GB/T 28410 vs GB/T 1591-2018: Which Standard Should You Use for Wind Tower Steel?
When buying steel plate for a wind turbine tower, it is common to see Q355B, Q355C, or Q355D on a quotation. But another question often follows: should the material be ordered according to GB/T 1591-2018 or GB/T 28410?
The steel grade and the product standard are not the same thing. A grade like Q355D tells you the minimum yield strength and impact temperature. The product standard tells you the complete set of requirements the plate must meet.
This guide explains what GB/T 1591-2018 and GB/T 28410 are, how they relate, and what buyers should confirm before ordering wind tower steel.
1. What Is GB/T 1591-2018?
GB/T 1591-2018 is the Chinese national standard for high strength low alloy structural steels. It is a general-purpose structural steel standard, not a wind tower-specific standard[citation:3][citation:9].
It covers well-known grades including:
- ✔ Q355B — impact tested at +20°C
- ✔ Q355C — impact tested at 0°C
- ✔ Q355D — impact tested at -20°C
- ✔ Q355E — impact tested at -40°C
📌 Note: Q355D is a steel grade designation. It tells you the minimum yield strength (355 MPa) and the impact test temperature (-20°C). It does not by itself confirm that the plate is automatically suitable for every wind tower project.
2. What Is GB/T 28410?
GB/T 28410-2012 is the Chinese standard specifically for structural steel plates for wind power towers (风力发电塔用结构钢板)[citation:1][citation:14].
- ✔ Applies to steel plates with thickness from 6 mm to 100 mm
- ✔ Covers grades such as Q235FT, Q275FT, Q345FT, Q420FT, Q460FT series
- ✔ The suffix "FT" stands for "风塔" (wind tower)
- ✔ Includes requirements for thickness direction properties (Z15, Z25, Z35)
Wind tower steel needs specific requirements because towers are large welded structures. The steel must meet demanding requirements for thickness, strength, impact toughness, weldability, and batch consistency.
⚠️ Important: GB/T 28410 is not simply "Q355D under a different name." It is a separate product standard with its own grade system (Q235FT, Q345FT, etc.) and specific requirements for wind tower applications.
3. GB/T 28410 vs GB/T 1591-2018: What Is the Difference?
💡 Key point: The two standards are not simply a case of "which one replaces which." GB/T 1591 is a general structural steel standard. GB/T 28410 is a dedicated product standard for wind tower plates.
4. Does Q355D Mean the Steel Is Wind Tower Steel?
Not necessarily.
Consider this scenario: a buyer sends an RFQ for Q355D steel plate for wind towers. The supplier quotes Q355D according to GB/T 1591-2018. Is this automatically acceptable?
Before accepting, the buyer should confirm:
- ✔ Applicable product standard (GB/T 1591 or GB/T 28410?)
- ✔ Project specification requirements
- ✔ Steel grade and thickness
- ✔ Impact test temperature and energy
- ✔ Ultrasonic testing (UT) requirements
- ✔ Delivery condition
- ✔ Welding-related requirements
- ✔ MTC and inspection requirements
⚠️ Important: A Q355D plate according to GB/T 1591-2018 may meet the grade requirements, but it may not meet all the requirements of a wind tower project. Always check the full specification.
5. Which Standard Should Buyers Specify in a Wind Tower Steel RFQ?
Case 1: The Customer Has a Project Specification
Follow the project specification first. If the customer provides wind tower drawings, technical specifications, material specifications, approved mill lists, and an inspection plan, the supplier should quote according to those documents.
Case 2: The Customer Only Specifies Q355D
Don't just quote and move on. Confirm with the customer: "Q355D according to which product standard?" and "Are there any additional requirements for wind tower application?"
Case 3: The Customer Specifies GB/T 28410
Quote according to the specified standard and verify grade, thickness, mechanical properties, impact requirements, testing requirements, delivery condition, and certification.
6. What Should Be Included in a Wind Tower Steel Purchase Specification?
- ✓ Steel Grade: Q355 series or other project-specified grades
- ✓ Product Standard: GB/T 1591-2018 or GB/T 28410-2012 — be specific
- ✓ Thickness and Dimensions: Including tolerance requirements
- ✓ Mechanical Properties: Yield, tensile, elongation
- ✓ Impact Toughness: Test temperature and energy
- ✓ Ultrasonic Testing: Whether UT is required, applicable standard, testing level
- ✓ Delivery Condition: Normalized, TMCP, or other
- ✓ MTC Requirements: EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2
7. Why Wind Tower Steel Procurement Should Not Focus on Grade Alone
Two plates may both be marked Q355D, but the purchasing requirements may not be identical. The differences can come from:
- ✔ Different product standards
- ✔ Different testing requirements
- ✔ Different project specifications
- ✔ Different thickness ranges
- ✔ Different inspection requirements
💡 Key point: Grade ≠ complete purchasing specification. The standard and project requirements matter as much as the grade name.
8. Common Mistakes When Buying Chinese Wind Tower Steel
❌ Mistake 1: Only specifying Q355D
The grade alone is not a complete specification. The product standard must also be specified.
❌ Mistake 2: Assuming GB/T 1591 automatically covers every wind tower requirement
GB/T 1591 is a general structural steel standard. Wind tower projects may have additional requirements.
❌ Mistake 3: Ignoring impact testing
Wind tower steel is used in cold environments. Impact toughness is a critical parameter.
❌ Mistake 4: Not specifying UT requirements
If the project requires UT, specify it clearly in the inquiry. Don't let the supplier guess.
❌ Mistake 5: Confirming the grade but not the product standard
Q355D according to GB/T 1591 is not the same purchasing specification as Q345FTD according to GB/T 28410.
❌ Mistake 6: Checking the MTC only after production
Technical requirements should be confirmed before quotation and order placement — not after the steel mill has completed production.
9. Example: How to Write a Wind Tower Steel RFQ
❌ Less clear:
"Q355D steel plate for wind tower, 30 mm, 2 × 12 m."
✅ Better:
"Q355D steel plate for wind turbine tower, thickness 30 mm, width 2500 mm, length 12000 mm, according to GB/T 1591-2018 or project-specified standard, with required mechanical properties, -20°C impact testing, UT according to project specification, and EN 10204 3.1 MTC."
10. Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is Q355D suitable for wind turbine towers?
Q355D can be suitable for wind turbine towers, but it depends on the project specification and the applicable product standard. Q355D according to GB/T 1591-2018 may not meet all wind tower requirements if the project specifies GB/T 28410 or additional testing.
❓ Is GB/T 1591-2018 a wind tower steel standard?
No. GB/T 1591-2018 is a general structural steel standard. GB/T 28410-2012 is the dedicated standard for wind power tower steel plates.
❓ What is GB/T 28410 used for?
GB/T 28410-2012 specifies requirements for structural steel plates used in wind power towers, covering grades like Q235FT, Q345FT, and Q420FT for thicknesses from 6 mm to 100 mm.
❓ Can Q355D according to GB/T 1591-2018 be used for wind towers?
It may be acceptable if the project specification allows it and all additional requirements (impact testing, UT, delivery condition, etc.) are met. Always confirm with the project engineer and check the purchase specification.
❓ What information should be included in a wind tower steel RFQ?
Include the steel grade, product standard (GB/T 1591 or GB/T 28410), thickness and dimensions, mechanical properties, impact test requirements, UT requirements, delivery condition, and MTC requirements.
❓ Does wind tower steel require ultrasonic testing?
UT may be required depending on the project specification and applicable standard. If required, it should be specified clearly in the inquiry — don't leave it to the supplier to guess.
❓ Is Q355D the same as wind power steel?
No. Q355D is a general structural steel grade under GB/T 1591. Wind power steel under GB/T 28410 uses different grade designations (e.g., Q345FTD) and has wind tower-specific requirements.
11. Final Thoughts
When purchasing wind tower steel, the most important question is not simply "Is it Q355D?" It is: Which grade, which standard, and which additional project requirements does the steel need to meet?
Grade + Product Standard + Project Specification + Inspection Requirements — all four must be confirmed to avoid material that doesn't meet project requirements.
💡 Our view: If you are sourcing Q355D, Q345FTD, or other wind tower steel plates from China, provide the product standard, grade, thickness, and any additional testing requirements in your inquiry. This allows the supplier to quote the correct material on the same technical basis.
📚 Further Reading & Related Content
Need Wind Tower Steel Plates?
CEHE STEEL supplies wind tower steel plates including Q355D, Q345FTD, and other grades. Send us your product standard, grade, thickness, and testing requirements — we'll provide a quotation with full MTC documentation.