A514 / T-1 Steel Plate Price 2025

In 2025, ASTM A514 (commonly sold under trade names such as T-1) remains a premium, quenched-and-tempered high-yield structural plate used where strength-to-weight matters. Pricing varies widely by region, order size, grade, and thickness — typical market ranges in mid-2025 for A514 plate are roughly USD $550–$1,500 per metric ton depending on origin and supply chain factors; U.S. domestic mill/commodity premiums push many exact-spec A514 deliveries above common hot-rolled coil levels. We build on technical standards, market drivers, and buying best practices below so procurement and engineering teams can make accurate cost and specification decisions.

What is A514 / T-1?

We treat A514 as a family of quenched-and-tempered alloy steel plates designed to deliver high yield strength (nominally 100 ksi for thinner plates), with good weldability and toughness for heavy structural and equipment work. In commercial markets A514 is often sold under trade names (T-1, T1) by mills and service centers. The ASTM A514/A514M specification is the governing standard for chemistry, heat treatment and mechanical test requirements.

Quick technical snapshot (what the standard requires)

• Standard: ASTM A514 / A514M — Standard Specification for High-Yield-Strength, Quenched and Tempered Alloy Steel Plate, Suitable for Welding.

• Design yield strength: Minimum ~100 ksi (690 MPa) for plates up to about 2½” (≈63 mm). Thicker sections often have slightly lower specified minimum yield (e.g., 90 ksi for >2.5″ to 6″).

• Typical tensile / elongation ranges: Ultimate tensile strengths and elongation criteria depend on grade and thickness; suppliers publish grade tables. Manufacturers often produce multiple grades (A, B, E, F, H, Q, S, P) with slightly different chemistries and charpy impact options.

How A514 is produced

We summarize the key mill steps that affect cost and performance: the steel is alloyed (microalloying elements such as V, Mo, sometimes Cr), hot-rolled to plate thickness, then quenched and tempered to develop the required high yield strength and toughness. That heat treatment step is cost-intensive and tightly controlled; it also explains why A514 plate carries a premium over ordinary hot-rolled carbon grade plates.

Mechanical properties that buyers should check

When you request a quote, require the mill test report (MTR) to show: yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, Brinell hardness (where specified), and — if project needs dictate — Charpy V-notch impact energy at a specified temperature. We always verify thickness-dependent properties because the spec relaxes yield for thicker plates.

Grades & chemistry (practical differences)

Different A514 grades (A, B, E, F, H, Q, S, P) have variations in allowable carbon, microalloy additions and required toughness. Some grades are optimized for low-temperature toughness testing; others are more focused on weldability or machinability. For systems where impact toughness is critical (e.g., low-temperature service, military use), specify Charpy V-notch acceptance levels and the test temperature.

Typical applications (where the premium makes sense)

We recommend A514 when you need to save weight or meet structural limits: cranes, heavy machinery frames, truck frames and trailers, counterweights, structural members for lifts and platforms, some pressure-resisting components (careful — pressure vessel codes differ), and ballistic/deflector plates in specialized ranges. Its high yield lets designers use thinner sections for the same load capacity.

Comparison with common alternatives

• A36: far lower yield (~36 ksi) and much cheaper — choose A36 when high strength is not required.

• AR (abrasion resistant) steels (e.g., AR400): AR grades are hardness-specified; they’re for wear, not structural load. A514 is structural and Q&T—not a wear steel by design.

• HSS / tool steels (T1 tool steel): unrelated category — “T1” tool steel is a high-speed tool steel (HSS) while “T-1” as used in plate markets typically refers to A514 trade names. Be precise: don’t confuse AISI T1 HSS with A514/T-1 structural plate.

2025 price drivers

Key variables that explain the spread in A514 prices this year:

• Mill base price for hot-rolled coil/plate: plate indices and mill announcements set the baseline for fabricated plate; A514 carries an alloy/processing premium. (See U.S. plate index trends below.)

• Alloy and process premium: quench-and-temper heat treatment, extra alloy additions and testing raise cost versus commodity grades.

• Freight & logistics: ocean FCL rates and inland trucking/rail add materially to per-ton delivered cost, especially for small orders.

• Tariffs / trade policy & duties: cross-border duties or antidumping cases can change landed price by tens to hundreds USD/ton.

• Order size, plate dimensions & value-added processing: cut-to-size, edge conditioning, machining, grinding, or certification services increase per-ton delivered cost. Supplier minimums also apply.

2025 market snapshot & indices

By mid-2025 plate indices showed some stabilization after earlier volatility. Several service-center reports noted easing or flatness in plate base prices in late Q2 2025, though specific alloy plates (like A514) often stayed priced at a premium. U.S. plate indices and PPI series confirm these trends. For buyers, that means negotiating on both the base plate index and the alloy premium; asking mills/service centers for recent MTRs and mill price letters saves surprises.

Global price comparison

NOTE: steel pricing moves fast. The numbers below are indicative mid-2025 ranges gathered from public mill/service-center listings, market commentary and open supplier quotes. Use them as procurement benchmarks — always request live quotations with Incoterms and lead time. Sources cited for each region below.

How to interpret these ranges: the lower end usually reflects bulk FOB factory quotes from Asia for standard grades, while the higher end reflects short-lead, certified, small-lot deliveries from domestic mills or service centers with value-added processing. Always confirm grade (A514 B/E/F/H/Q etc.), thickness range and whether Charpy testing is required before comparing prices.

How we recommend you request quotes

When you ask suppliers for a quote, include:

• ASTM designation (A514 / A514M) and specific grade (B, E, F, H, Q, etc.).

• Exact thickness range and plate dimensions (length, width tolerance).

• Required mechanical test acceptance (yield, tensile, elongation).

• Charpy V-notch test requirement and test temperature (if low-temp service).

• MTR / mill test report requirement, and any additional inspection (third-party, PMI, UT).

• Incoterm (FOB Shanghai, CFR Jebel Ali, DDP warehouse), quantity and lead time.

Specifying these items up front prevents suppliers from pricing a “standard” A514 that lacks the test requirements you later demand (which would otherwise produce change-orders and price increases).

Logistics & lead time guidance

• Typical lead times: domestic A514 from stock (service centers): 1–4 weeks; mill direct or custom heat-treat orders: 4–12+ weeks depending on thickness and grade. Freight and customs add transit time for imports.

• Minimum order/FOB lots: factories may quote per metric ton MOQ (e.g., 1–5 t), and export prices often drop for 20-ton+ orders. Smaller orders face higher per-ton freight and processing premiums.

Quality control & tests we insist on

• Full MTR traceable to mill heat number.

• Charpy V-notch if specified (report temperature).

• Hardness where required by the project (Brinell/Rockwell).

• UT/RT for plate critical applications if requested.

• On-site or third-party inspection for large projects. These prevent field failures and costly replacements.

Example cost math

Suppliers often quote in CWT (hundredweight = $ per 100 lb), per lb, per short ton (2,000 lb) or per metric ton (1,000 kg). Use these conversions:

• 1 CWT = 100 lb.

• 1 short ton = 2,000 lb = 20 CWT.

• 1 metric tonne ≈ 2,204.62 lb.
  Example: a CWT quote of $40 = $0.40/lb → 2,000 lb = $800 per short ton. Always confirm whether the quoted “ton” is short or metric and whether prices include coatings, cutting, or certification.

FAQs

Q1 — Is A514 always the right choice for weight savings?
A: Not always. If you need abrasion resistance or ballistic/armor properties, choose specialized AR or ballistic steels. Use A514 when structural strength plus weldability/toughness are the priority.

Q2 — Can I weld A514 in the field?
A: Yes — A514 is intended to be weldable, but welding procedure (preheat, interpass temps, consumables) should match the grade and thickness. For critical structures, follow qualified WPS and consider post-weld heat treatment if required.

Q3 — Why do Chinese FOB quotes look much lower?
A: Lower FOB factory prices may reflect different overhead, local input costs, and sometimes relaxed service-center value-adds; landed cost can rise with freight, duties, value-added processing and quality assurance. Always compare landed TO your site.

Q4 — Should we require Charpy testing?
A: If the structure sees low temperatures or dynamic loading, require Charpy V-notch at a specified temperature. This reduces brittle fracture risk. Not all projects need it — but you must specify.

Q5 — How to spot a supplier misquote?
A: If the quote is extremely low and the supplier is vague about grade, heat treatment, testing, or MTRs, treat it as incomplete. Ask for a copy of the proposed MTR format (or a prior example) and evidence of ASTM compliance.