S960QL is a high-strength structural grade. S960QL Steel Plate is designed with different chemical elements giving them superior performance and enhanced resistance. The S960ql is quenched and tempered, giving the subsequent modules enhanced strength and abrasion resistance across stress-induced systems. Structural Steel 960 shows outstanding resistance to wear and tear while showing enhanced tolerance to weathering.
S960QL Steel Plate Specification
| Material | EN 10025-6 S960QL |
| Standards |
EN 10025-6 EN 10029 EN 10163-2 |
| Designation |
S = Structural Steels 960 MPa= minimum yield strength Q = Quenching and Tempering L = Low notch toughness testing temperature |
| Test certificates | EN 10204 2.2/3.1 |
| Dimension Range |
4.0 - 120.0 mm thickness width: up to 3350 mm length: up to 14630 mm |
| SSAB Brand |
Strenx® 960 E : EN 10 025-6 S960QL Strenx® 960 F : EN 10 025-6 S960QL1
|
| Brands | JSW, Dillinger, SAIL, TATA, Thyssen, Essar, POSCO, Uttam, Clabecq, JSPL, and Mills |
Chemical Composition
| % | |
|---|---|
| Si | 00.80 |
| C | 00.20 |
| Mn | 1.70 |
| P | 00.020 |
| S | 00.010 |
| N | 00.015 |
| B | 00.0050 |
| Cr | 1.50 |
| Cu | 00.50 |
| Mo | 00.70 |
| Nb | 00.06 |
| Ni | 2.0 |
| Ti | 00.05 |
| V | 00.12 |
| Zr | 00.15 |
Mechanical Properties
|
Thickness of material (mm) |
Yield strength Rp0.2(min MPa) |
Tensile strength Rm(MPa) |
Elongation A5(min %) |
| 4.0 - 53.0 mm | 960 MPa | 980 - 1150 MPa | 12% |
| 53.1 - 120.0 mm | 850 MPa | 900 - 1100 MPa | 10% |
applications
1. Heavy Lifting & Transportation
S960QL is the industry standard for telescopic crane booms and truck chassis, where a high strength-to-weight ratio is non-negotiable. By utilizing its 960 MPa yield strength, engineers can design thinner, lighter sections that significantly reduce dead weight. This allows mobile cranes to achieve greater reach and higher lifting capacities while improving the fuel efficiency and legal payload limits of heavy-haul trailers during road transport.
2. Mining & Earthmoving
In the grueling conditions of open-cast mining, S960QL is indispensable for the structural frames of ultra-class haul trucks and massive excavator buckets. Its ability to withstand extreme cyclic loading and high-impact stress prevents structural fatigue in heavy-duty machinery. Additionally, in underground mining, it is used for hydraulic roof supports, providing maximum safety and load-bearing capacity while maintaining a compact profile for maneuverability in tight seams.
3. Military Engineering
The material's exceptional durability under high-stress environments makes it ideal for modern defense platforms. S960QL is utilized in the structural skeletons of armored personnel carriers and naval vessels, offering weight savings that translate into better tactical mobility and increased equipment payloads. It also serves as a critical component in missile launchers and artillery support systems, where structural integrity must be maintained under violent recoil and extreme thermal pressures.
4. Civil Engineering & Infrastructure
For high-rise skyscrapers and long-span bridges, S960QL enables sleeker architectural designs with smaller column cross-sections, maximizing usable floor space. Its most vital role, however, is in harsh climates; the steel's guaranteed impact toughness at -40°C ensures the safety of offshore platforms and arctic infrastructure. By resisting brittle fracture in sub-zero temperatures, it provides long-term reliability for critical public works and energy hubs.
5. Energy Sector
In the transition to renewable energy, S960QL is increasingly used for offshore wind turbine towers and floating foundations that face immense wind and wave loads. It is also a primary material for high-pressure penstocks in hydroelectric plants, where its strength allows for thinner walls that can still withstand massive water pressure. This reduces overall material costs and welding time while ensuring the safe containment of energy resources in unfired pressure vessels.
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What welding methods are commonly used for S960QL?
Common welding methods for S960QL include shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and submerged arc welding. The choice depends on factors such as the thickness of the material, the production environment, and the required weld quality. In all cases, a qualified welding procedure specification is essential.
What heat treatment is applied to S960QL?
S960QL is subjected to a quenching and tempering heat treatment. Quenching involves rapid cooling from a high temperature to form a hard microstructure, while tempering at a lower temperature reduces hardness and internal stresses, resulting in the desired combination of strength and toughness.
How does S960QL compare to S690QL?
Compared to S690QL, S960QL has a significantly higher yield strength, allowing for further weight reduction in structural designs. However, this higher strength often comes with slightly lower ductility and toughness, and more stringent requirements for welding and fabrication. S690QL is easier to process and is used in applications where the highest strength is not necessary.
How does S960QL compare to quenched and tempered carbon steels?
Compared to conventional quenched and tempered carbon steels, S960QL has a much higher strength level due to its optimized chemical composition and fine-grained microstructure. It also offers better toughness, especially at low temperatures, but requires more careful handling during welding and heat treatment to avoid degradation of properties.
How does S960QL compare to stainless steels?
S960QL has a much higher yield strength than most standard stainless steels, making it more suitable for weight-sensitive, high-load structures. However, stainless steels provide superior corrosion resistance and are better suited for applications where environmental attack is a major concern. S960QL is often used in combination with protective coatings when corrosion resistance is required.
What are the advantages of using S960QL?
The main advantages of S960QL include its very high strength, good toughness at low temperatures, and the ability to reduce the weight of structures. This leads to more efficient designs, lower material consumption, and improved performance in applications such as lifting equipment and mobile machinery.
What are the limitations or challenges of using S960QL?
Challenges associated with S960QL include higher material and production costs compared to lower-strength steels. Welding and fabrication require more expertise and stricter process control to prevent cracking and maintain mechanical properties. Thicker sections may also have reduced toughness, requiring careful selection of grades and inspection.
Which standards apply to S960QL?
S960QL is specified in the European standard for high-strength structural steels, specifically the part covering quenched and tempered fine-grained steels. This standard defines chemical composition, mechanical properties, and testing requirements.