S460M/ML
Structural steel grades
Technical information
Structural shapes in S460 are produced by thermomechanical rolling (S460M or S460ML according to European standard EN 10025:2004), a process that affects the chemical composition of the material, reducing its alloy content and thus increasing the yield strength.
S460 steels are mainly used for:
- columns for multi-storey buildings
- beams in short to medium span bridges
- diagonals & chord members of trusses
- seismic design: "clean columns" and stronger columns without costly web reinforcement
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PerformanceWeight & cost reduction
Using S460 grade steels for structural sections presents numerous advantages for multi-storey and high-rise buildings thanks to their optimum balance of cost and efficiency:
- reduction of the size of the structural sections, especially for columns
- lighter buildings with equal structural safety
- better weldability requiring no or less pre-heating and less welding material
- weight reduction of 10-30% when using S460 (65 ksi) instead of S355 (50 ksi): 15% for columns, 20-35% for trusses
Useful information
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More steel grade pages!
12 March 2020We have added more technical details for structural steel grades! Check out our newest steel grade pages that include mechanical and chemical property details.
Product newsArcelorMittal to expand plate and service offer for offshore energy sector
19 February 2020ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products produces a wide range of steel plates including grades with the most demanding qualities for offshore applications in the energy sector. With the ongoing improvements at ArcelorMittal Gijón, Spain, our offer to the offshore wind and oil gas markets is set to expand with new feasibilities and the development of new grades. ArcelorMittal’s service level to customers and product development cycles will also improve thanks to a closer partnership between ArcelorMittal Projects Energy, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, and Global R&D.
Product news
More steel grade pages!
We have added more technical details for structural steel grades! Check out our newest steel grade pages that include mechanical and chemical property details.
S355 structural steel grades
S355 structural steel grades are mainly used in building and civil engineering applications.
These structural steel grades are carbon-manganese steels with guaranteed minimum mechanical properties (yield strength and tensile strength) and with satisfactory ductility. They offer good weldability with all conventional welding processes. In addition to their excellent mechanical properties, structural steels have satisfactory toughness values, especially with +N or +M.
S420 and S460 high strength structural steel grades
S420 and S460 high strength structural steel grades are weldable, fine grain structural steels that offer good weldability with all conventional welding processes.
These steels are used for welded parts that must withstand high levels of strain. Typical applications are bridges, long span structures, high-rise buildings, and other architectural structures.
Each grade can be obtained with guaranteed impact properties at -20°C (N or M grades), or for low-temperature applications, at -50°C (NL or ML grades).
Text: Constructalia, ArcelorMittal Europe - Long Products
Images: ArcelorMittal Europe - Long Products, Gdańskie Inwestycje Komunalne, OMA/Sebastian van Damme, Chuck Choi/Foster & Partners
Related link(s)
ArcelorMittal to expand plate and service offer for offshore energy sector
ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products produces a wide range of steel plates including grades with the most demanding qualities for offshore applications in the energy sector. With the ongoing improvements at ArcelorMittal Gijón, Spain, our offer to the offshore wind and oil gas markets is set to expand with new feasibilities and the development of new grades. ArcelorMittal’s service level to customers and product development cycles will also improve thanks to a closer partnership between ArcelorMittal Projects Energy, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, and Global R&D.
ArcelorMittal's goal
ArcelorMittal’s goal is to offer the most comprehensive range of plates for the offshore energy market. The steel plates we produce are typically utilised in the sub-sea and visible parts of offshore wind turbines and in oil and gas platforms.
Plate offer meets global standards
The offshore plate grades produced by ArcelorMittal meet all relevant European (EN10225) and North American (API2W) standards. They are already utilised by leading manufacturers of offshore wind and oil and gas infrastructure. These facilities are operated by major energy producers around the world.
Two of the most common grades used in these segments are S355 M/ML and S355 G10+M in thicknesses ranging from 40 to 70 mm. The ‘M’ in the grade name indicates that the steel has been thermo-mechanically rolled. The process changes the properties of the steel and makes it suitable for use in applications where high strength and excellent toughness at low temperatures are required. That includes a variety of offshore applications such as the topsides of oil and gas platforms, offshore wind substations, and the subsea ‘jackets’ which serve as foundations for offshore structures.
One of the key features of ArcelorMittal’s offshore plate offer is its enhanced weldability. This ensures the steel can be welded without affecting its high strength or excellent toughness.
Investments expanding feasibilities
Investments are ongoing in Gijón to expand ArcelorMittal’s offer for offshore energy. The goal is to produce grades for offshore applications in thicknesses over 50 mm. Improvements have already begun and some of the new feasibilities are expected to become available during 2020.
On the service side, ArcelorMittal has established a working group including representatives from ArcelorMittal Projects, Flat Products, and Global R&D. The group aims to qualify ArcelorMittal’s plate mills with more of the world’s major wind energy and oil and gas producers. Another task for the group will be to gain welding prequalification for our thicker plates in accordance with European (EN10225 and NORSOK M-120) and American (API RP2Z) standards. As the group works closely with customers through co-engineering projects, it also recommends topics for research and development to anticipate future market requirements and meet new customer needs.
Research and development for offshore applications is carried out by the ArcelorMittal Global R&D Centre in Ghent, Belgium. The R&D Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art tools and facilities including a five-wire submerged arc welder, heavy-duty fatigue setups, and unique metal processing equipment. This enables ArcelorMittal to test plates, tubes, and pipes to support new product development. ArcelorMittal Global R&D Ghent also provides technical assistance to ArcelorMittal’s customers through co-engineering projects on topics such as lightweight design, fatigue improvement, and optimisation of welding processes. The research centre is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and the Flemish Region.
New products in development
A key concern for offshore customers is corrosion. ArcelorMittal Global R&D is constantly developing new products which make offshore structures lighter, and reduce operational costs by improving corrosion resistance. To ensure their suitability for marine applications, these steels typically undergo field trials in harsh, real-world environments.
About ArcelorMittal Projects Energy
ArcelorMittal Projects Energy has a global network of offices to support customers wherever their projects are located. It acts as a one-stop shop for energy customers who are developing energy projects for wind and oil and gas.
ArcelorMittal Projects Energy can leverage all parts of the ArcelorMittal group to source products from different segments. The group also has specialty stocks of steel strategically located near major offshore oil and gas and wind energy production areas. That enables ArcelorMittal Projects Energy to provide a complete and customised range of steel solutions and services. They include dedicated project management and prefabrication almost anywhere in the world.
More info: ds.arcelormittal.com/projects
Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Photos: ArcelorMittal, curraheeshutter/Shutterstock.com, F. Schmidt/Shutterstock.com