High Performance Steel

HPS-70W Update

Background
New high performance steels (HPS) have been developed through a cooperative agreement between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), and the Department of the Navy. The first of these steels is ASTM A709 Grade HPS-70W (HPS-485W), known simply as HPS-70W.

HPS-70W is defined as steel plate that has:

• A minimum yield strength of 70 ksi (485 MPa)
• High levels of fracture toughness (zone 3 minimum)
• Reduced preheat requirements for welding
• Improved weathering properties per ASTM G101

This steel is an improved version of an older grade - A709 Grade 70W.