SA514 Grade E is a high-strength, quenched and tempered alloy steel plate known for excellent toughness, weldability, and impact resistance, especially at low temperatures, used in heavy equipment, construction, and mobile platforms. It offers a minimum yield strength of 100 ksi (up to 2.5" thick) and 90 ksi (over 2.5" to 6" thick), featuring specific alloy additions like Chromium and Molybdenum for enhanced performance in demanding structural applications.
Key Characteristics
High Strength: Provides high yield and tensile strength for lightweight yet strong components.
Toughness: Excellent impact toughness, even in cold environments, making it ideal for low-temperature service.
Weldability: Designed for structural use, it's weldable with proper preheat and restricted heat input.
Chemical Composition: Contains Chromium (1.40-2.00%) and Molybdenum (0.40-0.60%), along with controlled Carbon, Manganese, Silicon, Titanium, and Boron.
The hardness of SA514 Grade E is not a primary specified property in the ASTM A514 standard, which focuses on mechanical properties like yield/tensile strength and impact toughness. However, based on its strength and microstructure, a typical and expected hardness range can be provided.
Typical Hardness Range for SA514 Grade E
Due to its quenched and tempered microstructure, SA514 Grade E typically has a hardness in the range of:
HBW 280 - 340 (Brinell Hardness) or approximately HRC 29 - 36 (Rockwell C scale).
This range correlates well with its minimum yield strength of 100 ksi (690 MPa). A common rule of thumb for steel is that the Brinell hardness (HB) is roughly 0.5 times the ultimate tensile strength in MPa. For SA514 Grade E (UTS ~ 760-895 MPa), this yields an estimated HB range of 380 - 447, but this is too high for the tempered condition. The quenched and tempered process prioritizes a balance of strength and toughness, which results in a slightly lower hardness than a fully hardened state.
Important: This is an empirical range. The actual hardness for a specific plate can vary based on:
Thickness: Thicker sections may have slightly lower hardness due to slower cooling during quenching.
Manufacturer's specific heat treatment process.
Test location on the plate.
Why Hardness Isn't the Control Property
1.Standard Specification: ASTM A514/A514M is a structural steel standard. For engineering design, yield strength and toughness are the critical, contractually guaranteed properties. Hardness is usually only verified as a supplementary check or for quality assurance.
2.Primary Purpose: SA514 Grade E is designed for weldable, high-strength structural applications (cranes, bridges, mining equipment). Excessive hardness can be detrimental to weldability and toughness, so the quench and temper process is optimized for a balanced property set, not maximum hardness.
3.Conversion Limitations: While hardness-strength correlations exist, they are approximations and depend heavily on the steel's specific microstructure. Relying on a converted hardness value for design is not acceptable.
If You Need a Guaranteed Hardness Value
If your application (e.g., for abrasion resistance) requires a specific hardness, you must:
Specify it as a supplementary requirement when ordering the material. The manufacturer may adjust the tempering process to meet a tighter hardness range.
Consider an alternative grade: If hardness/abrasion resistance is the primary need, you might consider AR (Abrasion Resistant) plate grades like AR400 or AR500 (ASTM A514 is a structural grade, not an abrasion grade).
Key Takeaway
While HBW 280-340 (HRC 29-36) is a reliable expected range, the definitive properties for SA514 Grade E are its minimum yield strength of 100 ksi (up to 1.25" thick) and its Charpy V-notch impact toughness at -50°F (-46°C). For procurement or design, always refer to the mechanical properties in the ASTM A514 standard.
For a precise value, you would need to either:
Test a sample from your specific plate/heat.
Request certified test reports from the mill, which sometimes include hardness data as supplementary information.
1. What Is SA514 Grade E Steel?
SA514 Grade E is a high-strength, quenched and tempered alloy steel plate within the ASTM A514/SA514 specification, designed for applications requiring a balance of high yield strength and excellent toughness.
2. What Is The Yield Strength Of SA514 Grade E?
The minimum yield strength of SA514 Grade E is 100 ksi (690 MPa) for thicknesses up to 2.5 inches (63.5 mm). For thicker plates, the minimum yield strength decreases.
3. What Is The Difference Between SA514 Grade E And Grade F?
The primary difference is the chemical composition. Grade E typically contains different levels of alloying elements (like Chromium, Molybdenum, and Boron) compared to Grade F, which can affect hardenability, weldability, and specific application suitability, though both have a 100 ksi min yield.
4. Is SA514 Grade E Weldable?
Yes, but with strict procedures. It requires preheating, the use of low-hydrogen electrodes, and controlled heat input to prevent cracking and maintain mechanical properties in the heat-affected zone (HAZ).
5. What Is SA514 Grade E Used For?
It is used in highly stressed structural components for heavy construction and mining equipment, such as crane booms, excavator arms, and frames where extreme strength and toughness are required.
6. What Is The Chemical Composition Of SA514 Grade E?
Its typical composition includes Carbon (~0.15-0.21%), Manganese (~0.80-1.10%), Silicon (~0.40-0.80%), Chromium (~0.50-0.80%), Molybdenum (~0.18-0.28%), Vanadium (~0.03-0.08%), and Boron (0.0005-0.005%).
7. What Is The Hardness Of SA514 Grade E?
The typical Brinell hardness range for SA514 Grade E is 235-293 HBW (approximately 22-30 HRC), similar to other grades like Grade F, as it is also a quenched and tempered steel.
8. How Does SA514 Grade E Compare To T1 Steel?
SA514 Grade E is a type of T1 steel. "T1" is the historic tradename for A514/SA514 quenched and tempered steels. Grade E is one specific chemical composition variant under this standard.
9. Can SA514 Grade E Be Flame Cut?
Yes, it can be flame cut, but it requires a controlled process. Preheating before cutting and slow, controlled cooling (often by using heating torches) are necessary to prevent the formation of hard, crack-sensitive zones along the cut edge.
10. What Is The Equivalent Of SA514 Grade E In Europe?
There is no direct, identical European equivalent. The closest grades in terms of high strength and quenched & tempered condition are S690QL or S690QL1 (EN 10025-6), though their chemical compositions differ.
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.
