A514 Steel
An American quenched and tempered high-strength plate steel
Typical values for the temper in the title
A514 is an American quenched and tempered plate steel, also known by the historical trade name T-1. The minimum yield is 100 ksi (690 MPa) in common thicknesses, and tensile strength about 760–895 MPa.
The standard includes several grades (marked by letters), differing in composition and maximum thickness. It is used for cranes, heavy equipment and weight-sensitive structures. The close European equivalent is S690QL.
Mechanical and physical properties
| Property | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength Rm | 760-895 MPa | |
| Yield strength Rp0.2 | 690 MPa | |
| Elongation A | 18% | |
| Hardness | 235-290 HB | |
| Modulus of elasticity E | 207 GPa | |
| Density ρ | 7.85 g/cm³ | |
| Machinability | 40% | relative rating in the site database |
Chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Range | Role |
|---|---|---|
| C carbon | low (by grade) | |
| Cr / Mo / Ni / B | by grade | hardenability and toughness |
| Fe iron | balance |
Composition depends on the grade (A to Q) per ASTM A514.
Conditions and heat treatment
Structural, pressure and pipeline steels are selected by minimum yield strength and impact toughness at a given temperature, not by a heat treatment the user performs. The delivery condition is defined by the standard.
| Condition | Properties | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Quenched and tempered (Q&T) | yield 690 MPa in common thicknesses, Rm about 760–895 MPa | delivery condition |
Applications
- Cranes and lifting equipment
- Heavy and mining equipment
- Bridges
- Trailers and chassis
- Lightweight high-strength structures
Fabrication
Welding
Possible with preheat, heat-input control and suitable filler.
Heating
Do not heat above the producer tempering temperature.
Forming
Cold bending with a relatively large radius.
Compared with similar materials
| Material | Rm / Rp0.2 | Welding | When it is the better choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| S690QL | 760-940 / 690 MPa | Difficult — Preheat mandatory | the European equivalent · material page |
| A572 Gr.50 | 450 / 345 MPa | Excellent | HSLA, much weaker · material page |
| HY-80 / HY-100 | 760 / 690 MPa | Difficult — E11018-M | a naval plate steel · material page |
Common mistakes
Heating for straightening
Heat may undo the quench and temper.
Ordering "A514" without a grade
Grades differ in composition and maximum thickness.
Welding without preheat
Risk of cracking.
Equivalents, standards and supply
| EN | S690QL (close) |
|---|---|
| Standards | ASTM A514 |
| Forms | plate 6-150mm |
| Producers | SSAB · ArcelorMittal · Nucor |
Learn more
Values are typical and for comparison only, and depend strongly on condition and diameter. For design, rely on the standard and on the mill certificate. Sources: SAE J403 and J404, ASTM A29, A322 and A519 (composition), producer data sheets, and the METAL HUB materials database.
Updated: October 31, 2026