Steel S960Q
EN S960Q · GB Q960Q
S960Q is the top-tier standard EN 10025-6 quenched-and-tempered structural plate, with 960 MPa minimum yield, used to minimise weight in ultra-high-strength welded structures.
Reference datasheet — S960Q 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 QT condition
S960Q tempers and conditions
S960Q is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. QT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved | Post-fabrication stress relief for heavily welded/cold-formed weldments; keep below the original tempering temperature or strength drops sharply. | 950 | 1,010 | 14 | 31 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
Q&T heavy plate, t > 50–100 mm (reduced guaranteed strength) | Use for heavy sections; mass effect lowers the guaranteed yield/tensile and toughness — confirm values with the mill certificate. | 960 | 1,010 | 13 | 32 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard as-delivered plate for ambient/moderately cold service; the normal stocked condition. | 1,000 | 1,050 | 13 | 33 HRC | — |
S960QL | Pick when the structure sees service or design temperatures down to -40 °C (mobile cranes, arctic-duty machinery). | 1,000 | 1,050 | 13 | 33 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
S960QL1 | Cleanest/toughest variant for -60 °C design temperature or demanding CTOD requirements; longer lead time and premium price. | 1,000 | 1,050 | 14 | 33 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
What is S960Q?
S960Q is the top-tier standard EN 10025-6 quenched-and-tempered structural plate, with 960 MPa minimum yield, used to minimise weight in ultra-high-strength welded structures. Default QT plate shows 1000 MPa yield, 1050 MPa tensile, 13 % elongation and 320 HB (33 HRC), with QT-L and QT-L1 low-temperature grades, a thick-plate condition and a stress-relieved condition on file. Fabrication windows are narrow: machinability 33, weldability 55, formability 38, no inherent corrosion resistance, and hot work above about 580 °C destroys the heat treatment. S890Q is the more forgiving alternative. S960Q has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). S960Q has a yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) — stronger than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is S960Q used for?
- mobile crane telescopic booms
- high-strength trailers
- off-highway equipment
Advantages
- High strength — 1,000 MPa (145 ksi), better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 33/100, worse than 86% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 32 W/m·K (18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 13%, worse than 78% of steel grades
S960Q properties
Typical room-temperature values for S960Q-QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S960Q has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
S960Q has a yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) — stronger than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S960Q is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 32 W/m·K (18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S960Q conducts electricity at 7.5 % IACS, worse than 67% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S960Q takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
S960Q's machinability is poor (33/100, worse than 86% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (38/100).
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. S960Q is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S960Q
Is S960Q easy to machine?
Machine as a ~320 HB Q&T steel: rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speed with heavy positive feed; avoid rubbing and keep flame-cut edges (hard HAZ) out of the cut where possible.
Can S960Q be welded?
Low-hydrogen consumables only (matching or slightly undermatching), preheat typically 100–175 °C by thickness/CEV, interpass ≤ 200 °C, controlled heat input ≈ 1.0–1.7 kJ/mm to protect HAZ toughness; dry and clean the joint to avoid hydrogen cracking.
Can S960Q be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-bend transverse to rolling direction with generous punch radii (≈3–4 t for thin plate, more for thick), allow high springback and press force; hot forming above ~580 °C destroys the Q&T properties and requires re-heat treatment.
S960Q 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, EN 10025-6 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Si | ≤ 0.8 | 0.35 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.7 | 1.3 |
| PQL/QL1: ≤0.020 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| SQL/QL1: ≤0.010 | ≤ 0.02 | 0 |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Bboron for hardenability | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cr | ≤ 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Ni | ≤ 2 | 1 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.05 |
| Zr | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Altotal Al, min for grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| FeCEV ≤ 0.82 for t ≤ 50 mm | balance |
What surface finishes work on S960Q?
Not corrosion resistant — shot blast to Sa 2½ and paint or zinc-rich prime; avoid acid pickling and standard hydrogen-generating electroplating unless a post-plate bake (190–220 °C) is applied.
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 S960Q in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 10025-6
- GB (China)
- Q960Q
How much does S960Q cost?
S960Q 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.
S960Q — frequently asked
What is S960Q used for?
S960Q is typically used for mobile crane telescopic booms, high-strength trailers and off-highway equipment. In short: highest standard EN Q&T grade; 1000 MPa yield plate; minimum-weight boom steel.
What is the yield strength of S960Q?
S960Q has a typical yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) — stronger than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is S960Q easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (33/100, worse than 86% of steel grades). Machine as a ~320 HB Q&T steel: rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speed with heavy positive feed; avoid rubbing and keep flame-cut edges (hard HAZ) out of the cut where possible.
Can S960Q be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Low-hydrogen consumables only (matching or slightly undermatching), preheat typically 100–175 °C by thickness/CEV, interpass ≤ 200 °C, controlled heat input ≈ 1.0–1.7 kJ/mm to protect HAZ toughness; dry and clean the joint to avoid hydrogen cracking.
What surface finishes work on S960Q?
Not corrosion resistant — shot blast to Sa 2½ and paint or zinc-rich prime; avoid acid pickling and standard hydrogen-generating electroplating unless a post-plate bake (190–220 °C) is applied.
Can S960Q be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-bend transverse to rolling direction with generous punch radii (≈3–4 t for thin plate, more for thick), allow high springback and press force; hot forming above ~580 °C destroys the Q&T properties and requires re-heat treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of S960Q?
S960Q is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S960Q-QT and S960Q-SR?
QT is the default condition — standard as-delivered plate for ambient/moderately cold service; the normal stocked condition. SR: post-fabrication stress relief for heavily welded/cold-formed weldments; keep below the original tempering temperature or strength drops sharply. Yield strength is 1,000 MPa in QT versus 950 MPa in SR.
How much does S960Q cost?
S960Q 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 10025-6 Hot rolled products of structural steels — Part 6: Flat products of high yield strength structural steels in the quenched and tempered condition — CEN (2019)
- Strenx 960E/F structural steel data sheet — SSAB (2023)
- XABO 960 quenched and tempered fine-grain plate — thyssenkrupp Steel (2022)
- alform 960 M / alform plate technical data — voestalpine (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 16270 High strength structural steel plates in the quenched and tempered condition (Q960) — SAC (2009)
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.