Steel S960QL · heat-treated state · default condition
Steel S960QL Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other S960QL tempers.
Standard as-delivered condition of S960QL plate; pick this for all normal structural use up to 50 mm thickness.
What is S960QL Q&T?
S960QL Q&T is S960QL heat treated to Q&T — standard as-delivered condition of S960QL plate; pick this for all normal structural use up to 50 mm thickness. S960QL Q&T 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). S960QL Q&T 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).
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 83% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades
S960QL Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for S960QL Q&T — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every S960QL temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
S960QL Q&T 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 Q&T 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 Q&T 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 Q&T 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 Q&T takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
S960QL Q&T's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 83% 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.
Other S960QL tempers and conditions
S960QL is also supplied in 2 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the S960QL overview.
- Q&TDefaultStandard as-delivered condition of S960QL plate; pick this for all normal structural use up to 50 mm thickness.1,010 MPa yield · 34 HRC
Working with S960QL Q&T
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.
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.
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 | — |
S960QL Q&T — frequently asked
What is S960QL Q&T used for?
S960QL Q&T 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 Q&T?
S960QL Q&T 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 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 83% 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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
S960QL Q&T 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in S960QL Q&T?
Yes — S960QL Q&T is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.