GB Pressure Vessel Steel
GB Pressure Vessel Steel Manufacturers
GB Pressure Vessel Steel Plate is a specialized category of carbon and low-alloy steel plates used primarily for the shells of pressure vessels. With operating temperatures typically ranging from -20°C to 500°C (reaching up to 560°C in specific cases), these materials are the backbone of the petrochemical, energy, and military industries.
China has established a large-scale production system for these steels, with quality levels now rivaling international standards such as ASME (USA) and EN (Europe).
Widely adopted international standards for pressure vessel plates include the European EN 10028 series and the American ASME SA standards. In addition to meeting Chinese national standards, many domestically produced pressure vessel plate products also obtain certifications from multiple international classification societies(such as LR, DNV, ABS, and BV).
Read More>>>>International Comparison of Steel Grades for Boilers and Pressure Vessels
1. The 2023 Standard Revolution: GB/T 713.1 to GB/T 713.8
In 2023, the Chinese national standard underwent a major revision to meet the needs of high-parameter large-scale spherical tanks and the lightweight manufacturing of mobile pressure vessels. The previous standard (GB/T 713-2014) was replaced by a multi-part system:
GB/T 713.1: General requirements.
GB/T 713.2: Non-alloy and alloy steels with specified elevated temperature properties (Replaces part of the old GB/T 713).
GB/T 713.4: Stainless steel clad plates.
GB/T 713.5: Steels for low-temperature service.
GB/T 713.6: Quenched and tempered high-strength steels.
2. Classification by Service Environment and Typical Grades
Based on the latest GB/T 713-2023 standards, pressure vessel steels are categorized into four core groups:
Group 1: General Pressure Vessel Steel (Ambient Temp/Moderate Pressure)
Standard: GB/T 713.1-2023
Used for basic storage tanks and reactors in mild conditions.
- Q245R: Yield strength≥245 MPa. The most widely used basic grade; excellent weldability and cost-effective. (Replaces old 20g, 20R).
- Q345R: Yield strength≥345 MPa. The "workhorse" grade with an optimal balance of strength and toughness. (Replaces old 16MnR).
- Q370R: Higher strength than Q345R, used for more demanding structural requirements.
- Q420R: High strength for larger pressure ratings or weight-reduction designs.
Group 2: High-Temperature Service Steel
Standard: GB/T 713.2-2023
Contains alloying elements like Chromium (Cr) and Molybdenum (Mo) to resist "creep" and hydrogen attack at high heats.
- 15CrMoR: Suitable for environments≤550°C (e.g., coking equipment).
- 14Cr1MoR: Higher strength than 15CrMoR, used≤575°C (Petrochemical reactors).
- 12Cr2Mo1R (2¼Cr-1Mo): The most common high-temp Chrome-Moly steel, used≤600°C in hydrogenation reactors and gasifiers.
- 12Cr1MoVR: Added Vanadium (V) for even higher creep resistance and temperature stability.
- 18MnMoNbR: A high-strength micro-alloyed steel used for heavy-wall vessels like high-pressure boiler drums.
Group 3: Low-Temperature & Cryogenic Steel
Standard: GB/T 713.5-2023
Designed to prevent brittle fracture in deep cold environments (LPG/LNG storage).
- 16MnDR: Minimum service temp -40°C.
- 15MnNiDR: Minimum service temp -50°C.
- 09MnNiDR: Minimum service temp -70°C.
- 08Ni3DR (3.5% Ni Steel): Minimum service temp -100°C.
- 06Ni9DR (9% Ni Steel): The flagship cryogenic steel for LNG tanks, with a service temp down to -196°C.
- New Generation (07MnNiVDR, 07MnNiMoDR): Fine-grain steels for -60°C to -101°C service.
Group 4: Quenched & Tempered (Q&T) High-Strength Steel
Standard: GB/T 713.6-2023
Addresses the aging of the old GB/T 19189 standard, introducing 700MPa and 800MPa classes for massive fixed spherical tanks.
Typical Grades: Q560RD/E/F, Q690RD/E.
Quality Levels: D (-20°C), E (-40°C), F (-50°C) impact test requirements.
3. Stainless Steel Clad Plates (GB/T 713.4-2023)
For environments requiring both high pressure and extreme corrosion resistance. These consist of a base material (for strength) and a cladding layer (for protection).
Cladding Material Examples:
- S30408 (304): Standard austenitic stainless steel.
- S31603 (316L): Superior resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion.
- S32168 (321): Titanium-stabilized for intergranular corrosion resistance.
- S34778 (347): Niobium-stabilized.
- Base Materials: Q245R, Q345R, 14Cr1MoR, 12Cr2Mo1R.
- Naming Example: Q345R(S30408) signifies a Q345R base with 304 stainless cladding.
Other Important Grades (Specific Standards or Legacy Grades)
- 20R: A legacy grade (now largely replaced by Q245R) based on the GB 6654-1996 standard. It is used in the normalized condition for environments≤450°C.
- 16MnR: A legacy grade (now largely replaced by Q345R) based on the GB 6654-1996 standard. It features higher strength than 20R and has seen extremely wide application in the industry.
- SA516 Gr. 60/65/70: These are common grades within the American ASTM A516 standard. In terms of equivalence, Gr. 70 is often considered close to Q345R, although specific performance requirements and chemical compositions vary.
- P265GH, P295GH, P355GH: These are the primary pressure vessel steel plate grades defined in the European standard EN 10028-2.
The Latest GB/T 713 Revisions: New Grades and Standards Update
To meet the increasing demands of large-scale spherical tanks, high-pressure equipment, and the lightweight manufacturing of mobile pressure vessels, China’s national standards have undergone significant updates, introducing several high-performance grades and stricter technical metrics.
- GB/T 713.2 (Part 2: Non-alloy and alloy steels with specified temperature properties):
This part has introduced new grades such as Q420R and Q460R, along with their temperature-specific performance metrics (e.g., Q420RE, Q460RF). It has perfected the quality grade and naming system, where the suffixes D, E, and F represent impact test requirements at -20°C, -40°C, and -50°C respectively.
To support the manufacturing of large spherical tanks, specific new grades including Q420RG, Q420RE, Q420RF, Q460RG, Q460RD, Q460RE, and Q460RF have been added.
- GB/T 713.6 (Part 6: Quenched and Tempered High-Strength Steels):
This section now incorporates 700MPa and 800MPa class quenched and tempered high-strength steels, including Q560RD/E/F and Q690RD/E. This standard now aligns with advanced international benchmarks. Key revisions include updated grade naming, lowered maximum limits for Phosphorus (P) and Sulfur (S), and adjusted delivery states and mechanical property requirements.
These changes are specifically designed to adapt to the manufacturing needs of large fixed spherical tanks and LPG storage tanks.
- Enhanced Mechanical Performance & Impact Energy Requirements:
Recent updates impose stricter requirements on the mechanical properties of high-strength pressure vessel plates to adapt to equipment that is becoming larger and operating under higher pressures. A critical technical detail is the modification of the minimum values for Charpy V-notch impact absorption energy and other key indicators for the Q490 series steel plates.
Furthermore, the inclusion of the Q560 and Q690 classes addresses the industry's shift toward high-pressure equipment that requires both extreme strength and superior high-toughness performance.
- Comprehensive List of New Grades for Specialized Vessels:
To ensure the safety and efficiency of mobile pressure vessels and large spherical tanks, a complete array of new grades is now available: Q420RG, Q420RE, Q420RF, Q460RG, Q460RD, Q460RE, Q460RF, Q560RD, Q560RE, Q560RF, Q690RD, and Q690RE.
1. The Evolution and Modernization of GB Standards
Domestic standards for pressure vessel plates have undergone critical updates to address the "aging" of older specifications (such as GB/T 713-2014 and GB/T 19189-2011). These revisions are driven by the need for lightweight manufacturing of mobile pressure vessels and the construction of high-parameter large-scale spherical tanks.
The new framework, specifically GB/T 713.2 and GB/T 713.6, integrates advanced requirements from international codes like EN 10028-3, ISO 9328-3, and ASME SA612, ensuring that domestic products are globally competitive.
2. GB/T 713.2: Non-Alloy and Alloy Steels with Specified Temperature Properties
This part of the standard introduces a refined system for grades requiring performance at specific temperature thresholds.
New Grade Expansion
To satisfy the manufacturing of large spherical tanks and high-pressure equipment, the standard now includes:
- 700MPa and 800MPa Classes: High-strength grades like Q420R and Q460R have been introduced.
- Specific Temperature Grades: New additions include Q420RG, Q420RE, Q420RF, Q460RG, Q460RD, Q460RE, and Q460RF.
The Quality Grade System (D, E, F)
The representation system has been perfected to indicate specific impact test requirements:
- D: Impact test at -20°C.
- E: Impact test at -40°C.
- F: Impact test at -50°C.
3. GB/T 713.6: High-Strength Quenched and Tempered (Q&T) Steels
Focusing on the 700MPa and 800MPa classes, this standard addresses the high-toughness needs of large fixed spherical tanks and LPG storage units.
Advanced Strength Classes
- 700MPa - 800MPa Grades: Includes high-performance grades such as Q560RD/E/F and Q690RD/RE.
- Metric Improvements: For existing grades like the Q490 series, the standard has updated the minimum required values for Charpy V-notch impact energy, ensuring safety in higher-pressure environments.
4. Key Technical Improvements and Quality Controls
The recent revisions are not just about adding grades; they represent a fundamental upgrade in material purity and processing:
- Reduced Impurities: The upper limits for Phosphorus (P) and Sulfur (S) content have been significantly lowered to improve weldability and toughness.
- Delivery States: Optimized delivery conditions (such as Quenched + Tempered) are now standard to meet precise mechanical requirements.
- Market Adaptation: These changes allow for the lightweight construction of mobile pressure vessels and improve the reliability of equipment in the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors.
5. Anatomy and Safety of Pressure Vessels
Pressure vessels are critical equipment in petrochemicals, energy, scientific research, and defense. A standard vessel body is composed of six main structural parts:
- Shell (Barrel)
- Head (End Cap)
- Flange
- Sealing Elements
- Nozzles and Openings
- Supports
Additionally, vessels are equipped with safety devices, gauges, and internal components for specific production processes.
Safety and Inspection Mandatory Requirements
Due to the risks associated with high pressure and hazardous media, pressure vessels are prone to explosion or fire, which can endanger lives and the environment. Therefore, they are classified as Critical Monitored Products worldwide. In China, state-designated agencies conduct mandatory supervision, technical inspections, and compliance audits according to national laws and regulations.
6. Technical Specifications and Inspection Standards
To ensure the safety of pressure vessels, GB steels must undergo rigorous testing:
- Chemical Composition: Carbon content is strictly controlled between 0.16-0.33%. P and S levels are lowered to international leading levels to ensure purity.
- Mechanical Testing: Mandatory tension, bending, and impact tests.
- Surface Quality: Cracks, laminations, and inclusions are strictly prohibited. Repairs must follow strict thickness tolerance guidelines.
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is often a mandatory additional clause for critical service.
- Heat Treatment: Typical processes include Normalizing + Tempering to optimize grain structure for different temperature conditions.
6. Technical Specifications and Inspection Standards
The 2023 GB/T 713 revision aligns closely with European and American standards:
- ASTM/ASME: SA516 Gr. 70 is functionally similar to Q345R, though specific chemical tolerances vary.
- EN 10028: Grades like P265GH and P355GH correspond to the Q245R and Q345R series.
- Historical Reference: 20R has been largely replaced by Q245R; 16MnR has been replaced by Q345R.
7. Applications of GB Pressure Vessel Steel
Pressure vessels are the core of industrial production. A typical vessel consists of six main parts: the shell (barrel), heads, flanges, sealing elements, openings/nozzles, and supports.
- Nuclear Power: Containment shells and pressurizers.
- Chemical/Petrochemical: Reactors, heat exchangers, distillation towers, and spherical LPG storage tanks.
- Energy: High-pressure steam drums and boiler water walls.
- Transportation: Mobile tanks for rail and road (LPG/CNG tankers).
Selection Tip: When choosing a grade, you must confirm the Design Pressure, Design Temperature (High/Low), Media Corrosiveness, and Equipment Dimensions (Thickness) according to relevant design codes like GB/T 150.2.
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