Q460DR Low Temperature Pressure Vessel Steel Plate
Product Definition and Standard
This is a high-strength low-alloy steel plate grade for low-temperature pressure vessels under Chinese national standards, with specified minimum yield strength of 460 MPa.
In practical engineering applications, Q460DR is commonly used for large high-strength low-temperature pressure vessels, LNG storage tanks, ammonia storage tanks, petrochemical reactors, energy storage systems, and other critical pressure components operating at low temperatures. It offers a superior combination of high strength and reliable low-temperature toughness for demanding cryogenic service conditions.
Manufacturing standards: GB/T 713.3-2023
Ultrasonic testing standards: NB/T 47013.3-2023
Q460DR Low Temperature Pressure Vessel Steel Plate Equivalent Standards
GB/T: Q460DR
EN 10028-3: P460NL1 / P460NL2 (approximate equivalence)
ASTM / ASME: SA537 Class 1/2 (for reference, not identical)
Mechanical Properties and Weldability
Q460DR offers an excellent combination of high strength (minimum yield strength 460 MPa) and outstanding low-temperature impact toughness, ensuring reliable performance under cold service conditions and effectively reducing the risk of brittle fracture. Its refined chemical composition and controlled carbon equivalent provide good weldability and low crack sensitivity, allowing it to be processed using standard welding procedures commonly applied in high-strength pressure vessel fabrication. With a stable balance of strength, ductility and toughness, Q460DR ensures dependable mechanical performance for long-term service under high pressure and low temperature conditions.
Key Advantages of Q460DR Steel Plate
✅ High Strength
Minimum yield strength of 460 MPa allows for reduced wall thickness and lighter weight in pressure vessel design.
✅ Excellent Low-Temperature Impact Toughness
Maintains stable impact performance at -40°C, with mandatory side expansion value measurement (≥0.53 mm) to ensure sufficient toughness.
✅ Good Weldability
Controlled chemical composition and microalloying (V, Nb) ensure good weldability and low crack sensitivity.
✅ Stable Mechanical Properties
Balanced strength, ductility and toughness for long-term pressure service.
Applicable Standard
GB/T 713.3 – Steel Plates for Low Temperature Pressure Vessels
Mill Test Certificate: EN 10204 3.1
Third-party inspection available (SGS, BV, TUV)
Typical Applications
Delivery Condition
Normalizing or Normalizing + Tempering
For thickness >36 mm, normalizing (with accelerated cooling allowed) + tempering is available upon agreement.
Available Dimensions Of Q460DR Steel Plate
Thickness: 6 – 30 mm (per GB/T 713.3-2023)
Width: up to 5200 mm
Length: up to 12000 mm
Quality Control & Testing
- Chemical composition analysis
- Mechanical property testing
- -40°C Charpy V-notch impact test (with side expansion value measurement)
- Ultrasonic testing (UT) – 100% for thickness ≥6 mm
Q460DR Chemical Composition
| Grade | Chemical Composition (Quality Fraction) / % | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Si | Mn | Ni | Mo | V | Nb | Alt | N | P | S | |
| Q460DR | ≤0.20 | 0.15~0.50 | 1.30~1.70 | 0.40~0.80 | ≤0.08 | 0.10~0.20 | 0.015~0.050 | — | ≤0.025 | ≤0.018 | ≤0.008 |
🔬 Role of Each Element in Steel Plate
- Carbon (C) : ≤0.20% — Increases strength but reduces plasticity and weldability. Controlled below 0.20% to ensure good weldability and low-temperature toughness.
- Silicon (Si) : 0.15~0.50% — Deoxidizer, strengthens ferrite. Excessive content may reduce low-temperature toughness and weldability.
- Manganese (Mn) : 1.30~1.70% — Solid-solution strengthening, improves strength and toughness, refines pearlite, enhances low-temperature impact properties.
- Nickel (Ni) : 0.40~0.80% — Significantly improves low-temperature toughness, lowers ductile-to-brittle transition temperature; an important alloying element for cryogenic steels.
- Molybdenum (Mo) : ≤0.08% — Increases hardenability, improves high-temperature strength; microalloying contributes to grain refinement.
- Vanadium (V) : 0.10~0.20% — Microalloying element for precipitation strengthening and grain refinement, enhances strength and toughness.
- Niobium (Nb) : 0.015~0.050% — Grain refiner, improves strength and toughness through precipitation strengthening.
- Nitrogen (N) : ≤0.025% — Forms nitrides with aluminum to refine grains, but free nitrogen deteriorates low-temperature toughness; strictly controlled.
- Phosphorus (P) / Sulfur (S) : ≤0.018% / ≤0.008% — Tightly controlled impurities. Phosphorus causes cold brittleness, sulfur leads to hot shortness, both reduce low-temperature impact toughness and weldability.
💡 Summary: Q460DR achieves high strength and excellent -40°C low-temperature impact toughness through microalloying with V, Nb and Ni, combined with strict control of C, P, S and N.
Q460DR Mechanical Properties And Processing Properties
| Grade | Delivery Status | Thickness (mm) | Tensile Test | Impact Test | 180° Bending Test b = 2a |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rm (MPa) | ReL (MPa) | A (%) | Temperature (℃) | KV₂ (J) | |||||
| Q460DR | Normalizing, Normalizing + Tempering |
6～20 | 630～730 | 460 | 18 | -40 | 60 | D = 3a | |
| Note: When yield point is not obvious, Rp0.2 is used. Side expansion value ≥0.53 mm is required for impact test. |
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Reasons for recommending our company's Q460DR steel plate
- Professional experience in high-strength pressure vessel steel supply
- Stable sourcing from qualified mills with full traceability
- Export-oriented service and fast response
- Technical support for material selection and substitution
FAQ – Q460DR Steel Plate
1. What is the minimum service temperature of Q460DR?
According to GB/T 713.3-2023, Q460DR is impact tested at -40°C and suitable for pressure vessels with a minimum design temperature of -40°C.
2. What is the side expansion value requirement for Q460DR?
Per 7.4.3 of GB/T 713.3-2023, Q460DR impact specimens shall have a side expansion value of not less than 0.53 mm.
3. What European standard grade is equivalent to Q460DR?
Q460DR approximately corresponds to P460NL1 / P460NL2 in EN 10028-3, with similar strength level and low-temperature impact requirements.
4. Does Q460DR require ultrasonic testing?
Yes. According to 7.6.1, Q460DR plates of thickness ≥6 mm shall be 100% ultrasonically tested per NB/T 47013.3, with acceptance level not less than Level I.
5. Can Q460DR replace Q420DR?
Q460DR has higher yield strength (460 MPa vs 420 MPa for Q420DR) and higher vanadium content (0.10~0.20% vs 0.05~0.15%). It offers higher strength but requires more careful welding procedure qualification. It can replace Q420DR in applications requiring higher strength.
6. What welding consumables are recommended for Q460DR?
Low-hydrogen welding consumables with -40°C impact toughness qualification are required. E5018 (SMAW) or equivalent Ni-alloyed wires with higher strength matching are recommended to match the strength and toughness of Q460DR.
| Property | 16MnDR | Q420DR | Q460DR | 09MnNiDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength (MPa) | 315 | 420 | 460 | 300 |
| Impact Temperature | -40°C | -40°C | -40°C | -70°C |
| Impact Energy (J) | 47 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| V Content (%) | — | 0.05~0.15 | 0.10~0.20 | — |
Key points of Q460DR steel plates
- 1. Q460DR is a high-strength low-temperature (-40°C impact test) pressure vessel steel plate with minimum yield strength of 460 MPa.
- 2. Q460DR is typically delivered in normalized or normalized + tempered condition with 100% ultrasonic testing.
- 3. The corresponding European standard grade is EN P460NL1 / P460NL2.
- 4. Mandatory side expansion value (≥0.53 mm) for impact test ensures superior toughness.
- 5. Current manufacturing standard: GB/T 713.3-2023 (supersedes GB/T 3531-2014 for this grade).
- 6. Higher vanadium content (0.10~0.20%) provides enhanced precipitation strengthening for higher yield strength.
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