Difference between BV DH40 and BV EH40 steel plate

Jan 26, 2026 Leave a message

BV DH40 and BV EH40 are both high-strength hull structural steel plates certified by Bureau Veritas (BV) with a minimum yield strength of 390 MPa, but they differ significantly in impact toughness temperature. DH40 is tested at -20°C, while EH40 offers superior toughness at -40°C, making EH40 suitable for arctic or severe cold environments.

Chemical Composition

BV DH40 high Strength Chemical Composition in Tempering and Quenching
Grade	The Element Max (%)
Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Al	N
BV DH40	0.18	0.1-0.50	0.90-1.6	0.035	0.035	0.015
	Nb	V	Ti	Cu	Cr	Ni	Mo
	0.02-0.05	0.05-0.10	0.02	0.35	0.2	0.4	0.08

BV EH40 high Strength Chemical Composition in Tempering and Quenching
Grade	The Element Max (%)
Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Al	N
BV EH40	0.18	0.1-0.50	0.90-1.6	0.035	0.035	0.015
	Nb	V	Ti	Cu	Cr	Ni	Mo
	0.02-0.05	0.05-0.10	0.02	0.35	0.2	0.4	0.08

Mechanical properties

BV DH40 high strength property in tempering and quenching
Grade		Mechanical Property			Charpy V Impact Test
Grade	Thickness	Yield	Tensile	Elongation	Degree	Energy 1	Energy 2
BV DH40	mm	Min Mpa	Mpa	Min %	-20	J	J
	t≤50	390	510-660	20%		26	39
	50＜t≤70	390	510-660	20%		31	46
	70＜t≤100	390	510-660	20%		37	55
Note: Energy 1 is transverse impact test, Energy 2 is longitudinal

BV EH40 high strength property in tempering and quenching
Grade		Mechanical Property			Charpy V Impact Test
Grade	Thickness	Yield	Tensile	Elongation	Degree	Energy 1	Energy 2
BV EH40	mm	Min Mpa	Mpa	Min %	-40	J	J
	t≤50	390	510-660	20%		26	39
	50＜t≤70	390	510-660	20%		31	46
	70＜t≤100	390	510-660	20%		37	55
Note: Energy 1 is transverse impact test, Energy 2 is longitudinal

Key Differences:

Impact Temperature:

DH40 : Charpy V-notch impact toughness is tested at -20°C.

EH40 : Charpy V-notch impact toughness is tested at -40°C.
Applications:

DH40: Used for ship hulls and offshore structures operating in normal to cold ocean temperatures.

EH40: Used for extreme cold, polar, or arctic environments due to its higher low-temperature toughness.

Yield & Tensile Strength: Both share the same minimum yield strength of 390 MPa and tensile strength range of 510-660 MPa.