness down to -50 °C. Engineers specify it where 460-class yield strength and cold ductility are both required; it is available as plate and heavy sections from under 16 mm to 150 mm, including a +Z35 through-thickness quality. The default condition gives 490 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 22 % elongation and about 190 HB. It has no corrosion resistance and hot forming above 580 °C requires re-normalizing; S420NL is the next step down in strength. S460NL has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,440°C (2,624 °F). S460NL has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is S460NL used for?
- offshore structures
- cranes and heavy fabrications
- low-temperature storage tanks
- pressure equipment supports
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
S460NL properties
Typical room-temperature values for S460NL-+N t<=16; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S460NL has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,440°C (2,624 °F).
Mechanical17
S460NL has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S460NL is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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
S460NL conducts electricity at 9 % IACS, better than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S460NL takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
S460NL's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); 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.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. S460NL is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S460NL
Is S460NL easy to machine?
Machines like a normalized C-Mn steel at ~55 % of AISI 1212; use rigid setups and coated carbide, expect stringy chips from the low-sulphur analysis.
Can S460NL be welded?
Excellent weldability with CEV ≤ 0.53; use low-hydrogen consumables, control heat input 1.0–3.5 kJ/mm and preheat 50–150 °C on heavy sections to protect the -50 °C toughness.
Can S460NL be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bendable to about 2t (transverse) in thin plate; hot forming above 580 °C requires re-normalizing to restore the fine-grain structure.
S460NL 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cladle analysis, t ≤ 63 mm | ≤ 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.7 | 1.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Slow-S practice for Z-quality | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al; Al/N ratio for grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| NbNb+V+Ti ≤ 0.26 | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| V | ≤ 0.2 | 0.08 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.06 |
| Niraised for -50 °C toughness | ≤ 0.8 | 0.2 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.7 | 0.1 |
| Zr | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on S460NL?
No passivity — shot-blast to Sa 2½ and apply zinc-rich epoxy, metallizing or hot-dip galvanizing; Si content should be checked for galvanizing coating 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 S460NL in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8903
- Similar grades
- WStE460
How much does S460NL cost?
S460NL is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
S460NL — frequently asked
What is S460NL used for?
S460NL is typically used for offshore structures, cranes and heavy fabrications, low-temperature storage tanks and pressure equipment supports. In short: weldable 460 MPa structural; certified -50 °C toughness; fine-grain normalized plate.
What is the yield strength of S460NL?
S460NL has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is S460NL easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Machines like a normalized C-Mn steel at ~55 % of AISI 1212; use rigid setups and coated carbide, expect stringy chips from the low-sulphur analysis.
Can S460NL be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent weldability with CEV ≤ 0.53; use low-hydrogen consumables, control heat input 1.0–3.5 kJ/mm and preheat 50–150 °C on heavy sections to protect the -50 °C toughness.
What surface finishes work on S460NL?
No passivity — shot-blast to Sa 2½ and apply zinc-rich epoxy, metallizing or hot-dip galvanizing; Si content should be checked for galvanizing coating thickness.
Can S460NL be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bendable to about 2t (transverse) in thin plate; hot forming above 580 °C requires re-normalizing to restore the fine-grain structure.
What is the maximum service temperature of S460NL?
S460NL is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does S460NL cost?
S460NL is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 10025-3 Hot rolled products of structural steels — Normalized/normalized rolled weldable fine grain steels — CEN (2019)
- 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)
- EN 1011-2 Welding — Recommendations for welding of metallic materials, Part 2: 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/S460NL datasheets — Dillinger / voestalpine / ArcelorMittal (2022)
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.