S690Q, S890Q, and S960Q are high-strength structural steels (HSS) defined by their minimum yield strength (690, 890, 960 MPa), with 1.8931, 1.8940, and 1.8941 being their respective European EN material numbers. The primary difference is strength: S960Q is strongest, S690Q is least strong, and all offer good toughness (Q group for -20°C), making them ideal for heavy machinery, cranes, and bridges, with higher numbers indicating greater load-bearing capacity but often requiring more careful fabrication.
Core Difference Analysis
As the grade number increases, the yield strength rises significantly (690→890→960 MPa), while elongation and impact toughness decrease correspondingly, reflecting the trade-off between strength and plasticity.
Chemical Composition Characteristics
- S690Q: Low carbon (≤0.20%) and low alloy, with lower Cr/Ni/Mo content, emphasizing good weldability and formability.
- S890Q: Moderate alloying, with appropriately increased Mn/Cr/Mo to balance strength and process window.
- S960Q: Higher Ni/Cr/Mo and microalloying elements (Nb/V/Ti) to ensure ultra-high strength and hardenability.
Process and Weldability
- S690Q: Best weldability, requiring a preheating temperature of 50–100°C, suitable for complex structures and thick plate welding.
- S890Q: Requires low-hydrogen welding materials and preheating (100–150°C), with controlled heat input to avoid softening of the heat-affected zone.
- S960Q: Most demanding weldability, requiring strict preheating (150–200°C), low-hydrogen processes, and post-weld heat treatment, with greater springback during forming.
Typical Application Scenarios
- S690Q: Engineering machinery booms, bridges, vehicle chassis, pursuing a balance between strength and cost.
- S890Q: Large-tonnage crane booms, mining equipment, high-pressure vessels, focusing on lightweight design and high load capacity.
- S960Q: Ultra-large engineering machinery, critical load-bearing components of high-end equipment, requiring extreme weight reduction and structural compactness.
1.8931/S690Q high yield strength EN 10137-2 Steel plate
| Grade : | S690Q | ||
| Number: | 1.8931 | ||
| Classification: | Alloy special steel with specified minimum values of impact energy at temperatures not lower than -20 °C | ||
| Standard: |
|
Chemical composition % of steel S690Q (1.8931): EN 10025-6-2004
| C | Si | Mn | Ni | P | S | Cr | Mo | V | N | Nb | Ti | Cu | Zr | B | CEV |
| max 0.2 | max 0.8 | max 1.7 | max 2 | max 0.025 | max 0.015 | max 1.5 | max 0.7 | max 0.12 | max 0.015 | max 0.06 | max 0.05 | max 0.5 | max 0.15 | max 0.005 | max 0.83 |
Mechanical properties of steel S690Q (1.8931)
| Nominal thickness (mm): | 3 - 50 | 50 - 100 | 100 - 150 |
| Rm - Tensile strength (MPa) | 770-940 | 760-930 | 710-900 |
| Nominal thickness (mm): | 3 - 50 | 50 - 100 | 100 - 150 |
| ReH - Minimum yield strength (MPa) | 690 | 650 | 630 |
| KV - Impact energy (J) longitud., | 0° 40 |
-20° 30 |
| A - Min. elongation Lo = 5,65 √ So (%) | 14 |
Equivalent grades of steel S690Q (1.8931)
Warning! Only for reference
| EU EN |
USA - |
Germany DIN,WNr |
France AFNOR |
Sweden SS |
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| S690Q |
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1.8940/ S890Q high yield strength structural steels of EN10025-6
| Grade : | S890Q | ||
| Number: | 1.8940 | ||
| Classification: | Alloy special steel with specified minimum values of impact energy at temperatures not lower than -20 ° C | ||
| Standard: |
|
Chemical composition % of steel S890Q (1.8940): EN 10025-6-2004
| C | Si | Mn | Ni | P | S | Cr | Mo | V | N | Nb | Ti | Cu | Zr | B | CEV |
| max 0.2 | max 0.8 | max 1.7 | max 2 | max 0.025 | max 0.015 | max 1.5 | max 0.7 | max 0.12 | max 0.015 | max 0.06 | max 0.05 | max 0.5 | max 0.15 | max 0.005 | max 0.82 |
Mechanical properties of steel S890Q (1.8940)
| Nominal thickness (mm): | 3 - 50 | 50 - 100 |
| Rm - Tensile strength (MPa) | 940-1100 | 880-1100 |
| Nominal thickness (mm): | 3 - 50 | 50 - 100 |
| ReH - Minimum yield strength (MPa) | 890 | 830 |
| KV - Impact energy (J) longitud., | 0° 40 |
-20° 30 |
| A - Min. elongation Lo = 5,65 √ So (%) | 11 |
S960Q high yield strength structural steels of EN10025-6
| Grade : | S960Q | ||
| Number: | 1.8941 | ||
| Classification: | Alloy special steel with specified minimum values of impact energy at temperatures not lower than -20 °C | ||
| Standard: |
|
Chemical composition % of steel S960Q (1.8941): EN 10025-6-2004
| C | Si | Mn | Ni | P | S | Cr | Mo | V | N | Nb | Ti | Cu | Zr | B | CEV |
| max 0.2 | max 0.8 | max 1.7 | max 2 | max 0.025 | max 0.015 | max 1.5 | max 0.7 | max 0.12 | max 0.015 | max 0.06 | max 0.05 | max 0.5 | max 0.15 | max 0.005 | max 0.82 |
Mechanical properties of steel S960Q (1.8941)
| Nominal thickness (mm): | 3 - 50 |
| Rm - Tensile strength (MPa) | 980-1150 |
| Nominal thickness (mm): | 3 - 50 |
| ReH - Minimum yield strength (MPa) | 960 |
| KV - Impact energy (J) longitud., | 0° 40 |
-20° 30 |
| A - Min. elongation Lo = 5,65 √ So (%) | 10 |
Typical Applications
Heavy road vehicles: chassis, dumper bodies. Cranes construction: booms of mobile cranes.
Structural steelworks: bridges, bridge components, components for offshore structures.
Pressure vessels: fixed and transportable storage tanks, vessels. Power plants:
Penstocks, spiral cases. Materials handling: lifting and mobile equipment.
Mining and earthmoving equipment: roof supports. Agricultural equipment and trailer
Equivalent Steel Plate Grade
| Equivalent Steel Plate Grade | |||||||
| EN 10025-6 | EN 10137-2 1995 | EU 137 1983 | Germany | France | Sweden | ||
| S460Q | 1.8908 | S460Q | 1.8908 | FeE 460 V | - | ||
| S460QL | 1.8906 | S460QL | 1.8906 | FeE 460 V KT | TStE 460 V | ||
| S460QL1 | 1.8916 | S460QL1 | 1.8916 | E 460T | |||
| S500Q | 1.8924 | S500Q | 1.8924 | FeE 500 V | TStE 500 V | 2614 | |
| S500QL | 1.8909 | S500QL | 1.8909 | FeE 500 V KT | EStE 500 V | 2615 | |
| S500QL1 | 1.8984 | S500QL1 | 1.8984 | E 500T | |||
| S550Q | 1.8904 | S550Q | 1.8904 | FeE 550 V | TStE 550 V | ||
| S550QL | 1.8926 | S550QL | 1.8926 | FeE 550 V KT | EStE 550 V | ||
| S550QL1 | 1.8986 | S550QL1 | 1.8986 | E 550T | |||
| S620Q | 1.8914 | S620Q | 1.8914 | FeE 620 V | StE 620 V | ||
| S620QL | 1.8927 | S620QL | 1.8927 | FeE 620 V KT | TStE 620 V | ||
| S620QL1 | 1.8987 | S620QL1 | 1.8987 | EStE 620 V | E 620T | ||
| 1.8931 | 1.8931 | 1.8931 | 1.8931 | StE 690 V | 2624 | ||
| 1.8931L | 1.8928 | 1.8931L | 1.8928 | FeE 690 V KT | TStE 690 V | E 690T | 2625 |
| 1.8931L1 | 1.8988 | 1.8931L1 | 1.8988 | EStE 690 V | |||
| S890Q | 1.8940 | S890Q | 1.8940 | ||||
| S890QL | 1.8983 | S890QL | 1.8983 | TStE 890 V | |||
| S890QL1 | 1.8925 | S890QL1 | 1.8925 | EStE 890 V | |||
| S960Q | 1.8941 | S960Q | 1.8941 | ||||
| S960QL | 1.8933 | S960QL | 1.8933 | TStE 960 V | E 960T | ||
GNEE Steel also supplies a variety of high-strength steel plates, such as A514 Grade F, A572 Grade 50, A588 Grade A, S355JR, S690Q, SS400, S690QL, Q345B, Q345E, etc. If you want to know more about other types of steel plates, you can call the consultation hotline at +8615824687445 or send an email to alloy@gneesteelgroup.com. You are welcome to consult us, and we are very willing to answer your questions.
What is the difference between S690Q and S690QL?
S690Q: Minimum impact toughness tested at -20°C (30J average).
→ Typical Use: Cranes in temperate climates, quarry equipment. S690QL: Certified for -40°C and below (≥40J impact toughness).
→ Critical Use: Arctic pipelines, offshore platforms, mining vehicles in Siberia.
What is S890Q equivalent to?
S890Q, S890QL and S890QL1 steel are European grade quenched and tempered high yield strength structural steels, equivalent to the Chinese grade Q890.
What is the equivalent of S960ql?
S960ql is a high-strength structural grade. The ASTM S960ql Equivalent is the ASTM Q345 exhibiting outstanding low temperature and cold stamping properties.
