Q345D Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Structural Steel Plate

Q345D Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Structural Steel Plate

Q345D Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Structural Steel Plate - GB/T 1591

Q345D steel plate is a Chinese standard low-alloy high-strength structural steel with guaranteed impact properties at -20°C, widely used in welded structures, bridges, and heavy machinery.

Cutting, welding, bending, cold forming, machining, hot forging, normalising, stress relieving

Q345D Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Structural Steel Plate Introduction

Q345D is a low-alloy high-strength structural steel defined in GB/T 1591-2008 (superseded by GB/T 1591-2018 in which Q355D replaces Q345D). It offers a minimum yield strength of 345 MPa for thicknesses ≤16 mm and excellent weldability. The "D" designation indicates that the steel is fully killed, fine-grain treated, and guarantees a minimum Charpy V‑notch impact energy of 34 J at -20°C. Compared to common carbon steels, Q345D provides higher strength, good ductility, and improved notch toughness, making it suitable for heavy welded structures operating in moderately low-temperature environments. Typical applications include bridges, pressure vessels, building structures, offshore platforms, and heavy-duty machinery. The steel is usually supplied in hot-rolled or normalised condition and can be further processed by cold forming, machining, and welding.

Q345D Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Structural Steel Plate Chemical Composition according to GB/T 1591-2008

The ladle analysis of Q345D must comply with the following limits. The steel is fully killed and contains fine-grain elements such as Al, Nb, V, and Ti. The low permissible content of phosphorus and sulfur ensures good weldability and mechanical properties. Equivalent carbon (CEV) is typically controlled for weldability.

ElementSpecified Value (wt%)Remarks
Carbon (C)≤ 0.18Ladle analysis
Silicon (Si)≤ 0.50
Manganese (Mn)1.00 – 1.60
Phosphorus (P)≤ 0.030
Sulfur (S)≤ 0.025
Niobium (Nb)≤ 0.07Optional grain-refining element
Vanadium (V)≤ 0.15Optional, may be present
Titanium (Ti)≤ 0.20Optional, may be present
Chromium (Cr)≤ 0.30Residual element
Nickel (Ni)≤ 0.50Residual element
Copper (Cu)≤ 0.30Residual element
Nitrogen (N)≤ 0.012For acid-soluble Al treated
Aluminium (Alₛ)≥ 0.015Acid-soluble, for fine-grain practice

Q345D Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Structural Steel Plate Thermal and Electrical Physical Properties

The physical properties given below are typical values for Q345D (similar to C‑Mn low-alloy steels) at room temperature and ambient conditions. These values are suitable for design calculations involving thermal loading, heat transfer, and electromagnetic applications. Actual properties may vary slightly with heat treatment and exact chemical composition.

PropertyTypical ValueUnitTest Condition / Remarks
Density (ρ)7.85g/cm³at 20 °C
Modulus of elasticity (E)210GPaat 20 °C, tensile
Shear modulus (G)approx. 80GPaat 20 °C
Poisson's ratio (ν)0.3-at 20 °C
Thermal expansion coefficient (α)1.2 × 10⁻⁵K⁻¹20–100 °C
Thermal conductivity (λ)approx. 50W/(m·K)at 20 °C
Specific heat capacity (c)approx. 460J/(kg·K)at 20 °C
Electrical resistivity (ρₑ)approx. 0.17μΩ·mat 20 °C

Q345D Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Structural Steel Plate Mechanical Properties – Q345D Steel Plate

The mechanical properties are determined on longitudinal test specimens taken from plates of different thickness ranges. The values below represent the minimum requirements according to GB/T 1591-2008. A tensile test and Charpy V‑notch impact test at -20°C are mandatory. Bend test is performed to evaluate ductility without cracking.

PropertySpecified Minimum ValueUnitTest Condition
Upper yield strength (ReH)345MPaThickness ≤ 16 mm
Upper yield strength (ReH)335MPa16 mm < thickness ≤ 40 mm
Upper yield strength (ReH)325MPa40 mm < thickness ≤ 63 mm
Upper yield strength (ReH)315MPa63 mm < thickness ≤ 80 mm
Upper yield strength (ReH)305MPa80 mm < thickness ≤ 100 mm
Upper yield strength (ReH)285MPa100 mm < thickness ≤ 150 mm
Upper yield strength (ReH)275MPa150 mm < thickness ≤ 200 mm
Tensile strength (Rm)470 – 630MPaAll thicknesses
Elongation after fracture (A)≥ 20%Thickness ≤ 40 mm, L₀=5.65√S₀
Elongation after fracture (A)≥ 19%40 mm < thickness ≤ 63 mm
Elongation after fracture (A)≥ 18%63 mm < thickness ≤ 100 mm
Elongation after fracture (A)≥ 17%100 mm < thickness ≤ 150 mm
Elongation after fracture (A)≥ 16%150 mm < thickness ≤ 200 mm
Charpy V‑notch impact energy (KV₂)≥ 34JLongitudinal, -20 °C
Bend test (bending angle 180°)d = 2aThickness ≤ 16 mm
Bend test (bending angle 180°)d = 3aThickness > 16 mm

Q345D Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Structural Steel Plate Completely Equivalent Material Standards and Replaceable Grades

Country / RegionStandardGradeRemarks
ChinaGB/T 1591-2018Q355DDirect successor, identical properties except increased min. yield strength (355 MPa)
European UnionEN 10025-2:2019S355J2 (+N or +M)Same -20°C impact requirement, CEV controlled for welding
InternationalISO 4950-2Fe 355 DYield 355 MPa, impact 47 J at -20°C (optional)
GermanyDIN EN 10025-2S355J2+NIdentical to EN; widely used globally
JapanJIS G 3106:2015SM490YBMust be ordered with -20°C impact requirement to match
USAASTM A572/A572MGrade 50 [345]Must specify supplementary S5 impact test at -20°F (-29°C) for comparable toughness

Q345D Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Structural Steel Plate Application Introduction

Q345D steel combines high strength, good weldability, and reliable low‑temperature toughness. It is extensively used in welded structures where weight savings, durability, and safety under dynamic loads are critical. Below are typical application areas and components:

Product Applications: Welded plate girders and box girders, Steel building frameworks and columns, Offshore module structures and flare booms, Crane booms, excavator arms, and shovel buckets, Lorry frames and railway carriage underframes, High‑pressure piping and penstocks, Wind turbine tubular towers

Processed into products: Flanges and webs of fabricated beams, Base plates and bearing plates, Welded joints and gusset plates, Stiffeners and diaphragms in steel bridges, Seamless or welded hollow sections, Machined pins, bushings, and structural connectors, Flame‑cut parts for machinery frames

Application industries: Construction and civil infrastructure, Bridge engineering and highway structures, Shipbuilding and marine engineering (offshore platforms, deck structures), Pressure vessel and storage tank manufacturing, Heavy machinery and mining equipment, Railway vehicles and transportation, Wind power towers and renewable energy structures

Q345D Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Structural Steel Plate Similar / Alternative Material Recommendations with Comparable Performance

Country / RegionStandardGradeRemarks
ChinaGB/T 1591-2008Q345BSame strength, impact at +20°C (lower toughness)
ChinaGB/T 1591-2008Q345EHigher toughness, impact at -40°C
European UnionEN 10025-2S355J0Impact at 0°C, less suitable for cold environments
USAASTM A36/A36MLower yield strength (min. 250 MPa), more ductile
USAASTM A709/A709MGrade 50TStructural steel for bridges, impact toughness similar if class T
Russia / CISГОСТ 1928109Г2С (09G2S)Yield ~325 MPa, impact -40°C, used in cryogenic applications

Notes:

Weldability: Q345D is generally weldable with low-hydrogen processes. Preheating may be recommended for thicker sections (> 30 mm) or when carbon equivalent exceeds 0.45%. Post-weld heat treatment: Stress relieving may be applied according to fabrication codes. Delivery condition: Commonly normalised (N) or normalised rolled (+N) to guarantee toughness. Test certificates to EN 10204 type 3.1 are standard. Surface condition: Typically supplied with mill scale; blasted and primed options available. Design codes: Applicable design codes include Eurocode 3, AISC 360, GB 50017, etc.

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