What is S460QL?
S460QL is a quenched and tempered high-strength structural steel specified in EN 10025-6.
It provides:
Minimum yield strength: 460 MPa
Guaranteed low-temperature impact toughness at –50°C
Excellent toughness, ductility, and weldability
The "QL" designation means:
Q = Quenched and tempered
L = Low-temperature impact toughness
S460QL is commonly used in bridges, offshore structures, cranes, wind towers, and cold-climate structural applications.
1. Chemical Composition (Typical Values, %)
| Element | C (max) | Si | Mn | P (max) | S (max) | Nb | V | Ti |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S460QL | 0.20 | ≤ 0.55 | 1.60 | 0.025 | 0.015 | ≤0.06 | ≤0.12 | ≤0.03 |
2. Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Yield Strength (≤40 mm) | 460 MPa |
| Yield Strength (40–100 mm) | 440–460 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 560–720 MPa |
| Elongation (A5) | ≥ 20 % |
| Charpy Impact | ≥ 27 J at –50 °C |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
3. Key Characteristics
Quenched and tempered for high strength and uniform toughness
Enhanced low-temperature performance (–50 °C)
Excellent weldability and impact resistance
Ideal for bridges, offshore platforms, cranes, and cold-region structures
What is S460Q?
S460Q is a quenched and tempered high-strength structural steel specified in EN 10025-6.
It provides:
Minimum yield strength: 460 MPa
Excellent toughness, ductility, and weldability
High strength-to-weight ratio, suitable for heavy structural applications
The "Q" designation indicates the steel is quenched and tempered, giving it enhanced mechanical properties compared to normal rolled steels.
S460Q is commonly used in bridges, cranes, offshore structures, wind towers, and other demanding structural applications.
1. Chemical Composition (Typical Values, %)
| Element | C (max) | Si | Mn | P (max) | S (max) | Nb | V | Ti |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S460Q | 0.20 | ≤ 0.55 | 1.60 | 0.025 | 0.015 | ≤0.06 | ≤0.12 | ≤0.03 |
2. Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Yield Strength (≤40 mm) | 460 MPa |
| Yield Strength (40–100 mm) | 440–460 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 560–720 MPa |
| Elongation (A5) | ≥ 20 % |
| Charpy Impact | ≥ 27 J at –20 °C |
| Density |
7.85 g/cm³ |
What is the difference between them?
All three are high-strength structural steels with minimum yield strength 460 MPa, but they differ in manufacturing method, low-temperature performance, and applications.
| Feature | S460M | S460Q | S460QL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Method | Thermo-mechanically rolled (TMCP) | Quenched and tempered | Quenched and tempered |
| Low-Temperature Impact | Standard, –20 °C | Standard, –20 °C | Enhanced, –50 °C |
| Toughness | Good | High | Very high, especially at low temperature |
| Plate Flatness & Dimensional Control | Excellent | Standard | Standard |
| Applications | Bridges, cranes, offshore, general structural steel | Bridges, cranes, offshore, heavy engineering | Cold-climate bridges, offshore, wind towers, critical structures |
| Weldability | Excellent | Good, requires proper procedure | Good, requires proper procedure |
Summary
S460M: Thermo-mechanically rolled, general structural applications, standard toughness.
S460Q: Quenched and tempered, higher strength uniformity, standard low-temperature performance.
S460QL: Quenched and tempered, optimized for extreme low-temperature toughness (–50 °C), ideal for cold climates and offshore applications.
GNEE Steel also supplies a variety of high-strength steel plates, such as A514 Grade F, A572 Grade 50, A588 Grade A, S355JR, S690Q, SS400, S690QL, Q345B, Q345E, etc. If you want to know more about other types of steel plates, you can call the consultation hotline at +8615824687445 or send an email to info@gneesteels.com. You are welcome to consult us, and we are very willing to answer your questions.
