S960QL vs S690QL
These two grades are listed as equivalents of each other: their chemistry windows overlap and they serve the same applications. They are not always identical — check the differences below before substituting, especially in certified designs.
S960QL
Structural & HSLA Steel
S960QL is the strongest grade in the EN 10025-6 structural family: 960 MPa minimum yield with −40 °C toughness, for the most weight-critical booms and lifting structures. Availability is thinner and lead times longer than S690QL/S890QL, and fabrication discipline is unforgiving.
Standards: DIN S960QL (EN 10025-6) · GB Q960 (GB/T 16270, near)
S690QL
Structural & HSLA Steel
S690QL is the EN 10025-6 quenched-and-tempered structural steel with 690 MPa minimum yield — the grade behind weight-critical crane booms, mining equipment and mobile machinery in Europe. Its low-temperature toughness (−40 °C) matches the strength, unlike cheaper Q&T plates.
Standards: DIN 1.8928 (S690QL) · AISI A514 (near) · GB Q690D (near)
Chemical composition compared (%)
| Element | S960QL | S690QL |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤0.20 | ≤0.20 |
| Si | ≤0.80 | ≤0.80 |
| Mn | ≤1.70 | ≤1.70 |
| P | ≤0.020 | ≤0.020 |
| S | ≤0.010 | ≤0.010 |
| Cr | ≤1.50 | ≤1.50 |
| Ni | ≤2.00 | ≤2.00 |
| Mo | ≤0.70 | ≤0.70 |
| B | ≤0.005 | ≤0.005 |
Properties compared
| Property | S960QL | S690QL |
|---|---|---|
| Yield strength | ≥960 MPa (≤50 mm) | ≥690 MPa (≤50 mm) |
| Tensile strength | 980–1150 MPa | 770–940 MPa |
| Impact | QL: 27 J at −40 °C | QL: 27 J at −40 °C |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ | 7.85 g/cm³ |
Sourcing either grade?
Nasteel stocks both families from Shenzhen with EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates by heat number.
Ask for a quotationSee full data sheets: S960QL · S690QL. Substitution decisions for certified parts stay with the design authority.