ASTM A516
Carbon steel pressure-vessel plate for moderate and lower temperature
The workhorse specification for carbon steel pressure-vessel plate for moderate and lower temperature service, in Grades 55, 60, 65 and 70.
- Plate, sheet & strip
- ASME SA-516
- 1 grade supplied to it
Reviewed by the Kanak Steel & Engineering Co. technical team · Updated October 2026
What is ASTM A516?
ASTM A516 is the specification for carbon steel pressure-vessel plate for moderate and lower-temperature service. Grades 55, 60, 65 and 70 are named for their minimum tensile strength in ksi; Grade 70 is the most widely used. Plate over 40 mm (1.5") thick is normalised. General requirements and supplementary tests (impact, ultrasonic, simulated PWHT) are in ASTM A20. ASME adopts it as SA-516.
ASTM A516 at a glance
| Grades | 55, 60, 65, 70 |
|---|---|
| Grade 70 tensile | Pending current standard text |
| Grade 70 yield, min | Pending current standard text |
| Heat treatment | As-rolled or normalised; normalised above 40 mm (1.5") thickness |
| General requirements | ASTM A20 — tolerances and supplementary requirements |
| ASME designation | SA-516 |
A516 Gr 70 vs A387 vs A537
| Plate | Material | Use |
|---|---|---|
| SA-516 Gr 70 | Carbon-manganese steel | Vessels at moderate and lower temperatures |
| SA-387 Gr 11 / 22 | 1¼Cr-½Mo / 2¼Cr-1Mo | High-temperature and hydrogen service |
| SA-537 | Heat-treated C-Mn-Si steel | Higher strength vessel plate |
How to write ASTM A516 on a purchase order
Name the product, size, material specification and grade, the dimensional standard and the certificate. An example line:
Illustrative only — sizes, tests, inspection level and any project values come from your purchase specification.
ASTM A516 edition and verification status
Which edition we have confirmed, and what is still being checked before any numerical requirement is published here.
| Current edition | Not yet confirmed against the publisher listing |
|---|---|
| Full-text verification | In progress — numerical requirements are not published on this page |
| Edition on your order | The edition named in your purchase order or design code governs — confirm it with your enquiry |
What to know before ordering to ASTM A516
The points that decide whether material to ASTM A516 is accepted at inspection.
- Grade 70 is the most common for boilers, pressure vessels and storage tanks.
- Plates are often ordered normalised (to A20) for better toughness; state it on the order.
- Impact testing is a supplementary requirement — ask for it when the design code needs it.
Grades and products we supply to ASTM A516
| Grade | Product | Designation on the certificate |
|---|---|---|
| SA-516 Gr 70 | Plate | ASTM A516 Gr 70 · ASME SA-516 |
How ASTM A516 fits into an order
A purchase order line is only complete when it names the material standard, the dimensional standard and the inspection document. Miss one and the mill, the inspector and the buyer can each read the order differently.
Standards used with ASTM A516
Same family
ASTM A516 — questions buyers ask
What is ASTM A516?
ASTM A516 is the specification for carbon steel pressure-vessel plate for moderate and lower-temperature service. Grades 55, 60, 65 and 70 are named for their minimum tensile strength in ksi; Grade 70 is the most widely used. Plate over 40 mm (1.5") thick is normalised. General requirements and supplementary tests (impact, ultrasonic, simulated PWHT) are in ASTM A20. ASME adopts it as SA-516.
What does "boiler quality plate" mean?
An Indian trade term for pressure-vessel plate such as SA-516 Gr 70 or IS 2002 — plate made and tested to a pressure-vessel specification.
Is impact testing included in A516?
Only when ordered — usually as ASTM A20 supplementary requirement S5 at your test temperature.
When is A516 normalised?
Plate over 40 mm (1.5") must be normalised; thinner plate can be ordered normalised, commonly when impact testing is required.
Which grades do you supply to ASTM A516?
SA-516 Gr 70 — see the table on this page for the exact product and designation.
What is the difference between ASTM A516 and ASME SA-516?
ASME SA-516 is the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Section II) adoption of ASTM A516. The technical requirements are usually identical to a specific ASTM edition; pressure-equipment codes call for the ASME designation, and most mill certificates show both.
Do you supply certificates to this standard?
Yes. Material is supplied with mill test certificates to EN 10204 3.1 showing the standard, grade and heat number; 3.2 with third-party inspection on request.
Sources: the ASTM / ASME specifications named on this page and producer datasheets · Last updated October 2026