M270M HPS485W Preheat — H8, Low HI, ≤ 20 mm: 125°F
Fracture-critical preheat requirement for M270M HPS485W / M270 HPS70W at ≤ 20 mm (3/4 in) thickness with H8 hydrogen designation, per AASHTO/AWS D1.5:2025, the Bridge Welding Code.
M270M HPS485W / M270 HPS70W
AASHTO M270M HPS485W (M270 HPS70W) is a high-performance weathering steel with 485 MPa (70 ksi) yield, used in long-span bridge girder flanges and heavily loaded members where weight reduction is critical. Produced as quenched-and-tempered plate up to 100 mm (4 in) thick. The high strength level places it in NFC Group 2 (Table 6.3) with higher minimum preheat than Group 1. FC preheat follows Tables 12.6/12.7 alongside the 345W grades but at higher temperatures reflecting the increased hardenability. Maximum interpass per Table 6.4 is 230°C (450°F) to protect the Q&T microstructure.
Understanding the FC Preheat for M270M HPS485W / M270 HPS70W
High-performance 485 MPa (70 ksi) weathering bridge steel. Under D1.5 fracture-critical requirements (Clause 12), the combination of H8 hydrogen designation and this heat input band requires 125°F minimum preheat at ≤ 20 mm (3/4 in). Lower hydrogen levels (H4 < H8 < H16) allow lower preheat because less hydrogen enters the weld deposit. Similarly, higher heat input reduces preheat requirements because slower cooling rates give hydrogen more time to diffuse out.
Where M270M HPS485W / M270 HPS70W Is Used
Used in long-span bridge main girder flanges, cable-stayed bridge edge girders, and heavily loaded interchange ramp girders where weight reduction is critical. Enables 20–30% weight savings versus Gr.345 designs, allowing shallower girder sections that reduce embankment costs. Flange thickness often exceeds 50 mm (2 in), making preheat and interpass control critical at every CJP splice. Fabricators must use dual-readout temperature monitoring to ensure joints stay within the qualified range between minimum preheat and maximum interpass.
H8 Hydrogen Control for M270M HPS485W / M270 HPS70W
HPS485W (HPS70W) at H8 represents a moderate preheat specification used when H4 consumables are not available in the required wire diameter or flux combination. For SAW on long girder flange welds, H8 wire-flux combinations are more readily available than H4 alternatives.
Why Preheat Matters at ≤ 20 mm (3/4 in)
Material up to 20 mm (3/4 in) covers most cross-frame angles, stiffener clips, lateral bracing members, and light bridge plate. At this thickness, hydrogen diffusion is efficient and preheat requirements are the lowest in Table 6.3 — 10°C (50°F) for both groups. In FC service, this thickness tier also carries the lowest preheat in Tables 12.4–12.7, starting at 40°C (100°F) for H4 consumables.
M270M HPS485W / M270 HPS70W at ≤ 20 mm (3/4 in)
HPS485W (HPS70W) under 20 mm is uncommon because its high-strength benefit is marginal at thin gauges where member capacity is governed by buckling rather than yield. When specified, it appears in compact tension flanges on short deep girders for interchange ramps. The Q&T microstructure makes welding procedure more sensitive to heat input than conventional grades — even at thin plate, interpass monitoring is essential.
Other Bridge Steels at H8 1.2–2.0 kJ/mm · ≤ 20 mm (3/4 in)
| Steel | Table | Preheat |
|---|---|---|
| M270M Gr.250 / M270 Gr.36 | A | 125°F (50°C) |
| M270M Gr.345 / M270 Gr.50 | A | 125°F (50°C) |
| M270M Gr.345S / M270 Gr.50S | A | 125°F (50°C) |
| M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W | B | 125°F (50°C) |
M270M HPS485W / M270 HPS70W at H8 1.2–2.0 kJ/mm
Try Different Combinations
Use the D1.5 Bridge Preheat Calculator to look up any AASHTO M270 steel, hydrogen level, and heat input combination. Also see the D1.1 Preheat Calculator for structural steel.
Related Guides
For fracture-critical M270M HPS485W / M270 HPS70W welded with H8-designated consumables at ≤ 20 mm (3/4 in) thickness and 1.2–2.0 kJ/mm heat input, the minimum preheat is 125°F (50°C) per D1.5 Table 12.6/12.7.
Non-fracture-critical (Table 6.3) preheat is a simple thickness-based lookup. Fracture-critical (Tables 12.4–12.8) adds hydrogen level and heat input as variables, typically requiring higher preheat. For FC members, the hydrogen designator on the consumable classification directly determines the minimum preheat.
Higher heat input means slower cooling rates, giving hydrogen more time to diffuse out of the weld zone. At 1.2–2.0 kJ/mm, the 125°F preheat balances the hydrogen level and cooling rate. Moving to a higher heat input band would typically reduce the required preheat for the same hydrogen level and thickness.
Yes — D1.5 Table 6.3 requires a minimum of 10°C (50°F) even for the thinnest material in both groups. This is higher than D1.1’s Category B minimum of 0°C (32°F) at the same thickness, reflecting the more conservative approach for bridge structures where fracture consequences are severe.
D1.5:2025 reference data. Not affiliated with AWS or AASHTO.