ASTM A516: Pressure Vessel Steel Plate Grades 55, 60, 65, 70 — Full Specification

Quick Answer

ASTM A516/A516M is the dominant carbon-steel plate standard for moderate- and lower-temperature pressure vessel service. Published by ASTM International, it governs flat-rolled plate intended for fusion-welded pressure vessels where improved notch toughness is important. The standard is paired with ASME SA-516 for code-stamped vessels and is the default material for refinery drums, storage spheres, heat exchanger shells, and LPG storage bullets worldwide.

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Scope and Applicability

A516 applies to carbon-steel plate intended for:

• Fusion-welded pressure vessels
• Lower-temperature service (down to approximately −46 °C with impact testing)
• General pressure-retaining components
• Heat exchanger shells and channel covers

The standard does not apply to pipe, tube, bar, or forgings. Those forms have separate ASTM/ASME standards. A516 covers plates in all thicknesses produced by the standard, but carbon composition limits are thickness-dependent.

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Grade Coverage

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Chemical Composition Requirements

Carbon content in A516 varies with both grade and plate thickness. The following tables present the full ladle analysis limits.

Carbon (C max, wt%) by Grade and Thickness Group

All Other Elements (wt%, all grades, all thicknesses unless noted)

Manganese detail by grade and thickness (wt%):

Copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), and vanadium (V) are each limited to 0.30% max (Cu 0.40% max) when specified; residuals are not controlled unless supplementary requirement S15 (restricted residuals) is invoked.

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Mechanical Properties

By Grade — Tensile and Yield (all thicknesses, standard condition)

Yield strength is determined at 0.2% proof stress or by the drop-of-the-beam/halt-of-the-pointer method per ASTM A370.

Thickness-Adjusted Yield Strength Reductions

For plates > 50 mm (2 in.) thick, the minimum yield strength is reduced by 7 MPa (1 ksi) for each 25 mm (1 in.) increment of thickness above 50 mm, subject to an absolute minimum of:

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Normalizing Requirement

When normalizing is required (mandatory):

• All plates > 40 mm (1½ in.) thick for Gr70
• All plates > 50 mm (2 in.) thick for Gr55, Gr60, Gr65
• When ordered as normalized (N suffix, e.g., A516 Gr70N)

When normalizing is optional:

• Plates within the thickness limits above may be furnished as-rolled unless normalizing is specified on the purchase order
• Normalizing is at the purchaser's option for plates within the standard thickness range

Normalizing temperature: typically 900–955 °C, air-cooled. Normalizing refines grain structure, improves low-temperature toughness, and homogenizes composition. The MTC should state the normalizing temperature and cooling method when normalized material is supplied.

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Additional Tests and Requirements

Charpy V-Notch Impact Testing (Supplementary Requirements)

A516 allows the following supplementary impact testing requirements, invoked by the purchaser on the purchase order:

Typical A516 Gr70 Charpy requirement for process industry pressure vessels: 27 J (20 ft-lbf) minimum at −46 °C for normalized plate, per ASME BPVC Section VIII Div 1 impact exemption curves.

Other Supplementary Requirements

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ASME Equivalent

ASME SA-516 is technically identical to ASTM A516. It is incorporated by reference in ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section II Part A. The four grades are unchanged: SA-516 Gr55, Gr60, Gr65, Gr70.

For pressure vessels designed and fabricated under ASME BPVC Section VIII (Division 1 or 2), the purchase order must specify SA-516, not A516. Dual-certified material (compliant with both A516 and SA-516) is commercially available and widely accepted; the MTC should explicitly state both designations.

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Cross-Standard Equivalents

Notes on equivalence:

• EN 10028-2 specifies elevated-temperature mechanical properties (100–400 °C) in addition to room-temperature properties; A516 does not.
• P355GH (EN) and A516 Gr70 are frequently cited as equivalent for procurement purposes, but P355GH has slightly tighter P and S limits (0.025 max each) compared to A516's 0.035 max.
• JIS G3115 SPV410 is the Japanese pressure vessel equivalent; it includes mandatory impact testing at −5 °C.

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MTC Verification Checklist

When verifying a mill test certificate for A516 material, confirm:

• Standard and grade designation match the purchase order (e.g., "ASTM A516 Gr70" or "ASTM A516/A516M Gr70")
• Plate thickness is recorded — check that carbon content complies with the correct thickness group
• Manganese is within the range for the applicable thickness group
• P ≤ 0.035 and S ≤ 0.035 (tighter if S15 is invoked)
• Si is between 0.15 and 0.40
• Yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation meet grade minimums
• If normalizing was specified: heat treatment temperature and method are stated
• If Charpy (S1/S2/S3) was specified: impact test results, temperature, and specimen orientation are reported
• If SA-516 is required: dual certification (A516 + SA-516) is explicitly noted on the MTC
• Heat number is traceable to the physical material markings

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Frequently Asked Questions