ASTM A516 (PVQ) Grade 70 remains the dominant pressure-vessel plate in 2025 and that price levels are highly regional: typical ranges in 2025 run roughly $650–$900 / t (China export), $700–$1,100 / t (India), $900–$1,600 / t (U.S. domestic/retail) and €650–€1,100 / t (Europe) depending on thickness, normalized vs. as-rolled condition, certification, and order size. These ranges are market indicators, not firm quotes — every project should be priced with up-to-date mill or distributor quotes.
What ASTM A516 / PVQ means
We use the ASTM A516 specification to identify “pressure vessel quality” (PVQ) carbon steel plates intended for moderate- and lower-temperature welded pressure vessels. The standard covers grades 55, 60, 65 and 70; Grade 70 is the most commonly specified for modern boilers, storage vessels and heat exchangers. The ASTM pages summarize tensile/yield ranges and the requirement matrix for notch toughness and manufacturing controls.
Typical applications that drive demand
A516 plate is requested for:
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Boiler shells and drums.
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Pressure vessels in petrochemical plants.
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Oil & gas storage and separators.
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Heat exchangers and process tanks.
Demand spikes in regions where refinery, petrochemical and heavy process projects are active; that linkage to project cycles explains much of the price volatility.
How A516 Grade 70 differs from Grade 60 / 65
Grade 70 is specified when higher tensile strength and improved notch toughness are required. Grade selection matters for price: Grade 70 usually commands a premium versus Grade 60 because of tighter composition control, higher minimum tensile values, and sometimes additional testing (Charpy impact results or normalization). Industry datasheets and mill product pages summarize the mechanical bands for these grades and specify when normalization is required for thicker plates.
Manufacturing forms, normalized vs. as-rolled and price impact
A key determinant of price is the supply condition: plates thicker than certain limits are often normalized (heat-treated to refine grain), which raises production cost and therefore price. “As-rolled” material for thinner plates is cheaper. Additional requirements — PWHT, NACE/HIC testing, third-party inspection, special mill certificates (EN10204 3.1/3.2) — add to the per-ton cost. Supplier pages clearly list these options and their typical price impact.
Main cost drivers for A516 plate in 2025
When we price A516 today we check the following variables because each one materially changes the number:
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Hot-rolled coil / scrap / raw mill input cost (scrap is especially important in electric-arc mills).
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Energy and gas prices at the mill.
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Mill capacity and local tariffs — protective tariffs in some markets keep domestic prices higher.
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Logistics / freight and container costs — for export business these are volatile.
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Thickness, grade and normalized condition — thicker / normalized = higher.
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Quantity and delivery schedule — spot single plate buys cost more per ton than large contracts.
Price watchers like SteelBenchmarker and regional intelligence services report these market signals continuously; distributors and mills update spot and contract terms rapidly.
Regional market summary
We checked top supplier pages and market indices to form these regional views:
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China — large export availability and many mills offering A516 PVQ; spot export offers often fall in the $650–$900 / t band in 2025, though thickness and normalized condition push the top end higher. (supplier market listings & local price trackers).
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India — active domestic mills and exporters; prices commonly quoted in the $700–$1,100 / t range depending on brand (Jindal, SAIL, JSW), certification and finishing.
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United States — domestic mills and distributors sell both small-qty cut plates and mill truckloads; spot/retail prices trend higher because of tariffs and higher domestic production costs (typical retail/finished plate numbers commonly near $900–$1,600 / t depending on service, cut size, and processing).
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Europe — local mill pricing reflects European scrap and energy; common ranges convert to roughly $700–$1,200 / t (roughly €650–€1,100 / t) for finished A516 stock, depending on supplier and certification.
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Middle East (UAE / GCC) — import reliance makes the final landed cost sensitive to freight and duties; expect $800–$1,200 / t landed for standard A516 plate with normal certification.
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Brazil & South America — local producers and imports create mixed price signals; typical delivered ranges align with export parity from China or local mills plus freight. (regional supplier pages).
Note: those ranges are regional indicative bands derived from distributor and supplier listings and from benchmark indices. For contract pricing we always request firm mill/FOB/EXW quotations.
Global price comparison table (indicative, 2025)
| Region | Typical 2025 indicative range (USD / metric ton) | Notes / typical condition |
|---|---|---|
| China (export offers) | $650 – $900 / t. | FOB / export quotes seen on marketplaces; wide variance by mill and thickness. |
| India | $700 – $1,100 / t. | Depends on mill, normalized condition, export vs. domestic. |
| USA (domestic / distributor) | $900 – $1,600 / t. | Retail/processed plate and domestic protection increase landed cost. |
| Europe | $700 – $1,200 / t (≈€650–€1,100). | Local energy & scrap influence; tight specs/third-party certs raise price. |
| Middle East (UAE/GCC) | $800 – $1,200 / t (landed). | Freight and import handling significant. |
| Brazil / S.America | $750 – $1,250 / t (landed) | Market varies with local mill output and ocean freight. |
How we built the table: we synthesized mill/distributor adverts, marketplace listings and benchmark indices; ranges reflect typical supplier offers seen in 2025 rather than a single firm quote. For budgetary purposes use the low/mid/high bands, then ask suppliers to confirm.
How suppliers commonly quote A516 plate
Suppliers may quote in different units and terms:
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CWT (hundredweight): US distributors sometimes list $ per CWT (100 lb). Convert: 1 ton (2,000 lb) = 20 CWT.
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USD / Metric ton or USD / short ton (be careful which). 1 metric ton ≈ 2,204.62 lb; 1 short ton = 2,000 lb.
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FOB (mill or port), EXW (factory), CIF/CFR to door — clarify incoterms.
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Processing adders: cutting, beveling, testing, painting, packing are almost always extra. We always request an itemised quote: base plate, processing, certificates, inspection, packing, freight to destination.
Buying checklist (what to ask suppliers)
When we evaluate quotes for A516 PVQ we always request:
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Exact grade (A516 Gr 60/65/70) and supply condition (as-rolled / normalized).
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Thickness and dimension tolerance.
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Mill test certificate type (EN10204 3.1/3.2) and presence of third-party inspection.
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Charpy impact test requirement + temperature of testing.
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Delivery term (EXW/FOB/CIF) and lead time.
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MOQ and price breaks for larger quantities.
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Packing, insurance, and whether they cover ultrasonic or PMI traceability checks.
Asking these early removes hidden costs later.
Typical tolerances, certifications and testing that add cost
What increases price:
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Normalized condition (heat treatment).
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Charpy impact testing at specific low temperatures.
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NACE / HIC resistance for sour service (requires extra metallurgy and testing).
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PWHT (post-weld heat treatment) acceptance or instructions.
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Mill certificates 3.1 vs 3.2 — 3.2 involves independent verification and costs more.
These add credibility and safety but increase unit price.
Short case example: 100-ton order
We estimate landed cost roughly as:
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Base mill FOB China = $750 / t → $75,000
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Ocean freight & insurance to EU port ≈ $40 / t → $4,000
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Import duty / handling / inland delivery ≈ $50 / t → $5,000
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Testing & third-party inspection ≈ $10 / t → $1,000
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Processing / cutting / beveling ≈ $25 / t → $2,500
Total landed ≈ $837 / t → $83,700 for 100 t (numbers illustrative — your project may differ). We always confirm current freight and duty before finalising budgets. Market indices show HRC and plate base values moving week-to-week; that is why firm quotes are essential.
FAQs
Q1 — Is A516 the same as ASME SA516?
Yes. ASME SA516 is the identical ASME designation for the ASTM A516 material. In practice you will see both used; they represent the same composition and mechanical requirements when the same revision is referenced.
Q2 — How much more does normalized A516 Grade 70 cost versus as-rolled?
Normalization can add a modest mill premium — typically 5–15% on top of base plate cost — because of the additional furnace cycles and inspection. Exact premium depends on mill and thickness.
Q3 — Which tests or certificates should I insist on for pressure vessels?
Minimum: mill test certificate (EN10204 3.1 or 3.2) and ultrasonic testing for lamination. For critical service add Charpy impact tests at the specified temperature and third-party inspection. NACE / HIC for sour environments is mandatory where specified.
Q4 — Why do Chinese FOB offers look low but landed price becomes similar to domestic?
Freight, inspection, import duties, inland logistics, and local processing margins commonly erode FOB savings. Sometimes short lead time or localization makes local supply more cost-effective for time-sensitive projects. Supplier adverts and marketplace listings illustrate this gap.
Q5 — How should I budget for price movement on a multi-month project?
We recommend adding a contingency (3–8% for short projects, up to 10–12% for long multi-month procurements) or negotiating a fixed-price contract with a mill hedged by partial prepayment and clear terms for scrap or energy surcharges.
