What is the Role of ASTM A387 Grade 5 Plates in Petrochemical Processing?

Jan 05, 2026 Leave a message

If you're involved with plant and petrochemical processing, you know how important it is to have reliable plate material to handle these operations' intense heat and pressure. Fortunately, ASTM A387 Grade 5 plates are specifically designed for high-temperature service applications and provide an unbeatable combination of strength, corrosion resistance, toughness, and quality necessary for safely producing essential petrochemicals.

 

As a leading supplier of industrial steel plates and custom tube shell heat exchangers for global petrochemical projects, GNEE explores the unique role of ASTM A387 Grade 5 plates in petrochemical processing, their key properties, and why they outperform alternative materials in specific applications.

 

 

What is ASTM A387 Grade 5 Plates?

ASTM A387 Grade 5 Plates are chrome molybdenum alloy steel plates intended primarily for welded boilers and pressure vessels designed for moderate and lower temperature services.

They contain chromium (0.40%) and molybdenum (0.35%) as alloying elements with manganese, silicon, nickel, tungsten, and nitrogen.

The physical properties of ASTM A387 Grade 5 Plates make them suitable for elevated temperature services due to their superior strength, good corrosion resistance in the atmosphere, and low mechanical stress under maximum temperatures.

The tensile strength is around 620MPa, while the yield strength is 420MPa resulting in an elongation of 20%. Their special features include hardness values of 230BHN, making them highly durable enough even in extreme weather conditions at varying atmospheric pressures.

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Chemical Composition (Cast Analysis, %)

 

Element Minimum Maximum
Carbon (C) 0.15 0.25
Manganese (Mn) 0.40 0.70
Phosphorus (P) - 0.035
Sulfur (S) - 0.035
Silicon (Si) 0.15 0.40
Chromium (Cr) 0.30 0.80
Molybdenum (Mo) 0.40 0.65

 

 

Key Mechanical & Thermal Properties

 

Property Value
Minimum Tensile Strength 485 MPa (70 ksi)
Minimum Yield Strength 240 MPa (35 ksi) [Class 1]; 310 MPa (45 ksi) [Class 2]
Maximum Service Temperature 538°C (1000°F)
Charpy V-Notch Impact Toughness ≥27 J (20 ft-lb) at -29°C (-20°F)
Weldability Excellent

 

 

The Role of ASTM A387 Grade 5 Plates in Petrochemical Processing

 A387 Grade 5 Plates

ASTM A387 Grade 5 Plates in Pressure Vessels

Pressure vessels are essential components in petrochemical processing plants, wherein they store, transport, and process various chemicals and other substances. These vessels should be sturdy enough to handle high temperatures and pressure. That's where ASTM A387 Grade 5 plates come in – they offer excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature oxidation, making them a popular choice for pressure vessel fabrication. These plates can handle pressure up to 2175psi and temperatures as high as 1000°F without warping or cracking, ensuring safety and efficiency.

ASTM A387 Grade 5 Plates in Boilers

Boilers are critical in petrochemical processing since they provide steam that enables various processes like power generation and heating. Since boilers operate at high temperatures and pressure, they are prone to corrosion and thermal fatigue. ASTM A387 Grade 5 plates are perfect for these applications since they exhibit exceptional corrosion resistance and withstand high-temperature oxidation. With these plates, boilers can operate effectively for longer periods and with little maintenance, increasing efficiency and decreasing downtime.

 A387 Grade 5 Plates
 A387 Grade 5 Plates

ASTM A387 Grade 5 Plates in Reactors

Reactor vessels are essential in petrochemical processing since they initiate and accelerate chemical reactions. These vessels should withstand high pressure, heat, corrosion, and severe environmental conditions to ensure safety, reliability, and efficiency. ASTM A387 Grade 5 plates are a favourite choice for reactors since they offer impressive resistance to high-temperature corrosion and high-pressure oxidation. As a result, these plates increase the longevity of the reactor vessel and contribute to the reliability of the processing plant.

 

Benefits of ASTM A387 Grade 5 Plates

 

The use of ASTM A387 Grade 5 plates in petrochemical processing has immense benefits, including high-temperature resistance, exceptional corrosion and oxidation resistance, high strength, and an extended lifespan. These plates can perform in the harshest chemical environments and contribute to petrochemical processing equipment's overall security, dependability, and longevity.

 

 

GNEE's ASTM A387 Grade 5 Solutions for Petrochemical Projects

 

At GNEE, we specialize in supplying ASTM A387 Grade 5 Class 1/2 plates optimized for petrochemical processing, with:

 

Custom Sizes: Thicknesses 6mm–200mm, widths up to 4600mm, and lengths up to 12000mm to fit tube shell heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and piping.

Full Certification: ASME Section II, ASTM A387/A387M compliance, and optional NACE MR0175 certification for sour service.

Rigorous Testing: UT, HIC/SSCC, Charpy V-notch, and chemical analysis to meet petrochemical industry standards.

One-Stop Fabrication: Integration into custom tube shell heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and piping-engineered to your project's temperature, pressure, and fluid requirements.

 

Our A387 Grade 5 plates are used in refineries, petrochemical plants, and gas processing facilities across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, delivering consistent performance and compliance with global standards (API, PED, ISO).

 

 

Conclusion

 

ASTM A387 Grade 5 plates play a pivotal role in petrochemical processing, offering a balanced combination of high-temperature strength, corrosion resistance, weldability, and cost-effectiveness. Their Cr-Mo alloying makes them ideal for moderate-to-severe service environments-from tube shell heat exchangers and pressure vessels to process piping and reactors-outperforming carbon steel and providing value over higher-alloy alternatives.

 

For petrochemical projects requiring reliable, long-lasting materials, ASTM A387 Grade 5 is the smart choice. Whether you need plates for tube shell heat exchangers, pressure vessels, or piping, GNEE's engineering team can help you select the right grade (Class 1/2), size, and testing options to meet your specific needs.

Request A Quote

 

Contact GNEE today to discuss your ASTM A387 Grade 5 plate requirements for petrochemical processing and secure competitive pricing, technical support, and fast global delivery!

 

What is SA 387 GR 5 material?

SA387 GR 5 CLASS 2
A high quality chrome molybdenum alloy steel plate intended specifically for use in weldable carbon steel pressure vessels at elevated temperatures. Added molybdenum gives the material greater temperature tensile strength and the chromium provides improved corrosion resistance.

 

What is the difference between SA 387 GR 11 cl1 and cl2?

The difference between SA 387 Grade 11 Class 1 and Class 2 Plate lies in their mechanical properties. However, they both have the same chemical composition. The tensile strength and yield strength of class 2 material is higher than that of class 1, whereas the elongation for class 1 is higher compared to class 2

 

What is SA 387 GR 12 Cl 2 equivalent material?

The Equivalent materials of Sa 387 Gr 12 are BS 620B, UNS K11757, A387 / SA 387, DIN 13 CRMO 44, and EN 3 CRMO 45.

 

 

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GNEE Steel also supplies a variety of boilers and pressure vessel steel plates, such as A204 Grade B,A515 Grade 70,A537 Class 1,SA387 Grade 11 Class 1,P265GH,S537 Class 2,P355Q,P275N,P355N,P690Q,Q345R, etc. If you want to know more about other types of steel plates, you can call the consultation hotline at +8615824687445 or send an email to alloy@gneesteelgroup.com. You are welcome to consult us, and we are very willing to answer your questions.

 

Grades Of Pressure Vessel Plates Supplied By GNEE
ASTM ASTM A202/A202M ASTM A202 Grade A ASTM A202 Grade B    
ASTM A203/A203M ASTM A203 Grade A ASTM A203 Grade B ASTM A203 Grade D ASTM A203 Grade E
ASTM A203 Grade F      
ASTM A204/A204M ASTM A204 Grade A ASTM A204 Grade B ASTM A204 Grade C  
ASTM A285/A285M ASTM A285 Grade A ASTM A285 Grade B ASTM A285 Grade C  
ASTM A299/A299M ASTM A299 Grade A ASTM A299 Grade B    
ASTM A302/A302M ASTM A302 Grade A ASTM A302 Grade B ASTM A302 Grade C ASTM A302 Grade D
ASTM A387/A387M ASTM A387 Grade 5 Class1 ASTM A387 Grade 5 Class2 ASTM A387 Grade 11 Class1 ASTM A387 Grade 11 Class2
ASTM A387 Grade 12 Class1 ASTM A387 Grade 12 Class2 ASTM A387 Grade 22 Class1 ASTM A387 Grade 22 Class2
ASTM A515/A515M ASTM A515 Grade 60 ASTM A515 Grade 65 ASTM A515 Grade 70  
ASTM A516/A516M ASTM A516 Grade 55 ASTM A516 Grade 60 ASTM A516 Grade 65 ASTM A516 Grade 70
ASTM A517/A517M ASTM A517 Grade A ASTM A517 Grade B ASTM A517 Grade E ASTM A517 Grade F
ASTM A517 Grade P ASTM A517 Grade J    
ASTM A533/A533M ASTM A533 Grade A Class1 ASTM A533 Grade B Class1 ASTM A533 Grade C Class1 ASTM A533 Grade D Class1
ASTM A533 Grade A Class2 ASTM A533 Grade B Class2 ASTM A533 Grade C Class2 ASTM A533 Grade D Class2
ASTM A533 Grade A Class3 ASTM A533 Grade B Class3 ASTM A533 Grade C Class3 ASTM A533 Grade D Class3
ASTM A537/A537M ASTM A537 Class1 ASTM A537 Class2 ASTM A537 Class3  
ASTM A612/A612M ASTM A612      
ASTM A662/A662M ASTM A662 Grade A ASTM A662 Grade B ASTM A662 Grade C  
EN EN10028-2 EN10028-2 P235GH EN10028-2 P265GH EN10028-2 P295GH EN10028-2 P355GH
EN10028-2 16MO3      
EN10028-3 EN10028-3 P275N EN10028-3 P275NH EN10028-3 P275NL1 EN10028-3 P275NL2
EN10028-3 P355N EN10028-3 P355NH EN10028-3 P355NL1 EN10028-3 P355NL2
EN10028-3 P460N EN10028-3 P460NH EN10028-3 P460NL1 EN10028-3 P460NL2
EN10028-5 EN10028-5 P355M EN10028-5 P355ML1 EN10028-5 P355ML2 EN10028-5 P420M
EN10028-5 P420ML1 EN10028-5 P420ML2 EN10028-5 P460M EN10028-5 P460ML1
EN10028-5 P460ML2      
EN10028-6 EN10028-6 P355Q EN10028-6 P460Q EN10028-6 P500Q EN10028-6 P690Q
EN10028-6 P355QH EN10028-6 P460QH EN10028-6 P500QH EN10028-6 P690QH
EN10028-6 P355QL1 EN10028-6 P460QL1 EN10028-6 P500QL1 EN10028-6 P690QL1
EN10028-6 P355QL2 EN10028-6 P460QL2 EN10028-6 P500QL2 EN10028-6 P690QL2
JIS JIS G3115 JIS G3115 SPV235 JIS G3115 SPV315 JIS G3115 SPV355 JIS G3115 SPV410
JIS G3115 SPV450 JIS G3115 SPV490    
JIS G3103 JIS G3103 SB410 JIS G3103 SB450 JIS G3103 SB480 JIS G3103 SB450M
JIS G3103 SB480M      
GB GB713 GB713 Q245R GB713 Q345R GB713 Q370R GB713 12Cr1MoVR
GB713 12Cr2Mo1R GB713 13MnNiMoR GB713 14Cr1MoR GB713 15CrMoR
GB713 18MnMoNbR      
GB3531 GB3531 09MnNiDR GB3531 15MnNiDR GB3531 16MnDR  
DIN DIN 17155 DIN 17155 HI DIN 17155 HII DIN 17155 10CrMo910 DIN 17155 13CrMo44
DIN 17155 15Mo3 DIN 17155 17Mn4 DIN 17155 19Mn6