Pressure Vessel Steel Plates Standard
Date:2026-09-14
Pressure vessel steel plates—often referred to as "boiler and vessel plates"—are steel plates specifically manufactured for the construction of steam boilers, pressure vessels, and structural components of other pressure-bearing equipment.
1. US Standard System: ASME and ASTM
These are the most widely used standards globally for petrochemical, oil refining, and large-scale pressure vessel projects; the core standard is the ASME BPVC (Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code).
Common Grades:
Carbon steel for moderate and low-temperature service: SA-516 Gr.70 is the absolute "workhorse"; suitable for moderate to low-temperature environments, it is the preferred choice for many export projects.
Carbon steel for high-temperature service: SA-515 is used for moderate to high-temperature applications.
High-strength carbon-manganese-silicon steel: SA-537 (Class 1/2) is used where higher strength is required.
Chromium-molybdenum alloy steel: SA-387 (e.g., Gr.11, 22, 91) is used for high-temperature, high-pressure, and hydrogen-service environments.
Low-temperature nickel steel: SA-203 (e.g., Gr.E) is used for low-temperature operating conditions.
Characteristics: The ASME code specifies not only material properties but also mandates associated rules for design, fabrication, and inspection. If a project requires the ASME "U" stamp, ASME-approved materials must be used.
2. European Standard System: EN 10028 Series
This is the mandatory standard for Europe and many international EPC projects; it is closely linked to the EU's PED (Pressure Equipment Directive) and is crucial for obtaining CE certification.
Standard Structure: EN 10028 is a series of standards categorized by material type:
EN 10028-1: General requirements.
EN 10028-2: Non-alloy and alloy steels with specified elevated temperature properties (e.g., P265GH, P355GH, 16Mo3, 13CrMo4-5).
EN 10028-3: Weldable fine-grain steels, normalized (e.g., P355NL1, P355NL2; commonly used for low-temperature applications).
EN 10028-4: Nickel alloy steels for low-temperature service. EN 10028-5: Thermomechanically rolled (TMCP) fine-grain steels; not suitable for hot forming.
EN 10028-6: Quenched and tempered fine-grain steels; intended for high-strength applications.
Common grade: P355GH is the most common non-alloy steel for boilers and pressure vessels; its properties are comparable to the Chinese standard Q345R and the American standard SA-516 Gr.70.
3. Japanese Standard System: JIS
Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) are widely used in Asia and in certain marine projects; specifications from ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) frequently reference JIS standards directly.
Core standards:
JIS G 3103: Carbon and molybdenum steel plates for boilers and pressure vessels; grade designations carry the prefix "SB" (e.g., SB410, SB450).
JIS G 3115: Steel plates for pressure vessels for intermediate temperature service; grade designations carry the prefix "SPV" (e.g., SPV235, SPV355).
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