P420M is a high-strength, fine-grain steel specifically designed for use in pressure vessels and boilers, manufactured under the European standard EN 10028-5.
Key Specifications
Designation: The "P" stands for pressure use, "420" refers to the minimum yield strength of 420 MPa, and "M" indicates it is delivered in a thermomechanically rolled (+M) condition.
Numeric ID: Its European steel number is 1.8826.
Properties: It features excellent weldability and toughness, with a chemical composition typically limited to a low carbon equivalent (CEV ≤ 0.45) to prevent cold cracking during welding.
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EN10028-5 P420MChemical Composition |
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Grade |
The Element Max (%) |
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C |
Si |
Mn |
P |
S |
Al |
N |
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P420M |
0,16 |
0,50 |
1,70 |
0,025 |
0,020 |
0,020 |
0,020 |
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Nb |
V |
Ti |
Ni |
Mo |
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|
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0,05 |
0,10 |
0,05 |
0,50 |
0,20 |
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Grade |
P420MMechanical Property |
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Thickness |
Yield |
Tensile |
Elongation |
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P420M |
mm |
Min Mpa |
Mpa |
Min % |
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6-16 |
420 |
500-660 |
19% |
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|
16-40 |
400 |
500-660 |
19% |
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40-63 |
390 |
500-660 |
19% |
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Variant Grades
For extreme temperature requirements, subgrades with specified low-temperature impact properties are used:
P420ML1: Impact tested down to -40°C.
P420ML2: Impact tested down to -50°C.
core applications
1. Oil, Gas & Petrochemical
Pressure Vessels: Construction of reactors, separators, and columns used to process volatile fluids.
Spherical Storage Tanks: Large-scale storage for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or ammonia, where P420M's high strength allows for thinner, lighter walls without compromising safety.
2. Power Generation & Energy
Boiler Drums: Serving as the central high-pressure component in thermal power plants to collect and distribute steam.
Hydropower Penstocks: Fabrication of high-pressure conduits that carry water from reservoirs to turbines under immense gravitational pressure.
3. Chemical Industry
Heat Exchangers: Used as the structural shell for equipment transferring heat between two or more fluids at high pressure.
Process Tanks: Stationary tanks used for the intermediate storage of chemicals during refining or manufacturing.
4. Low-Temperature Logistics
Cryogenic/Arctic Storage: Utilizing subgrades P420ML1 and P420ML2 for equipment operating in extreme cold (down to -50°C), such as pipelines and tanks in Siberian or offshore environments.
Pressurized Rail Cars: Manufacturing the tanks for transport wagons carrying hazardous or pressurized liquids across varied climates.
5. Heavy Industrial Plants
Components for Steel/Cement Mills: Structural parts of furnaces or processing units that operate under high mechanical loads and elevated working temperatures.

Manufacturing Process of P420M Steel
Compliant Thermo-Mechanical Controlled Process (TMCP)
P420M is produced via TMCP in line with European standard EN 10028-5. The process combines controlled rolling and controlled cooling to precisely regulate steel microstructure, eliminating the need for subsequent normalizing treatment.
Controlled Rolling for Grain Refinement
The steel is heated to a specific temperature and rolled with strictly controlled parameters to refine grain size. This optimizes the balance of strength and toughness, guaranteeing a minimum yield strength of 420MPa.
Thickness-Based Auxiliary Processing
Preheating at 80–120℃ is mandatory during processing for plates over 20mm thick. For plates exceeding 50mm, optional stress relief annealing at 550–600℃ can be conducted to eliminate internal stress.
Strict Chemical Composition Control
The whole process maintains strict control over chemical composition, with carbon content ≤0.16% and carbon equivalent ≤0.43%. This greatly enhances the weldability of P420M steel, meeting the processing requirements of pressure vessel equipment.
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 P420M be used in high-pressure equipment?
P420M can be used in some high-pressure equipment after strict testing and certification. Its high tensile strength and yield strength enable it to withstand certain pressure, but it must comply with relevant industry standards and safety regulations.
What is the hardness of P420M after heat treatment?
After proper quenching and tempering, the hardness of P420M can reach 220-260 HB. This hardness range balances strength and toughness, making it suitable for components that require both wear resistance and impact resistance.
Is P420M a low-alloy steel?
Yes, P420M is a low-alloy steel. It contains a small amount of alloying elements like manganese, silicon and chromium, which improve its mechanical properties compared to ordinary carbon steel without significantly increasing production costs.
What is the yield strength of P420M?
The minimum yield strength of P420M is 420 MPa, which is the origin of its model name. This high yield strength ensures that the material can resist deformation under load, making it ideal for heavy-duty structural components.
Can P420M be used in cold weather conditions?
P420M has good low-temperature toughness, so it can be used in cold weather conditions (usually above -20°C). It maintains stable performance without brittle fracture, making it suitable for outdoor equipment in cold regions.
What surface treatments can be applied to P420M?
Common surface treatments for P420M include painting, galvanizing, chrome plating and phosphating. These treatments improve corrosion resistance, wear resistance and aesthetic appearance, extending the material's service life in different environments.
Is P420M recyclable?
Yes, P420M is highly recyclable. As a steel material, it can be melted and reused after recycling, which not only reduces resource waste but also lowers environmental pollution, conforming to the concept of green manufacturing.
What is the tensile strength of P420M?
The tensile strength of P420M ranges from 540 MPa to 680 MPa. This high tensile strength allows the material to bear large tensile loads, making it suitable for components that need to withstand pulling forces in industrial applications.
Can P420M be used to make construction machinery parts?
Absolutely, P420M is widely used in making construction machinery parts. Its excellent wear resistance, strength and impact resistance can withstand the harsh working environment of construction machinery like excavators and loaders.
What is the chemical composition of P420M?
P420M mainly consists of carbon (C: 0.17-0.23%), manganese (Mn: 1.00-1.50%), silicon (Si: 0.15-0.35%), and small amounts of phosphorus (P≤0.035%) and sulfur (S≤0.035%).

