S690QL steel is quenched and tempered to enhance its mechanical properties, primarily to increase its strength and toughness. Quenching involves heating the steel and then rapidly cooling it, which increases hardness and tensile strength. Tempering follows quenching and involves reheating the steel to a lower temperature to reduce brittleness while maintaining strength. This combination of processes results in improved mechanical properties, including high yield and tensile strength, good ductility, and impact resistance, which are essential for structural applications requiring high load capacities and performance at low temperatures .

When selecting S690QL for bridge construction, key factors to consider include the desired load-carrying capacity, environmental conditions, and structural demands. The steel's high yield strength (minimum 690 MPa for thickness up to 50 mm, 650 MPa for 50-100 mm, and 630 MPa for over 100 mm) and tensile strength ensure it can withstand heavy loads. Its impact energy at -40ºC makes it suitable for bridges in colder climates. Additionally, consideration of its thickness is crucial depending on the specific load and structural requirements of the bridge design .

The chemical composition of S690QL includes elements such as carbon (0.20%), silicon (0.80%), manganese (1.70%), chromium (1.50%), and molybdenum (0.70%), which enhance its strength, hardness, and wear resistance. Elements like nickel (2.0%) and copper (0.50%) increase its toughness and resistance to atmospheric corrosion. Low levels of phosphorus (0.020%) and sulfur (0.010%) prevent brittleness and enhance weldability. These chemical constituents collectively contribute to the high strength, toughness, and weldability of S690QL, making it suitable for demanding structural applications .

Nickel (2.0%) and copper (0.50%) in the composition of S690QL play crucial roles in enhancing the steel's performance. Nickel improves the toughness and resistance to brittle fracture, especially at low temperatures, making the steel suitable for use in cold environments. Copper contributes to corrosion resistance, further enhancing the steel's durability and longevity in challenging environmental conditions. These elements, therefore, enhance S690L's reliability and suitability for use in harsh environments .

Weldability is a significant factor for S690QL steel, enabling it to be effectively used in fabricated structures, such as bridges and cranes. Its composition, with low sulfur (0.010%) and phosphorus (0.020%) levels, contributes to excellent weldability by reducing the risk of weld embrittlement and cracking. Another condition affecting weldability is the heat input during welding. Excessive heat can deteriorate tempering, adversely affecting mechanical properties. Therefore, controlling heat input is crucial to maintain desired weld quality and overall structural integrity .

The fabrication of S690QL steel can be challenging due to its high strength, which requires significantly more power—approximately three times more than carbon structural steels—for forming or bending. This property necessitates the use of adequate power and proper procedures to avoid material failure. Additionally, hot forming should not exceed 560ºC, as higher temperatures may alter the steel's tempering, negatively impacting its mechanical properties. Such considerations are crucial to avoid compromising the steel's integrity and performance during fabrication .

The document recommends avoiding exceeding a temperature of 560ºC during hot forming of S690QL, as temperatures above this can alter the steel's initial tempering and negatively affect its mechanical properties. These recommendations are important to maintain the steel's high strength, toughness, and other desirable mechanical attributes essential for its structural applications. Observing these recommendations ensures the integrity and reliability of the steel in practical use .

S690QL is similar to its approximated equivalents, such as ASTM A514 and EN 10149-2 Grade S700MC, in terms of high yield and tensile strength, making it suitable for high-stress structural applications. However, S690QL offers specific testing for impact energy at -40ºC, emphasizing its suitability for cold environments. While ASTM A514 and S700MC also provide high strength and toughness, S690QL's specific composition and mechanical property requirements for cold impact testing make it particularly advantageous for applications in cold climates .

The impact energy requirement of 30 J longitudinally or 27 J transversely at -40ºC for S690QL is significant because it indicates the steel's ability to withstand impact loads at low temperatures without becoming brittle. This property is critical for applications exposed to extreme cold environments, such as bridges and structures in cold climates, as it ensures safety and integrity under dynamic and unpredictable loading conditions. It demonstrates the steel's toughness and reliability in maintaining performance under such conditions .

The key mechanical properties of S690QL steel that make it suitable for demanding applications include its high yield strength of at least 690 MPa (decreasing slightly to a minimum of 630 MPa for thick sections over 100 mm), tensile strength ranging from 770 to 940 MPa depending on thickness, and minimum elongation of 14%. Additionally, it has excellent toughness with a minimum impact energy of 30 J at -40°C, ensuring performance under cold conditions. These properties ensure that S690QL can carry greater loads and create lighter structural designs compared to conventional steel, which are essential for earthmoving equipment and bridge applications .