Steel A516 · heat-treated state
Steel A516 Normalized
Properties of the Normalized condition, compared with the other A516 tempers.
Mandatory for thick plate and for low-temperature (to -46 °C) impact-tested service; refines grain and raises notch toughness.
What is A516 Normalized?
A516 Normalized is A516 heat treated to Normalized — mandatory for thick plate and for low-temperature (to -46 °C) impact-tested service; refines grain and raises notch toughness. A516 Normalized has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). A516 Normalized has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Normalized is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 180 MPa·√m (163.8 ksi·√in), better than 99% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 27%, better than 85% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 85% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low strength — 330 MPa (47.9 ksi), worse than 78% of steel grades
A516 Normalized properties
Typical room-temperature values for A516 Normalized — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A516 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A516 Normalized has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
A516 Normalized has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A516 Normalized is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A516 Normalized conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A516 Normalized takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
A516 Normalized's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other A516 tempers and conditions
A516 is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the A516 overview.
- HRDefaultStandard stock condition for plate up to ~40 mm where no low-temperature impact requirement applies.340 MPa yield · 155 HB
- Q&TUsed on heavy sections where accelerated cooling is needed to meet strength and low-temperature toughness through thickness.400 MPa yield · 170 HB
- NormalizedMandatory for thick plate and for low-temperature (to -46 °C) impact-tested service; refines grain and raises notch toughness.330 MPa yield · 150 HB
- AnnealedPick when maximum softness and dimensional stability for heavy cold forming or machining is wanted; lowest strength of the conditions.285 MPa yield · 143 HB
Working with A516 Normalized
Is A516 easy to machine?
Machines like 1020/1025 — free-cutting it is not; use sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speeds and good chip control to avoid gummy built-up edge.
Can A516 be welded?
Excellent weldability (P-No.1); SMAW/SAW/GMAW with E7018-class consumables, preheat 50–150 °C for thick sections and PWHT above 38 mm or per ASME UCS-56.
Can A516 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold rolls readily into shells and heads; hot form 900–1050 °C and re-normalize afterwards if formed in the 550–750 °C range.
What surface finishes work on A516?
No anodizing; protect by blast + epoxy/inorganic-zinc paint, hot-dip galvanizing, or 304L/Alloy 625 weld overlay / roll-bond cladding for corrosive duty.
A516 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CGr.70: 0.27 max ≤12.5 mm, up to 0.31 max for >100 mm; lower grades 0.18–0.28 max | ≤ 0.31 | 0.24 |
| MnGr.70 heat analysis 0.85–1.20 (≤12.5 mm 0.79–1.30); Gr.55/60 lower | 0.79 – 1.3 | 1.05 |
| P0.025 max often specified for sour service | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| S≤0.002 for HIC-resistant plate | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Sisilicon-killed, fine grain practice | 0.13 – 0.45 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
A516 Normalized — frequently asked
What is A516 Normalized used for?
A516 Normalized is typically used for pressure vessels, boilers and cryogenic containment. In short: boiler grade; high-temp strength.
What is the yield strength of A516 Normalized?
A516 Normalized has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is A516 Normalized easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Machines like 1020/1025 — free-cutting it is not; use sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speeds and good chip control to avoid gummy built-up edge.
Can A516 Normalized be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent weldability (P-No.1); SMAW/SAW/GMAW with E7018-class consumables, preheat 50–150 °C for thick sections and PWHT above 38 mm or per ASME UCS-56.
What surface finishes work on A516 Normalized?
No anodizing; protect by blast + epoxy/inorganic-zinc paint, hot-dip galvanizing, or 304L/Alloy 625 weld overlay / roll-bond cladding for corrosive duty.
Can A516 Normalized be formed, bent or molded?
Cold rolls readily into shells and heads; hot form 900–1050 °C and re-normalize afterwards if formed in the 550–750 °C range.
What is the maximum service temperature of A516 Normalized?
A516 Normalized is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A516-HR and A516-HIC?
HR is the default condition — standard stock condition for plate up to ~40 mm where no low-temperature impact requirement applies. HIC: low-sulphur, Ca-treated, normalized plate with NACE TM0284 HIC and TM0177 SSC testing for wet H2S vessels. Yield strength is 340 MPa in HR versus 340 MPa in HIC.
Can FabDigit make parts in A516 Normalized?
Yes — A516 Normalized is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A516/A516M — Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon Steel, for Moderate- and Lower-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2021)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part A (SA-516) and Part D allowable stresses/physical properties — ASME (2023)
- GB/T 713 (Q245R/Q345R comparison) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- Pressure vessel plate datasheets (Dillinger, ArcelorMittal, Nucor, ) — various mills (2023)
- Mysteel / SMM — Mysteel (2025)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.