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SA 516 Gr 70 Carbon Content

The carbon content of SA 516 Gr 70, a carbon steel plate grade under ASME SA-516 for pressure vessels, is a critical factor influencing its weldability, toughness, and strength. Specified for moderate and lower temperature service, SA 516 Gr 70 is widely used in boilers, storage tanks, and offshore structures. This article details the carbon content, its impact on properties, and comparisons with related grades like ASME SA 516 Gr 65, ASME SA 516 Gr 60, and ASME SA 516 Gr 55, addressing the core keyword sa 516 gr 70 carbon content. For more details, visit our ASME SA 516 Gr 70 steel plate.

 

SA 516 Gr 70 Carbon Content

The SA 516 Gr 70 carbon content is specified per ASME SA-516:

  • Heat Analysis: Maximum 0.27% carbon.
  • Product Analysis: Maximum 0.31% carbon.

This relatively low carbon content ensures:

  • Weldability: Reduces hardness and cracking risks during welding, critical for pressure vessel fabrication.
  • Toughness: Enhances impact resistance, with Charpy V-notch testing at -46°C (≥27 J), suitable for low-temperature service.
  • Strength: Balances strength with ductility, achieving a minimum yield strength of 260 MPa and tensile strength of 485-620 MPa.

The carbon content is optimized to meet ASME requirements for pressure vessels operating from -46°C to 343°C.

 

Full Chemical Composition

The SA 516 Gr 70 carbon content works alongside other elements:

Element

Heat Analysis (max %)

Product Analysis (max %)

Carbon (C)

0.27

0.31

Manganese (Mn)

0.85-1.20

0.79-1.30

Phosphorus (P)

0.025

0.035

Sulfur (S)

0.015

0.040

Silicon (Si)

0.15-0.40

0.13-0.45

Key Elements:

  • Carbon (C): ≤0.27% (heat) ensures weldability and toughness, avoiding excessive hardness.
  • Manganese (Mn): 0.85-1.20% boosts strength and toughness, complementing carbon.
  • Low Phosphorus (P) and Sulfur (S): ≤0.025% and ≤0.015% minimize inclusions, enhancing weld quality and low-temperature performance.
  • Silicon (Si): 0.15-0.40% improves strength and deoxidation.

Carbon Equivalent (CEV): Typically ≤0.43%, calculated as CEV = C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15, supports weldability, aligning with the SA 516 Gr 70 carbon content’s role in fabrication.

 

Impact of Carbon Content on Properties

The SA 516 Gr 70 carbon content of ≤0.27% contributes to:

  • Weldability: Low carbon reduces the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking, allowing efficient welding with minimal preheating (149-204°C for >38 mm).
  • Toughness: Supports impact toughness of ≥27 J at -46°C, critical for low-temperature pressure vessels.
  • Strength-Ductility Balance: Ensures a tensile strength of 485-620 MPa and elongation ≥27%, suitable for high-pressure applications without brittleness.

Higher carbon content (e.g., >0.30%) would increase hardness but compromise weldability and toughness, making the controlled carbon level ideal for pressure vessel standards.

 

Mechanical Properties Supporting Carbon Content

The mechanical properties of SA 516 Gr 70 are enhanced by its carbon content:

Thickness (mm)

Yield Strength (min, ksi/MPa)

Tensile Strength (ksi/MPa)

Elongation (min, %)

Impact Toughness @ -46°C (min, ft-lb/J)

≤25

38/260

70-90/485-620

27

20/27

25<t≤50

37/255

70-90/485-620

25

20/27

50<t≤100

36/250

70-90/485-620

23

20/27

>100

34/235

70-90/485-620

21

20/27

  • Yield Strength: ≥260 MPa supports load-bearing in pressure vessels.
  • Tensile Strength: 485-620 MPa ensures durability under pressure.
  • Elongation: ≥27% allows ductility for forming.
  • Impact Toughness: ≥27 J at -46°C ensures low-temperature reliability.

 

Comparison with Other SA 516 Grades

The SA 516 Gr 70 carbon content compares as follows:

Grade

Carbon (Heat Analysis, max %)

Yield Strength (min, ksi/MPa, ≤25 mm)

Tensile Strength (ksi/MPa)

Impact Testing

Applications

SA 516 Gr 55

0.21

30/205

55-75/380-515

Not required

Low-pressure vessels

SA 516 Gr 60

0.23

32/220

60-80/415-550

Optional at -46°C

Moderate-pressure tanks

SA 516 Gr 65

0.26

35/240

65-85/450-585

-46°C required

High-strength vessels

SA 516 Gr 70

0.27

38/260

70-90/485-620

-46°C required

High-pressure vessels

Key Difference: SA 516 Gr 70’s carbon content (0.27%) is slightly higher than Gr 65 (0.26%) and Gr 60 (0.23%), enhancing strength but maintaining weldability, while Gr 55’s lower carbon (0.21%) prioritizes formability.

 

Welding and Heat Treatment

The SA 516 Gr 70 carbon content supports weldability:

  • Welding: Compatible with SMAW, GMAW, SAW per ASME Section IX. Preheating (149-204°C for >38 mm) prevents cracking; PWHT (593-649°C) for stress relief in thick sections.
  • Consumables: E7018 electrodes for SMAW; ER70S-6 wire for GMAW.

The low carbon content ensures robust welds with minimal risk of brittleness.

 

Applications

SA 516 Gr 70 is used in:

  • Pressure Vessels: Boilers and tanks for -46°C to 343°C service.
  • Offshore Structures: Cold marine applications with impact toughness.
  • Petrochemical Tanks: Low-temperature liquid storage (e.g., LNG).

Explore ASME SA 516 Gr 65 for slightly lower strength needs.

 

Why Choose Gangsteel?

Gangsteel supplies SA 516 Gr 70:

  • Inventory: Extensive stock in China.
  • Sizes: Thickness 6-200 mm, widths up to 3000 mm.
  • Delivery: 7-30 days globally.
  • Certifications: ASME SA-516, EN 10204 3.1/3.2, UT testing, ABS/LR/BV/DNV approvals.
  • Processing: Cutting, rolling, bending.

Contact us for ASME SA 516 Gr 70 steel plate.

 

FAQ

What is the SA 516 Gr 70 carbon content?
The SA 516 Gr 70 carbon content is ≤0.27% (heat analysis) and ≤0.31% (product analysis), ensuring weldability, toughness, and strength for pressure vessels.

How does the SA 516 Gr 70 carbon content affect weldability?
The low carbon content (≤0.27%) minimizes hardness and cracking risks, supporting efficient welding with minimal preheating (149-204°C for >38 mm) for robust pressure vessel joints.

How does SA 516 Gr 70 compare to ASME SA 516 Gr 65?
SA 516 Gr 70’s carbon content (0.27%) is slightly higher than Gr 65 (0.26%), providing higher strength (260 MPa yield vs 240 MPa) with similar weldability and -46°C toughness.

What is the role of carbon in SA 516 Gr 70?
The SA 516 Gr 70 carbon content (≤0.27%) balances strength (485-620 MPa tensile) with toughness (≥27 J at -46°C) and weldability, ideal for pressure vessels.

What applications use SA 516 Gr 70?
SA 516 Gr 70 is used in pressure vessels, boilers, and petrochemical tanks for -46°C to 343°C service, leveraging its carbon content for strength and toughness.

How does SA 516 Gr 70 differ from ASME SA 516 Gr 60?
SA 516 Gr 70 has higher carbon (0.27% vs 0.23%) and strength (260 MPa yield vs 220 MPa) than Gr 60, with mandatory -46°C impact testing for colder service.

 

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