What are the alternative materials for A516GR70?
- Mar 23, 2026
Knowledge
What are the alternative materials for A516GR70?
Date: Mar 23, 2026
ASTM A516 Grade 70 is a carbon steel plate for pressure vessels under the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard, widely used in industries such as petrochemicals, power generation, and boilers. Its main characteristics are good toughness and weldability, making it suitable for medium- and low-temperature pressure vessels.
Other carbon steel plate materials frequently used in pressure vessel manufacturing include EN 10028-2 P355GH, JIS G3115 SPV355, and GB/T 713 Q345R. Below, our engineers will compare the chemical composition and mechanical properties of these materials to identify equivalent materials for A516GR70 and their similarities and differences.
1.Comparison of chemical composition (weight %)
| Grade | Standard | C | Si | Mn | P | S | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A516 Gr70 | ASTM A516 | ≤0.27 | 0.15–0.40 | 0.85–1.20 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 | Al≥0.02 |
| P355GH | EN 10028-2 | 0.10–0.22 | ≤0.60 | 1.10–1.70 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.010 | Cr≤0.30, Ni≤0.30, Mo≤0.08, Nb≤0.04 |
| Q345R | GB/T 713 | ≤0.20 | 0.20–0.55 | 1.20–1.60 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.010 | Nb/V/Ti（≤0.05） |
| SPV355 | JIS G3115 | ≤0.20 | ≤0.55 | 0.60–1.60 | ≤0.030 | ≤0.030 | Cr≤1.50, Ni≤0.60, Mo≤0.08 |
2. Comparison of mechanical properties (typical plate thickness ≤ 50mm)
| Grade | Yield Strength ReH (MPa) | Tensile Strength Rm (MPa) | Elongation A (%) | Impact Toughness KV2 (J) | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A516 Gr70 | ≥260 | 485–620 | ≥21 | -29℃≥27 | Good toughness, suitable for medium and low temperature containers |
| P355GH | ≥355 | 470–650 | ≥20 | -20℃≥27 0℃≥34 | Good high-temperature stability, suitable for medium and high temperature containers. |
| Q345R | ≥345 | 510–640 | ≥21 | 0℃≥34 -20℃≥34 | High cost-performance ratio, mainstream pressure vessel steel in China. |
| SPV355 | ≥355 | 490–610 | ≥17 | -40℃≥47 -50℃≥46 | Excellent low-temperature toughness. |
3. Comparison of carbon equivalent and weldability
Using the IIW carbon equivalent formula: CEV = C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15
| Grade | Carbon Equivalent (CEV) | Weldability | Recommended Preheating Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| A516 Gr70 | ≈0.42–0.47 | Excellent | Generally no preheating required; for plates ≥20 mm, preheat to 80–120°C |
| P355GH | ≈0.45–0.58 | Good | For thick plates / low temperatures, preheat to 100–150°C |
| Q345R | ≈0.42–0.47 | Good | Generally no preheating; for thick plates / low temperatures, 80–120°C |
| SPV355 | ≈0.45–0.80 | Varies with composition | For thick plates / high-alloy, preheat to 100–180°C |
4. Comparison of applicable temperature ranges
| Grade | Applicable Temperature Range | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| A516 Gr70 | -29°C ~ 350°C | Medium-low temperature, medium pressure vessels |
| P355GH | -20°C ~ 450°C | Medium-high temperature, high pressure boilers / vessels |
| Q345R | -20°C ~ 475°C | Domestic general-purpose medium pressure vessels |
| SPV355 | -40°C ~ 350°C | Low-temperature storage tanks, low-temperature vessels |
5. Core differences
A516 Gr70: Lowest yield strength, stable toughness, suitable for cryogenic vessels above -46℃, good weldability.
P355GH: Excellent high-temperature performance, suitable for medium- and high-pressure vessels below 350℃, high alloying degree, good creep resistance.
Q345R: Widely used in China, moderate strength, highest cost-effectiveness, covering conventional pressure vessels.
SPV355: Strongest cryogenic toughness, suitable for cryogenic environments from -40℃ to -50℃, such as LNG storage tanks.
6. Can they be substituted for each other?
Yuxin engineers believe that, theoretically, these four materials are equivalent in strength at room temperature. However, in actual engineering practice, regardless of which material is chosen, it must meet the specific requirements of the engineering design.
7. Our Recommended Selections
7.1 A516 Gr.70
Features: The most common pressure vessel steel according to US standards, with clear and stable requirements for low-temperature toughness.
Applications: Medium and low temperature pressure vessels (such as LPG tanks, heat exchangers), especially for export projects or projects requiring -46°C impact resistance.
7.2 P355GH
Features: European standard material, emphasizing high-temperature performance. It has a fine-grained structure (refined Al grains), and its creep strength at 350°C - 400°C is superior to ordinary carbon steel.
Applications: Boiler drums, high-temperature reactors, EU standard export equipment.
7.3 Q345R
Features: The most commonly used pressure vessel steel in China. Good overall performance and the highest cost-effectiveness.
Applications: Most pressure vessels, storage tanks, and boilers at room temperature. If low-temperature requirements are needed, Q345R (-20°C) or Q345R (-40°C) should be selected.
7.4 SPV355
Features: Japanese standard material, typically used in medium and low temperature environments, with strict control over carbon equivalent, commonly used in the manufacture of spherical storage tanks or large storage vessels.
Applications: Pressure vessels, spherical tanks, and storage vessels designed according to Japanese standards.
