Pressure Vessel Steel
What is a Pressure Vessel Steel?
Pressure Vessel Steel Plates, often referred to as "Boiler Plates," are specialized carbon and low-alloy hot-rolled steel plates used primarily to manufacture pressure vessel shells, boiler drums, and other pressurized components. These materials typically operate within a temperature range of -20°C to 500°C, with specific high-performance grades—such as the typical 16MnR,P265GH, P295GH, P355GH,A387,A537,A612 steel—capable of reaching up to 560°C.
Because these vessels operate under extreme conditions, including high pressure, intense thermal cycles, and corrosive media, they must adhere to six critical performance criteria:
1.High Strength: Capacity to withstand immense internal pressure from steam, gases, or liquids, preventing plastic deformation or catastrophic bursting.
2.Excellent Toughness and Plasticity: Resistance to brittle fracture during pressure fluctuations or temperature shocks, ensuring high crack growth resistance.
3.Superior Weldability: Vessels are typically fabricated via welding; the steel must be easy to weld while ensuring the joint maintains mechanical properties similar to the parent metal.
4.High-Temperature Performance:
- Creep Resistance: Maintaining stability without slow deformation (creep) or rupture under continuous high stress and heat.
- Oxidation Resistance: Resisting corrosive scales from high-temperature steam or air.
5.Low-Temperature Toughness: For cryogenic applications (e.g., LNG, liquid ammonia), the steel must remain ductile to prevent "low-temperature brittle fracture."
6.Corrosion Resistance: Ability to resist chemical and electrochemical attacks from media such as Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), ammonia, acids, and alkalis.
Classification of Pressure Vessel Steels
1. Classification by Chemical Composition
The chemical makeup determines the steel's fundamental physical and mechanical boundaries.
Carbon Steel:
- Composition: Primarily Iron and Carbon with small amounts of Manganese (Mn) and Silicon (Si).
- Characteristics: An excellent balance between strength and cost-effectiveness. However, it lacks significant corrosion resistance, limiting its use in highly aggressive environments.
- Typical Grades:
ASME/ASTM: SA-516 (Grades 55, 60, 65, 70); SA-515 (Grades 60, 65, 70); ASTM A285 (Grades A, B, C).
European (EN 10028-2): P265GH, P295GH, P355GH.
Chinese (GB 713): Q245R, Q345R.
Low Alloy Steel:
- Composition: Contains 1% to 5% alloying elements to enhance performance.
- Key Elements:
Chromium (Cr): Enhances strength, hardness, and oxidation resistance.
Molybdenum (Mo): Improves high-temperature strength (creep resistance) and corrosion resistance.
Nickel (Ni): Adds toughness and essential resistance to low temperatures.
- Typical Grades:
ASME SA-387: Grade 11, Grade 22 (Cr-Mo steels).
ASTM A204: Grades A, B, C (Molybdenum alloy).
ASTM A533: Class 1, Class 2 (Mn-Mo-Ni alloy for nuclear reactors).
EN 10028-2: 16Mo3, 13CrMo4-5, 10CrMo9-10.
GB 713: 12Cr1MoV, 15CrMoR.
2. Classification by Service Environment
High-Temperature & High-Pressure: Used in reactors and coke drums.
Grades: 15CrMoR, 12Cr2Mo1R (SA387 Gr22), 10CrMo9-10.
Low-Temperature/Cryogenic Service: Used for liquefied gas storage.
Grades: ASTM A612, A662, A735, A203, A645.
Chinese: 09MnNiDR, 16MnDR, 15MnNiDR ("DR" indicates Low-Temp Vessel).
Japanese (JIS): SL1N, SL2N, JIS G3126.
High-Strength Quenched & Tempered (Q&T):
Grades: ASTM A517, A537, A724, JIS G3115.
Chinese: 18MnMoNbR, 13MnNiMoR (used for heavy-wall high-pressure equipment).
3. Classification by Strength Level (Tensile Strength N/mm2)
Based on Table 6-7-3 "Quality Indicators for Pressure Vessel Plates":
310–350 N/mm2: ASTM A285, BS1501, DIN 17175, GOST 5520.
360–380 N/mm2: ASTM A285, A515, A516, A442, GOST 5520.
390–410 N/mm2: ASTM A515/516, A442, JIS G3116/G3103/G3118/G3115.
430–450 N/mm2: ASTM A515/516, JIS G3116/G3103/G3118.
480–490 N/mm2: ASTM A515/516, A537, A737, JIS G3116/G3113/G3118/G3115, GB 713.
510–530 N/mm2: ASTM A455, A299, DIN 17155, JIS G3115.
Dimensions, Specifications, and Quality Standards
- Thickness Range: Generally from 5mm to 200mm, with specific thickness intervals defined by international standards.
- Geometric Control: Strict tolerances for shape, flatness, and squareness.
- Surface Quality: Surface defects such as cracks, scabs, rolling bubbles, impurities, and pressed-in scale are strictly prohibited. Removal of defects is allowed only if the remaining thickness stays within permissible tolerances.
- Internal Integrity: Lamination (internal layers) is generally not permitted and is verified via ultrasonic testing.
Chemical Composition Indicators (Carbon Steel Focus)
Strength in carbon steel primarily increases with carbon content.
- Carbon (C): Typically between 0.16% and 0.33%. It is the primary factor determining the strength of the plate.
- Silicon (Si) & Manganese (Mn): Si (0.10%–0.55%) and Mn (0.4%–1.6%) are used to improve material quality and toughness.
- Impurity Control: Premium quality grades strictly limit Copper (Cu < 0.30%), Chromium (Cr < 0.25%), Nickel (Ni < 0.30%), Molybdenum (Mo < 0.10%), and Vanadium (V < 0.03%).
Manufacturing Processes and Advanced Technologies
To ensure safety under extreme conditions, manufacturing is significantly more rigorous than for standard structural steel:
- Smelting: Utilizes converter or electric furnaces followed by secondary refining (LF, RH, or VD) and vacuum degassing to minimize harmful gases (O, H, N) and impurities (P, S).
- Casting: Continuous casting with electromagnetic stirring to ensure uniform internal quality and reduce segregation.
- Heat Treatment:
Normalizing (N): Refines grain structure, improving toughness and strength.
Normalizing + Tempering (N+T): Relieves internal stresses and stabilizes the microstructure.
Quenching + Tempering (Q+T): Provides the optimal balance of high strength and ductility for specialized grades.
Controlled Rolling: Precise management of temperature and deformation to refine grain size.
Testing and Selection Criteria
1. Mandatory Inspections
- Ultrasonic Testing (UT): 100% UT inspection is a mandatory requirement to detect internal delamination or inclusions.
- Mechanical Testing: Every plate must undergo tensile, impact (V-notch at room and low temperatures), and bending tests.
- High-Temperature Tensile Testing: Required for steels intended for high-heat service.
2. Selection Logic
- Design Pressure & Temperature: The primary factor for material choice (e.g., Cr-Mo for heat, Ni-alloy for cold).
- Media Properties: Presence of corrosive agents like H2S necessitates HIC-resistant or Cr-Mo steels.
- Wall Thickness: Heavy-walled vessels require steels with high hardenability to ensure uniform performance.
- Weldability: Measured by Carbon Equivalent (CEV or CET); lower values indicate better ease of welding.
- Regulatory Compliance: Strict adherence to codes like ASME VIII Div.1 or GB 150.
Industrial Applications
Power Generation: Boiler drums, headers, and water walls.
Petrochemicals: Reactors, heat exchangers, distillation columns, and spherical tanks (LPG, Oxygen, Nitrogen).
Coal & Fine Chemicals: Gasifiers, scrubbers, and pressurized reaction kettles.
Nuclear Energy: Containment vessels, pressurizers, and steam generator supports.
Transportation: Specialized tank cars for rail and road (LPG/Liquid ammonia).
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International Comparison of Steel Grades for Boilers and Pressure Vessels
Part 1: GB 713—2008 Standard (Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels)
| China (GB/YB) | USA (ASTM) | Japan (JIS) | Europe (DIN/BS/NF EN) | Russia (GOST) | ISO |
| Q245R (Prev. 20g, 20R) | A414/A414M Gr. D | (JIS G3124) SEV 25 | S235JR (1.0038), S235J0 (1.0114), S235J2 (1.0117) | Ст3кп | P235GH |
| Q345R (Prev. 16Mng, 19Mng, 16MnR) | A737/A737M Gr. B | (JIS G3124) SEV 345 | S355JR (1.0045), S355J0 (1.0553), S355J2 (1.0577), S355K2 (1.0596) | 17ГC, 15XCHД | P355GH |
| Q370R (Prev. 15MnNbR) | A572/A572M Gr. 50 (345) | (JIS G3115) SPV 355 | S355JR (1.0045), S355J0 (1.0553), S355J2 (1.0577), S355K2 (1.0596) | 10Г2Б | P355GH |
| 18MnMoNbR | A735/A735M Gr. 1 | (JIS G3115) SPV410 | — | — | — |
| 13MnNiMoR (Prev. 13MnNiCrMoNbg, 13MnNiMoNbR) | A738/A738M Gr. B | — | — | — | 15NiCuMoNb 5-6-4 |
| 15CrMoR (Prev. 15CrMog) | A387/A387M Gr. 12 (K11757) | (JIS G4109) SCMV2 | 18CrMo4 | 15XM | 13CrMo4-5 (ASME: 14CrMo4-5) |
| 14Cr1MoR | A387/A387M Gr. 11 (K11789) | (JIS G4109) SCMV3 | 18CrMo4 | 15XM | 13CrMoSi5-5 (ASME: 14CrMoSi5-6) |
| 12Cr2Mo1R | A387/A387M Gr. 22 (K21590) | (JIS G4109) SCMV4 | — | — | 10CrMo9-10 (ASME: 13CrMo9-10 / 14CrMo9-10) |
| 12Cr1MoVR (Prev. 12Cr1MoVg) | — | — | — | — | — |
Part 2: GB 5310—1995 Standard (Seamless Steel Tubes for High-Pressure Boilers)
| China (GB/YB) | USA (ASTM) | Japan (JIS) | Germany (DIN EN) | Russia (GOST) | ISO |
| 20G | 1020 | (JIS G3461) STB340 | C22 (1.0402), C20C (1.0411) | 20 | — |
| 20MnG | 1022 | STB 410 | C22 (1.0402) | 20Г | — |
| 25MnG | 1026 | STB 510 | C26D (1.0415) | 25Г | — |
| 15MoG | ASTM A692 (Defined grade, no code) | (JIS G3462) STBA 12 | — | — | 16Mo3 |
| 20MoG | ASTM A209/A209M T1a | (JIS G3462) STBA13 | — | — | — |
| 12CrMoG | ASTM A250 T2 | STBA20 | — | — | 13CrMo4-5 |
| 15CrMoG | ASTM A250 T12 | STBA22 | — | — | 13CrMoSi5-5 |
| 12Cr2MoG | ASTM A250 T22 | STBA24 | — | — | 10CrMo9-10 |
| 12Cr1MoVG | — | — | — | — | — |
| 12Cr2MoWVTiB | — | — | — | — | — |
| 12Cr3MoVSiTiB | — | — | — | — | 12CrMoV12-10 |
| 10Cr9Mo1VNb | ASTM A199/A199M T91 | STBA26 | — | — | X10CrMoVNb9-1 |
| 07Cr18Ni11Nb (Prev. 1Cr19Ni11Nb) | 347H | SUS347H | X7CrNiNb18-10 (1.4912) | — | X7CrNiNb18-10 |
Part 3: GB 13396—2007 Standard (Stainless Steels for Pressure Equipment)
| China (GB/YB) | USA (ASTM) | Japan (JIS) | Europe (DIN/BS/NF EN) | Russia (GOST) | ISO |
| 06Cr19Ni10 (Prev. 0Cr18Ni9) | A213 TP304 | SUS304 | X5CrNi18-10 (1.4301) | — | X5CrNi18-10 |
| 12Cr18Ni9 (Prev. 1Cr18Ni9) | — | — | X10CrNi18-8 (1.4310) | 12X18H9 | X10CrNi18-8 |
| 1Cr19Ni9 | TP304H | SUS304HTB | X6CrNi18-10 (1.4948) | — | X7CrNi18-9 |
| 022Cr19Ni10 (Prev. 00Cr19Ni10) | TP304L | SUS304LTB | X2CrNi19-11 (1.4306) | 03X18H11 | X2CrNi19-11 |
| 06Cr18Ni11Ti (Prev. 0Cr18Ni10Ti) | TP321 | SUS321TB | X6CrNiTi18-10 (1.4541) | 08X18H10T | X6CrNiTi18-10 |
| 07Cr19Ni11Ti (Prev. 1Cr18Ni11Ti) | TP321H | SUS321HTB | X6CrNiTi18-10 (1.4541) | 12X18H11T | X7CrNiTi18-10 |
| 06Cr18Ni11Nb (Prev. 0Cr18Ni11Nb) | TP347 | SUS347TB | X6CrNiNb18-10 (1.4550) | 08X18H12Б | X6CrNiNb18-10 |
| 07Cr18Ni11Nb (Prev. 1Cr19Ni11Nb) | TP347H | SUS347HTB | X7CrNiNb18-10 (1.4912) | — | X7CrNiNb18-10 |
| 06Cr17Ni12Mo2 (Prev. 0Cr17Ni12Mo2) | TP316 | SUS316TB | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 (1.4401) | — | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 |
| 07Cr17Ni12Mo2 (Prev. 1Cr17Ni12Mo2) | TP316H | SUS316HTB | X3CrNiMo17-13-3 (1.4436) | — | — |
| 0Cr18Ni12Mo2Ti | TP316Ti | SUS316TiTB | X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2 (1.4571) | — | X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2 |
| 1Cr18Ni12Mo2Ti | TP316Ti | SUS316TiTB | X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2 (1.4571) | — | X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2 |
| 06Cr17Ni12Mo3Ti (Prev. 0Cr18Ni12Mo3Ti) | TP316Ti | SUS316TiTB | X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2 (1.4571) | 08X17H13M3T | X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2 |
| 1Cr18Ni12Mo3Ti | TP316Ti | SUS316TiTB | X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2 (1.4571) | 08X17H13M3T | X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2 |
| 1Cr18Ni9Ti | TP321 | SUS321TB | X6CrNiTi18-10 (1.4541) | 12X18H10T | X7CrNiTi18-10 |
| 06Cr19Ni13Mo3 (Prev. 0Cr19Ni13Mo3) | TP317 | SUS317TB | — | — | — |
| 022Cr19Ni13Mo3 (Prev. 00Cr19Ni13Mo3) | TP317L | SUS317LTB | X2CrNiMo18-15-4 (1.4438) | 03X16H15M3 | X2CrNiMo 18-15-4 (1.4438) |
| 022Cr19Ni10N (Prev. 00Cr18Ni10N) | TP304LN | SUS304LN | X2CrNiN18-10 (1.4311) | — | X2CrNiN18-9 |
| 06Cr19Ni10N (Prev. 0Cr19Ni9N) | TP304N | — | X5CrNiN19-9 (1.4315) | — | X5CrNiN19-9 |
| 06Cr23Ni13 (Prev. 0Cr23Ni13) | TP309S | SUS309STB | X12CrNi23-13 (1.4833) | 10X23H13 | X12CrNi23-13 |
| 16Cr23Ni13 (Prev. 2Cr23Ni13) | — | SUS309TB | X15CrNiSi20-12 (1.4828) | 20X23H12 | — |
Part 4: GB 3531—1996 and GB/T 18984—2003 Standards (Low-Temperature Steels)
| China (GB/YB) | USA (ASTM) | Japan (JIS) | Europe (DIN/BS/NF EN) | Russia (GOST) | ISO |
| 16MnDR | A572/A572M Gr. 50 [345] | (JIS G3460) STPL380, (JIS G3464) STBL380 | E335 (1.0060) | 15XCHД | E355 |
| 15MnNiDR | Gr. 50 [345] | STPL380, STBL380 | E335 (1.0060) | 15XCHД | E355 |
| 09Mn2VDR | A572/A572M Gr. 42 [290] | STPL 450, STBL 450 | E295 (1.0050) | 09Г2, 09Г2Д | E275 |
| 09MnNiDR | Gr. 42 [290] | STPL 450, STBL 450 | E295 (1.0050) | 09Г2, 09Г2Д | E275 |
| 16MnDG | Gr. 50 [345] | STPL380, STBL380 | E335 (1.0060) | 15XCHД | E355 |
| 10MnDG | A283/A283M Gr. D | (JIS G3101) SS400 | S235JR (1.0038) | Ст3кп | E235A |
| 09DG | Gr. C | SS330 | — | Ст2кп | — |
| 09Mn2VDG | A572/A572M Gr. 42 [290] | (JIS G3460) STPL 450, (JIS G3464) STBL 450 | E295 (1.0050) | 09Г2, 09Г2Д | E275 |
| 06Ni3MoDG | Gr. 42 [290] | STPL 450, STBL 450 | E295 (1.0050) | 09Г2, 09Г2Д | E275 |
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