Steel S460NL +N t<=16 (+N)
Heat-treated state · default condition
EN S460NL
Standard stock condition for plate, strip and sections up to 16 mm; full 460 MPa yield with -50 °C toughness.
Values for the +N t<=16 condition
Other S460NL tempers and conditions
S460NL is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at S460NL.
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<=16DefaultThis page +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 |
What is S460NL +N t<=16?
S460NL +N t<=16 is S460NL heat treated to +N t<=16 — standard stock condition for plate, strip and sections up to 16 mm; full 460 MPa yield with -50 °C toughness. S460NL +N t<=16 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). S460NL +N t<=16 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).
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 +N t<=16 properties
Typical room-temperature values for S460NL +N t<=16; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S460NL reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S460NL +N t<=16 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 +N t<=16 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 +N t<=16 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 +N t<=16 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 +N t<=16 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 +N t<=16'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S460NL +N t<=16
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.
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.
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 | — |
S460NL +N t<=16 — frequently asked
What is S460NL +N t<=16 used for?
S460NL +N t<=16 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 +N t<=16?
S460NL +N t<=16 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 +N t<=16 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 +N t<=16 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 +N t<=16?
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 +N t<=16 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 +N t<=16?
S460NL +N t<=16 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.