On this page 12 sections
What is ASTM A516 Grade 70?
Quick answer
- Standard
- ASTM A516 / ASME SA516
- Minimum yield
- 260 MPa
- Product form
- Plates
- Typical uses
- Pressure vessels and boilers; Storage tanks and bullets (LPG)
ASTM A516 covers carbon-silicon steel plates for welded pressure vessels where notch toughness matters. Grade 70 has a tensile strength of 485 – 620 MPa and a minimum yield of 260 MPa. Plates over 40 mm (1.5") thick must be normalised, and thinner plates may also be normalised on order to improve toughness.
Supplementary requirements commonly ordered include Charpy impact testing at low temperature, ultrasonic testing (A435 / A578), simulated post-weld heat treatment, and HIC-tested material for sour service. These are chosen by the vessel designer and the code of construction (for example ASME VIII).
Key characteristics
- Pressure-vessel quality carbon steel
- Normalised above 40 mm (and on request)
- Good notch toughness
- Options: impact, UT, HIC, simulated PWHT
What does the A516 Gr 70 specification cover?
ASTM A516 Grade 70: summary
- Standard
- ASTM A516 / ASME SA516
- Product form
- Plates
- Size range
- Thickness about 3 – 150 mm (and heavier on request), widths 1,000 – 3,000 mm, lengths 2,000 – 12,000 mm; cut-to-size and profile-cut parts
- Certificates
- EN 10204 3.1; 3.2 on request
What is the chemical composition of A516 Gr 70?
| Element | Limit (%) |
|---|---|
| C | 0.27 – 0.31 max (by thickness) |
| Mn | 0.60 – 1.20 (by thickness) |
| P | 0.025 max |
| S | 0.025 max |
| Si | 0.13 – 0.45 |
What are the mechanical properties of A516 Gr 70?
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 485 – 620 MPa (70 – 90 ksi) |
| Yield strength (0.2% offset) | 260 MPa (38 ksi) |
| Elongation | 21% in 50 mm (typical) |
Sizes and weight chart
Plate weight is thickness × density. Values below are calculated for ASTM A516 Grade 70 at 7.85 g/cm³.
| Thickness (mm) | kg/m² | Plate 1,500 × 6,000 mm (kg) | Plate 2,000 × 6,000 mm (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 23.5 | 212 | 283 |
| 5 | 39.3 | 353 | 471 |
| 6 | 47.1 | 424 | 565 |
| 8 | 62.8 | 565 | 754 |
| 10 | 78.5 | 707 | 942 |
| 12 | 94.2 | 848 | 1,130 |
| 16 | 125.6 | 1,130 | 1,507 |
| 20 | 157.0 | 1,413 | 1,884 |
| 25 | 196.3 | 1,766 | 2,355 |
| 30 | 235.5 | 2,120 | 2,826 |
| 40 | 314.0 | 2,826 | 3,768 |
| 50 | 392.5 | 3,533 | 4,710 |
| 65 | 510.3 | 4,592 | 6,123 |
| 80 | 628.0 | 5,652 | 7,536 |
| 100 | 785.0 | 7,065 | 9,420 |
Testing and documentation
- Specification
- ASTM A516 / ASME SA516
- Size range
- Thickness about 3 – 150 mm (and heavier on request), widths 1,000 – 3,000 mm, lengths 2,000 – 12,000 mm; cut-to-size and profile-cut parts
- Finish
- No.1 (hot-rolled, annealed and pickled) for stainless; shot-blasted, mill scale or primed for carbon steel
- Ends
- Mill edge, sheared, plasma or waterjet cut, profile cut to drawing
Testing & documents
- Chemical analysis and tensile tests (per plate or heat)
- Impact tests for low-temperature and pressure-vessel plates
- Ultrasonic testing (e.g. ASTM A435 / A578) when specified
- IGC, HIC and simulated PWHT tests as required
- Flatness and dimensional inspection
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
Where is A516 Gr 70 used?
- Pressure vessels and boilers
- Storage tanks and bullets (LPG)
- Heat-exchanger shells
- Separators and knock-out drums
- Industrial boilers
Industries
Markets we supply A516 Gr 70 to
What to include in your enquiry
- Specification and grade: ASTM A516 Grade 70
- Thickness × width × length or cut-to-size drawing
- Quantity and destination
- Tests and certificates (3.1 / 3.2)
Explore more
Carbon Steel plates
Guides
Comparisons & articles
Frequently asked questions
Is A516 Grade 70 normalised?
Plates over 40 mm thick must be normalised. Thinner plates are supplied as-rolled unless normalising is specified on the order.
What is ASTM A516 Grade 70 used for?
Pressure vessels and boilers, Storage tanks and bullets (LPG), Heat-exchanger shells, Separators and knock-out drums.
What is the minimum yield strength of ASTM A516 Grade 70?
260 MPa (260 MPa (38 ksi)), with a minimum tensile strength of 485 – 620 MPa (70 – 90 ksi).
Which documents are supplied with ASTM A516 Grade 70?
EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate as standard, with 3.2 and third-party inspection on request.
Do you export ASTM A516 Grade 70?
Yes, including to Oman, Bahrain.