ASTM A533 Grade A/B/C/D/E Pressure Vessel Steel: ASME-Certified Quenched & Tempered Alloy with Enhanced Fracture Toughness
Material Overview & Competitive Advantages
ASTM A533 defines manganese-molybdenum-nickel alloy steel plates for nuclear reactor vessels and cryogenic storage tanks, offering tensile strengths from 550 MPa (Grade 1) to 860 MPa (Grade 3). With three strength tiers per class (A-E), these quenched-and-tempered plates meet ASME SA-533 requirements for radiation-resistant containment systems.
Key Benefits:
- Cryogenic Performance: 60J impact energy at -60°C (Class D Grade 3).
- Global Equivalents: EN 10028-2 15MnNi6-3 (Class C), JIS G3118 SAV550 (Class E).
- Fabrication Efficiency: 30% faster PWHT cycles vs. traditional alloys.
Technical Specifications
1. Chemical Composition (ASME SA-533M Standard)
| Class | C Max | Mn Range | Mo Range | Ni Range | Cr Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 0.25% | 1.15–1.50% | 0.45–0.60% | – | – |
| B | 0.25% | 1.15–1.50% | 0.45–0.60% | 0.40–0.70% | – |
| E | 0.20% | 1.15–1.70% | 0.25–0.60% | 0.60–1.00% | 0.64% |
2. Mechanical Properties by Grade
| Grade | Tensile (MPa) | Yield (MPa) | Elongation (%) | CVN Impact (-40°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 550–690 | 345 | 18 | 54 J |
| 2 | 620–795 | 485 | 16 | 48 J |
| 3 | 690–860 | 570 | 16 | 42 J |
Physical Properties:
- Density: 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³)
- Thermal Expansion: 12.6 µm/m°C (20–300°C)
Production & Fabrication
1. Heat Treatment Process
- Quenching: 870–900°C water cooling (Class A-C)
- Tempering: 595–660°C × 1hr/25mm (mandatory for Grade 3)
2. Surface Treatments
| Process | Technical Standard | Application Example |
|---|---|---|
| Electropolishing | ASTM B912 (Ra ≤0.4µm) | Nuclear fuel containers |
| Cladding | ASME SA-264 Type 304L | Chemical processing tanks |
Industrial Applications
1. Nuclear Energy
- Reactor Pressure Vessels: Class B Grade 3 (thickness 200–600mm).
- Containment Liners: Class E with 3.2mm corrosion allowance.
2. LNG Infrastructure
| Component | Material Class | Operational Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Cryogenic Tanks | Class D Grade 2 | -196°C @ 1.8MPa |
| LNG Pump Casings | Class C Grade 3 | -162°C @ 25MPa |
3. Offshore Engineering
- Subsea Manifolds: Class A Grade 1 (NACE MR0175 compliant).
- Drilling Riser Components: Class E with 120HRB hardness limit.
Quality Assurance
- Testing Protocols:
- Ultrasonic testing: SA-578 Level III for thickness >100mm.
- Neutron irradiation testing (ASTM E185).
- Certifications:
- ASME NPT Stamp + EN 10204 3.2 Certificate.
- ISO 19443 Nuclear Quality Management.
Delivery & Storage
- Dimensions:
- Width: 1,800–4,000mm (max length: 25m).
- Thickness tolerance: ±0.15mm (ground edges), ±1% (as-rolled).
- Packaging: Desiccant-sealed crates (24-month shelf life).
Welding Advisory: Use AWS A5.5 E10018-G electrodes with 150–175°C preheat for Grade 3*
Technical Footnotes:
- Class E achieves 85ksi yield strength after simulated PWHT (ASME QW-422).
- Maximum design stress: 172 MPa @ 370°C (ASME II-D Table 3).
Why Choose ASTM A533?
Compared to SA-302 alloy steel, SA-533 provides 40% better notch toughness at cryogenic temperatures while maintaining equivalent high-temperature strength. Its controlled nickel content (up to 1.0%) ensures optimal resistance to neutron embrittlement in nuclear service.
Scope of Application
ASTM A533 boiler vessel plate has excellent low temperature impact toughness and mechanical properties, and is usually used under low temperature conditions. ASTM A533 boiler vessel plate is widely used in low temperature separation processing, liquefied gas storage and other fields, such as large vacuum low temperature liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage equipment.
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