S960Q is a high-yield, ultra-high-strength structural steel plate produced according to the EN 10025-6 European standard. It is delivered in a quenched and tempered (Q+T) state, which provides a unique combination of exceptional mechanical strength and toughness.
Key Specifications & Meaning
The designation "S960Q" provides specific details about the material's properties:
S: Denotes structural steel.
960: Indicates the minimum yield strength of 960 MPa (megapascals).
Q: Signifies the delivery condition as Quenched and Tempered. It also indicates that the material has specified minimum impact energy values at temperatures not lower than -20°C.
Steel Number: 1.8941.
Primary Applications
S960Q is used for demanding load-bearing structures where weight reduction is critical without sacrificing safety or durability.
Heavy Machinery: Cranes, excavators, and mining equipment.
Construction: High-rise buildings, highway bridges, and large-scale engineering projects.
Transportation: Truck chassis, trailers, and railway components to create lightweight yet robust systems.
Offshore & Marine: Oil rigs, shipbuilding, and offshore platforms.
What standards apply to S960Q steel?
S960Q steel is primarily governed by the European standard EN 10025-6, which defines the technical delivery conditions for quenched and tempered high-strength structural steels. Below are the key standards and specifications applicable to S960Q:
1. Core Material Standard
EN 10025-6: Hot rolled products of structural steels – Part 6: Technical delivery conditions for flat products of high yield strength structural steels in the quenched and tempered condition.
This standard specifies:
Minimum yield strength (960 MPa), tensile strength (980–1150 MPa), and elongation (≥10% typically).
Impact toughness requirements: Charpy V‑notch test at ‑20°C (or lower for sub‑grades like S960QL at ‑40°C), with minimum energy levels defined per thickness.
Permissible chemical composition, including limits for carbon, manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and micro‑alloys (Nb, V, Ti, B) as well as alloying elements like Ni, Cr, Mo.
2. Supporting Testing & Certification Standards
EN 10204: Defines inspection documents. S960Q typically requires a Type 3.1 Certificate, which involves independent verification by the manufacturer's quality department.
EN ISO 148‑1: Charpy pendulum impact test method.
EN ISO 6892‑1: Tensile test method at room temperature.
EN ISO 6506‑1: Brinell hardness test method.
3. Design & Fabrication Standards (Application‑Specific)
EN 1993‑1‑10 (Eurocode 3): Provides guidelines for material selection based on toughness requirements (considering temperature, stress, thickness).
EN 1993‑1‑12: Extends Eurocode rules to steels up to S700. For S960Q, performance‑based design or special approvals are generally required.
EN ISO 15614‑1: Qualification of welding procedures (essential for S960Q due to its strict welding requirements).
EN 1011‑2: Recommendations for welding steel structures.
4. Industry‑Specific Standards
Offshore/Marine: Standards like EN 10225 or DNVGL/ABS rules may apply for certified offshore components.
Cranes & Lifting Equipment: FEM 1.001, ISO 8686, or EN 13001 may reference high‑strength steels for critical parts.
Military & Defense: Often subject to additional national or project‑specific specifications (e.g., German TL, U.S. MIL‑SPEC equivalents).
5. International Equivalents
ISO 4950‑3: Covers similar high‑strength quenched and tempered steels, though EN 10025‑6 is the dominant reference in Europe and internationally.
ASTM A514/A517 (USA): These are quenched and tempered alloy steels, but no direct ASTM equivalent exists for S960Q. The closest grade in strength is A517 Grade 100 (~690 MPa yield), highlighting that S960Q exceeds typical ASTM high‑strength plate classifications.
Technical data
EN10025-6 S960Q quenched and tempered steel plate 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 |
EN10025-6 S960Q quenched and tempered steel plate 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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1. What is S960Q steel?
S960Q is an ultra-high-strength quenched and tempered structural steel with a minimum yield strength of 960 MPa, offering exceptional strength-to-weight ratio but requiring strict fabrication controls.
2. What are the main applications of S960Q?
It is used in extreme weight-critical components like advanced crane booms, high-performance military vehicles, specialized mining equipment, and heavy-duty offshore lifting systems.
3. How does S960Q differ from S690Q?
S960Q has significantly higher yield strength (960 MPa vs. 690 MPa) but lower toughness and weldability, making it suitable only for the most demanding lightweight designs.
4. Can S960Q be welded easily?
No, welding S960Q is very difficult and requires strict procedures: low-hydrogen consumables, high preheat (often 150-200°C+), controlled heat input, and usually post-weld heat treatment.
5. What is the chemical composition of S960Q?
It contains low carbon with micro-alloys like niobium, vanadium, titanium, and boron, plus alloying elements such as nickel, chromium, and molybdenum for hardenability and strength.
6. What standards apply to S960Q steel?
It is primarily governed by the European standard EN 10025-6 for quenched and tempered high-strength structural steels.
7. Is S960Q corrosion resistant?
No, S960Q is not corrosion-resistant and requires protective coatings (e.g., painting, galvanizing) for use in exposed or corrosive environments.
8. How to machine S960Q steel?
Machining S960Q is extremely challenging due to its high hardness; it requires premium carbide tools, high-pressure coolant, rigid setups, and optimized cutting parameters.
9. What is the price of S960Q steel plate?
S960Q is among the most expensive structural steels, typically ranging from €4,000 to €8,000+ per ton, depending on thickness, quantity, and certification requirements.
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.
