Difference between BV E500 and BV E690 steel plate

BV E500 is a high-strength marine steel plate certified by Bureau Veritas (BV) . The "E" grade signifies it is impact tested at -40°C, ensuring reliable performance in cold environments. It has a minimum yield strength of 500 MPa and tensile strength ranging from 610 to 770 MPa, with minimum elongation of 16% . The chemical composition features carbon ≤0.20%, manganese ≤1.70%, and silicon ≤0.55% . This grade is typically supplied in quenched and tempered (QT) or thermomechanical controlled processed (TMCP) conditions . It is widely used for hull construction, decks, bulkheads, and offshore structures requiring high strength and excellent weldability.

BV E690 is an ultra-high-strength marine steel also certified by Bureau Veritas (BV) with impact toughness tested at -40°C . The "690" denotes a minimum yield strength of 690 MPa . It has a tensile strength ranging from 770 to 940 MPa and minimum elongation of 14% . The chemical composition is strictly controlled with carbon ≤0.20%, manganese ≤1.70%, and microalloying elements . This grade requires advanced processing and is typically supplied in quenched and tempered (QT) or TMCP conditions . It is designed for the most demanding structural components in shipbuilding, offshore drilling units, and marine equipment requiring maximum strength-to-weight ratio.

Both BV E500 and BV E690 are BV-certified high-strength marine steels with excellent low-temperature toughness tested at -40°C, ensuring reliable performance in harsh marine environments . Their primary difference lies in strength level: E500 offers a minimum yield strength of 500 MPa with tensile strength of 610-770 MPa, suitable for general high-strength hull construction and offshore structures , while E690 provides a substantially higher minimum yield strength of 690 MPa with tensile strength reaching 770-940 MPa, designed for extra-high-strength applications in critical load-bearing components . Both grades feature controlled chemical composition with carbon ≤0.20% and manganese ≤1.70% , and require advanced processing like QT or TMCP to achieve their mechanical properties while maintaining good weldability for marine service.

Chemical Composition

Mechanical Property