What is the difference between SA 516 GR 70 and SA 387 GR 11?

When selecting steel plates for pressure vessels, boilers, and heat exchangers, two of the most frequently compared materials are SA 516 Grade 70 and SA 387 Grade 11. Although both are ASME-approved pressure vessel steels, they are designed for very different service conditions.

As a professional high-strength pressure vessel steel plate supplier, GNEE Steel explains the key differences between SA 516 GR 70 and SA 387 GR 11 from the perspectives of chemical composition, temperature capability, mechanical performance, and application, helping engineers and buyers make the right material choice.

SA 516 Grade 70

Carbon steel pressure vessel plate

• Designed for moderate and low-temperature service
• Excellent toughness and weldability
• Most widely used material for standard pressure vessels

 

SA 387 Grade 11

Chromium-Molybdenum (Cr-Mo) alloy steel

• Designed for high-temperature and high-pressure service
• Superior heat resistance and creep strength
• Commonly used in refineries and petrochemical plants

📌 Key Difference at a Glance:
SA 516 GR 70 is a carbon steel, while SA 387 GR 11 is a heat-resistant alloy steel.

🔍 Technical Insight:
The addition of Cr and Mo in SA 387 GR 11 significantly improves high-temperature strength, oxidation resistance, and creep resistance, which SA 516 GR 70 does not provide.

SA 387 GR 11 offers higher allowable stress at elevated temperatures, which can reduce required plate thickness in pressure vessel design.

SA 516 GR 70

Best suited for –20°C to ~450°C

Excellent low-temperature toughness

Not recommended for long-term high-temperature service

SA 387 GR 11

Designed for elevated temperatures up to ~540°C (1000°F)

Maintains strength during long-term thermal exposure

Suitable for hydrogen and refinery service

➡️ Conclusion:
If your design temperature exceeds 450°C, SA 387 GR 11 is the safer and code-preferred choice.

SA 516 GR 70 Applications

Air receivers

Storage tanks

Low- and medium-temperature pressure vessels

LPG vessels

General industrial boilers

SA 387 GR 11 Applications

Refinery pressure vessels

Shell & tube heat exchangers

Reactors and separators

Boilers and steam drums

Petrochemical and hydrogen service equipment

SA 516 Gr 70: Typically normalized (heated to 870–980°C, air-cooled) to refine grain structure. Certified to ASTM A516/A516M for pressure vessel service.

SA 387 Gr 11: Requires more rigorous heat treatment:

Class 1: Normalized (899–927°C) + Tempered (620–650°C).

Class 2: Quenched (870–900°C) + Tempered (620–650°C) for higher strength.

Certified to ASTM A387/A387M and ASME Section II for high-temperature pressure equipment.

At GNEE, we supply both ASTM/ASME-certified SA 516 Gr 70 and SA 387 Gr 11 (Class 1/Class 2) steel plates-and integrate them into our core product: tube shell heat exchangers.

Our offerings include:

SA 516 Gr 70 Plates: For low-cost, moderate-temperature tube shell heat exchangers (e.g., HVAC systems, low-pressure water heaters).

SA 387 Gr 11 Plates: For heavy-duty tube shell heat exchangers in refineries, power plants, and petrochemical facilities-available in custom thicknesses (6mm–200mm) with UT inspection and SSCC/HIC testing.

One-Stop Integration: We fabricate tube shell heat exchangers using the optimal steel grade for your operating conditions, ensuring compliance with global standards (ASME, PED, API).

SA 516 Gr 70 and SA 387 Gr 11 are designed for distinct industrial needs:

• SA 516 Gr 70: Economic, general-purpose carbon steel for moderate temperature/pressure applications.
• SA 387 Gr 11: High-performance Cr-Mo low-alloy steel for high-temperature, high-pressure, and corrosive environments-especially critical for tube shell heat exchangers and petrochemical equipment.

Choosing the wrong grade can lead to equipment failure, costly downtime, or safety hazards. For example, using SA 516 Gr 70 in a tube shell heat exchanger operating at 550°C would result in creep deformation and premature failure.

Request A Quote

If you're unsure which steel grade fits your project-whether for a tube shell heat exchanger, pressure vessel, or piping system-contact GNEE's engineering team. We provide free technical consultation to match you with the right material, ensure compliance, and optimize cost.

Get in touch with GNEE today to discuss your SA 516 Gr 70 or SA 387 Gr 11 requirements and secure high-quality steel plates or custom tube shell heat exchangers!

What is a 387 gr 11 equivalent material?

Sa 387 Gr 11 Equivalent Material is the ASME SA387 in the US markets with the European Union having modules in 13CrMoSi5-5 grade. The Sa 387 Gr 11 Cl 2 Equivalent Material is the SA387-11-2 of the ASME and ASTM standard.

What is SA 516 GR 70 material equivalent to?

Sa 516 gr 70 carbon steel are also popularly known as ASME SA516-70. Sa 516 grade 70 equivalent indian standard is a carbon pressure vessel steel grade and are prominently used in petroleum, power station, boiler, chemical and other such industries.

What is the difference between SA 516 GR 70 and SA 285 GR C?

SA 516 GR 70 is significantly stronger for high-pressure applications. SA 516 GR 70 offers better resistance to deformation. SA 285 GR C is more ductile, suitable for less demanding structures. SA 516 GR 70's impact toughness ensures low-temperature reliability.

What temperature is SA 387 GR 11?

In the lower end of the temperature range SA 387 Gr 11 (1150 °F min tempering temperature) , and SA 387 Gr 22 (1250 °F min tempering temperature) are used. These grades can be specified in either class 1 or 2 and can also be provided in the Normalized & Tempered or Quenched and Tempered.

What is the difference between SA 516 70 and A36?

ASTM A516 GR 70 outperforms ASTM A36 in tensile strength, low-temperature toughness, and pressure vessel applications, while A36 is better suited for general structural uses. Gangsteel's ASME SA516 GR 70 plates are engineered for reliability, meeting stringent standards for demanding industries.

What is the difference between SA 387 Grade 11 CL 1 and Class 2?

The difference between SA 387 Grade 11 Class 1 and Class 2 Plate lies in their mechanical properties. However, they both have the same chemical composition. The tensile strength and yield strength of class 2 material is higher than that of class 1, whereas the elongation for class 1 is higher compared to class 2.

GNEE Steel also supplies a variety of boilers and pressure vessel steel plates, such as A204 Grade B,A515 Grade 70,A537 Class 1,SA387 Grade 11 Class 1,P265GH,S537 Class 2,P355Q,P275N,P355N,P690Q,Q345R, 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.