Steel S960QL
EN S960QL
S960QL is a water-quenched and tempered ultra-high-strength weldable structural steel to EN 10025-6 with 960 MPa minimum yield strength; the 'L' denotes guaranteed low-temperature impact toughness at −40 °C (≥30 J longitudinal).
Values for the Q&T condition
S960QL tempers and conditions
S960QL is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. Q&T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
heavy plate, t > 50 mm (producer-extended thickness) | Choose for heavy sections beyond the EN table range, where producers supply reduced guaranteed yield due to lower quench severity. | 940 | 1,000 | 13 | 32 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Q&T + stress relieved | Use after heavy welding or machining of thick fabrications where distortion control matters; accept a modest drop in strength. | 950 | 1,010 | 13 | 33 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Q&TDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard as-delivered condition of S960QL plate; pick this for all normal structural use up to 50 mm thickness. | 1,010 | 1,050 | 12 | 34 HRC | — |
What is S960QL?
S960QL is a water-quenched and tempered ultra-high-strength weldable structural steel to EN 10025-6 with 960 MPa minimum yield strength; the 'L' denotes guaranteed low-temperature impact toughness at −40 °C (≥30 J longitudinal). It is chosen where weight saving drives the design — crane booms, concrete pump booms, truck-mounted cranes and mining and construction equipment — and is supplied as quenched and tempered plate. The high carbon equivalent means preheat and heat input must be controlled to avoid cold cracking and HAZ softening; cold bend radii are large, machinability is moderate, and coating is required for corrosion protection. S960QL 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). S960QL has a yield strength of 1,010 MPa (146 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) — stronger than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is S960QL used for?
- Mobile crane booms
- Concrete pump booms
- Truck-mounted crane jibs
- Excavator booms and arms
- Mining equipment structures
- Heavy-haul trailer chassis
- Defense vehicle structures
Advantages
- High strength — 1,010 MPa (146 ksi), better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades
S960QL properties
Typical room-temperature values for S960QL-Q&T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S960QL 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
S960QL has a yield strength of 1,010 MPa (146 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) — stronger than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S960QL is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S960QL conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S960QL takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
S960QL's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. S960QL is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S960QL
Is S960QL easy to machine?
Machines like a ~320 HB Q&T low-alloy steel — rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speed and heavy positive feed to stay below the work-hardened skin.
Can S960QL be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen (H5) matching or slightly under-matching consumables; preheat typically 100–150 °C depending on thickness and CEV, interpass ≤ 200 °C and heat input controlled (~1.0–1.7 kJ/mm) to limit HAZ softening.
Can S960QL be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bendable but only with generous radii (≈3–4×t transverse to rolling direction), large springback and de-burred, crack-free flame-cut edges; hot forming above the tempering temperature destroys the Q&T properties.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to S960QL. Every S960QL part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better35 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better55 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
S960QL 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 max per EN 10025-6 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.7 | 1.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| B | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cr | ≤ 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.06 | 0.02 |
| Ni | ≤ 2 | 1.2 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.05 |
| Zr | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on S960QL?
No natural corrosion resistance — blast to Sa 2.5 and apply zinc-rich primer/epoxy paint or metallize; avoid electroplating without baking due to hydrogen embrittlement risk.
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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does S960QL cost?
S960QL is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 61% 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.
S960QL — frequently asked
What is S960QL used for?
S960QL is typically used for mobile crane booms, concrete pump booms, truck-mounted crane jibs, excavator booms and arms, mining equipment structures and heavy-haul trailer chassis. In short: workhorse high-strength plate.
What is the yield strength of S960QL?
S960QL has a typical yield strength of 1,010 MPa (146 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) — stronger than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is S960QL easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades). Machines like a ~320 HB Q&T low-alloy steel — rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speed and heavy positive feed to stay below the work-hardened skin.
Can S960QL be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen (H5) matching or slightly under-matching consumables; preheat typically 100–150 °C depending on thickness and CEV, interpass ≤ 200 °C and heat input controlled (~1.0–1.7 kJ/mm) to limit HAZ softening.
What surface finishes work on S960QL?
No natural corrosion resistance — blast to Sa 2.5 and apply zinc-rich primer/epoxy paint or metallize; avoid electroplating without baking due to hydrogen embrittlement risk.
Can S960QL be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bendable but only with generous radii (≈3–4×t transverse to rolling direction), large springback and de-burred, crack-free flame-cut edges; hot forming above the tempering temperature destroys the Q&T properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of S960QL?
S960QL 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.
How much does S960QL cost?
S960QL is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 61% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in S960QL?
Yes — S960QL is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
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 960 / Weldox 960 structural steel plate data — SSAB (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.