S690 steel, classified as a high yield structural steel, is part of the European standard EN 10025-6. It is primarily characterized by its high strength and excellent weldability, making it suitable for a variety of demanding applications in construction and engineering. The primary alloying elements in S690 steel include carbon (C), manganese (Mn), and silicon (Si), with small amounts of other elements such as chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and molybdenum (Mo) that enhance its mechanical properties.
Composition and Characteristics of S690 Steel
Main components: Carbon, manganese, and silicon are basic elements, and it also contains a small amount of alloying elements such as chromium, molybdenum, and nickel.
Performance advantages: High strength-to-weight ratio, good low-temperature toughness, and excellent fatigue resistance.
Welding and Applications of S690 Steel
When welding S690 steel, special attention should be paid to matching welding materials; it is usually recommended to use welding wires and electrodes with strength equivalent to or slightly higher than that of the base metal. Preheating and post-heat treatment are often necessary to reduce welding stress and maintain material performance. This type of steel is increasingly popular in marine engineering, mining equipment, and large-scale building structures, as it can significantly reduce the structural weight while ensuring strength.
-
Weldability
| Welding Process | Recommended Filler Metal (AWS Classification) | Typical Shielding Gas/Flux | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIG | ER70S-6 | Argon + CO2 | Good for thin sections |
| TIG | ER70S-2 | Argon | Suitable for precision work |
| SMAW | E7018 | - | Requires preheat |
S690 steel is highly weldable, making it suitable for various welding processes. Preheating may be necessary to avoid cracking, especially in thicker sections. Post-weld heat treatment can enhance the mechanical properties of the weld.
Physical Properties
| Property | Condition/Temperature | Value (Metric) | Value (Imperial) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | - | 7850 kg/m³ | 0.284 lb/in³ |
| Melting Point | - | 1425 - 1540 °C | 2600 - 2800 °F |
| Thermal Conductivity | 20 °C | 50 W/m·K | 34.5 BTU·in/h·ft²·°F |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 20 °C | 460 J/kg·K | 0.11 BTU/lb·°F |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 20 - 100 °C | 12 x 10⁻⁶ /K | 6.67 x 10⁻⁶ /°F |
The density of S690 steel contributes to its weight, which is an important factor in structural design. The thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity are critical for applications involving heat transfer, while the coefficient of thermal expansion must be considered in environments with temperature fluctuations.
Corrosion Resistance
| Corrosive Agent | Concentration (%) | Temperature (°C) | Resistance Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorides | 3-5 | 20-60 | Fair | Risk of pitting corrosion |
| Sulfuric Acid | 10-20 | 20-40 | Poor | Not recommended |
| Sea Water | - | 20-30 | Fair | Requires protective coating |
S690 high yield structural steel plate exhibits moderate resistance to corrosion, particularly in marine environments where chlorides are present. However, it is susceptible to pitting and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in aggressive environments, necessitating protective measures such as coatings or cathodic protection.
When compared to other high-strength steels like S355 and S460, S690 offers superior strength but may require more rigorous corrosion protection strategies due to its lower inherent resistance.
Heat Resistance
| Property/Limit | Temperature (°C) | Temperature (°F) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Continuous Service Temp | 400 | 752 | Suitable for structural applications |
| Max Intermittent Service Temp | 500 | 932 | Limited oxidation resistance |
| Scaling Temperature | 600 | 1112 | Risk of scaling at elevated temperatures |
At elevated temperatures, S690 steel maintains its strength but may experience oxidation, which can affect its performance in high-temperature applications. Careful consideration of service conditions is essential to avoid degradation.
Alternative Names, Standards, and Equivalents
| Standard Organization | Designation/Grade | Country/Region of Origin | Notes/Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNS | S690QL | USA | Closest equivalent to EN 10025-6 |
| ASTM | A572 Grade 65 | USA | Minor compositional differences |
| EN | S690QL | Europe | Commonly used in structural applications |
| DIN | 1.8928 | Germany | Equivalent to S690QL |
| JIS | SM490YB | Japan | Similar yield strength but different composition |
| ISO | 10025-6 | International | Standard for high yield strength structural steels |
The differences between these grades can significantly affect performance. For instance, while S690QL and A572 Grade 65 may have similar yield strengths, their chemical compositions and toughness characteristics can vary, influencing their suitability for specific applications.
If you want to learn more about GNEE's products, you can send an email to info@gneesteels.com. We are more than happy to assist you.



FAQ
Q: What is S690 steel?
A: S690 high yield & fine grain steel plate is a high strength, quenched and tempered fine-grain structural steel. Structural steel S690 is used in structures that must withstand very heavy loads. This grade is meant for structures where weight savings is important.
Q: What is the equivalent of S690 steel?
A: Equivalent grades to S690QL steel include ASTM A709-100 (USA), E690T and S690T (France), TStE690V and DILLIMAX 690 (Germany), WELDOX 700 (Sweden), and E690 (ISO). These equivalents are specific to different regional standards and manufacturers, but they all share similar high-strength, quenched and tempered properties.
Q: What material group is S690?
A: S690 QL is a high yield structural steel grade produced in compliance with EN 10025:6:2004. The material is heat treated using the quench and temper process and has good bending and welding properties.
Q: What material is S690QL?
A: S690QL is a high strength quenched and tempered steel grade that complies to steel specification EN 10025. The designation S690QL refers to a minimum yield strength of 690 MPa.
Q: What is the effective use of high strength S690 steel in construction?
A: The high strength S690 steels have an excellent strength-to-self-weight ratio, and they are highly efficient to be used in heavily loaded structures. Typical applications include piles and columns in buildings and supporting members in bridges.
Q: What is the yield strength of S690 steel?
A: 690 MPa.
Yield strength of 690 MPa. Used in structures bearing extremely heavy loads, such as bridges, offshore drilling rigs and buildings, as well as in heavy construction equipment and
Q: How thick are S690 plates?
A: Plates of S690 steel grade are available with thicknesses of 8-100 mm for Q and QL quality groups and with thicknesses of 8-50 mm for QL1 quality group. Available width of plates is up to 3200 mm, length – up to 12200 mm. With the plate thickness of 100 mm and plate width of 1600 mm, the maximum length is 7500 mm*.
Q: What is the tensile strength of S690?
A: S690 Properties
Tensile strength: between 770 and 940 MPa, ensuring excellent load-bearing capacity.
Q: What is S690QL used for?
A: The designation S690QL refers to a minimum yield strength of 690 MPa. The combination of good availability and pricing and high strength combined with ease of fabrication has made S690QL steel plate a popular grade for both mobile applications such as cranes and lifting equipment and fixed steel structures.
| Grades Of Carbon and Low-alloy High-strength Steels Supplied By GNEE | |||||
| ASTM/ASME | ASTM A36/A36M | ASTM A36 | |||
| ASTM A283/A283M | ASTM A283 Grade A | ASTM A283 Grade B | ASTM A283 Grade C | ASTM A283 Grade D | |
| ASTM A514/A514M | ASTM A514 Grade A | ASTM A514 Grade B | ASTM A514 Grade C | ASTM A514 Grade E | |
| ASTM A514 Grade F | ASTM A514 Grade H | ASTM A514 Grade J | ASTM A514 Grade K | ||
| ASTM A514 Grade M | ASTM A514 Grade P | ASTM A514 Grade Q | ASTM A514 Grade R | ||
| ASTM A514 Grade S | ASTM A514 Grade T | ||||
| ASTM A572/A572M | ASTM A572 Grade 42 | ASTM A572 Grade 50 | ASTM A572 Grade 55 | ASTM A572 Grade 60 | |
| ASTM A572 Grade 65 | |||||
| ASTM A573/A573M | ASTM A573 Grade 58 | ASTM A573 Grade 65 | ASTM A573 Grade 70 | ||
| ASTM A588/A588M | ASTM A588 Grade A | ASTM A588 Grade B | ASTM A588 Grade C | ASTM A588 Grade K | |
| ASTM A633/A633M | ASTM A633 Grade A | ASTM A633 Grade C | ASTM A633 Grade D | ASTM A633 Grade E | |
| ASTM A656/A656M | ASTM A656 Grade 50 | ASTM A656 Grade 60 | ASTM A656 Grade 70 | ASTM A656 Grade 80 | |
| ASTM A709/A709M | ASTM A709 Grade 36 | ASTM A709 Grade 50 | ASTM A709 Grade 50S | ASTM A709 Grade 50W | |
| ASTM A709 Grade HPS 50W | ASTM A709 Grade HPS 70W | ASTM A709 Grade 100 | ASTM A709 Grade 100W | ||
| ASTM A709 Grade HPS 100W | |||||
| ASME SA36/SA36M | ASME SA36 | ||||
| ASME SA283/SA283M | ASME SA283 Grade A | ASME SA283 Grade B | ASME SA283 Grade C | ASME SA283 Grade D | |
| ASME SA514/SA514M | ASME SA514 Grade A | ASME SA514 Grade B | ASME SA514 Grade C | ASME SA514 Grade E | |
| ASME SA514 Grade F | ASME SA514 Grade H | ASME SA514 Grade J | ASME SA514 Grade K | ||
| ASME SA514 Grade M | ASME SA514 Grade P | ASME SA514 Grade Q | ASME SA514 Grade R | ||
| ASME SA514 Grade S | ASME SA514 Grade T | ||||
| ASME SA572/SA572M | ASME SA572 Grade 42 | ASME SA572 Grade 50 | ASME SA572 Grade 55 | ASME SA572 Grade 60 | |
| ASME SA572 Grade 65 | |||||
| ASME SA573/SA573M | ASME SA573 Grade 58 | ASME SA573 Grade 65 | ASME SA573 Grade 70 | ||
| ASME SA588/SA588M | ASME SA588 Grade A | ASME SA588 Grade B | ASME SA588 Grade C | ASME SA588 Grade K | |
| ASME SA633/SA633M | ASME SA633 Grade A | ASME SA633 Grade C | ASME SA633 Grade D | ASME SA633 Grade E | |
| ASME SA656/SA656M | ASME SA656 Grade 50 | ASME SA656 Grade 60 | ASME SA656 Grade 70 | ASME SA656 Grade 80 | |
| ASME SA709/SA709M | ASME SA709 Grade 36 | ASME SA709 Grade 50 | ASME SA709 Grade 50S | ASME SA709 Grade 50W | |
| ASME SA709 Grade HPS 50W | ASME SA709 Grade HPS 70W | ASME SA709 Grade 100 | ASME SA709 Grade 100W | ||
| ASME SA709 Grade HPS 100W | |||||
| EN10025 | EN10025-2 | EN10025-2 S235J0 | EN10025-2 S275J0 | EN10025-2 S355J0 | EN10025-2 S355K2 |
| EN10025-2 S235JR | EN10025-2 S275JR | EN10025-2 S355JR | EN10025-2 S420J0 | ||
| EN10025-2 S235J2 | EN10025-2 S275J2 | EN10025-2 S355J2 | |||
| EN10025-3 | EN10025-3 S275N | EN10025-3 S355N | EN10025-3 S420N | EN10025-3 S460N | |
| EN10025-3 S275NL | EN10025-3 S355NL | EN10025-3 S420NL | EN10025-3 S460NL | ||
| EN10025-4 | EN10025-4 S275M | EN10025-4 S355M | EN10025-4 S420M | EN10025-4 S460M | |
| EN10025-4 S275ML | EN10025-4 S355ML | EN10025-4 S420ML | EN10025-4 S460ML | ||
| EN10025-6 | EN10025-6 S460Q | EN10025-6 S460QL | EN10025-6 S460QL1 | EN10025-6 S500Q | |
| EN10025-6 S500QL | EN10025-6 S500QL1 | EN10025-6 S550Q | EN10025-6 S550QL | ||
| EN10025-6 S550QL1 | EN10025-6 S620Q | EN10025-6 S620QL | EN10025-6 S620QL1 | ||
| EN10025-6 S690Q | EN10025-6 S690QL | EN10025-6 S690Q1 | EN10025-6 S890Q | ||
| EN10025-6 S890QL | EN10025-6 S890QL1 | EN10025-6 S960Q | EN10025-6 S960QL | ||
| EN 10149 | EN 10149-2 | S315MC | S355MC | S420MC | S460MC |
| S500MC | S550MC | S600MC | S650MC | ||
| S700MC | S900MC | S960MC | |||
| JIS | JIS G3101 | JIS G3101 SS330 | JIS G3101 SS400 | JIS G3101 SS490 | JIS G3101 SS540 |
| JIS G3106 | JIS G3106 SM400A | JIS G3106 SM400B | JIS G3106 SM400C | JIS G3106 SM490A | |
| JIS G3106 SM490YA | JIS G3106 SM490B | JIS G3106 SM490YB | JIS G3106 SM490C | ||
| JIS G3106 SM520B | JIS G3106 SM520C | JIS G3106 SM570 | |||
| DIN | DIN 17100 | DIN17100 St52-3 | DIN17100 St37-2 | DIN17100 St37-3 | DIN17100 RSt37-2 |
| DIN17100 USt37-2 | |||||
| DIN 17102 | DIN17102 StE315 | DIN17102 EStE315 | DIN17102 TStE315 | DIN17102 WStE315 | |
| DIN17102 StE355 | DIN17102 EStE355 | DIN17102 TStE355 | DIN17102 WStE355 | ||
| DIN17102 StE380 | DIN17102 EStE380 | DIN17102 TStE380 | DIN17102 WStE380 | ||
| DIN17102 StE420 | DIN17102 EStE420 | DIN17102 TStE420 | DIN17102 WStE420 | ||
| DIN17102 StE460 | DIN17102 EStE460 | DIN17102 TStE460 | DIN17102 WStE460 | ||
| DIN17102 StE500 | DIN17102 EStE500 | DIN17102 TStE500 | DIN17102 WStE500 | ||
| DIN17102 EStE285 | |||||
| GB | GB/T700 | GB/T700 Q235A | GB/T700 Q235B | GB/T700 Q235C | GB/T700 Q235D |
| GB/T700 Q275 | |||||
| GB/T1591 | GB/T1591 Q345A | GB/T1591 Q390A | GB/T1591 Q420A | GB/T1591 Q420E | |
| GB/T1591 Q345B | GB/T1591 Q390B | GB/T1591 Q420B | GB/T1591 Q460C | ||
| GB/T1591 Q345C | GB/T1591 Q390C | GB/T1591 Q420C | GB/T1591 Q460D | ||
| GB/T1591 Q345D | GB/T1591 Q390D | GB/T1591 Q420D | GB/T1591 Q460E | ||
| GB/T1591 Q345E | GB/T1591 Q390E | ||||
| GB/T16270 | GB/T16270 Q550C | GB/T16270 Q550D | GB/T16270 Q550E | GB/T16270 Q550F | |
| GB/T16270 Q620C | GB/T16270 Q620D | GB/T16270 Q620E | GB/T16270 Q620F | ||
| GB/T16270 Q690C | GB/T16270 Q690D | GB/T16270 Q690E | GB/T16270 Q690F | ||
| GB/T16270 Q800C | GB/T16270 Q800D | GB/T16270 Q800E | GB/T16270 Q800F | ||
| GB/T16270 Q890C | GB/T16270 Q890D | GB/T16270 Q890E | GB/T16270 Q890F | ||
| GB/T16270 Q960C | GB/T16270 Q960D | GB/T16270 Q960E | GB/T16270 Q960F | ||
| GB/T16270 Q500 | |||||




