Data sheet: A6.

Plate to ASTM A516

Normal Strength Carbon Grade Pressure Vessel Steel Plate
General description
ASTM A516 is the most commonly used specification of the American Society of Testing and Materials
(ASTM) for pressure vessel plate. It is used for pressure vessel plates for moderate and lower temperature
service where improved notch toughness is important. It calls for a silicon-killed steel made to fine grain
practice by adding aluminium.
The excellent through-thickness properties, which minimise the risk of lamellar tearing in heavy
weldments are a result of low sulphur content and clean steel making practices being employed.
All Mittal Steel South Africa plate mill products are produced via the continuous casting process. The
thickness range is therefore limited from 6,0mm to 63mm for normalised and as rolled products. (Thinner
than 6mm is available in coil form on enquiry)
Pressure vessel steels to ASTM A516 are readily weldable by the usual metal-arc welding processes. When
welding thicker plates in the higher grades. Attention must be paid to the possible need for preheating,
especially at lower heat inputs. Reference should be made to a document such as the British Standards
Institution Specification BS 5135: 1984, Specifications for arc welding of carbon and carbon manganese
steels. The values of the carbon equivalent (CE) should be calculated from the values for the chemical
composition on the test certificate for the plates concerned.
Chemical composition
Table 1 shows the chemical composition as specified by ASTM A516. In order to assist customers in
determining fabrication parameters, the typical analyses of the steels as made by Mittal Steel South Africa
are given in Table 2. It must be stressed that these values are given as an indication only. It should also
be noted that, thicker plates cool at a slower rate during and after rolling or normalising, therefore the
chemical composition is enriched to counteract this effect.
Table 1. Chemical composition specification (ladle analysis, percent)
Specification
Maximum C for thickness t (mm)
Mn1 for
thickness t (mm)
6 < t < 12,5 <
25 < t
50 < t
t<
t>
12,5
t < 25
< 50
< 63
12,5
12,5
ASTM A516 Gr
0,21
0,23
0,23
0,25
0,60 0,85 60
0,90
1,20
ASTM A516 Gr
0,24
0,26
0,26
0,28
0,85 0,85 65
1,20
1,20
ASTM A516 Gr
0,27
0,28
0,28
0,30
0,85 0,85 70
1,20
1,20

Si

P max

S max

0,15 0,40
0,15 0,40
0,15 0,40

0,035

0,035

0,035

0,035

0,035

0,035

For further information, contact:

Mittal Steel South Africa Limited, PO Box 2, Vanderbijlpark 1900. Toll free number 0800 005043, Fax (016) 889-0070
e-mail address: datasheets@mittalsa.com
Care has been taken to ensure that the information in this data sheet is accurate. Mittal Steel South Africa Limited does not, however,
assume responsibility for any inaccuracies or misinterpretations of this data. We are continuously engaged in product development and
revised data sheets will be issued from time to time. Please ensure that you have the most recent issue. Effective date: October 2005

Page 1 of 3

File reference: A6.1

Price List reference 110 and 120

Notes:
1. Manganese may be 0,85 to 1,20 percent at Mittal Steel South Africas discretion.
Table 2. Typical chemical composition of ASTM A516 grades as produced by Mittal Steel South Africa
Grade
C
Mn
Si
Al
P
S
60

0,13

1,05

0,28

0,04

0,015

0,008

65

0,18

1,05

0,32

0,04

0,015

0,008

70

0,20

1,05

0,32

0,04

0,015

0,008

Heat treatment
ASTM A516 plate up to and including 40mm in thickness is normally supplied as rolled but may be
ordered normalised. Plate thicker than 40mm as well as plate on which notch toughness tests are
required must be normalised.
If plate to ASTM A516 is required with improved notch toughness, it may be quenched and tempered,
provided it is tempered between 590C and 700C.
Mechanical properties
Table 3. Requirements as specified in ASTM A516
Grade
Tensile
Minimum
strength
yield
(MPa)
strength
(MPa)

Minimum elongation (%)

In a gauge length of:
50mm

200mm

60

415 - 550

220

25

21

65

450 - 585

240

23

19

70

485 - 620

260

21

17

Supplementary requirements
Various supplementary requirements in accordance with ASTM A20 are listed in ASTM A516.
Mittal Steel South Africa offers the following on enquiry:
S3
S5

S7
S12

Simulated Post Weld Heat Treatment of Mechanical Test Coupons.

Note: The heat treatment cycle must be specified by the purchaser.
Charpy V-notch Impact Test
The minimum test temperatures for the specified energy absorption are summarised
in Table 4.
High Temperature Tension Test.
Note: The test is carried out in accordance with ASTM E21.
Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with specification ASTM A578

Other supplementary requirements are subject to agreement.

For further information, contact:

Mittal Steel South Africa Limited, PO Box 2, Vanderbijlpark 1900. Toll free number 0800 005043, Fax (016) 889-0070
e-mail address: datasheets@mittalsa.com
Care has been taken to ensure that the information in this data sheet is accurate. Mittal Steel South Africa Limited does not, however,
assume responsibility for any inaccuracies or misinterpretations of this data. We are continuously engaged in product development and
revised data sheets will be issued from time to time. Please ensure that you have the most recent issue. Effective date: October 2005

Page 2 of 3

File reference: A6.1

Price Lists reference 110 and 120

Table 4 : Charpy V-notch impact energy requirements for normalised ASTM A516 plates as specified in
ASTM A20 Table A1.15 (longitudinal samples)1
Grade
Minimum energy requirement
Minimum temperature (C) for
thickness t (mm)
Average for
Any single
t 25
25 < t 50
50 < t 63
3 specimens
specimen
(J)
(J)
60
18
14
-51
-46
-46
65

18

14

-51

-46

-40

70

20

16

-46

-40

-35

Note:
1. When a more stringent impact energy specification is required, Table 1 of ASTM A20 provides for the
addition of 0,05% maximum niobium or the utilisation of accelerated cooling followed by tempering.
Ultrasonic testing
It is Mittal Steel South Africas practice to ultrasonically test all plates thicker than 20mm to BS 5991 B1 as
an integral part of the quality assurance system. Plate of any thickness up to 63mm will be tested up to
B4 if specified on the order. Testing to ASTM A435 or ASTM A578 can be done on enquiry.
Tolerances
All plate is supplied with dimensional tolerances in accordance with ASTM A20.
Surface inspection
All plate is inspected and defects are repaired in accordance with ASTM A20.
Available dimensions
The available dimensions of plate supplied both in the as rolled and normalised conditions are shown on
the data sheet: Plate Mill Product Dimensions (file reference A1.3).
Certification
All plate is supplied with test and analysis certificates.
Supply conditions
ASTM A516 plate is supplied in terms of Price Lists 110 and 120 and Mittal Steel South Africa's General
conditions of Sale.

For further information, contact:

Mittal Steel South Africa Limited, PO Box 2, Vanderbijlpark 1900. Toll free number 0800 005043, Fax (016) 889-0070
e-mail address: datasheets@mittalsa.com
Care has been taken to ensure that the information in this data sheet is accurate. Mittal Steel South Africa Limited does not, however,
assume responsibility for any inaccuracies or misinterpretations of this data. We are continuously engaged in product development and
revised data sheets will be issued from time to time. Please ensure that you have the most recent issue. Effective date: October 2005

Page 3 of 3

File reference: A6.1

Price Lists reference 110 and 120