Cold Rolled ASTM A516 Grade 70 Steel Plate Guide

Gangsteel, a leading manufacturer and exporter of pressure vessel and boiler steel plates, supplies premium ASTM A516 GR 70 plates, including cold-rolled options, designed for high strength, toughness, and weldability in industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, and power generation.

While ASTM A516 GR 70 is typically supplied in hot-rolled or normalized conditions, cold-rolled plates offer unique advantages for specific applications requiring enhanced surface finish and dimensional precision. This guide details the chemical composition, mechanical properties, benefits of cold rolling, and applications of cold-rolled ASTM A516 GR 70, providing critical insights for engineers and fabricators.

Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of cold-rolled ASTM A516 GR 70 is identical to its hot-rolled counterpart, optimized for weldability and toughness. The table below outlines its composition per ASTM standards:

Key Notes:

• Carbon: Capped at 0.27% to ensure weldability, critical for fabricating precise components.
• Manganese: The 0.85–1.20% range enhances strength and toughness, suitable for high-pressure applications.
• Phosphorus and Sulfur: Low levels (0.035% max) improve notch toughness, ensuring performance in low-temperature conditions.
• Aluminum: Ensures fully killed steel, reducing gas inclusions for consistent quality in cold-rolled plates.

Gangsteel’s cold-rolled ASTM A516 GR 70 plates meet ASME SA516 GR 70 standards, with rigorous chemical testing to ensure compliance.

Mechanical Properties

Cold-rolled ASTM A516 GR 70 plates maintain the mechanical properties of the ASTM specification, with potential improvements in surface quality and dimensional accuracy. The table below summarizes its properties:

Highlights:

• Tensile Strength: The 485–620 MPa range ensures durability in high-pressure applications.
• Yield Strength: A minimum of 260 MPa supports structural integrity.
• Elongation: 17–21% ductility enables forming and fabrication without cracking.
• Impact Toughness: Performance at -46°C ensures reliability in low-temperature applications.

Compared to ASTM A516 GR 65 (450–585 MPa) and ASTM A516 GR 60 (415–550 MPa), ASTM A516 GR 70 offers superior strength, with cold rolling enhancing surface finish for precision applications.

Benefits of Cold Rolling ASTM A516 Gr 70

Cold rolling ASTM A516 GR 70 plates provides distinct advantages over hot-rolled or normalized plates:

1. Improved Surface Finish: Cold rolling produces a smoother, more uniform surface, ideal for applications requiring aesthetic quality or coating adhesion.
2. Enhanced Dimensional Precision: Tighter tolerances on thickness and flatness improve fit-up during fabrication, reducing machining costs.
3. Increased Hardness: Cold working slightly increases surface hardness, enhancing resistance to wear in specific applications.
4. Consistent Mechanical Properties: Maintains the strength and toughness of ASTM A516 GR 70, with potential for improved uniformity.
5. Custom Fabrication: Suitable for precision components in pressure vessels and boilers where surface quality and dimensional accuracy are critical.

Note: Cold-rolled ASTM A516 GR 70 plates are less common than hot-rolled or normalized plates due to the material’s primary use in heavy-section pressure vessels. Gangsteel offers cold-rolled options for specific applications, with normalization post-cold rolling if required to restore toughness.

Weldability

Cold-rolled ASTM A516 GR 70 retains excellent weldability due to its low carbon content and fully killed nature. Key welding considerations include:

• Welding Processes: Compatible with SMAW (using low-hydrogen electrodes like E7018), GTAW, and SAW for high-quality welds.
• Best Practices:
  • Preheat (100–150°C) for plates thicker than 25 mm to reduce thermal stress.
  • Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) at 600–650°C for ASME-coded vessels to relieve stresses.
  • Conduct non-destructive testing (NDT), such as ultrasonic testing, to ensure weld integrity.
• Cold Rolling Effects: Cold working may slightly increase hardness, requiring careful control of welding parameters to avoid excessive hardness in the heat-affected zone (HAZ).

Gangsteel supplies cold-rolled ASTM A516 GR 70 plates with optional normalization to optimize weldability for ASME SA516 GR 70 applications.

Applications

Cold-rolled ASTM A516 GR 70 is used in applications requiring enhanced surface quality and precision:

• Pressure Vessels: For oil, gas, and chemical processing, where smooth surfaces improve coating performance or aesthetic requirements.
• Boilers: In power generation, where precise dimensions enhance fabrication efficiency.
• Cryogenic Equipment: Suitable for LNG storage tanks due to its -46°C impact toughness.
• Precision Components: For fabricated parts requiring tight tolerances and high strength in industrial equipment.

Gangsteel’s ASME SA516 GR 70 cold-rolled plates meet ASME standards for coded vessels.

Comparison with Other A516 Grades

The table below compares cold-rolled ASTM A516 GR 70 with other A516 grades:

For global equivalents, such as EN P355GH, refer to Gangsteel’s ASME SA516 GR 70 Equivalent Grade guide.

Why Choose Gangsteel?

Gangsteel is a trusted supplier of cold-rolled ASTM A516 GR 70 and ASME SA516 GR 70 plates, offering:

• Certified Quality: Plates undergo ultrasonic testing, Charpy impact tests at -46°C, and chemical analysis to meet ASTM/ASME standards.
• Customization: Cold-rolled plates with precise dimensions and optional normalization for specific needs.
• Global Supply: Reliable delivery from China to worldwide markets.
• Technical Support: Guidance on selecting ASTM A516 GR 70 versus ASTM A516 GR 65, ASTM A516 GR 60, or ASTM A516 GR 55.

Gangsteel Solution

Cold-rolled ASTM A516 GR 70 plates offer enhanced surface finish and dimensional precision, maintaining the high strength and toughness required for pressure vessels and boilers. Gangsteel’s ASME SA516 GR 70 plates ensure reliability for precision fabrication projects. For equivalent standards, explore our ASME SA516 GR 70 Equivalent Grade guide.

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