Knowledge

Does S960Q require heat treatment?

Jan 16, 2026 Leave a message

info-517-412

S960Q is a high-yield, ultra-high-strength structural steel grade produced in a quenched and tempered delivery condition. It is governed by the European standard EN 10025-6 and is specifically designed for weight-sensitive, heavy-duty applications that require high load-bearing capacity.

 

Key Specifications

Designation:

S: Structural steel.

960: Minimum yield strength of 960 MPa (for thicknesses ≤ 50mm).

Q: Quenched and tempered condition with specified impact testing at -20°C.

Steel Number: 1.8941.

Hardness: Typically features a Brinell hardness of around 414 HBW.

 

 

 

 

 

S960QChemical Composition

Grade

The Element Max (%)

C

Si

Mn

P

S

N

B

Cr

S960 Q

0.20

0.80

1.70

0.020-0.025

0.010-0.015

0.015

0.005

1.50

Cu

Mo

Nb

Ni

Ti

V

Zr

 

0.50

0.70

0.06

2.0

0.05

0.12

0.15

 

 

Grade

S960Q Mechanical Property

Thickness

Yield

Tensile

Elongation

Min Impact Energy

 

S960 Q

mm

Min Mpa

Mpa

Min %

-20

30J

3<t≦50

960

980-1150

10

-20

30J

50<t≦100

910

920-1000

10

-20

30J

100<t≦150

860

870-980

10

-20

30J

 

 

 

info-423-493applications 

1. Construction & Infrastructure

S960Q is a critical material for long-span and high-load civil engineering projects:

Bridges & Footbridges: Used in segments like stiffened box girders for footbridges (e.g., the Fanling North project) to reduce self-weight and foundation pile requirements.

High-Rise Buildings: Ideal for structural framing, columns, and transfer beams in skyscrapers to maximize floor space.

Large-Scale Facilities: Applied in roof trusses and framing for sports stadiums, exhibition centers, and airports to support long spans without internal bracing.

Seismic Structures: Its high strength and ductility are used in earthquake-resistant designs to absorb seismic forces.

2. Heavy Machinery & Equipment

The material's durability and high loading capacity make it essential for "yellow goods" and industrial machinery:

Lifting Equipment: Critical for crane booms, dipper sticks, and heavy-duty lifting structures.

Mining & Earthmoving: Used in excavator buckets, bulldozers, and mining machinery to withstand extreme impact and high loads.

Forestry: Employed in forest harvesters where low structural weight is necessary for mobility in harsh terrain.

3. Transportation & Automotive

S960Q facilitates the development of lightweight transportation systems to reduce fuel consumption and emissions:

Heavy Vehicles: Construction of truck chassis, trailers, and frame rails for heavy-duty and light commercial vehicles.

Railway: Used for railway components and passenger car structural body components.

Specialized Logistics: Applicable for intermodal shipping containers and bulk transport equipment.

4. Energy & Marine

Offshore Engineering: Utilized in oil rigs, offshore platforms, and shipbuilding where both strength and toughness are required to resist harsh sea conditions.

Pressure Vessels: Applied in the fabrication of unfired pressure vessels, turbine scroll cases, and penstocks.

Sustainable Energy: Emerging use in support structures for green infrastructure and next-generation power plants.

 

Variants

S960Q belongs to a family of grades differentiated by their low-temperature toughness:

S960Q: Tested at -20°C.

S960QL: Tested at -40°C.

Contact now

 

For more details about GNEE's steel products, contact us at beam@gneesteelgroup.com. We look forward to working with you.

 

What is the difference between S960Q and S960QL?

S960QL is the low-temperature grade of S960Q. Both have 960 MPa yield strength, but S960QL offers better toughness at lower temperatures (-40℃ vs. -20℃ for S960Q).

 

How to cut S960Q?

S960Q can be cut by flame cutting, plasma cutting, or laser cutting. Flame cutting requires preheating to prevent cracking. Laser and plasma cutting are more precise for thin to medium thicknesses.

 

What is the maximum thickness of S960Q?

The maximum available thickness of S960Q is usually up to 150 mm. Thicker plates may require customized heat treatment to ensure uniform mechanical properties across the cross-section.

 

Is S960Q corrosion-resistant?

S960Q has basic corrosion resistance, similar to carbon steel. For harsh environments (marine, chemical), it needs protective measures like painting, galvanizing, or corrosion-resistant coatings.

 

What is the impact energy of S960Q?

At -20℃, S960Q's minimum impact energy (Charpy V-notch) is 30 J. This ensures it can absorb energy without brittle fracture under sudden impact loads in normal working conditions.

 

Can S960Q be bent?

Yes, S960Q can be bent, but with strict radius control. The minimum bend radius is usually 3-5 times the plate thickness. Preheating may be needed for thick plates to avoid cracking during bending.

 

What welding consumables are used for S960Q?

Welding consumables for S960Q should match its strength. Low-hydrogen electrodes (E11018-G), flux-cored wires (E110T5-K3), or solid wires (ER110S-G) are commonly used to ensure weld joint strength and toughness.

 

What is the density of S960Q?

The density of S960Q is approximately 7.85 g/cm³, same as most carbon and low-alloy steels. This density is used for weight calculation in structural design and manufacturing.

 

Can S960Q be used in offshore structures?

Yes, S960Q is suitable for offshore structures like oil platforms. Its high strength and low-temperature toughness resist harsh marine conditions, but corrosion protection is necessary.

 

What is the elongation at break of S960Q?

S960Q has a minimum elongation at break of 10% (for thickness ≤ 16 mm). This ductility allows slight deformation before fracture, enhancing structural safety under unexpected loads.

Send Inquiry