Industeel SUPERELSO® 960 HLE Steel for Welded and Weight-Saving Structures

Industeel SUPERELSO® 960 HLE Steel for Welded and Weight-Saving Structures Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Industeel SUPERELSO® 960 HLE Steel for Welded and Weight-Saving Structures Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Industeel SUPERELSO® 960 HLE Steel for Welded and Weight-Saving Structures Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Product Datasheet: Industeel SUPERELSO® 960 HLE Steel** ## **1. Product Overview** **SUPERELSO® 960 HLE** is an advanced **ultra-high-strength, low-alloy (UHSLA) steel plate** developed by Industeel (ArcelorMittal) for engineering applications where **maximum weight reduction, extreme structural efficiency, and uncompromising safety** are critical requirements. As the flagship grade in the SUPERELSO® family, "960" denotes a minimum yield strength of 960 MPa, while "HLE" classification guarantees **High Load-carrying capacity with Extreme toughness**. This steel represents the cutting edge of structural materials technology, engineered through sophisticated metallurgy and thermomechanical processing to deliver unparalleled strength-toughness-weldability synergy for the world's most demanding mobile equipment and weight-critical structures operating under severe dynamic and low-temperature conditions. ## **2. International Standards & Designations** | System/Authority | Designation | Specification Title / Relationship | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Manufacturer** | **Industeel SUPERELSO® 960 HLE** | Proprietary brand name, trademark of ArcelorMittal | | **European (EN)** | **EN 10025-6:2019** | Hot rolled products of structural steels - Part 6: High yield strength structural steel in the quenched and tempered condition | | **Grade per EN** | **S960Q / S960QL** | Corresponding standard grades (Q for as-quenched, L for special low-temperature toughness) | | **International (ISO)** | **ISO 630-6:2021** | Structural steels - Part 6: Technical delivery conditions for high yield strength structural steel plates | | **ASTM (USA)** | **A514/A514M Gr. T** (Approx.) | High-Yield-Strength, Quenched and Tempered Alloy Steel Plate | | **JIS (Japan)** | **SHY685 / SHY890** (Higher) | Similar ultra-high-strength steel category | | **Common Names** | S960QL, 960 MPa Q&T Steel, Ultra-High-Strength Structural Steel | ## **3. Chemical Composition (% by Weight)** The chemistry represents a precision-engineered balance of microalloying elements optimized for ultra-high strength, exceptional toughness, and outstanding weldability. | Element | Typical SUPERELSO® 960 HLE Range | Metallurgical Function & Design Rationale | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Carbon (C)** | **≤ 0.16** (Typically 0.08-0.12) | Kept ultra-low to maximize weldability and HAZ toughness while providing necessary carbon for martensitic transformation. | | **Manganese (Mn)** | **≤ 1.80** | Primary solid solution strengthener and austenite stabilizer; carefully balanced for hardenability without promoting excessive segregation. | | **Phosphorus (P)** | **≤ 0.015** | Ultra-low control to eliminate temper embrittlement risks. | | **Sulfur (S)** | **≤ 0.005** | Ultra-low for superior through-thickness properties and ductility. | | **Silicon (Si)** | **≤ 0.60** | Deoxidizer and solid solution strengthener. | | **Chromium (Cr)** | **≤ 1.20** | Enhances hardenability and provides moderate corrosion/oxidation resistance. | | **Nickel (Ni)** | **≤ 2.50** | **Critical toughness element:** Profoundly lowers ductile-brittle transition temperature and enhances fracture resistance. | | **Molybdenum (Mo)** | **≤ 1.00** | Potent hardenability agent; promotes fine bainitic/martensitic microstructures and improves high-temperature strength. | | **Vanadium (V)** | **≤ 0.10** | Precipitation strengthening via fine V(C,N) particles; contributes to grain refinement. | | **Niobium (Nb)** | **≤ 0.06** | **Key grain refiner:** Forms Nb(C,N) pinning particles during TMCP, creating ultra-fine prior austenite grains for exceptional toughness. | | **Boron (B)** | **≤ 0.004** (Trace) | Dramatically increases hardenability at minute levels, allowing leaner bulk alloying. | | **Titanium (Ti)** | **≤ 0.025** | Often added for nitride formation to protect boron and further refine grain structure. | | **Copper (Cu)** | **≤ 0.50** | Residual/optional for atmospheric corrosion resistance. | | **Iron (Fe)** | Balance | Matrix. | **Manufacturing Process:** Produced via **Electric Arc Furnace → Ladle Furnace/RH Degassing → Continuous Casting → Thermomechanical Controlled Processing (TMCP) with Direct Quenching → Tempering (DQQ&T)**. This integrated process creates an ultra-fine, homogeneous **tempered martensitic/bainitic (TM/B)** microstructure with optimal precipitate distribution. ## **4. Mechanical & Physical Properties** Properties are guaranteed for the as-supplied, quenched and tempered condition. Available in plate thicknesses typically from **5mm to 100mm**. | Property | Minimum Requirement / Typical Value (EN 10025-6 S960QL) | Test Standard | Engineering Significance | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Yield Strength (Rp0.2)** | **≥ 960 MPa (≥ 139 ksi)** | EN ISO 6892-1 | Enables extreme lightweight design with high safety margins. | | **Tensile Strength (Rm)** | **980 - 1150 MPa (142 - 167 ksi)** | EN ISO 6892-1 | Tightly controlled for predictable structural behavior. | | **Yield-to-Tensile Ratio** | **0.95 - 0.98** | -- | High ratio indicates efficient material utilization but requires careful ductility design. | | **Elongation (A₅)** | **≥ 8%** | EN ISO 6892-1 | Maintains adequate ductility for stress redistribution. | | **Impact Toughness (Charpy V-notch)** | **≥ 40 J at -60°C (-76°F)** | EN ISO 148-1 | **"Extreme toughness" (HLE) hallmark.** Guaranteed in longitudinal **and transverse** directions. | | **Bend Test** | Bend to 180° over mandrel **t ≤ 0.5 * t** (plate thickness) | EN ISO 7438 | Demonstrates good formability despite ultra-high strength. | | **Hardness** | Typically **300 - 360 HBW** | EN ISO 6506-1 | | | **Modulus of Elasticity (E)** | **~210 GPa (30.5 x 10⁶ psi)** | -- | Assumed constant for structural calculations. | | **Shear Modulus (G)** | **~81 GPa (11.7 x 10⁶ psi)** | -- | | | **Density** | **7.85 g/cm³** | -- | | | **Fatigue Strength** | **Very High** (Specific values depend on detail category) | EN 1993-1-9 | Excellent crack initiation resistance from clean steel and fine microstructure. | | **Through-Thickness (Z) Property** | **Z35** standard (≥ 35% RA) | EN 10164 | Mitigates risk of lamellar tearing in thick, highly restrained welds. | ## **5. Key Characteristics & Advantages** * **Maximum Weight-Saving Potential:** Enables weight reductions of **60-70%** compared to S355 steel, translating to higher payloads, extended range, reduced energy consumption, and improved dynamic performance. * **Unrivaled Toughness at Strength Level:** Maintains exceptional impact resistance down to -60°C, a critical safety feature for structures exposed to shock loading or arctic environments. * **Superior Weldability (Pcm ~0.23-0.28):** Remarkably weldable for its strength class, often allowing welding without preheat in moderate thicknesses when using appropriate procedures and consumables. * **Excellent Fatigue Performance:** The clean steel and fine, homogeneous microstructure provide high resistance to fatigue crack initiation, crucial for dynamically loaded equipment. * **High Dimensional Stability:** Advanced quenching and tempering minimizes internal stresses, reducing fabrication distortion. * **Isotropic Properties:** Consistent mechanical behavior in all directions due to controlled TMCP and Q&T processes. * **Good Cold Forming Capability:** Can be formed to reasonable radii, enabling complex structural geometries. ## **6. Primary Applications** SUPERELSO® 960 HLE is specified for the most critical, weight-sensitive applications in high-performance engineering. * **Mobile & Tower Cranes:** **Boom sections** (especially tip sections), **jibs, slewing platforms,** and **outrigger boxes** for maximizing lifting capacity and reach while minimizing deadweight. * **Advanced Commercial Vehicles:** **Chassis frames** for high-payload trucks, **tipper bodies, crane carrier** structures, and **special transport** frames. * **Material Handling:** Structural components for **container handlers, reach stackers, port cranes,** and **heavy-duty forklifts**. * **Mining & Heavy Machinery:** **Excavator booms, sticks,** and **frame components** where weight directly impacts productivity and fuel efficiency. * **Agricultural Equipment:** High-stress frames for **large harvesters** and **sprayers** to increase capacity and reduce soil compaction. * **Renewable Energy:** **Tower sections** and **internal platforms** for next-generation wind turbines, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio. * **Bridge Engineering:** **Movable bridge** components and **strengthening elements** where added weight is highly detrimental. * **Defense & Security:** Structural elements in **military vehicles, bridging systems,** and **mobile platforms**. ## **7. Fabrication & Welding Guidelines** * **Cutting:** **Plasma, laser, or waterjet cutting** are preferred for clean edges. Oxy-fuel cutting requires strict procedure (preheat ~150°C for t > 25mm) and edge conditioning. * **Cold Forming:** Possible but requires increased force and larger bend radii than lower-strength steels. Consult manufacturer's forming guidelines. * **Welding (Critical Success Factor):** * **Filler Metal Strategy:** **Undermatching** (e.g., ~850-900 MPa yield) is often recommended to ensure HAZ and weld metal toughness exceed base metal requirements. Matching consumables (e.g., EN ISO 16834-A: G 96 6 M21 Mn4Ni2CrMo) are available for special cases. * **Preheat/Interpass Temperature:** For thicknesses <15mm, often not required. For thicker sections or highly restrained joints, preheat of **100-150°C** is typical. * **Heat Input Control:** Limit to **1.0 - 2.0 kJ/mm** to preserve HAZ toughness and microstructure. * **Post-Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT):** Generally not required or recommended, as it can reduce strength. * **Machining:** Requires powerful equipment, rigid setups, and **carbide tooling**. Use positive rake angles and ample coolant. ## **8. Comparison with Other High-Strength Steels** | Parameter | **SUPERELSO® 960 HLE** | S690QL | S1100QL (Higher Strength) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Min. Yield Strength** | **960 MPa** | 690 MPa | 1100 MPa | | **Weight Saving vs. S355** | **~65-70%** | ~50% | ~70-75% | | **Impact @ -60°C** | **≥ 40 J** | ≥ 40 J | ≥ 27 J (Typically) | | **Weldability (Pcm)** | **Excellent (for class)** | Very Good | Good (more restrictive) | | **Typical Plate Thickness** | Up to 100mm | Up to 120mm | Up to 80mm | | **Primary Design Driver** | **Optimal balance of weight saving, toughness & weldability** | Cost-effective high strength | **Maximum strength** where toughness is secondary | --- **Disclaimer:** This datasheet provides technical reference for **Industeel SUPERELSO® 960 HLE** steel. **SUPERELSO® is a registered trademark of ArcelorMittal.** Successful application of this advanced material **requires specialized engineering knowledge** in ultra-high-strength steel design, fracture mechanics, and advanced welding technology. All design, fabrication, and welding must be based on the latest **manufacturer's technical documentation** and relevant standards (e.g., **EN 10025-6, EN 1993-1-12**). Consultation with **Industeel's technical support** and certified welding engineers specializing in UHSS is **mandatory** prior to specification and fabrication. Properties can vary with plate thickness, rolling direction, and specific production batch. This material represents a premium solution where performance justifies investment. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Industeel SUPERELSO® 960 HLE Steel for Welded and Weight-Saving Structures Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <6426 mm Size:We can customized as required Standard： Per your request or drawing We can customized as required Properties（Theoretical） Chemical Composition -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Industeel SUPERELSO® 960 HLE Steel for Welded and Weight-Saving Structures Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Industeel SUPERELSO® 960 HLE Steel for Welded and Weight-Saving Structures -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Industeel SUPERELSO® 960 HLE Steel for Welded and Weight-Saving Structures -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Industeel SUPERELSO® 960 HLE Steel for Welded and Weight-Saving Structures -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Standard Packing: -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and steel drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 2897 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request. E FORUs’ is carefully handled to minimize damage during storage and transportation and to preserve the quality of our products in their original condition