16Mo3 pressure vessel steel is a low-alloy molybdenum steel mainly used for pressure equipment operating at elevated temperatures.
According to EN 10028-2, 16Mo3 has the material number 1.5415 and combines weldability with specified room-temperature and elevated-temperature strength. For actual purchasing, however, the grade alone is not enough: the delivery condition must also be confirmed.
For our 16Mo3 steel plate supply, three delivery conditions frequently discussed with customers are 16Mo3+N, 16Mo3+AR and 16Mo3+TMCP. These conditions represent different production routes and should be selected according to the design code, plate thickness, fabrication process, PWHT requirements and final service temperature.
What Is 16Mo3 Pressure Vessel Steel Plate?
16Mo3 pressure vessel steel plate, material number 1.5415, is a molybdenum-alloyed pressure vessel steel specified in EN 10028-2, which covers flat steel products for pressure purposes with specified elevated-temperature properties.
The grade combines weldability, elevated-temperature strength and suitability for pressure-equipment fabrication. Therefore, EN 10028-2 16Mo3 pressure vessel steel plate is commonly used for boiler shells, pressure vessel shells, heat exchangers and process equipment.
EN 10028-2 covers flat products for pressure equipment requiring specified elevated-temperature properties. The standard identifies 16Mo3 as material number 1.5415.
Chemical Composition of 16Mo3 Pressure Vessel Steel
The chemical composition of 16Mo3 pressure vessel steel is designed around controlled carbon content and molybdenum alloying. Molybdenum is particularly important for maintaining the elevated-temperature properties required by boiler and pressure-vessel applications.
| Element | 16Mo3 Requirement |
|---|---|
| C | 0.12–0.20% |
| Si | ≤0.35% |
| Mn | 0.40–0.90% |
| P | ≤0.025% |
| S | ≤0.010% |
| Cr | ≤0.30% |
| Mo | 0.25–0.35% |
| Ni | ≤0.30% |
| Cu | ≤0.30% |
| N | ≤0.012% |
The 0.25–0.35% Mo content is one of the main reasons why 16Mo3 is classified and used as a molybdenum alloy pressure vessel steel rather than an ordinary carbon steel plate.
16Mo3+N, +AR and +TMCP Pressure Vessel Steel Plate
For a pressure vessel steel plate, the delivery condition directly affects the production route, microstructure and final mechanical properties.
Therefore, buyers should not treat 16Mo3+N, 16Mo3+AR and 16Mo3+TMCP pressure vessel steel plates as automatically interchangeable products.
| Delivery Condition | Production Route | Pressure Vessel Steel Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 16Mo3+N | Normalized | Stable and uniform properties |
| 16Mo3+AR | As rolled / untreated | No separate final normalizing treatment |
| 16Mo3+TMCP | Thermo-mechanically controlled process | Controlled rolling and cooling |
16Mo3+N Pressure Vessel Steel Plate
16Mo3+N pressure vessel steel plate is the conventional normalized delivery condition for EN 10028-2 16Mo3 boiler and pressure vessel steel. For purchasers, +N provides clearly specified room-temperature mechanical properties and elevated-temperature proof strength values.
The recommended normalizing temperature for 16Mo3 pressure vessel steel is approximately 890–950°C. EN 10028-2 also permits normalizing rolling to replace separate normalizing treatment for 16Mo3, subject to the relevant requirements.
| Technical Item | 16Mo3+N Data |
|---|---|
| Standard | EN 10028-2 |
| Material Number | 1.5415 |
| Delivery Condition | +N |
| Normalizing Temperature | 890–950°C |
| Mo Content | 0.25–0.35% |
| Minimum Elongation A | 22% |
| Minimum Impact Energy at +20°C | 31 J |
Mechanical Properties of 16Mo3+N Pressure Vessel Steel Plate
| Plate Thickness | Yield Strength ReH Min. | Tensile Strength Rm | Elongation A Min. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤16 mm | 275 MPa | 440–590 MPa | 22% |
| >16–40 mm | 270 MPa | 440–590 MPa | 22% |
| >40–60 mm | 260 MPa | 440–590 MPa | 22% |
| >60–100 mm | 240 MPa | 430–580 MPa | 22% |
| >100–150 mm | 220 MPa | 420–570 MPa | 22% |
| >150–250 mm | 210 MPa | 410–570 MPa | 22% |
These thickness-dependent values are specified for normalized 16Mo3 pressure vessel steel plate under EN 10028-2. ArcelorMittal likewise lists ≥275 MPa yield strength, 440–590 MPa tensile strength and ≥22% elongation for thinner 16Mo3 plate.
For boiler and pressure-vessel applications, elevated-temperature strength is particularly important. For thinner 16Mo3+N pressure vessel steel plate, the minimum 0.2% proof strength decreases as operating temperature increases.
| Test Temperature | Rp0.2 Min., t ≤16 mm |
|---|---|
| 50°C | 273 MPa |
| 100°C | 264 MPa |
| 150°C | 250 MPa |
| 200°C | 233 MPa |
| 250°C | 213 MPa |
| 300°C | 194 MPa |
| 350°C | 175 MPa |
| 400°C | 159 MPa |
| 450°C | 147 MPa |
| 500°C | 141 MPa |
These values show why 16Mo3 high-temperature pressure vessel steel plate is evaluated differently from ordinary structural steel. Salzgitter publishes the same elevated-temperature values for 16Mo3.
16Mo3+AR Pressure Vessel Steel Plate
16Mo3+AR pressure vessel steel plate is supplied in an untreated/as-rolled condition without a separate final normalizing treatment.
For 16Mo3, EN 10028-2 permits untreated delivery only when this condition is agreed between the purchaser and manufacturer at the enquiry and order stage.
| Technical Item | 16Mo3+AR |
|---|---|
| Grade | 16Mo3 / 1.5415 |
| Delivery Condition | +AR / untreated |
| Separate Final Normalizing | No |
| EN 10028-2 Standard Default | No |
| Supply Basis | Agreement at enquiry/order |
| Mechanical Property Basis | Must follow agreed test condition |
| Subsequent Heat Treatment | Must be confirmed |
| PWHT Requirement | Must be confirmed before order |
A particularly important technical point is that EN 10028-2 does not provide a separate universal table of guaranteed as-delivered mechanical properties specifically for 16Mo3+AR comparable to the standard +N table.
For untreated 16Mo3 products, the testing condition and subsequent processing route therefore need to be clearly agreed. This means a supplier should not simply claim that 16Mo3+AR pressure vessel steel plate has exactly the same final properties as +N without supporting test results or MTC documentation.
16Mo3+TMCP Pressure Vessel Steel Plate
16Mo3+TMCP pressure vessel steel plate is produced through thermo-mechanical controlled processing, where deformation temperature, rolling schedule and cooling parameters are controlled to develop the required microstructure
.
However, EN 10028-2:2017 does not specify +TMCP as the normal standard delivery condition for 16Mo3. The standard identifies +N as the usual condition, while untreated delivery may be agreed separately.
Therefore, there is no single EN 10028-2 table stating that every 16Mo3+TMCP pressure vessel steel plate must have a fixed yield strength, tensile strength or impact value under a standardized +TMCP condition.
| Technical Item | 16Mo3+TMCP |
|---|---|
| Processing Route | Thermo-mechanical controlled processing |
| EN 10028-2 Default Condition | No |
| Standard 16Mo3 Reference Condition | +N |
| Fixed EN 10028-2 TMCP Property Table | No |
| Yield / Tensile Guarantee | Project or mill agreement |
| Impact Requirement | Project or mill agreement |
| PWHT Response | Must be verified |
| Certificate | Actual condition and test data should appear on MTC |
For 16Mo3+TMCP pressure vessel steel, meaningful technical data should therefore come from the actual mill specification and MTC rather than from a generic online value.
If a project requires TMCP, the purchase specification should clearly state the required minimum yield strength, tensile-strength range, impact energy, operating temperature, PWHT cycle and test condition.
Applications of 16Mo3 Boiler and Pressure Vessel Steel
16Mo3 boiler and pressure vessel steel plate is mainly used in equipment where steel must withstand both internal pressure and elevated temperatures. Typical applications include:
| Product / Equipment |
|---|
| Industrial boilers |
| Pressure vessel shells |
| Pressure vessel heads |
| Heat exchangers |
| Steam equipment |
| Petrochemical vessels |
| Process reactors |
| Thermal equipment |
How to Order 16Mo3 Pressure Vessel Steel Plate
When requesting a quotation for 16Mo3 pressure vessel steel plate, providing only "16Mo3" is not sufficient.
A professional RFQ should include:
EN 10028-2 / 16Mo3 / delivery condition / thickness / width / length / quantity / MTC / impact requirement / UT requirement / PWHT requirement / third-party inspection.
FAQ About 16Mo3 Pressure Vessel Steel Plate
Is 16Mo3 a pressure vessel steel?
Yes. 16Mo3 is a pressure vessel steel grade under EN 10028-2 and is widely used for boiler and pressure-vessel applications requiring elevated-temperature properties.
Can 16Mo3 pressure vessel steel be supplied with EN 10204 3.1?
Yes. 16Mo3 pressure vessel steel plate with EN 10204 3.1 certificate is a common procurement requirement. Additional 3.2 inspection or third-party inspection can also be discussed according to the project specification.
16Mo3 Pressure Vessel Steel Plate Supplier
Gnee supplies 16Mo3 pressure vessel steel plate, 16Mo3 boiler steel plate and EN 10028-2 pressure vessel steel for boiler, pressure vessel, heat exchanger, petrochemical and high-temperature equipment projects.
For requirements involving 16Mo3+N pressure vessel steel plate, 16Mo3+AR pressure vessel steel plate or project-specific 16Mo3+TMCP pressure vessel steel, we can review the required plate thickness, dimensions, quantity, service temperature, heat-treatment condition, EN 10204 certificate, UT, impact test and third-party inspection requirements before quotation.
If you are looking for a 16Mo3 pressure vessel steel supplier or pressure vessel steel manufacturer for bulk orders, send us your required grade, delivery condition, thickness, width, length, quantity and inspection requirements.
We can prepare the appropriate 16Mo3 boiler and pressure vessel steel supply solution according to your project specification.