S960Q is a super high-strength, weldable steel (min. yield 960 N/mm²) used in demanding applications like construction (bridges, high-rises), heavy machinery (cranes, mining equipment), transportation (truck chassis, trailers), and offshore structures, valuing its strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and fatigue resistance for creating lighter, stronger, and longer-lasting components in various industries, including renewable energy.
Chemical composition
| Grade | C % | Si % | Mn % | P % | S % | N % | B % | Cr % |
| S960Q | 0.200 | 0.800 | 1.700 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.015 | 0.005 | 1.500 |
| Cu % | Mo % | Nb % | Ni % | Ti % | V % | Zr % | ||
| 0.500 | 0.700 | 0.060 | 2.000 | 0.050 | 0.120 | 0.150 |
mechanical properties
| Grade | Thickness(mm) | Min Yield (Mpa) | Tensile(MPa) | Elongation (%) | Min Impact Energy | |
| S960Q | 8mm-50mm | Min 960Mpa | 980-1150Mpa | 10% | -20 | Min 30J |
| 51mm-100mm | Min 910Mpa | 920-1000Mpa | 10% | -20 | Min 30J | |
| 101mm-150mm | Min 860Mpa | 870-980Mpa | 10% | -20 | Min 30J |
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Key Applications
Heavy Machinery & Mining
S960Q is widely used in excavator buckets, mining equipment, lifting attachments, conveyor parts, and drilling platforms. Its high strength and toughness make it suitable for withstanding heavy impact, abrasive wear, and continuous loading in harsh mining and construction environments. The material helps reduce component weight while maintaining durability, improving equipment efficiency and service life.
Construction & Infrastructure
In construction and infrastructure, S960Q is applied to bridge components, crane booms, structural framing for buildings, support structures for power plants, and offshore platforms. It provides the high load‑carrying capacity required for large‑scale engineering projects, ensuring structural integrity under extreme loads and dynamic conditions. Its good weldability also simplifies fabrication of complex structures.
Transportation
S960Q is used in dump truck bodies, trailers, and railway components. Its high strength allows for lighter designs without compromising durability, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and payload capacity. The steel's toughness helps it withstand the repeated loading and impact common in transportation applications.
Energy Sector
Within the energy industry, S960Q is employed in wind turbine towers, pressure vessels, and hydraulic supports. It offers the strength and fatigue resistance needed for long‑term operation in both onshore and offshore energy facilities. Its ability to maintain performance at low temperatures also makes it suitable for cold‑climate energy projects.
Key Advantages
Weight Reduction:
High strength allows for thinner, lighter designs, reducing material and transport costs.
Enhanced Safety & Reliability:
Excellent toughness and crack resistance minimize failure risk in critical applications.
Cost Efficiency:
Durability, reduced maintenance, and extended service life offer long-term savings.
Design Flexibility:
Good weldability and formability enable complex and innovative structural designs.
Wear & Fatigue Resistance:
Superior performance in harsh, high-stress environments.
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.
What is the equivalent of S960q?
S960Q is a European standard (EN 10025-6) high-strength, fine-grain structural steel with a minimum yield strength of 960 MPa, and common equivalents include DILLIMAX 965, Strenx 960 MC, Alform 960 x-treme, and the German TStE960V, while ASTM doesn't have a direct match but similar high-strength steels are available, with common applications in heavy machinery, bridges, and cranes.
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What is the typical delivery condition of S960Q?
S960Q is usually delivered in the quenched and tempered (Q&T) condition to achieve its combination of high strength and toughness.
What are the key mechanical properties of S960Q?
S960Q offers very high yield and tensile strength, reasonable ductility, and good toughness at low temperatures, making it suitable for heavy-load applications.
What alloying elements are commonly found in S960Q?
S960Q often contains alloying elements such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and sometimes vanadium or niobium to enhance strength, toughness, and hardenability.
Why is S960Q considered a high-strength low-alloy steel?
It is classified as such because it achieves high strength primarily through controlled chemistry and quenching and tempering, rather than very high carbon content.
What is the weldability of S960Q like?
S960Q can be welded using common arc welding processes, but it requires careful control of preheating and interpass temperatures to prevent cold cracking.
What preheating considerations are needed for welding S960Q?
Preheating is often necessary to reduce the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking, with the required temperature depending on plate thickness, joint geometry, and ambient conditions.
What post-weld heat treatment is typically applied to S960Q?
Post-weld heat treatment is not always required for S960Q, but stress relief may be performed in some cases to reduce residual stresses in thick or highly restrained weldments.
What are the typical applications of S960Q?
S960Q is commonly used in heavy construction machinery, mining equipment, crane booms and outriggers, heavy truck components, and other structures requiring very high strength.
Why is S960Q used in crane booms and outriggers?
Its high strength allows designers to reduce section thickness and overall weight while maintaining the required load-carrying capacity and structural integrity.