EN10028 16Mo3 Boiler Steel Plate Price

EN10028 16Mo3 for mid-temperature pressure equipment where a balance of creep resistance and weldability is needed; typical 2025 market prices for hot-rolled 16Mo3 plates range roughly from $450 to $900 per metric ton depending on origin, trade terms and certification level, with Chinese-origin supplies often at the lower end of that band and European-certified stock at the higher end.

What is EN10028 16Mo3

We treat EN10028 16Mo3 as a low-alloy chromium–molybdenum pressure-vessel steel that’s standardized under the EN 10028 family for flat products used in welded pressure equipment. It is formulated to retain strength at elevated temperatures (typical use up to ~450–500°C in many designs) while remaining readily weldable and formable for boiler and pressure-vessel fabrication.

Standard & designation context

EN10028 is the European set of specifications covering flat steel products for pressure purposes. Within that family, 16Mo3 identifies nominal chemical and mechanical targets (the “16” and “Mo” reflect historical naming conventions tied to carbon/molybdenum levels). When ordering, the full reference often appears as EN 10028-2 16Mo3 (or steel number 1.5415) and will be accompanied by the required inspection certificate (e.g., EN 10204 3.1/3.2) and additional purchaser-specified tests.

Chemical composition

Typical control ranges stated by producers and standards for 16Mo3 emphasize modest carbon with deliberate molybdenum addition to boost high-temperature strength and creep resistance. Representative composition bands are:

• Carbon (C): around 0.12% (typical max 0.20%)

• Silicon (Si): up to ~0.35%

• Manganese (Mn): ~0.4–0.9%

• Phosphorus (P): ≤ ~0.025%

• Sulfur (S): ≤ ~0.01%

• Chromium (Cr): nominally around 0.30%

• Molybdenum (Mo): approx 0.25–0.35%

• Small allowances for copper and nitrogen in trace amounts

These ranges are typical industry targets used to produce consistent elevated-temperature performance and weldability — consult mill certificates for the exact batch values.

Mechanical properties and elevated-temperature behavior

The mechanical specification of 16Mo3 is thickness-dependent and provided as minimum limits in the EN standard. Typical room-temperature properties (hot-rolled, normalized/normalized-and-tempered as applicable) include:

• Yield strength (Rp0.2): commonly in the range ~280–360 MPa (varies with thickness and heat treatment)

• Tensile strength (Rm): approximately 410–590 MPa depending on thickness class

• Elongation A (%) and impact energy may be specified or tested per purchaser requirements for critical pressure-vessel parts.

Crucially, 16Mo3 maintains better retained strength at higher service temperatures compared with plain carbon steels; the Mo addition reduces creep rate and softening during long-term exposure. For designs that work near 450°C and above, designers examine long-term strength (creep) data, allowable stresses and time-temperature limits. Manufacturer datasheets typically list Rm and Rp0.2 by thickness band — always match these figures to your ASME/EN design code calculations.

Manufacture, delivery conditions, testing and certifications

We insist that boiler and pressure-vessel materials arrive with traceable documentation:

• Delivery conditions: Hot-rolled plates are commonly supplied under normalized or normalized-and-tempered conditions where required. Mill rolling and heat-treatment details will be recorded.

• Testing: Chemical analysis (spectrometer), mechanical tests (tensile, bend), and non-destructive exams (UT/RT) depending on spec. Inspection certificates to EN 10204 (3.1 or 3.2) are standard for pressure applications.

• Thickness range & supply forms: Typical plate production covers a wide thickness band (thin sheets up to heavy plates), often up to several hundred millimetres for specialized orders. Maximum supplied thickness and rolling history are critical to qualify for design categories.

• Quality systems: Many mills operate to ISO 9001 and maintain additional approvals for nuclear, oil & gas, or power-industry procurement on request.

Testing and certification are not optional for safety-critical pressure components; they materially affect cost and lead time.

Welding, fabrication and heat treatment

We advise fabricators to adopt these conservative practices:

• Preheat: For thicker sections or where carbon equivalent is higher (due to other alloying), preheat is recommended to avoid hydrogen cracking. Typical preheat ranges are modest (100–200°C) but should be set according to welding procedure (WPS) and thickness.

• Interpass control: Keep interpass temperature within WPS limits. Excessive interpass temps can affect microstructure adversely.

• Consumables: Choose filler metals with compatible composition and toughness (often NiCr or matching low-alloy steel fillers designed for Cr–Mo steels).

• Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT): PWHT is often required after welding boiler or pressure-vessel joints made from 16Mo3 to temper the heat-affected zone and reduce residual stresses. The exact PWHT temperature and hold time depends on thickness and code (EN/ASME) requirements.

• Welding procedures: Qualify welding procedures and welders with mechanical and NDT tests per the design code. HAZ softness and tempering behavior should be validated where the component will see elevated temperatures.

Following a qualified WPS and documented PWHT practices ensures a durable welded structure under high-temperature service.

Typical applications and industries

We see 16Mo3 employed widely where moderate high-temperature strength and reliable fabrication are required:

• Industrial boiler and steam drum plates

• Pressure vessels in power generation and process plants

• Heat exchangers and superheater support structures

• Certain petrochemical reactors and piping spools where elevated-temperature service is expected

The alloy’s balance of formability, weldability and higher-temperature strength makes it a mainstay for medium-range elevated-temperature pressure equipment.

Equivalents and comparison to other grades

If you need cross-references, these simplify procurement and substitution decisions (but never assume absolute equivalence without checking design code limits):

• Steel number & EN: 16Mo3 corresponds to 1.5415 in many steel-number tables.

• Common near-equivalents: Some industry cross-reference lists align 16Mo3 to European P-specified steels (e.g., P235GH family members) and to certain ASTM/ASME items (look carefully — direct ASTM equivalents can be approximate rather than exact). Material comparison tables and manufacturer guides are often used to map functional equivalents for procurement, but designers should validate allowable stresses and impact requirements per the governing design standard.

Procurement, logistics and the 2025 price picture

How price is formed (weighing the factors)

Price depends on multiple, interacting variables:

• Origin & mill: European mills with strict traceability and higher labor/energy costs generally quote higher EXW/EX-works or FCA prices. Chinese and some South-Asian mills typically offer lower FOB/EXW prices but buyers often add inspection and freight costs.

• Certification level: EN 10204 3.1 vs 3.2, additional testing (impact, creep), or third-party inspection increases cost.

• Thickness & dimensions: Unusual thicknesses and small-lot work lead to higher per-ton prices due to machining or extra processing.

• Market dynamics: Steel raw-material prices (iron ore, scrap), energy, and demand for pressure-vessel quality grades influence quotes.

• Trade terms & shipping: FOB, CFR/CIF or DDP materially change landed cost calculations for the buyer.

We compiled a practical market snapshot for 2025 that synthesizes supplier price-points and publicly listed ranges to help procurement planning.

Global price comparison — typical 2025 ranges (USD per metric ton)

Note: these bands aggregate different supplier quotes, marketplace advertisements and distributor listings published in 2024–2025; exact quotes fluctuate daily and must be requested from mills or trading houses for contractual pricing. Representative supplier price ranges appear in public listings and trade platforms and indicate that Chinese-origin hot-rolled 16Mo3 commonly sits toward the lower band, whereas fully certified European stock is at a premium.

How to specify 16Mo3 when placing an order

We provide a concise ordering checklist we use for clarity and to avoid disputes:

1. Standard & grade: “EN 10028-2 16Mo3 (1.5415)”

2. Thickness, width, length tolerances and quantity (metric tons or pieces)

3. Delivery condition: e.g., normalized / hot rolled / normalized & tempered (if required)

4. Certificate level: EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 and any additional test certificates

5. Mechanical tests: tensile, bending, impact (temperatures and specimens)

6. NDT requirements: UT/RT, acceptance criteria, number of pieces tested

7. Welding consumable suggestion or approval (if supplied as welded assemblies)

8. Packing, marking and traceability requirements (heat number, mill ID)

9. Inspection & third-party inspector (if requested) — name and scope

10. Delivery terms: Incoterm (FOB, CIF, DDP) and expected delivery window

Ask the supplier to provide a sample mill test report (MTR) showing actual chemical and mechanical values before final acceptance.

Storage, handling and shelf life

We handle 16Mo3 plates like other pressure-vessel steels:

• Keep sheets dry, ventilated and off the ground on dunnage to prevent surface corrosion.

• Avoid stacking in a way that may cause permanent deformation.

• For long-term storage, apply temporary rust-preventive coatings and inspect before fabrication.

• If plates have been re-rolled or heat-treated by the supplier, verify heat-treatment records before accepting.

Sustainability, recycling and regulatory aspects

16Mo3 is recyclable within standard steel recycling streams. Buyers should also consider:

• Environmental footprint of suppliers: energy intensity of mill operations and local environmental compliance can be procurement criteria for responsible sourcing.

• RoHS/REACH considerations: while 16Mo3 isn’t a regulated chemical product, trace alloy contents and supply-chain declarations may be requested in certain jurisdictions.

• End-of-life recycling: the steel re-enters scrap markets; segregation of coated or contaminated remains is standard practice.

FAQs

Q1 — Is 16Mo3 the same as P235GH or A516 Grade 70?
A1 — Not exactly. 16Mo3 is an EN-designated alloyed boiler/pressure-vessel plate with Mo to enhance high-temperature performance; P235GH is a related pressure-vessel steel but chemical and strength bands differ. ASTM A516 Grade 70 is a US carbon-manganese pressure-vessel plate and may serve similar functions in some designs, but direct substitution requires engineering validation against design codes. Always compare allowable stresses and impact/temperature requirements before substitution.

Q2 — What maximum service temperature can we expect for 16Mo3?
A2 — Typical engineering practice treats 16Mo3 as suitable for elevated temperatures up to around 450–500°C in many applications, but exact allowable stresses and long-term creep data must be used in calculations for anything near those temperatures. Check the mill’s long-term strength tables if your design approaches the upper range.

Q3 — Do I need PWHT on welded 16Mo3 structures?
A3 — Often yes for pressure equipment exposed to elevated temperature or when thicker sections are welded. The need for PWHT depends on design code (EN/ASME), thickness, joint geometry and hydrogen management. Follow your qualified weld procedure and the code’s PWHT tables.

Q4 — How much more does certified European 16Mo3 cost compared to standard Chinese origin?
A4 — In 2025 market snapshots, European-certified stock commonly carries a premium that can range roughly 20–60% above lower-end Chinese-origin mill quotes once all inspection and certification differences are considered. Exact differentials depend on required certificates and testing.

Q5 — What documents must I insist on before accepting plate delivery?
A5 — At minimum: a mill test report (MTR) to EN 10204 (3.1 or 3.2), chemical analysis, tensile test certificates, NDT records (UT/RT) as required, and clear traceability markings (heat number). Third-party inspection reports should be included if requested.