S960QL is a high-strength quenched and tempered structural steel. It boasts a minimum yield strength of 960 MPa, offering excellent toughness and weldability. Widely used in heavy machinery, construction, and offshore structures due to its superior load-bearing capacity.
S960QL Steel Plate Specifications
Steel Standard: EN10025
Thicknesses: 3 mm to 300 mm
Widths: 2000 mm, 2500 mm, 3000 mm
Lengths: Up to 12000 mm long
Standard:Technical delivery conditions for flat products of high yield strength, structural steels in the quenched and tempered condition
Approval By Third Party:ABS, DNV, GL, CCS, LR , RINA, KR, TUV, CE
Classification: Hot rolled products of structural steels
S960QL Grade Designation
S = Structural Steel
960 = minimum yield strength (MPa)
Q = Quenching & Tempering
L= Low notch toughness testing temperature
Chemical Composition for S960QL Steel Plate
|
Grade |
C |
Si |
Mn |
P |
S |
N |
B |
Cr |
Cu |
Mo |
Nb* |
Ni |
Ti* |
V* |
Zr* |
|
S960QL |
0.20 |
0.80 |
1.70 |
0.020 |
0.010 |
0.015 |
0.0050 |
1.50 |
0.50 |
0.70 |
0.06 |
2.0 |
0.05 |
0.12 |
0.15 |
Mechanical Properties for S960QL Steel Plate
|
Designation |
Mechanical Properties (ambient temperature) |
|||||||
|
Steel Name |
Steel Number |
Min. Yield Strength Reh MPa |
Tensile Strength Rm MPa |
Min. % elongation after fracture |
||||
|
Nominal thickness (mm) |
Nominal thickness (mm) |
|||||||
|
≥3 ≤50 |
≥50 ≤100 |
≥100 ≤150 |
≥3 ≤50 |
≥50 ≤100 |
≥100 ≤150 |
|||
|
S960QL |
1.8933 |
960 |
–– |
–– |
980/1150 |
–– |
–– |
10 |
S960QL Steel Plate V Notch Impact Testing
|
Grade |
Sample Orientation |
@ 0°C |
@-20°C |
@-40°C |
@-60°C |
|
S960QL |
Longitudinal |
50 J |
40 J |
30 J |
–– |
|
Traverse |
35 J |
30 J |
27 J |
–– |
|
Equivalent steel grade of S960QL |
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|
Europe |
Germany |
France |
Sweden |
|
TStE 960 V |
E 960T |
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Key Processing Aspects
Welding:
Techniques: Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG) and Manual Metal Arc Welding (MMA/stick) are common.
Challenges: Cold cracking in the HAZ is the primary issue due to the steel's microstructure.
Solutions: Use filler metals with similar or lower strength (e.g., G Mn4Ni2.5CrMo for MIG), controlled heat input, and potentially pre-heating/post-weld heat treatment (PWHT).
Cutting:
Plasma or laser cutting are used, but grinding the cut edges to remove oxides and the HAZ is crucial before welding.
Forming/Bending:
While it offers good bendability for its strength, it's best done in a facility equipped for it, as forming can be difficult and risks cracking.
Heat Treatment:
The "QL" designation means it's delivered in a Quenched and Tempered state, giving it its high strength.
Post-Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) with methods like localized electron beam PWHT can refine the HAZ structure, improve ductility, and reduce residual stresses.
Quality Control:
Mill test certificates (MTCs) confirm mechanical properties (yield/tensile strength) and chemical composition.
Destructive and non-destructive testing (NDT) of welded joints verifies performance.
Why It's Processed This Way
High Strength: Allows for weight reduction in structures (e.g., cranes, heavy vehicles).
Toughness: Provides resistance to fracture, even at low temperatures (down to -40°C for some grades).
Fine-Grained Structure: Achieved through Q&T processing, giving it superior strength, but making HAZ management critical during fabrication.
Key Industrial Applications
Lifting and Moving: Heavily used for mobile cranes, lifting booms, and aerial platforms.
Heavy Transportation: Used in chassis for heavy trucks, trailers, and railway wagons to increase payload capacity.
Earthmoving and Mining: Components for excavators, shovels, dipper sticks, and bucket parts for power shovels.
Structural Infrastructure: Construction of bridges, skyscrapers, and offshore platforms.
Energy and Industrial: Penstocks, turbine scroll cases, and unfired pressure vessels.
Military Engineering: Specialized use in military equipment requiring high strength-to-weight ratios.
Advantages in Application
Weight Savings: Its ultra-high strength allows for thinner plates, reducing the dead weight of machinery and improving fuel efficiency.
Toughness: Maintains high impact resistance even in extreme cold (down to -40°C for S960QL and -60°C for S960QL1).
Workability: Despite its strength, it is designed for good weldability and bendability, facilitating complex fabrication.
Full specification and details are available on request. The above information is provided for guidance purposes only. For specific design requirements please contact our technical sales staff.
Can S960QL be bent?
Bending S960QL is possible with proper procedures. Use slow bending speed, preheat if thickness exceeds 10 mm, and maintain a large bend radius (≥3× thickness) to avoid cracking. Post-bending inspection is recommended.
What is the modulus of elasticity of S960QL?
Its modulus of elasticity is approximately 206 GPa, same as most structural steels. This value is used in structural design calculations to predict deformation under load, ensuring structural stability and precision.
Does S960QL have a fatigue limit?
Yes, S960QL has a fatigue limit of around 400-450 MPa (for 10⁷ cycles). Fatigue resistance is critical for dynamic load applications like machinery parts, requiring proper design to avoid cyclic stress-induced failure.
What is the maximum operating temperature of S960QL?
The maximum safe operating temperature of S960QL is 300°C. Beyond this, its mechanical strength decreases significantly. For high-temperature applications, consider heat-resistant alloy steels instead.
Can S960QL be normalized?
Normalization is not recommended for S960QL, as it may reduce strength. The steel's properties rely on quenching and tempering; normalization would alter its microstructure, compromising the high yield strength required for its applications.
What is the surface finish of S960QL plates?
S960QL plates typically have a hot-rolled or normalized surface finish. For critical applications, additional treatments like shot blasting or grinding can improve surface quality, enhancing coating adhesion and appearance.
Can S960QL be used in offshore structures?
Yes, it is suitable for offshore structures. With high strength and low-temperature toughness, plus proper corrosion protection, it resists harsh marine conditions (saltwater, wind, low temperatures) for platforms and pipelines.
What welding consumables are recommended for S960QL?
Use low-hydrogen welding consumables like E11018-G (stick electrodes) or ER110S-G (MIG wires). These match S960QL's strength, reduce hydrogen-induced cracking, and maintain weld joint integrity under heavy loads.
Can S960QL be used in military applications?
Yes, it is used in military vehicles and equipment. Its high strength-to-weight ratio and impact resistance make it suitable for armor plating, vehicle frames, and weapon components requiring durability in combat conditions.
How to store S960QL plates properly?
Store S960QL plates in a dry, well-ventilated area, stacked on wooden pallets to avoid ground contact. Cover with waterproof sheets to prevent moisture-induced rust. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and corrosive environments.