A387 Pressure Vessel Steel Plate Price 2025

In 2025 ASME/ASTM A387 (SA-387) pressure-vessel chromium-molybdenum alloy plates are priced widely depending on grade, class, quantity, origin and finish — typical market offers range roughly USD 500–3,200 per metric ton, with most commercial bulk quotes for Grades 5/9/11/22 clustered between USD 600–1,200/ton from Asian mills and frequently higher from Western stockists; premium heat-treated or small-lot orders (and some certified, traceable, low-impurity supplies) can push prices toward the upper end of the range.

What A387 / SA-387 is — grades and classes

A387 (also published as ASME SA-387 / ASTM A387) is a family of chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel plates intended for elevated-temperature service in boilers and pressure vessels. Common grades include Grade 5, 9, 11, 12, 22 and 91. Each grade is offered in Class 1 (as-rolled/normalized) and Class 2 (quenched and tempered / higher strength) variants. The grades differ in chromium and molybdenum levels — the higher chromium content raises oxidation and elevated-temperature resistance and the molybdenum raises high-temperature strength.

Typical chemical and mechanical characteristics

• Chemical: small additions of Cr (~1–2.5%) and Mo (~0.5–1% for many common grades) plus controlled C, Mn and other alloying elements.

• Mechanical: Class 2 plates are supplied at higher tensile and yield strengths and are commonly used where creep and high-temperature tensile properties are important. Minimum mechanical properties vary by grade and thickness and are governed by the ASME/ASTM standard.

• Corrosion/oxidation: superior to plain carbon steels in hot oxidizing environments, though not stainless; corrosion resistance is limited compared with stainless alloys and must be judged by service chemistry.

Manufacturing, classes and heat treatments

A387 plates are produced by conventional steelmaking and rolling routes; for Class 2 the plates are usually quenched and tempered to produce the higher strength and toughness required in many pressure-vessel services. Normalizing, stress relief and controlled rolling may be specified. Buyers who specify “Class 2” should also specify required mechanical values, post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) needs, and any special testing (e.g., Charpy V-notch) because these directly affect manufacturing steps and therefore price.

Primary industrial applications

A387 plates are common in:

• High-temperature sections of boilers and pressure vessels

• Petrochemical and refinery process equipment where elevated temperature strength is required

• Power generation, including fossil fuel boiler components

• Large welded assemblies where weldability and post-weld properties are essential

Selecting the proper grade and class depends on the required maximum service temperature, pressure, and corrosive elements in the service fluid.

How pricing is quoted — units, terms and common caveats

Prices you will see from global suppliers vary by:

• Unit of sale: USD per metric ton is common for bulk; smaller quantities or cut-to-size plates will use per piece or per square meter pricing.

• Trade term: FOB, CIF, EXW and local stock prices differ significantly. FOB mill prices from Asia are typically the lowest per-ton numbers you’ll see; CIF/Delivered to Western ports includes freight, insurance and duties.

• Lot size and minimum order: large orders yield discounts; small orders attract higher per-ton cost and inspection surcharges.

• Certification and test documentation: full MTRs, NV results, special NDT or third-party inspection will add cost.

• Thickness, width, and tolerances: thicker plates and special widths may be more expensive per ton due to production constraints.

Global price comparison table 2025

Below is a concise, practical snapshot compiled from public supplier listings, marketplace quotes and stockist price samples in 2025. These numbers are representative market snapshots (not a firm offer). Prices are USD per metric ton, indications for typical Grade 11 / Grade 22 Class 2 plates unless otherwise noted; exchange-rate and freight differences mean delivered prices will vary.

Notes on table:

• The ranges above combine multiple grades and classes (5, 9, 11, 22) and reflect different lot sizes and certifications. For high-purity, low-sulfur, or traceable mill runs with full NACE/third-party tests, expect the high end. For large contracts with a reliable payment profile, expect the low end of FOB mill ranges.

Key price drivers and market factors

1. Raw-material inputs: steelmaking feedstock (scrap, pig iron), chrome and molybdenum prices and alloy premix costs directly impact A387 margins.

2. Mill capacity & scheduling: limited hot-rolling or special-chemistry mill slots create premiums, especially for odd widths or heavy plates.

3. Certification/documentation: full mill test reports (MTRs), EN/ASME attestations, third-party inspection, traceability and extra testing (Charpy, PMI) add cost.

4. Lot size & MOQ: per-ton price falls with volume; small orders face surcharges.

5. Freight and logistics: rapid fluctuations in ocean freight rates and port congestion materially change CIF/Delivered prices.

6. Currency & duties: import duties, VAT and currency swings (USD vs local currency) alter landed cost.

7. Competition & inventory: when local stock is available, buyers can avoid long lead times but pay a premium; if stock is tight, prices spike.

Sourcing strategy and quality checkpoints

When we buy A387 plates for customers we follow a repeatable checklist:

• Specify exact grade, class, thickness, width, length, and heat treatment in the RFQ.

• Require full MTRs, include mill heat number traceability and chemical certificates.

• Define required NDT and mechanical tests (tensile, yield, hardness, Charpy as appropriate).

• Confirm delivery terms clearly (FOB/CIF/Delivered) and whether price includes packing for ocean shipment.

• Ask for lead time and whether plates come from stocked inventory or a mill run. Inventory is faster but often costlier.

• Evaluate supplier capability: mill approvals, ISO, PED/AD2000 if Europe, and weld data if project requires it.
  These checkpoints reduce surprises in price and schedule and often save total project cost even if unit price appears higher.

Fabrication and welding notes that affect cost

• Welding: A387 alloys weldably behave like ordinary low-alloy steels but require correct preheat and PWHT where code mandates; specifying PWHT or controlled HAZ requirements increases fabrication cost.

• Machining and cutting: thicker plates and specialty widths may require more cutting time — chargeable per cut.

• Heat treatment: if you require normalized or quenched & tempered deliveries beyond standard class definition, price rises due to additional furnace cycles.

• Plate straightness and flatness tolerances: tighter tolerances cost more.
  A clear fabrication plan and early alignment with the plate vendor and fabricator reduces rework and total spending.

Alternatives and substitution choices

In many pressure-vessel designs engineers consider alternatives:

• ASTM A516 series (carbon steel) — lower cost but inferior high-temperature strength.

• SA-387 vs SA-387 Grade selection — choose the lowest grade that meets temperature and corrosion needs to save cost.

• Stainless or duplex alloys — only when corrosion environment calls for them; far more expensive.
  Making substitution decisions requires engineering approval and often a reassessment of wall thickness and fabrication procedure.

Storage, logistics and lead-time considerations

• Lead times: stocked material — days to weeks. Mill runs and certified orders — weeks to months depending on the mill schedule.

• Freight: container vs bulk — heavy plates often ship by bulk break-bulk or flat-rack and incur higher handling costs.

• Customs and duties: plan for inspection hold-ups and documentary insurance.
  Longer lead times can reduce unit price but add project management cost; weigh total landed and project timing cost.

FAQs

Q1 — What is the cheapest way to buy A387 plates?
A: Buy large volumes direct from mill FOB in the producing region with agreed chemical and mechanical acceptance criteria; avoid small cut-to-size orders and extra testing unless required by code.

Q2 — How much does grade/class affect price?
A: Class 2 (quenched & tempered) and higher chromium grades typically cost more because of extra heat treatment and alloy content; however, in bulk buying the grade step-up may be a modest percent of cost compared with certification and processing charges.

Q3 — Are online marketplace prices reliable for procurement?
A: They are useful for benchmarking but treat them cautiously — marketplace listings can reflect small-lot, non-traceable material or different unit bases; always request MTRs and formal commercial terms.

Q4 — What documents should I require from a supplier?
A: Minimum: mill Test Reports (MTRs), chemical analysis, mechanical tests, and manufacturer’s declaration to ASME/ASTM. For projects in Europe or critical services add third-party inspection certificates and conformity to PED/EN where needed.

Q5 — How can I reduce total landed cost?
A: Consolidate orders, accept standard widths and thicknesses to match mill practices, use established freight contracts, and agree reasonable acceptance tests to avoid expensive extras — and consider inventory stocking with a local distributor if lead time or urgent replacements matter more than unit price.