ASME SA514 Grade Q High-Strength Quenched & Tempered Steel Coil

ASME SA514 Grade Q High-Strength Quenched & Tempered Steel Coil

ASME SA514 Grade Q High-Strength Quenched & Tempered Steel Coil | 620 MPa Yield

Explore ASME SA514/SA514M Grade Q carbon and low-alloy high-strength steel coil. Chemical composition, mechanical properties under quenching and tempering, thermal and electrical data, equivalent grades, and typical applications in pressure vessels and structural engineering.

Hot rolling, quenching, tempering, cutting, welding, cold forming (with caution)

ASME SA514 Grade Q High-Strength Quenched & Tempered Steel Coil Introduction

ASME SA514/SA514M Grade Q is a quenched and tempered, carbon and low-alloy high-strength structural steel plate/coil intended primarily for welded pressure vessels. It delivers a minimum yield strength of 620 MPa (90 ksi) and an ultimate tensile strength of 760–895 MPa (110–130 ksi), while maintaining good notch toughness. Grade Q exhibits a fine bainitic/martensitic microstructure that provides an excellent combination of strength, weldability and resistance to brittle fracture. The steel is typically supplied in the quenched and tempered condition and meets the stringent requirements of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

  • Guaranteed high yield and tensile strength for weight-optimized designs.
  • Suitable for moderate ambient and low-temperature service when ordered with supplementary toughness requirements.
  • Excellent through-thickness homogeneity and flatness after tempering.

ASME SA514 Grade Q High-Strength Quenched & Tempered Steel Coil Chemical Composition as per ASME SA514/SA514M Grade Q

The ladle analysis limits for Grade Q are given below. The steel is fine-grained and microalloyed with vanadium and controlled titanium additions to maintain strength and weldability. Residual elements such as copper and nickel are restricted to safeguard hot ductility and toughness.

  • All values are maximum unless a range is shown.
  • Boron is not intentionally added in this grade.
ElementStandard Value (%)Remarks
Carbon (C)0.12 – 0.21For strength and hardenability
Manganese (Mn)0.70 – 1.00Deoxidizer and strength agent
Phosphorus (P)≤ 0.025Controlled for toughness
Sulfur (S)≤ 0.025Controlled for cleanliness
Silicon (Si)0.15 – 0.35Deoxidation and strength
Chromium (Cr)0.85 – 1.25Hardenability and corrosion resistance
Molybdenum (Mo)0.15 – 0.25Hardenability and creep resistance
Vanadium (V)0.03 – 0.08Grain refinement and precipitation strengthening
Titanium (Ti)≤ 0.02Grain refinement and nitrogen fixation
Copper (Cu)≤ 0.40Residual element
Nickel (Ni)≤ 0.90Residual element, may be higher for specific thickness agreements
Boron (B)Not intentionally added

ASME SA514 Grade Q High-Strength Quenched & Tempered Steel Coil Physical Properties

The following physical constants are representative for quenched and tempered low-alloy steels with similar chemical composition. Actual values may vary slightly depending on heat treatment and exact chemistry. These data assist in design calculations for thermal expansion, heat transfer, and electrical resistivity.

  • Density measured at 20°C.
  • Thermal conductivity at 100°C.
  • Electrical resistivity at room temperature.
PropertyTypical ValueUnitTest Condition / Remarks
Density (ρ)7.85g/cm³At 20°C
Modulus of Elasticity (E)205GPaTension, at room temperature
Shear Modulus (G)80GPaCalculated from E and ν
Poisson's Ratio (ν)0.30Typical for ferritic steel
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α)11.7 × 10⁻⁶m/(m·K)Mean value 20–100°C
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α)12.5 × 10⁻⁶m/(m·K)Mean value 20–200°C
Thermal Conductivity (λ)45W/(m·K)At 100°C
Specific Heat Capacity (c)480J/(kg·K)At room temperature
Electrical Resistivity (ρ_e)0.22 × 10⁻⁶Ω·mAt 20°C

ASME SA514 Grade Q High-Strength Quenched & Tempered Steel Coil Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties are verified after quenching and tempering in accordance with the standard. Transverse test specimens are taken from the plate/coil. Elongation values depend on specimen gauge length and product thickness. Bending tests are conducted at 180° with the specified mandrel diameter ratio. Impact toughness is an optional supplementary requirement (S5), often specified at temperatures down to -40°C.

  • Yield strength (ReH) – 0.2% offset method.
  • Tensile test specimens: rectangular or round as per ASME SA370.
PropertyRequired ValueUnitTest Condition
Yield Strength (ReH)≥ 620MPaAt room temperature, transverse specimen
Tensile Strength (Rm)760 – 895MPaAt room temperature, transverse specimen
Elongation (A)≥ 18%Gauge length 2 in (50 mm), thickness ≤ ¾ in (19 mm)
Elongation (A)≥ 16%Gauge length 8 in (200 mm), thickness > ¾ in to 2.5 in (19–65 mm)
Bend TestNo cracks180° bend, mandrel diameter = 3t (t = specimen thickness), any direction
Charpy V-Notch Impact (KV)≥ 27 (typical)JTransverse specimen at -40°C (optional S5 supplementary requirement)
HardnessApprox. 235–293 HBWHBWFor information only, not a standard requirement

ASME SA514 Grade Q High-Strength Quenched & Tempered Steel Coil Identical or Fully Equivalent Standards and Alternative Designations

Country/RegionStandardGrade/DesignationRemarks
USAASTM A514/A514MGrade QChemically and mechanically identical; ASME SA514 is the Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code adoption of ASTM A514.
USAASTM A517/A517MGrade QIdentical chemistry but intended for pressure vessel shell courses where moderate strength and high toughness are required; tensile requirements match SA514 Grade Q.

ASME SA514 Grade Q High-Strength Quenched & Tempered Steel Coil Application Introduction

ASME SA514 Grade Q is tailored for heavy welded fabrications where high strength-to-weight ratio and reliable toughness are essential. The quenched and tempered condition ensures uniformity and enables the steel to be processed into a wide variety of end-use components.

  • Preferred for applications requiring a minimum yield strength of 620 MPa in thicknesses up to 65 mm.
  • Commonly chosen for pressure vessel shells, bridges, and mobile equipment where transport weight is critical.

Product Applications: Welded pressure vessels and heat exchangers (ASME Section VIII Div.1 & 2), Mining truck beds and buckets, Bridge structural elements, Mobile crane boom sections, Hydraulic cylinder bodies and rods (thick wall), Offshore platform nodes and legs, Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for heavy machinery

Processed into products: Pressure vessel shells, heads, and flanges, Bullet and spherical storage tanks, Gear rings and slewing rings, Heavy-duty shafting and axles, Wear plates and impact-resistant liners, Welded structural channels and built-up sections, Crane outrigger beams and counterweight brackets

Application industries: Oil & Gas (pressure vessels, separators, storage tanks), Power Generation (penstocks, turbine scroll casings), Mining & Heavy Earthmoving (dump truck bodies, excavator booms, loader arms), Shipbuilding & Offshore (jack-up rig legs, crane pedestals), Industrial Machinery (press frames, crusher jaws), Bridge Construction (girders, orthotropic decks), Transportation (heavy haulage trailers, mobile crane telescopic booms)

ASME SA514 Grade Q High-Strength Quenched & Tempered Steel Coil Similar or Closely Matching High-Strength QT Steels

Country/RegionStandardGrade/DesignationRemarks
EuropeEN 10025-6S690Q / S690QL / S690QL1Yield ≥690 MPa, tensile 770–940 MPa; higher strength than SA514 Grade Q but often used as an alternative after engineering assessment.
EuropeEN 10028-6P690Q / P690QL1 / P690QL2Pressure vessel steel with enhanced through-thickness properties, suitable for low temperatures. Strength level similar to Grade Q.
JapanJIS G 3128SHY685 / SHY685N / SHY685NSHigh yield strength (≥685 MPa) steel for welded structures; comparable to SA514 Grade Q in strength and weldability.
ChinaGB/T 16270Q620D / Q690DQuenched and tempered high-strength structural steel; Q620D has similar minimum yield, Q690D slightly higher. Can replace Grade Q with appropriate design adjustments.
InternationalISO 4950-2/3S620Q / S690QISO standard high yield strength flat products; S620Q matches the 620 MPa yield level of Grade Q.

Notes:

Welding: Preheating (typically 100–200°C) and low-hydrogen practices are recommended. Post-weld heat treatment is not normally required but may be applied for stress relief; users must verify that tempering temperature is not exceeded to avoid loss of strength. Forming: Cold forming should be done with generous radius; hot forming must be followed by re-quenching and tempering. Availability: Supplied as coils or cut-to-length plates. Thickness range usually up to 2.5 in (65 mm). For thicknesses above 65 mm or for the highest toughness levels, consider upgraded grades (e.g., S690QL1) or alternative standards.

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