ICS 77.140.10;77.140.

50
H 46

N ation al stand ar d o f t h e Pe op le s R epu b li c o f ch in a

GB/T 15912008
Supersedes GB/T 1591-1994

High Strength Low Alloy Structural

Steels

Issue date: 2008-12-06

Implementation date: 2009-10-01

I s s u e d b y Ge n e r a l Ad m i n i s t ra t i o n o f Q ua l i t y S u p e rv i s i o n ,
I n s p e c t i o n a n d Q u a ra n t i n e o f t h e P e o pl e ' s Re p u b l i c o f C h i n a

GB/T 15912008

Foreword
This standard has been prepared by revising GB/T 1591-1994 High strength low alloy structuaral
steels and referring to EN10025:2004 Hot rolled products of structural steels.
This standard supersedes GB/T 1591-1994 High strength low alloy structuaral steels.
Compared with the previous version, changes are made as follows:
Expanded applicable scope;
Added strength grade Q500, Q620, Q690 and cancelled strength grade Q295;
Modified the requirements for chemical composition of steel products, requiring some
serious control to some harmful elements such as P and S.
Added the requirements for CEV and Pcm and their corresponding calculation formulas of
CEV and Pcm.
Modified the delivery condition of steel products and cancelled the requirements for
quenched and tempered steel products.
Modified the requirements for the values of mechanical properties and thickness range,
making clear that the yield strength in text refer to the lower yield strength.
Increased the specified impact absorbed energy value.
Added the requirements for through-thickness characteristics of steel products.
This standard was proposed by China Iron and Steel Association.
This standard is under the jurisdiction of National Standardization Technical Committee of
Steel.
This standard was drafted by Angang Steel Co., Ltd, China Metallurgical Information and
Standardization Institute, Jigang Group Co., Ltd, Shougang Group, Shagang Group Co.,Ltd,
Hualing Lianyuan Iron and Steel CO.,Ltd.
The main drafters of this standard: Liu Xuyuan, Piao Zhimin, Wang Xiaohu, Gao Ling, Wang Liping,
Huang Zhengyu, Zhou Jian, Ma Yupu, Chen Shouqing.
The superseded editions of this standard are as follows:
GB 1591-1979, GB 1591-1988, GB/T 1591-1994.

GB/T 15912008

High Strength Low Alloy Structural Steels

1 Scope
This standard specifies the designation, dimensions, tolerances on dimensions and shape, mass,
technical requirements, test methods, inspection, packaging, marking and certification of
high strength low alloy steels.
This standard applies to the steel sheet, steel strip, sections and bars of high strength
low alloy steels for general structure and engineering services.
2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid.
All standards are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this national standard
are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the
standard indicated below. For undated references, the latest edition of the normative document
referred to applies.
GB/T 222 Permissible tolerances for chemical composition of steel products
GB/T 223.5 Steel and iron - Determination of acid-soluble silicon and total silicon
content-Reduced molybdosilicate spectrophotometric method
GB/T 223.9 Iron, steel and alloy-Determination of aluminium content - Chrome azurol S
photometric method
GB/T 223.12 Methods for chemical analysis of iron, steel and alloy - The sodium carbonate
separation-diphenyl carbazide photometric method for the determination of chromium content
GB/T 223.14 Methods for chemical analysis of iron, steel and alloy - The
N-benzoy-N-phenylhydroxylamine extraction photometric method for the determination of
vanadium content
GB/T 223.16 Methods for chemical analysis of iron, steel and alloy - The chromotropic acid
photometric method for the determination of titanium content
GB/T 223.19 Methods for chemical analysis of iron, steel and alloy - The
neocuproine-chloroform extraction photometric method for the determination of copper content
GB/T 223.23 Iron, steel and alloy - Determination of nickel content The dimethylglyoxime
spectrophotometric method
GB/T 223.26 Iron, steel and alloy - Determination of molybdenum content The thiocyanate
spectrophotometric method
GB/T 223.37 Methods for chemical analysis of iron, steel and alloy The indophenol blue
photometric method for the determination of nitrogen content after distillation separation
GB/T 223.40 Iron, steel and alloy - Determination of niobium content - The sulphochlorophenol
1

GB/T 15912008
S spectrophotometric method
GB/T 223.62 Methods for chemical analysis of iron, steel and alloy - The butyl acetate
extraction photometric method for the determination of phosphorus content
GB/T 223.63 Methods for chemical analysis of iron, steel and alloy - The sodium (potassium)
periodate photometric method for the determination of manganese content
GB/T 223.67 Iron, steel and alloy Determination of sulfur content Methylene blue
spectrophotometric metrod
GB/T 223.69 Iron, steel and alloy - Determination of carbon contents - Gas-volumetric method
after combustion in the pipe furnace
GB/T 223.78 Methods for chemical analysis of iron, steel and alloy - Curcumin
spectrophotometric method for the determination of boron content
GB/T 228 Metallic materials - Tensile testing at ambient temperature(GB/T 228-2002eqv ISO
6892:1998)
GB/T 229 Metallic materials - Charpy pendulum impact test methodGB/T 229-2007, ISO
148-1:2006, MOD
GB/T 232 Metallic materials - Bend testGB/T 232-1999, eqv ISO 7438:1985
GB/T 247 General rule of package, mark and certification for steel plates(sheets) and strips
GB/T 2101 General requirement of acceptance, packaging, marking, and certification for
section steel
GB/T 2975 Steel and steel products - Location and preparation of test pieces for mechanical
testingGB/T 2975-1998, eqv ISO 377:1997
GB/T 4336 Standard test method for spark discharge atomic emission - Spectrometric analysis
of carbon and low alloy steel (routine method )
GB/T 5313 Steel plate with through-thickness characteristics
GB/T 17505 Steel and steel products - General technical delivery requirementsGB/T 17505-1998,
eqv ISO 404:1992
GB/T 20066 Steel and iron - Sampling and preparation of samples for the determination of
chemical compositionGB/T 20066-2006ISO 142841996,IDT
GB/T 20125 Low-alloy steel - Determination of multi-element contents Inductively coupled
plasma atomic emission spectrometric method
YB/T 081 Rule for rounding off of numberical values and judgement of testing values for
technical standards of metallurgy
3 Terms and definitions
3.1
thermomechanical rolling
rolling process in which the final deformation is carried out in a certain temperature range
leading to a material condition with certain properties which cannot be achieved or repeated
by heat treatment alone
NOTE1Subsequent heating above 580 C may lower the strength values. If temperatures above 580 C are needed
reference should be made to the supplier.
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GB/T 15912008
NOTE2Thermomechanical rolling can include processes with an increasing cooling rate with or without
tempering including self-tempering but excluding direct quenching and quenching and tempering.

3.2
normalizing rolling
rolling process in which the final deformation is carried out in a certain temperature range
leading to a material condition equivalent to that obtained after normalizing so that the
specified values of the mechanical properties are retained even after normalizing.
4 Designation
The designation shall consist of bopomofo for yield strength, value of yield strength and
symbol for quality grade, such as Q345D. Thereinto:
Q first bopomofo for chinese for yield strength;
345 value of yield strength,MPa;
D quality grade D.
If the purchaser requires through-thickness characteristics of a steel product, the
additional symbol Z for the suitability for through-thickness characteristics shall be added,
such as Q345DZ15.
5 Dimensions, tolerances on dimensions and shape, mass
Dimensions, tolerances on dimensions and shape, mass shall be in accordance with the
requirements of relevant documents.
6 Technical requirements
6.1 Steel designation and chemical composition
6.1.1 The steel designation and chemical composition determined by ladle analysis shall
comply with the specified values of Table 1.
6.1.2 If the grain-refining elements are required, the steels contain at least one of these
elements such as Al, Nb, V and Ti. If the grain-refining elements are added, they shall be
reported in the inspection document.
6.1.3 If the total content of Al is determined, the Al total (Alt) shall be not less than
0.020%.
6.1.4 The nitrogen content of steels shall comply with the specified values of Table 1. If
the manufacturer can make sure that the nitrogen content is suitable, the nitrogen content
may no longer be determined. The maximum value for nitrogen does not apply if the N binding
elements including Al, Nb, V or Ti are added. In this case the N binding elements shall be
reported in the inspection document.
6.1.5 If Cr, Ni or Cu in steel is added as the remaining elements, the content of each element
shall be no more than 0.30%. If the manufacturer can make sure that content of each of these
elements is suitable, each content may no longer be determined. If Cr, Ni or Cu is added
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GB/T 15912008
intentionally, each element shall comply with the specified values of Table 1 or agreement
between the purchaser and manufacturer.
6.1.6 In order to improve the property of steel, rare earth elements may be added, with
0.02%0.20% of the steel mass.
6.1.7 If the mechanical properties of steel products can be in accordance with the
requirements of this document, the content of C, Si and Mn of quality grade A of all steels
may be not required.
Table1 Chemical composition of the ladle analysis
Design Quality

Chemical composition
C

Si

Mn

Nb

Ti

Cr

Ni

Cu

Mo

Als

max.

max.

max.

max.

max.

max.

max.

max.

max.

max.

max.

max.

max.

min.

0.035

0.035

0.035

0.035

0.030

0.030

0.030

0.025

0.025

0.020

0.035

0.035

0.035

0.035

A
B

0.20

0.50

Q420

Q460

Q500

1.70

0.18

Q390

0.030

0.030

0.20

0.030

0.025

0.025

0.020

0.035

0.035

0.035

0.035

0.20

0.50

0.030

0.030

0.030

0.025

0.025

0.020

0.030

0.030

0.20

0.50

1.70

0.030

0.025

0.025

0.020

0.030

0.030

0.030

0.025

0.025

0.020

0.030

0.030

0.030

0.025

0.025

0.020

0.030

0.030

0.030

0.025

0.025

0.020

0.030

0.030

0.030

0.025

0.18

0.60

1.70

0.60

1.80

1.80

E
C
Q550

Q620

Q690

( mass fraction)/%

max.

-ation grade

Q345

a, b

0.18

0.18

0.18

0.60

0.60

0.60

2.00

2.00

2.00

0.07

0.15

0.20

0.30

0.50

0.30

0.012

0.10

0.015

0.07

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.50

0.30

0.015

0.10

0.015

0.07

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.80

0.30

0.015

0.20

0.015

0.11

0.20

0.20

0.30

0.80

0.55

0.015

0.20

0.004

0.015

0.11

0.12

0.20

0.60

0.80

0.55

0.015

0.20

0.004

0.015

0.11

0.12

0.20

0.80

0.80

0.80

0.015

0.30

0.004

0.015

0.11

0.12

0.20

1.00

0.80

0.80

0.015

0.30

0.004

0.015

0.11

0.12

0.20

1.00

0.80

0.80

0.015

0.30

0.004

0.015

GB/T 15912008
E
a

0.025

0.020

For sections and bars, the P and S content can be 0.005% higher. For quality grade A of steels, the maximum S and P
content can be 0.045%.

If the grain-refining elements such as Nb, V, Ti are used in combination: the sum of Nb, V and Ti concentrations shall
be no more than 0.22%, the sum of Mo and Cr concentrations shall be no more than 0.30%.

6.1.8 The maximum carbon equivalent values of the steels other than quality grade A shall
comply with the specified values of table 2 for as-rolled or controlled rolling delivery
condition; for normalizing, normalizing rolling or normalizing plus tempering delivery
condition, shall comply with the specified values of table 3; for thermomechanical rolling
(TMCP) or thermomechanical rolling plus tempering delivery condition, shall comply with the
specified values of table 4. For determining the carbon equivalent (CEV) based on the ladle
analysis, the following formula (1) shall be used.
CEV C

Mn (Cr Mo v) ( Ni Cu )
........................... (1)

6
5
15

Table2 Maximum CEV for as-rolled or controlled rolled steel

Designation

Table3

63

63250

250

Q345

0.44

0.47

0.47

Q390

0.45

0.48

0.48

Q420

0.45

0.48

0.48

Q460

0.46

0.49

Maximum CEV for normalized normalized rolled or normalized rolled tempered

steel

Designation

Table4

Maximum CEV in % for nominal product thickness in mm

Maximum CEV in % for nominal product thickness in mm

63

63120

120250

Q345

0.45

0.48

0.48

Q390

0.46

0.48

0.49

Q420

0.48

0.50

0.52

Q460

0.53

0.54

0.55

Maximum CEV for thermomechanical rolled or thermomechanical rolled tempered

steel

Designation

Maximum CEV in % for nominal product thickness in mm

63

63120

120150

Q345

0.44

0.45

0.45

Q390

0.46

0.47

0.47

Q420

0.46

0.47

0.47

GB/T 15912008
Q460

0.47

0.48

0.48

Q500

0.47

0.48

0.48

Q550

0.47

0.48

0.48

Q620

0.48

0.49

0.49

Q690

0.49

0.49

0.49

6.1.9 For the thermomechanical rolling or thermomechanical rolling plus tempering delivery
condition, the carbon equivalent, CEV of steels with a ladle analysis carbon mass fraction
equal to or less than 0.12% can be superseded by welding crack susceptibility index, Pcm.
The Pcm shall comply with the specified values of table 5. For determining the Pcm based on
the ladle analysis, the following formula (2) shall be used.
Pcm C

Si Mn Cu Ni Cr Mo V

5 B ........................ (2)
30 20 20 60 20 15 10

It shall be as agreed that whether CEV or Pcm is used .If unspecified at the time of the order,
it is left to the discretion of the manufacturer to use whether CEV or Pcm.
Table5 Maximum Pcm for thermomechanical rolled or thermomechanical rolled tempered steel
Designation

Pcm/%

Q345

0.20

Q390

0.20

Q420

0.20

Q460

0.20

Q500

0.25

Q550

0.25

Q620

0.25

Q690

0.25

6.1.10 The permissible tolerances for the product analysis shall comply with the
specifications given in GB/T 222.
6.1.11 If the purchaser requires the steel products with through-thickness characteristics,
the chemical composition of these steel products shall comply with the specified values given
in GB/T 5313.
6.2 Steel making process
The steel shall be manufactured using the electric process or an oxygen process. If necessary,
the secondary refining shall be used.
6.3 Delivery condition
The delivery condition can be as-rolled, controlled rolling, normalizing, normalizing rolling,
normalizing plus tempering, thermomechanical rolling or thermomechanical rolling plus
tempering.

GB/T 15912008
6.4 Mechanical properties
6.4.1 Tensile test
The tensile properties of steels shall comply with the specified values of table 6.
Table6 Mechanical properties of steels
Tensile test
Design Quality
-ation grade
16

a, b, c

Minimum yield strength Rel/MPa

Tensile strength Rm/MPa

Nominal thickness/mm

Nominal thickness/mm

16

40

63

40

63

80 100 150 200 250 400

80 100 150 200 250

40

Minimum percentage
elongation after fracture/%
Nominal thickness/mm

40

63

63

80 100 150 250 400

80 100 150 250

A
B
Q345

345 335

325

315

305

285

275

265

470 470 470 470 450 450

630

630

630

630

600

600

265

40

40 63 100 150 250

63 100 150 250 400

20 19

19

18

17

450 21 20

20

19

18

600

17

A
B
Q390

390 370

350

330

330

310

420 400

380

360

360

340

460 440

420

400

400

380

500 480

470

450

440

550 530

520

500

490

620 600

590

570

690 670

660

640

490 490 490 490 470

650

650

650

20 19

19

18

19 18

18

18

17 16

16

16

17 17

17

16 16

16

15 15

15

14 14

14

650

620

E
A
B
Q420

C
D

520 520 520 520 500

680

680

680

680

650

E
C
Q460

D
E
C

Q500

D
E
C

Q550

D
E
C

Q620

D
E

Q690

C
D

550 550 550 550 530

720

720

720

720

610 600 590 540

770

760

750

730

670 620 600 590

830

810

790

710 690 670

880

880

860

770 750 730

940

920

900

780

700

GB/T 15912008
E
a
b

If a definite yield phenomenon is not present, the lower yield strength can be measured by 0.2% offset Rp0.2.
For flat steel products with their widths not less than 600mm, the tensile test pieces shall be in the transverse direction.
For sections, bars and flat steel products with their widths less than 600mm, the tensile test pieces shall be in the longitudinal
direction, and the minimum percentage elongation after fracture shall be increased accordingly 1% (absolute value).
The value for steels with thickness 250mm400mm applies to flat steel products.

6.4.2 Charpy V-notch impact test

6.4.2.1 The test temperature and absorbed energy values of Charpy V-notch impact test of
steels shall comply with the specified values of table 7.
6.4.2.2 The steel products with nominal thickness not less than 6mm or diameter not less
than 12mm shall carry out the impact test. The standard 10mm10mm55mm test pieces shall
be used. If the standard test pieces can not be obtained, the subsize test piece 10mm7.5mm
55mm or 10mm5mm55mm shall be used. If so, their minimum absorbed energy values shall
comply respectively with 75% or 50% of the specified values of table 7. The bigger subsize
test piece shall prevail.
6.4.2.3 The average value of the three test results shall meet the specified requirement.
One individual value may be below the minimum average value specified, provided that it is
not less than 70 % of that value. Otherwise three additional test pieces shall be taken from
the same sample and tested. The average value of the six tests shall be not less than the
minimum average value specified. Not more than two of the individual values may be lower than
the minimum average value specified and not more than one may be lower than 70 % of this value.
6.4.3 The percentage reduction of area of steels with through-thickness characteristics
shall comply with the specified values given in GB/T 5313.
Table7

Test temperature and absorbed energy for impact test (V-notch)

Minimum absorbed energy

Designation

Quality grade

Test temperature/

Q345

Q390

Q420

Q460
8

20

-20

-40

20

-20

-40

20

-20

-40

-20

KV2 /J

Nominal thickness( diameter, border)/mm

12150

150250

250400
-

34

27
27

34

34

34

GB/T 15912008
E
Q500Q550
Q620Q690
a

-40

55

-20

47

-40

31

The impact test pieces shall be in the longitudinal direction.

6.4.4 If specified at the time of the order the bend test shall be carried out. The bend
properties of steels shall comply with the specified values of table 8. If the manufacturer
can make sure that the bend properties of steel products is suitable, the bend test may be
cancelled.
Table8 Bend test
180bend test
Designation

Piece direction

[d=bend diameter, apiece thickness (diameter)]

Nominal thickness( diameterborder)/ mm
16

16100

2a

3a

For flat steel products with their

Q345
Q390
Q420
Q460

widths not less than 600mm, the bend

test pieces shall be in the transverse
direction. For sections, bars and flat
steel products with their widths less
than 600mm, the bend test pieces shall
be in the longitudinal direction

6.5 Surface properties

The surface condition of steel products shall be in accordance with the requirements specified
in relevant documents.
6.6 Specific requirement
6.6.1 According to the agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer, the
non-destructive testing may be carried out. The acceptance criteria and level shall be
specified in the order or agreement.
6.6.2 According to the agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer, the purchaser
may require the steel products with through-thickness characteristics according to this
document.
6.6.3 According to the agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer, other tests
may be carried out.
7 Test methods
The test item,test piece number,method for preparing test piece and test methods of steel
products shall comply with the specified requirement of table 9.
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GB/T 15912008

Table9

Test item, sampling number and preparing method of test piece and test method

NO.
1

Test item
Chemical composition
( ladle analysis )

Test piece number

Preparing methods

1/furnace

GB/T 20066

Test methods
GB/T 223GB/T 4336
GB/T 20125

Tensile test

1/lot

GB/T 2975

GB/T 228

Bend test

1/lot

GB/T 2975

GB/T 232

Impact test

3/lot

GB/T 2975

GB/T 229

3/lot

GB/T 5313

GB/T 5313

4
5
6

through-thickness percentage
reduction of area
Non-destructive testing

Each sheet or piece

Relevant document for

non-destructive testing

By agreement
By visual

Surface condition

Each sheet or piece

inspection or
measuring
equipment
By applicable

Dimensions, shape

Each sheet or piece

measuring
equipment

8 Inspection
8.1 Inspection and acceptance
The manufacturer shall be in charge of inspection and acceptance for steel products.The
purchaser has the right to carry out inspection and acceptance tests specified in this document
or the order.
8.2 Test units
The steel products shall be inspected and accepted by lot. Each lot shall contain products
of the same designation,quality grade,furnace number,dimension,rolling condition or heat
treatment condition. The mass of each lot of the steel product shall be not more than 60t.The
mass of each lot of the steel strip shall be in accordance with specifications given in
relenant document.
Each lot of steel products with quality grade A or B may contain steels of the same designation,
quality grade, steelmaking process, cast method and different heat number, provided that
different heats are not more than 6 and the difference of C and Mn content among the 6 heats
shall be respectively not more than 0.22% and 0.15%.
For steels with through-thickness characteristics, each lot shall be in accordance with GB/T
5313.

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GB/T 15912008
8.3 Retest and acceptance criteria
8.3.1 Mechanical properties
If a set of charpy test pieces fail to meet the acceptance criteria specified in 6.4.2.3,
the manufacturer may take respectively three additional test pieces from two more products
from the same lot. If both of the new tests meet the acceptance criteria, then all products
in that lot, with the exception of the original selected products, shall be considered to
meet the requirement. Otherwise the steel products in that lot shall be rejected.
The retest and acceptance criteria for the tensile test of steel products shall be in
accordance with GB/T 17505.
8.3.2 Retest and acceptance criteria for other test
The retest and acceptance criteria for other test of steel products shall be in accordance
with GB/T 17505.
8.4 Rounding for test results of chemical composition and mechanical properties
Unless otherwise specified at the time of order or by agreement, to determine conformance
with the specified requirements, observed or calculated values shall be rounded to the same
number of digits as the specified value. The rules of rounding off for values shall be in
accordance with YB/T 081. For the carbon equivalent, its vlaue shall be calculated acorrding
to relevant formula and then shall be rounded off.
9 Packaging, marking, certification
The packaging,marking and certification for steel procucts ahall be in accordance with GB/T
247 or GB/T 2101.
_________________________________

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