SA 387 Grade 11 (also known as 1.25Cr-0.5Mo alloy steel) is a chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel plate specified by ASTM/ASME for high-temperature pressure vessel applications, including boilers, heat exchangers, and petrochemical reactors. Its temperature performance is defined by both service temperature limits and heat treatment requirements, with minor variations between Class 1 and Class 2.
Why SA 387 Gr 11 Performs Well at High Temperature

SA 387 Gr 11 contains approximately 1.25% Chromium and 0.5% Molybdenum, which provides:
Excellent creep resistance
Good high-temperature strength
Improved oxidation resistance
Stability under long-term thermal exposure
Because of these properties, it is widely used in refineries, petrochemical plants, hydrogen service, and power generation equipment.
Maximum Design Temperature (ASME Perspective)
Under ASME Section II, Part D, the maximum allowable design temperature for SA 387 Grade 11 is typically around:
540°C (1000°F) for long-term service
⚠️ The exact allowable stress at a given temperature must always be checked against the latest ASME code tables, as allowable stresses decrease as temperature increases.
Low-Temperature Performance
Standard SA 387 Gr 11 is not intended for very low-temperature service
Impact testing may be required for temperatures below –20°C
For sub-zero or cryogenic service, other alloy steels are more appropriate
Heat Treatment Temperature Specifications
SA 387 Grade 11 plates undergo specific heat treatment to achieve their high-temperature properties:
| Treatment | Temperature Range | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Normalizing (Class 1) | 899–927°C (1650–1700°F) | Refines grain structure, improves ductility, and prepares for tempering |
| Quenching (Class 2) | 870–900°C (1598–1652°F) | Hardens the steel through rapid cooling |
| Tempering (Both Classes) | 620–650°C (1148–1172°F) | Reduces hardness, improves toughness, and stabilizes the microstructure for high-temperature service |
lass Distinction: Class 1 uses normalizing + tempering, while Class 2 uses quenching + tempering (Q&T) to achieve higher yield strength (310 MPa vs. 240 MPa for Class 1).
Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of AISI A387 grade 11-PVQ alloy steel is outlined in the following table.
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Iron, Fe | 96.16-97.6 |
| Chromium, Cr | 1.0-1.50 |
| Silicon, Si | 0.50-0.80 |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.40-0.65 |
| Molybdenum, Mo | 0.45-0.65 |
| Carbon, C | 0.050-0.17 |
| Phosphorous, P | 0.035 |
| Sulfur, S | 0.035 |
Physical Properties
The following table shows the physical properties of AISI A387 grade 11-PVQ alloy steel.
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.7-8.03 g/cm3 | 0.278-0.290 lb/in3 |
Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of AISI A387 grade 11-PVQ alloy steel are displayed in the following table.
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 515-690 MPa | 74700-100000 psi |
| Yield strength | 310 MPa | 45000 psi |
| Rupture strength | 37.0 - 48.0 MPa | 5370 - 6960 psi |
| Elastic modulus | 190-210 GPa | 27557-30458 ksi |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.27-0.30 | 0.27-0.30 |
| Elongation at break (In 50 mm) | 22.00% | 22.00% |
GNEE's SA 387 Grade 11 Solutions
At GNEE, we supply ASTM/ASME-certified SA 387 Grade 11 Class 1 and Class 2 plates optimized for:
Heavy-duty tube shell heat exchangers operating at 550–593°C
Petrochemical reactors with cyclic temperature variations
Power generation boilers handling superheated steam
Our plates undergo rigorous NDT (ultrasonic inspection) and meet heat treatment specifications to ensure consistent temperature performance across all thicknesses (6mm–200mm).
Summary
SA 387 Grade 11 temperature capability at a glance:
✅ Recommended service temperature: up to 540°C (1000°F)
✅ Ideal for elevated-temperature pressure vessels
✅ Excellent balance of strength, creep resistance, and weldability
If you need help selecting SA 387 Grade 11 Class 1 or Class 2 for your specific operating temperature and pressure, GNEE Steel can provide professional technical support and fast quotations.
What is SA 387 Grade 11 Class 2 equivalent to?
Sa 387 Gr 11 Equivalent Material is the ASME SA387 in the US markets with the European Union having modules in 13CrMoSi5-5 grade. The Sa 387 Gr 11 Cl 2 Equivalent Material is the SA387-11-2 of the ASME and ASTM standard.
What is SA 387 GR 12 material?
chrome molybdenum carbon alloy steel
SA387 GR 12 CLASS 2
Engineered for use in elevated temperature service, ASME SA387 Grade 12 is a chrome molybdenum carbon alloy steel for use in weldable pressure vessels and industrial boilers.
What is the difference between SA 387 Grade 11 CL 1 and Class 2?
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 the difference between SA 516 GR 70 and SA 387 GR 11?
Compared to carbon steel plates, SA 387 Gr 11 plates offer superior corrosion and oxidation resistance while maintaining good tensile and yield strength. Compared to SA 516 Gr 70 plates, SA 387 Gr 11 plates have better resistance to oxidation and corrosion, making them a better choice for high-temperature environments.
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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 | |||



