What is ASTM A516 Grade 70 Pressure Vessel Steel Plate?
ASTM A516 Grade 70 vessel plate is a medium carbon alloy with elements like manganese, phosphorus, sulfur in its chemical composition. A516 Grade 70 boiler plate is widely used in pressure vessel services where improved notch toughness is a major requirement. A516 Grade 70 boiler steel plate is used to make boilers and pressure vessels of higher standards and can be used in industries like petrochemical, oil and gas.
ASTM A516 Grade 70 pressure vessel steel plate is used for medium and low temperature services and can be customized to your specific requirements.
ASTM A516 Grade System: Grade 55 / 60 / 65 / 70
ASTM A516 specifies four grades based on tensile strength level. The grade number corresponds to the minimum tensile strength in ksi (thousands of pounds per square inch).
Grade 55
55–75 ksi / 380–515 MPa
- Yield: 30 ksi / 205 MPa
- Entry-level strength
- Low-pressure storage tanks
- Highest ductility
Grade 60
60–80 ksi / 415–550 MPa
- Yield: 32 ksi / 220 MPa
- Medium-pressure vessels
- Good formability
- Impact test optional
Grade 65
65–85 ksi / 450–585 MPa
- Yield: 35 ksi / 240 MPa
- Balanced strength/toughness
- Mandatory –46°C impact
- Process equipment
Grade 70 ⭐
70–90 ksi / 485–620 MPa
- Yield: 38 ksi / 260 MPa
- Most widely used
- Mandatory –46°C impact
- High-pressure vessels
Quick Selection Guide
Grade 70 is the most commonly specified grade due to its excellent balance of strength, toughness, and availability. Grades 55 and 60 are typically selected for lower-pressure applications or when higher ductility is required for cold forming. Grade 65 serves as an intermediate option between Gr 60 and Gr 70.
ASTM A516 Grade 70 Pressure Vessel Steel Plate Specification
| Parameter | Standard Range |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 6 mm – 150 mm |
| Width | 1,500 mm – 2,500 mm |
| Length | 6,000 mm – 12,000 mm |
| Unit Weight | Up to ~20 tons per piece |
| Edge Condition | As-cut, sheared |
| Surface Condition | Mill finish, black |
ASTM A516 grade 70 Carbon steel plate chemical composition
| Element | Grade 55 | Grade 60 | Grade 65 | Grade 70 |
| Carbon, C | 0.17 – 0.24 | 0.17 – 0.26 | 0.17 – 0.28 | 0.17 – 0.30 |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.85 – 1.20 | 0.85 – 1.20 | 0.85 – 1.20 | 0.85 – 1.20 |
| Phosphorus, P | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 |
| Sulfur, S | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 |
| Silicon, Si | 0.13 – 0.45 | 0.13 – 0.45 | 0.13 – 0.45 | 0.13 – 0.45 |
| Copper, Cu (optional) | ≤ 0.35 | ≤ 0.35 | ≤ 0.35 | ≤ 0.35 |
| Nickel, Ni (optional) | ≤ 0.40 | ≤ 0.40 | ≤ 0.40 | ≤ 0.40 |
ASTM a516 grade 70 Boiler Plate mechanical property
| Property | Grade 55 | Grade 60 | Grade 65 | Grade 70 |
| Tensile Strength | 380-515 MPa | 55-75 ksi | 415-550 MPa | 60-80 ksi | 450-585 MPa | 65-85 ksi | 485-620 MPa | 70-90 ksi |
| Yield Strength | 205 MPa | 30 ksi | 220 MPa | 32 ksi | 240 MPa | 35 ksi | 260 MPa | 38 ksi |
| Brinell Hardness | 110-140 HB | 120-150 HB | 130-160 HB | 135-170 HB |
| Rockwell Hardness | 70-80 HRB | 75-85 HRB | 80-90 HRB | 85-95 HRB |
| Vickers Hardness | 120-160 HV | 130-170 HV | 140-180 HV | 150-190 HV |
| Elongation | 21% | 21% | 20% | 18% |
| Elastic Modulus | 210 GPa | 30,500 ksi | 210 GPa | 30,500 ksi | 210 GPa | 30,500 ksi | 210 GPa | 30,500 ksi |
ASTM a516 grade 70 pressure vessel steel plate Weight Chart
| Size in In. | Weight per Square Foot. in Lbs. |
|---|---|
| 3/16 x 48 | 7.660 |
| 3/16 x 36 | 7.660 |
| 3/16 x 60 | 7.660 |
| 3/16 x 54 | 7.660 |
| 3/16 x 84 | 7.660 |
| 3/16 x 96 | 7.660 |
| 3/16 x 72 | 7.660 |
| 3/16 x 120 | 7.660 |
| 1/4 x 48 | 10.210 |
| 1/4 x 60 | 10.210 |
| 1/4 x 36 | 10.210 |
| 1/4 x 84 | 10.210 |
| 1/4 x 96 | 10.210 |
| 1/4 x 72 | 10.210 |
Heat Treatment and Delivery Conditions of ASTM A516 Gr.70 PVQ Plate
Normalizing Process
- Heating to approximately 870–920°C (1600–1690°F), above the upper critical temperature ($A_3$)
- Holding time based on plate thickness
- Air cooling to room temperature
- Produces a fine-grained ferrite-pearlite microstructure, thereby enhancing toughness
Post-Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT)
PWHT is commonly performed on fabricated pressure vessels to relieve residual welding stresses. Typical PWHT conditions for ASTM A516 Grade 70 steel include:
- Temperature: 595–650°C (1100–1200°F)
- Holding time: 1 hour per inch of thickness (minimum 1 hour)
- Slow cooling rate to prevent re-introducing thermal stresses
- Supplementary Requirement S3 specifies material qualification testing on simulated PWHT test coupons (SPWHT)
HIC Resistance (Optional)--ASTM A516 Gr.70 Steel Plate
Standard A516 Grade 70 does not include hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) resistance. However, HIC-resistant versions can be supplied to A516 specification with additional requirements. HIC-resistant plates are commonly used for wet H₂S (sour) service in oil & gas refining and production.
| Parameter | Standard A516 Gr 70 | HIC-Resistant A516 Gr 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus (max) | 0.035% | ≤ 0.010% (typical) |
| Sulfur (max) | 0.035% | ≤ 0.001% (typical) |
| Test Standard | Not required | NACE TM0284 |
| CLR (avg, max) | - | 5% |
| CTR (avg, max) | - | 1.5% |
| CSR (avg, max) | - | 0.5% |
| Delivery Condition | Rolled / Normalized | Normalized + Vacuum Degassed |
Global Equivalent Grades--ASTM A516 Gr.70
| Standard | Approximate Equivalent |
|---|---|
| EN 10028-2 | P355GH |
| JIS G3115 | SPV355 / SPV410 |
| BS 1501 | 224-490 A / B |
| DIN 17155 | HII / 19Mn6 |
| GB 713 | Q345R |
| IS 2041 | R355 / R260 |
| ISO 9328-2 | P355GH |
ASTM A516 Garde 70 Vessels Plate Applications
ASTM A516 Grade 70 is one of the most widely used pressure vessel steels in the world, employed across many industries for a broad range of equipment.
🏭
Pressure Vessels
Process vessels, separators, surge drums, high-pressure reactors
♨️
Boilers & Steam Drums
Boiler shells, steam drums, mud drums in utility and industrial boilers
🛢️
Oil & Gas Processing
Refinery vessels, hydrotreaters, separators, production equipment
🏗️
Storage Tanks
API 650 and API 620 tanks, LPG vessels, pressurized storage
🔄
Heat Exchangers
Shell & tube exchangers, tube sheets, channel heads
⚡
Power Generation
Power plant auxiliaries, feedwater heaters, deaerators
🧪
Chemical Processing
Reactor vessels, columns, accumulators, process piping components
🚢
Marine & Offshore
Offshore platform process equipment, FPSO vessels
♻️
Environmental
Flue gas desulfurization, water treatment pressure vessels

Why Choose GNEE Steel?
- Export standard packaging: Moisture-proof kraft paper wrapping + reinforced steel frame pallet + seaworthy metal outer shell, avoiding rust and deformation during long sea transit to overseas construction yards
- Each batch comes with an original manufacturer's material certificate (EN 10204 3.1) and a third-party testing report, ensuring full traceability of chemical composition and mechanical properties.
- We maintain a stock of thousands of tons of steel, with same-day shipping for standard specifications. Small trial orders and samples are supported; minimum order quantities are not mandatory.



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FAQ
Q: What is the difference between A516 Grade 70 and A515 Grade 70?
A515 Grade 70 is designed for higher-temperature service (typically above 400°F / 205°C) and has higher silicon content for elevated temperature strength. A516 Grade 70 is designed for moderate-to-lower temperature service with improved notch toughness. A516 Gr 70 is the more commonly specified grade for general pressure vessel applications where toughness is important.
Q: Does A516 Grade 70 require normalizing?
Normalizing is required for plates thicker than 38 mm (1.5 inches). For plates 38 mm and thinner, the as-rolled condition is acceptable per the standard, though normalized condition can be specified upon request. Many fabricators prefer normalized material for improved consistency and toughness regardless of thickness.
Q: What does the "N" suffix mean in SA516 Gr 70N?
The "N" suffix indicates the material is supplied in the normalized condition. While all plates over 38mm must be normalized, the N designation is often used to explicitly call out normalized condition regardless of thickness, and may imply additional normalized-state testing requirements.
Q: Is Q345R equivalent to A516 Grade 70?
Q345R (Chinese GB 713 standard) has similar tensile properties (yield ≥ 345 MPa, tensile 510–640 MPa) to A516 Grade 70, but there are differences in composition ranges, impact testing requirements, and certification. They are comparable but not direct equivalents. Substitution should be approved by the responsible engineer and code authority.
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