High-strength and ultra-high-strength heavy plates - voestalpine

High-strength and
ultra-high-strength heavy plates
Weight savings combined with excellent weldability
voestalpine Grobblech GmbH
www.voestalpine.com/grobblech

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„Energy and mobility change our world.
We have the materials.“
Our expertise meets customer requirements in demanding branches.
We follow the dynamics of the markets and offer solutions to our customers to increase their performance. This is the
mission of voestalpine Grobblech. For innovative solutions we use our technological experience from the energy branch.
Moreover we are “on top” in processing technology – especially in thermomechanical rolling. The result: our high-strength
and wear-resistant steels.
High-strength and wear-resistant steels
voestalpine Grobblech quality mix
conventionally
quenched and
tempered
39%
S355 S460 S550 S690
thermomechanically
rolled and online
accelerated cooled
61%
Weight reduction achieved by high-strength steels
weight [%]
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Strength grade
S960

The market
High-strength steels are a strategic niche of voestalpine Grobblech
with strong growth. We promote thermomechanically rolled highstrength
steels and have developed a highly advanced online
accelerated cooling process. This aims in high-strength heavy
plates with excellent weldability, very high toughness and good
surface.
Typical fields of application
Mobile cranes
Concrete pump trucks
Vehicles and trailers
Mining equipments
High-pressure pipes
Offshore platforms
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High-strength steels
... double size means double stress ...
Things get bigger – often double size. If you double the size of a construction (double length, width and height), then
weight increases by factor 8 while the cross section is raised by factor 4. Therefore the stress in the component material
is doubled.
l length
w width
h height
specific weight
x 2
Why high-strength steels?
High-strength steels can bear
higher stresses than normalstrength
steels. For a given load
respectively a fixed stress in the
component high-strength steels
lead to smaller cross-sections and
therefore to reduced weight which
results in decreasing costs.
Weight: (2 l x 2 w x 2 h) x = x 8
Cross-section: (2 l x 2 w) = x 4
Stress: weight / cross-section = x 2
Higher strength
Smaller cross section
Reduced weight
Reduced costs

Cost benefits
Reduced steel weight leads to
Reduced purchasing volume
Reduced costs for transport, assembly and foundations
Reduced costs during further processing, especially in welding
Less filler material
Less welding time
Less expense for checking the welds
S355
S460
What about high-strength?
50 mm
38 mm
Reduced
thickness
Reduced
weld volume
Reduced thickness leads to superproportionally reduced weld volume.
NR normalizing rolled
TMCP thermomechanical control process
Q+T quenched and tempered
T tempered
24 %
42 %
min. Yield strength Delivery voestalpine
(MPa) condition brand
Standard 355 NR, TMCP
High-strength 420 – 700 TMCP
700 Q+T
Ultra-high-strength 960 TMCP+T
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TMCP
Different rolling and cooling processes
Temperature
T Nr
Ar 3
Ar 1
M s
TM1 TM2 ACC DIC
MAE
(+T)
TMCP- (Thermomechanical Control Process) steels
are fine grain steels with
High strength combined with high toughness
Excellent weldability
Best formability
High reliability in welded structures
– High toughness in the heat-affected zone (HAZ)
– High resistance against cold cracks
TMCP-steels from voestalpine Grobblech
are produced with
Very pure steel (low S-, P-, tramp element level)
Low carbon content and low carbon
equivalent (CE)
Microalloying
High-quality processing during melting, casting,
rolling and accelerated cooling
TM
Rolling
Cooling
Thermomechanical rolling
ACC Accelerated cooling
DIC Direct intensive cooling
T Tempering
TNr Recrystallisation-stop-temperature
Ar1 End of phase transformation
Ar3 Start of phase transformation
MS Martensite-start-temperature
MAE Microalloying elements

Yield strength [MPa]
N + air cooling TM + air cooling TM + ACC TM + DIC
S355 alform plate alform plate alform plate alform plate alform plate
420 M 460 M 500 M 700 M 960 M x-treme
CEIIW=0.41 CEIIW=0.33 CEIIW=0.36 CEIIW=0.43 CEIIW=0.45 CEIIW=0.56 1,100
1,000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
50 m 50 m 50 m 50 m 50 m 50 m
CE = C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15 according to IIW
plate thickness
Cooling rate
TM TM+ACC
0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
Carbon equivalent CE
Heat treatment and forming
N
TM+DIC
QT
+ Alloying
elements
+ Microalloying
elements
No heat treatment
The effect of finer grain:
higher strength
higher toughness
better weldability
and formability
The same yield strength
level is possible on different
CE levels depending on the
delivery condition. Low carbon
equivalent (CE) is most
important for good weld -
ability.
N Normalizing rolled
QT Quenched and tempered
TM Thermomechanically rolled
ACC Accelerated cooled
DIC Direct intensive cooled
Normalizing deteriorates the microstructure of TMCP-steels
and thereby their properties.
Hot forming and stress relief annealing
TMCP-steels are generally intended to cold forming. Hot forming
and stress relief annealing is possible up to 580 °C. Mechanical
properties may change due to heat input.
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Applications of TMCP-steels
voestalpine Grobblech has been among the pioneers in the field of
the development of TMCP-steels. We have invested in the most modern
accelerated cooling line in Europe and operate a highly advanced
cooling process. Some 500,000 tons of TMCP-steels we produce
year by year with increasing tendency. TMCP is our daily business.
Thermomechanically rolled steels are widely
used in different applications:
Oil and gas pipelines onshore and in deepwater
Offshore platforms
Bridge building and mining equipments
Buildings and structural steel work
Mobile cranes and vehicles

Production route of TMCP-steels
Our plates run online through water – no heat treatment
LD-converter Continuous casting
Vacuum-degassing
Plate rolling Plate finishing
Accelerated cooling
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TMCP-steels provide best weldability
Low risk of cold cracks
Due to the low-alloyed chemical composition and the low carbon equivalent (CE) TMCP-steels are perfectly weldable.
Especially the low carbon content results in excellent resistance against cold cracks after welding.
Carbon content [%]
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
ZONE II
Depends on
conditions
ZONE I*
Safe under
most conditions
Risk of cold cracks
0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
*High-strength welding consumables may require additional care
CE = C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15 according to IIW
Fabrication benefits of TMPC-steels
Remarkable reduction or elimination of preheating
– Great savings in fabrication costs
– Improved working environment for operators
Reliable welded joint
– Almost no additional repair welding
evenwithout preheating
High heat input welding
– Major reduction of welding pass
– Far lower welding costs
– Much shorter fabrication time
Easier surface cleaning due to thin, homogeneous scale
Carbon equivalent CE
ZONE III
High under
all conditions

Böhler Welding –
Welding consumables for
high demanding industries
T-PUT –
welding solutions at its best…
For information about welding of “voestalpine high-strength
heavy plates” please choose a Brand and follow the link
sequence described:
www.boehler-welding.com
> Industry Focus
> voestalpine high-strength heavy plates
www.t-put.com
> Products
> Product Search
> voestalpine high-strength heavy plates
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Brands
We offer special high-strength and ultra-high-strength heavy plates as voestalpine brands according to our technical
terms of delivery.
TMCP
Online production by thermomechanical
rolling and accelerated cooling directly after
hot rolling – no bottle-neck.
Quenched & tempered
Offline production by conventional quenching
and tempering: annealing with subsequent
water-quenching and following tempering. The
double heat treatment may lead to a bottle-neck.
Thermomechanically rolled fine-grain steels
Steel grades: high-strength: alform plate 700 M
ultra-high-strength: alform plate 960 M x-treme
Quenched and tempered fine-grain steels
Steel grades: aldur 700 Q
aldur 700 QL
aldur 700 QL1

Benefits
High-strength and ultra-high-strength alform ® -steels are thermo-
mechanically rolled and accelerated cooled.
These special grades of voestalpine provide:
High strength:
– High-strength: minimum yield strength up to 700 MPa
– Ultra-high-strength: minimum yield strength > 700 up
to 1100 MPa
Excellent cold formability
– Smaller edging radius compared to standard steels of same
strength
Best weldability
– Due to low carbon content and carbon equivalent
– Reduced preheating or even no preheating necessary
Clean surface due to thin, homogeneous secondary scale
Wide range of steel grades and dimensions
Products
voestalpine produces and delivers hot-rolled high-strength and
ultra-high-strength alform ® -steels in form of:
Hot-rolled wide strips
Sheets of hot-rolled wide strips
Heavy plates
The different production routes result in specific advantages of the
different products. The exact properties and guaranteed values of
these products you will find in the technical terms of delivery at
www.voestalpine.com/stahl and www.voestalpine.com/grobblech.
Hot strip mill Heavy plate mill
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alform plate 700 M and alform plate 960 M x-treme
Thermomechanically rolled high-strength and ultra-high-strength finegrain
steels with a minimum yield strength of 700 MPa and 960 MPa.
voestalpine special grades alform plate 700 M
and alform plate 960 M x-treme are mainly used
in branches with a high extension of manufacturing,
when weight savings are the main goals to
reach. This is typical in the field of mobile cranes,
concrete pump trucks and vehicles.

Production process
alform ® -steels are produced by thermomechanical rolling with accelerated cooling directly after the rolling process.
Conventional quenching and tempering in heating furnace and quenching device is no longer necessary. This type of
steel provides a fine-grained, homogeneous structure with high strength and excellent toughness.
Benefits
alform ® -steels show benefits in comparison with
conventional quenched and tempered steels as
following:
Best weldability because of low C-equivalent,
low C-content, easy edge preparation for welding,
reduced or abolished preheating, high resistance
against cold cracks because of high
toughness in the heat-affected zone (HAZ).
Best bending properties because of the very
fine-grained structure, smallest bending radius
and insensibility against cracks during edging.
Best surface because of a homogeneous, thin
secondary scale which is easily to remove. No
scale scarred from hardening process.
Dimensions
Steel grades Min. Max.
Thickness alform plate 700 M 8 mm 60 mm
Width alform plate 700 M
alform plate 960 M x-treme 8 mm 15 mm
Thickness 8-30 mm: 3,000 mm
Thickness > 30-60 mm: 3,800 mm
alform plate 960 M x-treme 2,500 mm
Length 12,750 mm
Weight per order item 20 mt
Weight per plate 20 mt
You will find more information in our technical terms of delivery. Subject to change pursuant to further development.
The current version is available at www.voestalpine.com/grobblech
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Chemical composition
The lean chemical composition is designed for best weldability. Therefore we provide very low carbon- and carbon
equivalent values.
Heat analysis
Guaranteed values mass %
Carbon equivalent
Comparison of values for carbon content and carbon equivalent
Thickness C CEV 1) CET 2)
Steel grades Values mm % % %
alform plate 700 M typical 15 0.04 0.43 0.26
alform plate 700 M typical 40 0.06 0.47 0.26
S690QL max. 50 0.20 0.65 0.59
alform plate 960 M x-treme typical 8 - 15 0.08 0.56 0.31
S960QL max. 50 0.20 0.82
1) CEV = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15 according to IIW
2) CET = C + (Mn+Mo)/10 + (Cr+Cu)/20 + Ni/40 according to SEW 088
C Si Mn P S Al tot. Cr Mo Ni V Nb Ti B
Steel grades max. max. max. max. max. min. max. max. max. max. max. max. max.
alform plate 700 M 0.12 0.60 2.10 0.020 0.008 0.020 1.50 0.50 2.00 0.12 0.06 0.05 0.0050
alform plate 960 M x-treme 0.12 0.60 1.70 0.020 0.008 0.020 1.50 0.70 2.00 0.12 0.06 0.05 0.0050

As-delivered condition
Plates of alform plate 700 M are delivered in a thermomechanically rolled condition with accelerated cooling.
Plates of alform plate 960 M x-treme are delivered in a thermomechanically rolled condition with accelerated
cooling and tempering.
Mechanical properties
Yield Tensile Fracture Notch
Plate strength strength1) elongation1) impact
thickness YS min. TS Ratio A5 min. energy2) min.
Steel grades Values mm MPa MPa YS/TS % J
8 15 700 770 - 1,050 10 40
alform plate 700 M
guaranteed > 15 50 680 770 - 1,050 12 40
> 50 60 650 770 - 1,050 12 40
typical 15 800 950 0.84 12 250
S690QL acc. to EN 10025-6 690 770 - 940 14 30
alform plate 960 M x-treme
guaranteed 8 15 960 980 - 1,150 10 30
typical 12 1,020 1,050 0.97 12 80
S960QL acc. to EN 10025-6 960 980 - 1,150 10 30
1) Tensile test in accordance with EN 10002 on transverse samples.
2) Notch impact bending test in accordance with EN 10045 on Charpy-V longitudinal samples at –40 °C.
The mean value from 3 individual sampels must fullfil the specified requirements. No individual value below 70% of the guaranteed
mean value. For thicknesses < 10 mm, samples similar to Charpy-V with dimensions of 10 x 7.5 mm are tested. The guaranteed value
is reduced in proportion to the sample cross-section.
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Safety at overload
alform plate 700 M provide a low ratio of yield strength to tensile strength.
This aims in additional safety in case of overload.
Stress [MPa]
1.000
800
600
Stress strain curves (detail)
safety
Elongation
alform plate 700 M
S690QL
Item 1
With beginning overload alform plate 700 M
strengthens more, but with less elongation than
S690QL.
Item 2
Increasing overload reaches the tensile strength
for S690QL while alform plate 700 M is still
strengthening.
Item 3
While alform plate 700 M is still strengthening, the
tensile strength of S690QL is already passed.
Excellent toughness
alform plate 700 M provide excellent toughness down to very low temperatures. Skillfully welded this aims also in high
toughness in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) for a reliable welded joint.
Notch impact energy [J]
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Typical toughness-temperature curves
alform plate 700 M
-160 -140 -120 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0
Testing temperature [ C]
S690QL
20

Optimal Welding
Reduced preheating
The very low carbon- and carbon equivalent values reduce the preheating temperature significantly or even make
preheating not necessary. This saves fabrication costs and improves the working environment of the operator.
Minimum preheating temperature [ C]
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Lower hardening
Preheating
0 10 20 30 40 50
60
Plate thickness [mm]
S690QL
alform plate 700 M
Due to the lean chemical composition the hardening in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) during welding ist remarkable
lower compared with conventional quenched and tempered steels. This results in lower risk of cold cracks and a reliable
welded joint.
Max. hardness in HAZ [HV10]
475
450
425
400
375
350
325
300
275
250
Hardening in heat-affected zone [HAZ]
S690QL
0.7 0.8 0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Arc energy [kJ/mm]
70
alform plate 700 M
80
90
100
CEV CET
% %
alform plate 700 M 0.46 0.26
S690QL 0.59 0.37
Calculation according to SEW 088:
welding: MAW
arc energy: 1.0 kJ/mm
H-content: 3 ml/100g welding material
C Mn CEV CET
% % % %
S690QL-1 0.154 0.88 0.47 0.30
S690QL-2 0.172 1.23 0.59 0.37
alform plate 700 M 0.05 1.95 0.44 0.27
MAW – welding, 12 mm thickness
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Best bending properties
The fine-grained structure of alform ® -steels provides very good cold formability. We recommend a minimum
die-radius of:
3 x plate thickness for alform plate 700 M (EN 10025-6: 4 x)
4 x plate thickness for alform plate 960 M x-treme (EN 10025-6: 5 x)
Q+T steel plates:
Quenching & tempering leads to thick scale from
the furnace. During levelling there is a risk of
getting marks of impressed scale.
(crack length / bending length) x 100 [%]
0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6
measured inner radius / thickness
Tests for alform plate 700 M: plate thickness of 10 mm, bending direction parallel
to rolling direction
Less scale on surface
Due to the TMCP online-production with accelerated cooling alform ® -plates provide a thin homogeneous scale.
This results in less scale during processing in the costumer’s workshop.
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.7
Bending performance
10 mm 10 mm
alform ® -plates:
TMCP provides thin homogeneous scale from hot
rolling. The risk of scale impressions is reduced.

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aldur 700 Q, QL, QL1
Quenched and tempered high-strength fine-grain
steels with a minimum yield strength of 700 MPa.
Quenched and tempered high-strength aldur ® -steels are used in
advanced welded constructions. Weight reduction and reliabilty in
operation at low temperatures are very important goals.
aldur ® -steels are mainly used for mobile cranes and vehicles, mining
and high-pressure pipes as well as for offshore applications.

Production process
aldur ® -steels are melted according to the LD process (oxygen top blowing process). The combination of high strength and
good toughness is achieved by water quenching and tempering.
Benefits
Higher tensile strength in comparison with common structural
steels result in weight reduction. In the field of mobile cranes
and vehicles higher payloads are possible. Cost efficient constructions
give additional benefit.
Toughness
We offer 3 different grades of toughness
Dimensions
Min. Max.
Thickness 12 mm 100 mm
Width
Design temperature
aldur 700 Q –20 °C
aldur 700 QL –40 °C
aldur 700 QL1 –60 °C
Thickness 12-30 mm: 3,000 mm
Thickness > 30-100 mm: 3,800 mm
Length 12,750 mm
Weight per order item 20 mt
Excellent weldability as a result of low carbon
equivalents: high resistance against cold cracks
in the heat affected-zone (HAZ), lower preheating
temperatures in processing and high reliability
of components due to high toughness in
the welded seam.
Weight per plate 11.7 mt
You will find more information in our technical terms of delivery. Subject to change pursuant to further development.
The current version is available at www.voestalpine.com/grobblech
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Steel grades
Chemical composition
As-delivered condition
Designation according
Steel grades to EN 10025-6 Material number
aldur 700 Q S690Q 1.8931
aldur 700 QL S690QL 1.8928
aldur 700 QL1 S690QL1 1.8988
Heat analysis
Guaranteed values
Steel grades mass %
C Si Mn P S Al tot. N Cr Ni Mo Cu V Nb Ti B Zr
max. max. max. max. max. min. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max.
aldur 700 Q, QL, QL1 0.20 0.80 1.70 0.020 0.010 0.018 0.015 1.50 2.00 0.70 0.50 0.12 0.06 0.05 0.0050 0.15
Carbon equivalent
Depending on the analysis employed, the following carbon equivalents result for varying plate thicknesses.
Plates of aldur 700 Q, QL and QL1 are delivered in water-quenched and tempered condition.
Direct hardening after hot rolling is permitted.
Carbon equivalent
%
plate thickness in mm
Steel grades < 30 > 30 < 50 > 50 < 70 > 70 < 100
aldur 700 Q, QL, QL1 CEV 1) max. acc. EN 10025-6 0.65 0.65 0.77 0.77
1) CEV = C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo +V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15, carbon equivalent according to IIW
2) CET = C + (Mn + Mo)/10 + (Cr + Cu)/20 + Ni/40, carbon equivalent according to SEW 088
CEV 1) standard value 0.46 0.52 0.52 0.54
CET 2) standard value 0.29 0.32 0.32 0.35

Mechanical properties
Mechanical properties at ambient temperature
Yield strength YS Tensile stength TS Fracture elongation
MPa, min. MPa A5
Material plate thickness in mm plate thickness in mm min.
Steel grades number < 50 > 50 < 100 < 50 > 50 < 100 %
aldur 700 Q 1.8931
aldur 700 QL 1.8928 700 650 770 - 940 760 - 930 14
aldur 700 QL1 1.8988
Notch impact energy
Bending
We recommend a minimum die-radius of 4 x plate thickness.
Notch impact energy AV
Sample J, min.
Steel grades direction testing temperature in °C
–60 –40 –20 +0
aldur 700 Q longitudinal – – 27 30
aldur 700 QL longitudinal – 27 30 35
aldur 700 QL1 longitudinal 27 30 35 40
Information and product properties provided in this publication have the sole purpose of giving non-binding technical guidance and by no means replace individual expert advice from
our sales and customer service team. Information and product properties provided in this brochure shall not be deemed guaranteed characteristics unless this has been agreed upon
individually. Technical changes reserved, errors and misprints excepted. No part of this publication may be reprinted without explicit written permission by voestalpine Grobblech GmbH.
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Our clients are our partners

Your partners for a successful business
Matthias Adelwöhrer
Sales
matthias.adelwoehrer@voestalpine.com
Christian Fischer
Marketing
christian.fischer@voestalpine.com
Günther Reiter
Quality
guenther.reiter@voestalpine.com
Gerhard Nöbauer
Production finishing
gerhard.noebauer@voestalpine.com
Rupert Egger
R&D
rupert.egger@voestalpine.com
Franz Mayrhofer
Welding
franz.mayrhofer@voestalpine.com
A product management team takes special care of high-strength steels and customers.
International sales organization
Being close to the customer is about more than just physical presence – it’s about really being there when he or she
needs you. voestalpine Eurostahl GmbH supports its customers in their efforts to meet ever harder challenges.
As a reliable partner, voestalpine Eurostahl opens the door for customers to the full range of voestalpine products and services.
As the company’s international sales organization, voestalpine Eurostahl is the direct link between customers and the
producing companies. Sales and distribution subsidiaries and representatives in twenty countries speak the voestalpine
language and guarantee hassle-free, one-stop customer access to competent support and solutions.
All foreign offices and contact partners are listed at www.voestalpine.com/eurostahl
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Technically more advanced. Successful together.
voestalpine Steel Division – the partner you can trust.
voestalpine Grobblech GmbH
voestalpine-Straße 3
4020 Linz, Austria
T. +43/50304/15-9260
F. +43/50304/55-9260
grobblech@voestalpine.com
www.voestalpine.com/grobblech
High-quality materials are the basis for our products. We strive to be the best partner for our
customers and want to provide them with the best-possible solution. We focus our expertise
on two aspects:
The personal aspect, with dedicated and highly competent employees
The technical aspect, with high-quality methods, products and services
The companies in the voestalpine Steel Division and their employees understand partnership
to be the following:
Understanding for their customers’ business
Expertise and reliability
Responsibility for satisfactory project completion
Partnerships based on trust
Many years of successful partnerships with our customers prove our point.