Difference between RINA E500 and RINA E550 steel plate

Apr 14, 2026 Leave a message

RINA E500 is an extra-high-strength marine steel plate certified by the Italian classification society RINA (Registro Italiano Navale) for shipbuilding and offshore applications. The "E" grade signifies it is impact tested at -40°C, ensuring excellent toughness for vessels operating in cold environments . It has a minimum yield strength of 500 MPa and tensile strength ranging from 610 to 770 MPa, with a minimum elongation of 16% . The chemical composition is strictly controlled with carbon ≤0.20% and manganese ≤1.70%, and it includes elements such as nickel and copper to enhance corrosion resistance . This grade is available in thicknesses up to 260mm and is widely used for offshore drilling platforms, hull structures, and FPSO vessels .

 

RINA E550 is an ultra-high-strength marine steel plate also certified by RINA, with impact toughness tested at -40°C requiring a minimum of 37J . The "550" denotes a minimum yield strength of 550 MPa and tensile strength ranging from 670 to 830 MPa, with a minimum elongation of 16% . The chemical composition features carbon ≤0.20%, manganese ≤1.70%, and microalloying elements such as Nb and V for enhanced properties . This grade is designed for demanding structural components in shipbuilding, offshore platforms, and Arctic-class vessels requiring superior strength-to-weight ratio .

 

Both RINA E500 and RINA E550 are RINA-certified extra-high-strength marine steels with excellent low-temperature toughness tested at -40°C, ensuring reliable performance in harsh marine environments including Arctic conditions . 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 high-strength offshore platforms and general shipbuilding, while E550 provides a substantially higher minimum yield strength of 550 MPa with tensile strength reaching 670-830 MPa, designed for more demanding load-bearing applications requiring superior strength-to-weight ratio . Both grades feature controlled chemical composition with carbon ≤0.20% and maintain good weldability for critical marine service, with E550 typically requiring more precise processing to achieve its enhanced mechanical properties . The selection between them depends on whether the project requires the balanced strength of E500 or the enhanced performance of E550 for more extreme structural demands.

 

RINA E500 extra high Strength Chemical Composition in Tempering and Quenching

 

Element

RINAE500 Max %

Element

RINAE500 Max %

C

0.20

Ni

0.40

Mn

1.70

Mo

0.08

Si

0.10-0.55

Al

0.020 min

S

0.030

Nb

0.20-0.05

P

0.030

V

0.05-0.10

Cu

0.35

Ti

0.0007-0.05

Cr

0.20

N

 

 

RINA E550 extra high Strength Chemical Composition in Tempering and Quenching

 

Element

RINA E550 Max %

Element

RINA E550 Max %

C

0.20

Ni

0.40

Mn

1.70

Mo

0.08

Si

0.10-0.55

Al

0.020 min

S

0.030

Nb

0.20-0.05

P

0.030

V

0.05-0.10

Cu

0.35

Ti

0.0007-0.05

Cr

0.20

N

 

 

RINA E500 extra high strength property in Tempering and Quenching

 

Grade

Thickness

Yield Strength

Tensile Strength

Elongation

Impact Energy

(mm)

MPa (min)

MPa

% (min)

(KV J) (min)

 

 

 

 

-40 degree

RINA E500

8-260

500

610-770

16

33J

 

RINA E550 extra high strength property in Tempering and Quenching

 

Grade

Thickness

Yield Strength

Tensile Strength

Elongation

Impact Energy

(mm)

MPa (min)

MPa

% (min)

(KV J) (min)

 

 

 

 

-40 degree

RINA E550

8-260

550

670-830

16

37J