ASTM A516 Grade 70 is one of the most widely used carbon steel pressure vessel plate grades, and buyers who work to European codes regularly need to know which European standard matches it. The short answer is EN 10028-2 P355GH, but the full picture includes the mechanical property spread across Grades 60, 65 and 70, the impact test temperature, and the service temperature restrictions that differ between the two systems.
This guide compares A516 Grade 70 with its European, British, Indian and Chinese counterparts and explains what must be verified before one is substituted for another on a pressure vessel or piping project.
Scope of ASTM A516/A516M
ASTM A516/A516M covers carbon steel plates for moderate- and lower-temperature service, intended primarily for welded pressure vessels. The standard defines four grades, 55, 60, 65 and 70, with Grade 70 having the highest tensile and yield requirements of the group. Plate is normally supplied in the as-rolled, normalized or stress-relieved condition, and the specification includes optional supplementary requirements for impact testing at low temperatures, which is one of the main reasons the grade is chosen over lower-strength pressure vessel steels.
Specification: ASTM A516/A516M, carbon steel plate for pressure vessels, moderate and lower temperature service
Grades: 55, 60, 65 and 70
ASME counterpart: SA-516, mechanically equivalent to the ASTM grades
Typical uses: boilers, pressure vessels, steam drums, heat exchangers, storage spheres and compressor housings
Common delivery conditions: as-rolled, normalized, or normalized and stress relieved
European Equivalent: EN 10028-2 P355GH
EN 10028-2 covers flat products of pressure vessel steel for elevated temperature service, and P355GH is the grade most often quoted as the European equivalent of A516 Grade 70. Both are carbon-manganese pressure vessel steels with a minimum yield strength of 355 MPa in the European designation and 260 MPa in the ASTM grade, so the match is one of application and alloy family rather than identical strength. P355GH is normally ordered with a specified minimum impact energy at a low test temperature, and the European grade also carries a limitation on maximum allowable temperature that differs from the ASME rules used with SA-516.
For A516 Grade 60, the closer European match is P265GH, and the British counterpart in BS 1501-223-430A/B. Confirming the actual grade being supplied, rather than treating the two families as a single interchangeable item, avoids design stress mismatches.
Equivalent Grades for A516 Grade 70
| Standard | Equivalent grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM / ASME | A/SA516 Grade 70 | Base specification of the grade. |
| EN 10028-2 | P355GH | European pressure vessel steel with a 355 MPa minimum yield strength. |
| BS 1501 | 224 Grade 490A/B | Older British pressure vessel plate grade still encountered on legacy equipment. |
| IS 2041 | Gr 70 family (R260 class) | Indian pressure vessel plate standard used for comparable service. |
| GB/T 713 | Q345R | Chinese pressure vessel plate widely regarded as the closest domestic counterpart. |
Mechanical Properties of A516 Grades 60, 65 and 70
| Property | Grade 60 | Grade 65 | Grade 70 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength, ksi | 60-80 | 65-85 | 70-90 |
| Tensile strength, MPa | 415-550 | 450-585 | 485-620 |
| Minimum yield strength, ksi | 32 | 35 | 38 |
| Minimum yield strength, MPa | 220 | 240 | 260 |
The yield strength widely quoted for A516 Grade 70 is 260 MPa, which corresponds to 38 ksi. Values of 220 MPa or 32 ksi that appear in some descriptions belong to Grade 60 and should not be applied to Grade 70 designs; using the lower figure would understate the grade, while using the higher tensile band of Grade 70 for a Grade 60 order would overstate it.
Service Temperature and Impact Requirements
The grade is intended for moderate- and lower-temperature service, with impact testing commonly ordered at temperatures down to -46 °C for the applicable thickness ranges.
Under ASME piping rules, A516 Grade 70 components such as pipe flanges are limited to a maximum service temperature of 455 °C [850 °F].
European P355GH is normally supplied with impact tests at low temperature as standard, so a P355GH certificate usually contains data that an unqualified A516 Grade 70 order does not.
Normalizing improves toughness of thicker plate and is commonly specified for heavy-wall vessels.
When an equivalent is proposed, thickness, heat treatment condition and impact test temperature must all match the design requirement, not just the tensile strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the European equivalent of ASTM A516 Grade 70?
EN 10028-2 P355GH is the grade normally quoted as the European equivalent, with older British grade BS 1501-224 Grade 490A/B used as a substitute on legacy projects.
Q: What is the yield strength of ASTM A516 Grade 70?
A516 Grade 70 has a minimum yield strength of 38 ksi, which is 260 MPa, and a tensile range of 70-90 ksi (485-620 MPa).
Q: Is A516 Grade 70 the same as Grade 60?
No. Grade 70 is stronger, with 260 MPa minimum yield and 485-620 MPa tensile, while Grade 60 has 220 MPa minimum yield and 415-550 MPa tensile.
Q: What is the maximum service temperature of A516 Grade 70?
For piping components such as flanges, ASME rules limit A516 Grade 70 to 455 °C [850 °F]; the allowable temperature for a specific vessel is taken from the applicable design code.
Q: What is the Chinese equivalent of A516 Grade 70?
GB/T 713 Q345R is the Chinese pressure vessel plate grade most often used as the domestic counterpart of A516 Grade 70.
Q: Is impact testing required for A516 Grade 70?
Impact testing is a supplementary requirement in ASTM A516 and must be ordered explicitly, including the test temperature and minimum energy.
