High-strength heavy platesWeight savings combined with excellent weldability

voestalpine Grobblech GmbH

www.voestalpine.com/grobblech

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 steelsvoestalpine Grobblech quantity trend

Business year

Quantity

S355 S460 S550 S690

Weight reduction achieved by high-strength steels

Strength grade

Weig

ht

[%]

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

S960

2001 2005 2008 2012

wear-resistant

high-strength

„Energy and mobility change our world. We have the materials.“

2

Our expertise meets customer requirements in demanding branches.

High-strength steels are a strategic niche of voestalpine Grobblech

with strong growth. We promote thermomechanically rolled high-

strength 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

The market

3

4

x 2

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.

High-strength steels

Why high-strength steels?High-strength steels can bear

higher stresses than normal-

strength 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 8Cross-section: (2 l x 2 w) = x 4

Stress: weight / cross-section = x 2

Higher strength

Smaller cross section

Reduced weight

Reduced costs

l length

w width

h height

� specific weight

... double size means double stress ...

5

24 %

42 %

Reduced thickness

Reduced weld volume

S355

S460

50 m

m38

mm

Reduced thickness leads to superproportionally reduced weld volume.

Cost benefitsReduced 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

What about high strength?

Reduced thickness leads to superproportionally reduced weld volume.

NR normalising rolled

TMCP thermomechanical control process

Q+T quenched and tempered

T tempered

min. Yield strength Delivery voestalpine

(MPa) condition brand

Standard 355 NR, TMCP

Medium strength 420 - 550 TMCP

High strength 700 TMCP

700 Q+T

960 TMCP+T

6

TMCP

Tem

pera

ture

TNr

Ar3

Ar1

Ms

MAE

TM1 TM2 ACC DIC

(+T)

Rolling

Cooling

TM 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

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

Different rolling and cooling processes

7

Carbon equivalent CE

1,100

1,000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

Yie

ld s

treng

th [

MP

a]

0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7

N

QT

TM

TM+ACC

plate thickness

+ Alloyingelements

+ Microalloyingelements

TM+DIC

Cooling rate

CE = C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15 according to IIW

N Normalising rolled

QT Quenched and tempered

TM Thermomechanically rolled

ACC Accelerated cooled

DIC Direct intensive cooled

N + air cooling TM + air cooling TM + ACC TM + DIC

CEIIW=0.41 CEIIW=0.33 CEIIW=0.41 CEIIW=0.43 CEIIW=0.55

S355 alform 420 M alform 500 M alform 500 M alform 700 M alform 960 MCEIIW=0.41

50 μm 50 μm 50 μm 50 μm 50 μm 50 μm

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 car-

bon equivalent (CE) is most

important for good weld-

ability.

Heat treatment and forming

No heat treatmentNormalising deteriorates the microstructure of TMCP-steels

and thereby their properties.

Hot forming and stress relief annealingTMCP-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.

8

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 mo-

dern accelerated cooling line in Europe and operate a highly advan-

ced 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

Plate rolling Plate finishingAccelerated cooling

LD-converter Continuous castingVacuum-degassing

9

Production route of TMCP-steels

Our plates run online through water – no heat treatment

10

TMCP-steels provide best weldability

Low risk of cold cracksDue 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 equivalent CE

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

Carb

on c

onte

nt

[%]

0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9

ZONE IIIHigh under

all conditions

ZONE IIDepends onconditions

ZONE I*Safe under

most conditions

Risk of cold cracks

*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-steelsRemarkable 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

11

For information about welding of “voestalpine high-strengthheavy 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

T-PUT –welding solutions at its best…

Böhler Welding – Welding consumables for high demanding industries

We are the World of Welding Solutions.www.boehlerweldinggroup.com

Brands

We offer special high-strength heavy plates as voestalpine brands according to our technical terms of delivery.

TMCP

Thermomechanically rolled fine-grain steels

Steel grades: alform 700 Malform 960 M

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.

Quenched and tempered fine-grain steels

Steel grades: aldur 700 Qaldur 700 QLaldur 700 QL1

12

13

BenefitsHigh-strength alform®-steels are thermomechanically rolled and

accelerated cooled.

These special grades of voestalpine provide:

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

– Steel grades: alform 700 M up to alform 1100 M

– Thickness: 2.5 - 60 mm

– Width: 900 - 2,500 mm

Productsvoestalpine produces and delivers hot-rolled 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

14

alform 700 M and alform 960 M – heavy plates

Thermomechanically rolled high-strength fine-grain steels with a

minimum yield strength of 700 MPa and 960 MPa.

voestalpine special grades alform 700 M and

alform 960 M are mainly used in branches with a

high extension of manufacturing, when weight

savings are the main goals to reach. This is typi-

cal in the field of mobile cranes, concrete pump

trucks and vehicles.

15

Production process

Dimensions

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

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 tensile strength and excellent toughness.

Benefitsalform®-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, 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 bending.

Best surface because of a homogeneous, thin

secondary scale which is easily to remove. No

scale scarred from hardening process.

Steel grade Min. Max.

Thickness alform 700 M 8 mm 60 mm

alform 960 M 10 mm 15 mm

Width 2,500 mm

Length 12,750 mm

Weight per order item 20 mt

Weight per plate 11.7 mt

Comparison of values for carbon content and carbon equivalent

Thickness C CEV1) CET2)

Steel grades Values mm % % %

alform 700 M typical 15 0.04 0.43 0.26

alform 700 M typical 40 0.06 0.47 0.26

S690QL max. � 50 0.20 0.65 0.59

alform 960 M typical 10 - 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

16

Chemical composition

Carbon equivalent

The lean chemical composition is designed for best weldability. Therefore we provide very low carbon- and carbon

equivalent values.

Heat analysis

Guaranteed values mass %

C Si Mn P S Alges. Cr Mo Ni V Nb Ti B

Steel grades max. max. max. max. max. min. max. max. max. max. max. max. max.

alform 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 960 M 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

17

Mechanical properties

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.

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 700 Mguaranteed > 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 3

alform 960 Mguaranteed 10 � 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

As-delivered conditionPlates of alform 700 M are delivered in a thermomechanically rolled condition with accelerated cooling.

Plates of alform 960 M are delivered in a thermomechanically rolled condition with accelerated cooling and tempering.

18

Safety at overloadalform 700 M provide a low ratio of yield strength to tensile strength. This aims in additional safety in case of overload.

Excellent toughnessalform 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.

Item 1

With beginning overload alform 700 M strengthens

more, but with less elongation than S690QL.

Item 2

Increasing overload reaches the tensile strength for

S690QL while alform 700 M is still strengthening.

Item 3

While alform 700 M is still strengthening, the tensile

strength of S690QL is already passed.

600

S690QL

alform 700 M

1.000

800

sa

fety

Elongation

Stress strain curves (detail)

Str

ess [

MP

a]

Testing temperature [°C]

No

tch

im

pa

ct

en

erg

y [

J]

20-160 -140 -120 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Typical toughness-temperature curves

alform 700 M

S690QL

19

Optimal Welding

Reduced preheating

The very low carbon- and carbon equivalent values reduce the preheating temperature significantly or even make pre-

heating not necessary. This saves fabrication costs and improves the working environment of the operator.

Lower hardeningDue 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.

90

Plate thickness [mm]

Min

imu

m p

reh

ea

tin

g t

em

pe

ratu

re [°C

]

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Preheating

0 5040302010

S690QL

alform 700 M

100807060

Arc energy [kJ/mm]

Max.

hard

ne

ss in

HA

Z [

HV

10]

475

450

425

400

375

350

325

300

275

250

Hardening in heat-affected zone [HAZ]

0.7 1.41.31.21.00.90.8 1.1

alform 700 M

S690QL

CEV CET

% %

alform 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 700 M 0.05 1.95 0.44 0.27

MAW – welding, 12 mm thickness

20

Tests for alform 700 M: plate thickness of 10 mm, bending direction parallel to rolling direction

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.

alform®-plates: TMCP provides thin homogene-

ous scale from hot rolling. The risk of scale im-

pressions is reduced.

Best bending propertiesThe fine-grained structure of alform®-steels provides very good cold formability. We recommend a minimum die-radius of:

3 x plate thickness for alform 700 M (EN 10025-6: 4 x)

4 x plate thickness for alform 960 M (EN 10025-6: 5 x)

Less scale on surfaceDue 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.

measured inner radius / thickness0.7

(cra

ck le

ng

th /

bend

ing

le

ng

th)

x

100

[%

]

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6

Bending performance

10 mm 10 mm

21

22

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, mi-

ning and high-pressure pipes as well as for offshore applications.

23

Production processaldur®-steels are melted according to the LD process (oxygen

top blowing process). The combination of high strength and

BenefitsHigher 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 con-

structions give additional benefit.

Toughness

Excellent weldability as a result of low carbon

equivalents: high resistance against cold cracks

in the heat affected-zone (HAZ), lower prehea-

ting temperatures in processing and high relia-

bility of components due to high toughness in

the welded seam.

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

good toughness is achieved by water quenching

and tempering.

We offer 3 different grades of toughness

Design temperature

aldur 700 Q –20 °C

aldur 700 QL –40 °C

aldur 700 QL1 –60 °C

Dimensions

Min. Max.

Thickness 12 mm 100 mm

Width 3,000 mm

Length 12,750 mm

Weight per order item 20 mt

Weight per plate 11.7 mt

24

Steel grades

Carbon equivalentDepending on the analysis employed, the following carbon equivalents result for varying plate thicknesses.

As-delivered conditionPlates of aldur 700 Q, QL and QL1 are delivered in water-quenched and tempered condition.

Direct hardening after hot rolling is permitted.

Chemical composition

Carbon equivalent

%

plate thickness in mm

Steel grades < 30 > 30 < 50 > 50 < 70 > 70 < 100

aldur 700 Q, QL, QL1 CEV1) max. acc. EN 10025-6 0.65 0.65 0.77 0.77

CEV1) standard value 0.46 0.52 0.52 0.54

CET2) standard value 0.29 0.32 0.32 0.35

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

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 Altot. 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

25

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

BendingWe recommend a minimum die-radius of 4 x plate thickness.

Notch impact energy

Notch impact enery 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

26

Our clients are our partners

From left to right:

Günther Reiter

Quality

guenther.reiter@voestalpine.com

Rupert Egger

R&D

rupert.egger@voestalpine.com

Franz Thurn

Sales

franz.thurn@voestalpine.com

Wolfgang Reisinger

Logistics

wolfgang.r.reisinger@voestalpine.com

Gerhard Nöbauer

Production

gerhard.noebauer@voestalpine.com

Christian Fischer

Marketing

christian.fischer@voestalpine.com

27

International sales organisation

Being close to the customer is about more than just physical presence – it’s about really being there when the he or she

needs you. voestalpine Eurostahl GmbH supports its customers in their efforts to meet ever harder challenges as and

when they need it. As a reliable partner, voestalpine Eurostahl opens the door for customers to the full range of voestal-

pine products and services.

As the company’s international sales organisation, 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 will be found at www.voestalpine.com/eurostahl

Your partners for a successful business

A product management team takes special care of high-strength steels and customers.

voestalpine Grobblech GmbHvoestalpine-Straße 34020 Linz, AustriaT. +43/50304/15-9260F. +43/50304/55-9260grobblech@voestalpine.com www.voestalpine.com/grobblech

May

200

8 E

dit

ion