Plate for pressure vessels
P265/P355 GH · NH · NL
SA-516 GR60 / GR70
A critical material with the highest regulatory requirements. European standard EN 10028-2/3 (P265 GH, P355 GH, P355 NH, P355 NL) and American standard ASME SA-516 (GR60/GR70), with guaranteed 3.1 certification and full traceability. Because in pressure vessels, the paperwork is worth as much as the material.
* Normalized: improves toughness and homogeneity in thicker gauges.
* NL1: −40°C / NL2: −50°C. For cryogenic or cold outdoor service.
* MTR (Mill Test Report) = functional equivalent of EN 10204 3.1.
* The most widely used grade worldwide under ASME Section VIII code.
The documentation is the product
For pressure vessels, the material and the documentation are inseparable. An incorrect certificate can bring months of work to a halt.
The notified body rejects the inspection. Without a correct 3.1 certificate, there's no final inspection certificate. Without an inspection certificate, there's no EC declaration. Without an EC declaration, the equipment cannot be placed on the market in the European Union. Mayor Steel does not supply P-grade plate without its complete documentation. It is non-negotiable.
EN 10204 type 3.1 certificate (not 2.1, not 2.2, not 3.2 unless specifically required) with heat-to-plate traceability, declared conformity with EN 10028-2 or EN 10028-3, mechanical properties at room temperature and at service temperature, and chemical composition of the supplied heat. For ASME material, the MTR/CMTR acts as the equivalent. All verified by independent inspection personnel.
Two standards, one same goal
Choose the standard required by your client or your design code. Mayor Steel supplies both with complete documentation.
Full technical comparison
P265 GH · P355 GH · P355 NH · P355 NL · SA516 GR70 · S355 — why grade matters.
All grades — overview
| Criterion | P265 GH | P355 GH | P355 NH | P355 NL | SA516 GR70 | S355 J2+N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | EN 10028-2 | EN 10028-2 | EN 10028-3 | EN 10028-3 | ASME SA-516 | EN 10025-2 |
| Delivery condition | N/+N | N/+N | Normalized | Normalized | Hot rolled | N/+N |
| Yield strength (MPa) | ≥ 265 | ≥ 355 | ≥ 355 | ≥ 355 | ≥ 260 | ≥ 355 |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 410–530 | 490–630 | 490–630 | 490–630 | 485–620 | 470–630 |
| Charpy temperature | 27 J / 0°C | 27 J / 0°C | 40 J / −20°C | 27 J / −40/−50°C | Per SA-20 | 27 J / −20°C |
| Elevated temp. properties | ✓ Guaranteed | ✓ Guaranteed | ✓ Guaranteed | ✓ Guaranteed | ✓ Guaranteed | ✗ Not guaranteed |
| PED approved | ✓ Harmonized | ✓ Harmonized | ✓ Harmonized | ✓ Harmonized | ⚠ Particular approval | ✗ Particular approval |
| ASME VIII code | ⚠ Particular approval | ⚠ Particular approval | ⚠ Particular approval | ⚠ Particular approval | ✓ P-Number 1 | ✗ Not provided |
| Low temp. service | Limited | Limited | ✓ Down to −20°C | ✓ Down to −50°C | ✓ Down to −29°C | ✓ Down to −20°C |
| Use in PED boiler-making | ✓ Correct | ✓ Correct | ✓ Correct | ✓ Correct | ⚠ Verify project | ✗ Not recommended |
The PED Directive explained
What Directive 2014/68/EU is and how it affects material selection.
PED risk categories
| Category | Risk | Notified body involvement | Typical examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Low | Not required | Small vessels, low pressure |
| II | Medium | Design (modules B, D, E) | Heat exchangers, small boilers |
| III | High | Design + Production (modules B+D, B+F, H) | Industrial vessels, autoclaves |
| IV | Very high | Design + Production (modules B+D, G, H1) | Critical vessels, high pressure |
The PED Directive includes in its annexes a list of harmonized materials that automatically meet the essential safety requirements. The P265 GH, P355 GH (EN 10028-2) and P355 NH, P355 NL1/NL2 (EN 10028-3) grades are included on this list. Their use in pressure vessels does not require particular approval. SA-516 GR70, being an ASME standard, requires particular approval from the notified body for use under PED.
Technical specifications — European Standard
Mechanical properties at room temperature according to EN 10028-2 and EN 10028-3.
P265 GH & P355 GH — Mechanical properties (EN 10028-2)
| Grade | Thickness | Yield strength | Tensile strength | Charpy | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P265 GH | ≤ 16 mm | ≥ 265 MPa | 410–530 MPa | 27 J / 0°C | ≥ 23% |
| P265 GH | 16–40 mm | ≥ 255 MPa | 410–530 MPa | 27 J / 0°C | ≥ 23% |
| P265 GH | 40–60 mm | ≥ 245 MPa | 410–530 MPa | 27 J / 0°C | ≥ 22% |
| P355 GH | ≤ 16 mm | ≥ 355 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 27 J / 0°C | ≥ 22% |
| P355 GH | 16–40 mm | ≥ 345 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 27 J / 0°C | ≥ 22% |
| P355 GH | 40–60 mm | ≥ 335 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 27 J / 0°C | ≥ 21% |
| P355 GH | 60–100 mm | ≥ 325 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 27 J / 0°C | ≥ 21% |
P355 NH — Mechanical properties (EN 10028-3) · Normalized
| Grade | Thickness | Yield strength | Tensile strength | Charpy | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P355 NH | ≤ 16 mm | ≥ 355 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 40 J / −20°C | ≥ 22% |
| P355 NH | 16–40 mm | ≥ 345 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 40 J / −20°C | ≥ 22% |
| P355 NH | 40–60 mm | ≥ 335 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 40 J / −20°C | ≥ 21% |
| P355 NH | 60–100 mm | ≥ 325 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 40 J / −20°C | ≥ 21% |
| P355 NH | 100–150 mm | ≥ 315 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 40 J / −20°C | ≥ 20% |
P355 NL1 / NL2 — Mechanical properties (EN 10028-3) · Low temperature
| Grade | Thickness | Yield strength | Tensile strength | Charpy NL1 | Charpy NL2 | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P355 NL1 | ≤ 16 mm | ≥ 355 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 27 J / −40°C | — | ≥ 22% |
| P355 NL1 | 16–40 mm | ≥ 345 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 27 J / −40°C | — | ≥ 22% |
| P355 NL1 | 40–60 mm | ≥ 335 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 27 J / −40°C | — | ≥ 21% |
| P355 NL1 | 60–100 mm | ≥ 325 MPa | 490–630 MPa | 27 J / −40°C | — | ≥ 21% |
| P355 NL2 | ≤ 16 mm | ≥ 355 MPa | 490–630 MPa | — | 27 J / −50°C | ≥ 22% |
| P355 NL2 | 16–40 mm | ≥ 345 MPa | 490–630 MPa | — | 27 J / −50°C | ≥ 22% |
| P355 NL2 | 40–60 mm | ≥ 335 MPa | 490–630 MPa | — | 27 J / −50°C | ≥ 21% |
| P355 NL2 | 60–100 mm | ≥ 325 MPa | 490–630 MPa | — | 27 J / −50°C | ≥ 21% |
Minimum yield strength of P355 GH at elevated temperature (EN 10028-2)
| Temperature | 50°C | 100°C | 150°C | 200°C | 250°C | 300°C | 350°C | 400°C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strength (MPa) | 332 | 315 | 302 | 285 | 270 | 252 | 232 | 208 |
Technical specifications — American ASME Standard
SA-516 GR60 and GR70 according to ASME SA-516 / ASTM A516. The world reference standard for pressure vessels under the ASME Section VIII code.
SA-516 GR60 & GR70 — Mechanical properties (ASME / ASTM A516)
| Grade | Max. thickness | Yield strength (ReH) | Tensile strength (Rm) | Elongation | P-Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA-516 GR60 | ≤ 305 mm | ≥ 220 MPa (32 ksi) | 415–550 MPa (60–80 ksi) | ≥ 21% | P-No. 1 Gr. 1 |
| SA-516 GR70 | ≤ 305 mm | ≥ 260 MPa (38 ksi) | 485–620 MPa (70–90 ksi) | ≥ 17% | P-No. 1 Gr. 2 |
SA-516 GR60 vs GR70 — When to choose each grade
| Criterion | SA-516 GR60 | SA-516 GR70 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 415–550 MPa | 485–620 MPa |
| Weldability | ⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | ⭐⭐ Very good |
| Low temperature service | ✓ Preferred ≤ −18°C | ✓ Down to −29°C |
| Wall thickness | Greater thickness required | ✓ Lower thickness |
| Most common use | Cold storage, LNG tanks | Process vessels, columns |
| Relative price | Lower | Higher (~5–8%) |
| Mayor Steel stock | ✓ Available | ✓ Available |
SA-516 GR70 ≈ P355 GH/NH in strength, but the equivalence is not direct: the ASME standard does not guarantee properties at elevated temperature in the same way as EN 10028-2, and the acceptance criteria for impact tests differ. Never substitute one grade for another without validation by the design engineer and, in the case of PED, without approval from the notified body. Mayor Steel can supply material with dual certification (EN 10204 3.1 + ASME MTR) when the project requires it.
PED project documentation checklist
Verify that you have all the documentation required before inspection.
Required documentation
Industrial applications
Where P265 GH, P355 GH/NH/NL and SA-516 are used in industry.
Pressure vessels
Autoclaves, process tanks, separators, accumulators.
Heat exchangers
Shells, end plates, shell rings, shell-and-tube units.
Steam boilers
Boiler body, combustion chamber, drums.
Chemical reactors
Process reactors, distillation columns.
Cryogenic service
NH and NL: LNG tanks, liquid NH₃, CO₂, low-temperature gases.
Oil & Gas (ASME)
SA-516 GR70: separators, vessels and lines under ASME VIII code.
Food industry
Sterilization autoclaves, dryers, pasteurizers.
Biogas and biomass
Digesters, fermentation reactors, process equipment.
Target sectors
Industries that require certified plate for pressure vessels.
Industrial boiler-making
Manufacturers of pressure vessels, heat exchangers and process systems.
Chemical and petrochemical industry
Reactors, columns, separators and process equipment under pressure and temperature.
Vessels and autoclaves
Pressure equipment for the food, pharmaceutical and laboratory industries.
Oil & Gas — ASME projects
SA-516 GR70 for equipment under American license or export projects.
Industrial and cryogenic cold
NH and NL for storage tanks of liquefied gases (LNG, NH₃, CO₂).
Capital goods under PED
Manufacturers of CE-marked equipment requiring full certification.
Frequently asked questions about pressure vessel plate
We answer the most common questions from manufacturers and buyers of steel for pressure vessels.
The EN 10204 3.1 certificate is issued by the steel manufacturer but validated by an independent quality department that is not involved in production. This ensures that the mechanical and chemical tests have been carried out on the material actually supplied, not on a generic batch.
2.1 and 2.2 certificates are manufacturer declarations without independent validation. For projects under PED 2014/68/EU, 3.1 is mandatory in categories II, III and IV. The ASME MTR/CMTR acts as the functional equivalent of 3.1 for projects under the ASME VIII code.
All three grades offer the same yield strength (≥355 MPa), but differ in delivery condition and low-temperature toughness:
- P355 GH (EN 10028-2): For high-temperature service (up to 400°C). Properties guaranteed at elevated temperature. Default option for boilers and hot process vessels.
- P355 NH (EN 10028-3): Normalized. Better toughness at −20°C (40 J). Suitable for cold outdoor environments or wide thermal cycles.
- P355 NL1/NL2 (EN 10028-3): Normalized. For severe low-temperature service (−40°C / −50°C). Liquefied gas tanks, LNG storage.
The choice depends on the required design code:
- SA-516 GR70: when the design follows the ASME Section VIII code (projects with American licenses, international Oil & Gas, export to the US, India, Middle East).
- P355 GH: when the design follows EN 13445 or the equipment must carry CE marking under PED in Europe.
Although both grades are mechanically similar, they are not interchangeable without validation. For dual-qualification projects (PED + ASME), Mayor Steel can supply material with both certificates.
P355 GH complies with EN 10028-2, which requires: stricter limits on residual elements (Cu, Sn, Sb, As), guaranteed mechanical properties up to 400°C, controlled CEV for weldability in thicker sections, and full traceability with a 3.1 certificate.
S355 JR/J2+N complies with EN 10025 for general construction, without high-temperature guarantees. Using S355 instead of P355 GH in a pressure vessel can invalidate CE marking and expose the manufacturer to legal liability.
Permanent stock in the following formats:
- EU thicknesses (P265/P355): 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120 mm
- ASME thicknesses (SA-516): 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150 mm
- Dimensions: 2000×6000 mm, 2000×8000 mm, 2500×6000 mm, 2500×12000 mm
- Finish: Hot rolled / Normalized (NH, NL) / Optional pickling
For special thicknesses (up to 250 mm) or custom formats, check availability. Delivery 48–72h from European warehouses. Plate cut to size with ISO 9013 tolerances.
- Each plate carries an indelible heat marking (ink or stamped)
- The 3.1 certificate links the heat with the mechanical and chemical tests
- During processing (cutting), a new certificate is generated that keeps the reference to the original heat
- Delivery note with cross-reference to the certificate
Yes, we coordinate inspections by classification bodies at origin: TÜV, Bureau Veritas, RINA, ABS, Lloyd's Register and DNV. The body inspects the material at the warehouse, verifies dimensions, marking and documentation, and issues an inspection certificate in addition to the EN 10204 3.1 or MTR. Common in petrochemical plants, ASME equipment and high-criticality equipment with dual qualification.
Do you need certified plate for pressure vessels?
P265 GH · P355 GH · P355 NH · P355 NL · SA-516 GR60/70 — Permanent stock in Spain. Quote in less than 2 hours.
Plate for pressure vessels: specialists in PED and ASME distribution
Mayor Steel is a specialized distributor of steel for pressure vessels in Spain, focused on the grades P265 GH, P355 GH, P355 NH and P355 NL according to EN 10028-2/3 and on the grades SA-516 GR60 / GR70 according to ASME. Permanent stock with EN 10204 3.1 certification or ASME MTR/CMTR and full traceability.
The PED Directive 2014/68/EU requires harmonized materials with complete technical documentation. P265 GH and P355 GH plate (EN 10028-2) and P355 NH/NL (EN 10028-3) meet these requirements. For projects under the ASME Section VIII code, SA-516 GR70 is the world reference material, with P-Number 1 and a broad welding qualification base.
We serve manufacturers of industrial boilers, heat exchangers, process vessels, autoclaves and Oil & Gas equipment throughout Spain and for export projects. Technical advice, custom cutting and just-in-time delivery. Quote in less than 2 hours.