Q420D High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel Coil per GB/T 1591

Q420D High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel Coil per GB/T 1591

Q420D High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel Coil per GB/T 1591 - Properties & Equivalent Grades

Explore the detailed material data of Q420D carbon and low-alloy high-strength steel coil under the Chinese standard GB/T 1591. Includes chemical composition, mechanical and physical properties, international equivalents, and application guidance.

Welding, bending, cutting, forming, machining, hot rolling, cold rolling, normalization

Q420D High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel Coil per GB/T 1591 Introduction

Q420D is a high-strength low-alloy structural steel grade defined in GB/T 1591. It offers a minimum yield strength of 420 MPa and excellent low-temperature toughness (Impact energy ≥ 47 J at -20 °C), making it suitable for demanding structural applications. The steel exhibits good weldability, cold formability, and strength-to-weight ratio. It is primarily used in heavy-duty structures such as bridges, buildings, offshore platforms, and machinery where weight reduction and high load-bearing capacity are critical. Delivery condition is typically as-rolled, normalized, or thermo-mechanically controlled processed (TMCP), depending on thickness and customer requirements.

Q420D High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel Coil per GB/T 1591 Chemical Composition

The table below lists the chemical composition requirements for Q420D steel according to GB/T 1591-2018. Values are maximum unless a range is specified. Microalloying elements such as Nb, V, and Ti may be added singly or in combination to achieve the required strength and toughness. The steel is fully killed and contains fine grain practices.

ElementStandard ValueRemarks
C≤ 0.20Carbon
Si≤ 0.50Silicon
Mn≤ 1.70Manganese
P≤ 0.030Phosphorus
S≤ 0.030Sulfur
Nb≤ 0.07Niobium
V≤ 0.20Vanadium
Ti≤ 0.20Titanium
Cr≤ 0.30Chromium
Ni≤ 0.80Nickel
Cu≤ 0.30Copper
Mo≤ 0.20Molybdenum
N≤ 0.015Nitrogen
Als≥ 0.015Total aluminum, acid-soluble method
Ceq≤ 0.50*Carbon equivalent; *for thickness ≤ 50 mm (typical requirement)

Q420D High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel Coil per GB/T 1591 Thermo-physical & Electrical Properties

The following physical properties are typical for low-alloy high-strength structural steels similar to Q420D at room temperature unless specified. These values are for general engineering guidance and are not specifically mandated by GB/T 1591.

PropertyTypical ValueUnitTest Condition / Note
Density (ρ)7.85g/cm³Ambient temperature
Modulus of Elasticity (E)206GPaAmbient temperature
Shear Modulus (G)79GPaAmbient temperature
Poisson's Ratio (ν)0.30Ambient temperature
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α)12.010⁻⁶/K20 – 100 °C
Thermal Conductivity (λ)53W/(m·K)At 20 °C
Specific Heat Capacity460J/(kg·K)Ambient temperature
Electrical Resistivity (ρₑ)0.15 – 0.25μΩ·mAmbient temperature

Q420D High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel Coil per GB/T 1591 Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties for Q420D steel coil are dependent on thickness. The values below are based on GB/T 1591-2018 requirements for longitudinal test pieces. Impact tests are performed on V-notch Charpy specimens at -20 °C. Bend test mandates no cracks on the outer surface when bent to the specified diameter.

PropertyRequired ValueUnitTest Condition / Thickness
Yield Strength (ReH)≥ 420MPaThickness ≤ 16 mm
Yield Strength (ReH)≥ 400MPaThickness 16 < t ≤ 35 mm
Yield Strength (ReH)≥ 380MPaThickness 35 < t ≤ 50 mm
Yield Strength (ReH)≥ 360MPaThickness 50 < t ≤ 100 mm
Tensile Strength (Rm)520 – 680MPaThickness ≤ 100 mm
Elongation (A)≥ 18%Thickness ≤ 40 mm, gauge 50 mm or 80 mm
Elongation (A)≥ 17%Thickness 40 < t ≤ 100 mm
Impact Energy (KV₂)≥ 47JLongitudinal, -20 °C
Bend Test (d = bend dia., a = specimen thickness)d = 2aThickness ≤ 16 mm, 180° bend
Bend Testd = 3aThickness 16 < t ≤ 100 mm, 180° bend

Q420D High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel Coil per GB/T 1591 Completely Equivalent Material Standards & Replaceable Grades

Country / RegionStandardGradeRemarks
EuropeEN 10025-3S420NNormalized/normalized rolled weldable fine grain steel; min. yield 420 MPa, -20°C impact 47J
EuropeEN 10025-3S420NLSimilar to S420N with lower temperature toughness (-50°C)
EuropeEN 10025-2S420MThermo-mechanically rolled; min. yield 420 MPa, tensile 500-660 MPa
InternationalISO 4951-2FeE420Equivalent high yield strength steel
USAASTM A572Grade 60Min. yield 415 MPa (60 ksi); impact test must be specified separately

Q420D High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel Coil per GB/T 1591 Application Introduction

Q420D steel coil offers an excellent combination of high strength, good ductility and reliable low-temperature impact toughness. It is widely used in welded, bolted and riveted structures. Typical processing includes hot/cold forming, cutting, and welding with appropriate preheat and interpass temperature control to avoid cold cracking. Application industries and products:

Product Applications: High-rise building steel framework, Long-span bridges (girders, box sections), Offshore platform deck beams and legs, Pressure vessel shells (where permitted), Heavy-duty crane booms and chassis, Mining machinery structural parts, Welded pipes and hollow structural sections

Processed into products: H-beams, I-beams and welded plate girders, Steel columns and truss members, Welded box columns and built-up sections, Flanges and webs for plate girders, Boom and arm segments for excavators, Tower tube sections and cross arms, Chassis frames for heavy trucks and trailers

Application industries: Construction and infrastructure, Bridge engineering, Offshore and marine structures, Heavy machinery and equipment, Shipbuilding (limited use in secondary structures), Power transmission and telecom towers, Railway vehicles and automotive frames

Q420D High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel Coil per GB/T 1591 Similar / Alternative Material Recommendations

Country / RegionStandardGradeRemarks
ChinaGB/T 1591Q390DMin. yield 390 MPa; slightly lower strength but similar toughness requirements
ChinaGB/T 1591Q460DHigher strength grade, min. yield 460 MPa, for weight-critical applications
EuropeEN 10025-2S355J2Lower strength (min. yield 355 MPa) but widely available; -20°C impact
JapanJIS G 3106SM520B/CMin. yield 355-365 MPa; suitable for welded structures, toughness depends on grade
USAASTM A709Grade 50WHigh-strength low-alloy structural steel, comparable to S355, with atmospheric corrosion resistance

Notes:

Material should be supplied fully deoxidized and fine-grain treated. For thicknesses over 100 mm, mechanical properties may be agreed upon. Welding procedures must be qualified; low hydrogen processes are recommended. For dynamic and fatigue-loaded structures, additional testing may be required per project specifications.

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