S890Q, S890QL and S890QL1 steel are European grade quenched and tempered high yield strength structural steels, equivalent to the Chinese grade Q890. They are steel grades in the EN 10025-6 standard, S means structural steel, 890 is the yield value, unit MPa, Q means delivery conditions, L represents the specified minimum value of impact energy when the temperature is not lower than -50℃, and L1 represents the specified minimum value of impact energy when the temperature is not lower than -60℃.
Smelting analysis of chemical composition of S890Q, S890QL, S890QL1 steel plates:
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Ni | Cr | Mo | Cu | Nb | V | Ti | N | Zr | B |
| ≤0.2 | ≤0.8 | ≤1.7 | ≤0.02 | ≤0.010 | ≤2 | ≤1.5 | ≤0.7 | ≤0.5 | ≤0.06 | ≤0.12 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.015 | ≤0.15 | ≤0.005 |
Mechanical properties of S890Q, S890QL, S890QL1 steel plates:
Steel plate thickness 3-50mm
ReH(MPa)≥890
Rm(MPa) 940-1100
A(%)≥11
Shock temperature -40℃
Akv(J)≥30 longitudinal;
Horizontal: Akv≥27J
Steel plate thickness>50-100
ReH(MPa)≥830
Rm(MPa) 880-1100
A(%)≥11
Akv(J)≥30 longitudinal;
Horizontal: Akv≥27J
S890Q shock temperature -40℃; S890QL shock temperature -40℃; S890QL1 shock temperature -60℃.
Other Differences Between S890Q, S890QL and S890QL1 steel plates:
low-temperature impact performance is the core differentiator. S890Q only guarantees impact energy ≥30J at -20°C; S890QL elevates this to -50°C (still ≥30J longitudinally); S890QL1 further extends to -60°C (same impact energy requirement). This tiered design targets distinct environments: S890Q suits temperate regions, S890QL for frigid zones (e.g., northern Kazakhstan), and S890QL1 for extreme cold (e.g., Arctic engineering).
application scenarios diverge due to toughness. S890Q is widely used in temperate-area heavy machinery (e.g., crane booms) and bridge components; S890QL serves cold-region mining equipment (e.g., hydraulic supports) and offshore wind turbine towers (resisting low-temperature sea winds); S890QL1 is exclusive to polar oil exploration platforms or alpine pipeline structures, where extreme cold resistance is non-negotiable.
production and cost vary. S890QL/QL1 require stricter impurity control (e.g., lower P/S content) and precise quenching-tempering processes to enhance low-temperature toughness, increasing production costs by ~15-25% compared to S890Q. Additionally, S890QL1 often needs additional alloying (e.g., more Ni) to stabilize low-temperature performance, making it the most expensive and less commonly stocked grade.
thickness-dependent performance aligns across grades: for 3-50mm plates, all maintain ReH≥890MPa and Rm=940-1100MPa; for 50-100mm, ReH drops to ≥830MPa, but their low-temperature impact thresholds (linked to "L"/"L1") remain fixed, ensuring consistent toughness under thickness variations. These differences make each grade irreplaceable in its targeted operating environment.
What's the core reason to choose S890QL over S890Q?
S890QL's -50°C impact resistance (vs. S890Q's -20°C) suits frigid regions like northern Europe or Kazakhstan, avoiding low-temperature brittleness.
When is S890QL1 necessary instead of S890QL?
For extreme cold (e.g., Arctic projects), S890QL1's -60°C toughness prevents failure in sub-polar environments.
Do all three grades have the same strength?
Yes-3–50mm plates all have ReH≥890MPa, but their low-temperature toughness (not strength) differentiates them.