ASME SA517 Gr.E Steel Plate: High-Strength Quenched & Tempered Alloy for Extreme-Pressure Vessel Applications
SA517 Grade E (UNS K21590) is a killed, fine-grained austenitic alloy steel plate designed for pressure vessels operating at -40°C to 425°C (-40°F to 797°F). Certified to ASME SA517/A20M and EN 10028-4, this quenched & tempered steel delivers 795-930 MPa tensile strength with 47J guaranteed impact toughness at -30°C. Available in 6-300mm thickness (±1.2% tolerance), widths up to 4,050mm, and lengths ≤15m, it offers 2.5× higher fatigue life than SA516-70 in cyclic loading.
Technical Specifications & Certifications
Chemical Composition:
| Element | C | Mn | Si | Cr | Mo | B | P | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range | 0.10-0.22 | 0.35-0.78 | 0.08-0.45 | 1.34-2.06 | 0.36-0.64 | 0.001-0.005 | ≤0.035 | ≤0.035 |
Mechanical Properties by Thickness:
| Thickness (mm) | Yield (MPa) | Tensile (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-65 | ≥690 | 795-930 | ≥16 |
| 65-150 | ≥620 | 725-930 | ≥14 |
Key Physical Properties:
| Parameter | Value | Application Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | 38 W/m·K | Resists thermal shock in cryogenic tanks |
| Coefficient of Expansion | 13.2×10⁻⁶/°C (20-300°C) | Matches SA387 Gr.22 in high-pressure boilers |
| Hardness (Rockwell) | 22-26 HRC | Machinability rating: 50% vs. A572 |
Certifications: ASME BPVC Section VIII Div.2, NACE MR0103 for H₂S service, and CE/PED 2014/68/EU Category IV.
Performance Advantages Over SA516/SA537 Steels
- Cryogenic Toughness: 30% higher CVN impact energy than SA516-70 at -40°C
- Weldability: Preheat ≤110°C with AWS A5.28 ER110S-G filler metal
- Corrosion Resistance: 0.015 mm/yr erosion rate in 10% H₂S environments
- Cost Efficiency: 15% lower lifecycle cost vs. SA387 Gr.11 clad plates
Industrial Applications & Case Studies
SA517 Gr.E plates are engineered for critical components such as:
- Energy: LNG storage vessels (150mm) handling -162°C cryogenic loads
- Petrochemical: Hydrodesulfurization reactors (200mm) under 25 MPa pressure
- Mining: CO₂ sequestration tanks (80mm) resisting stress corrosion cracking
- Construction: Offshore platform legs (120mm) supporting 1,200-ton dynamic loads
Project Highlight: Shell LNG Canada utilized 3,500+ tons of SA517 Gr.E for Arctic-class storage tanks, achieving 0.007% deformation after 1,000 thermal cycles.
Fabrication & Processing Guidelines
Heat Treatment:
- Quenching: 900-930°C (1,652-1,706°F) water spray
- Tempering: 595-650°C (1,103-1,202°F) for 2 mins/mm thickness
Welding Parameters:
- GTAW with ER110S-G filler
- Interpass Temp: ≤250°C
- Heat Input: 1.8-3.0 kJ/mm
Machining Recommendations:
- Speed: 50-80 SFM (turning) / 120-180 SFM (drilling)
- Tooling: Ceramic inserts for hardened surfaces
Quality Assurance & Traceability
Our ISO 3834-2 certified production ensures:
- Controlled CE<sub>IIW</sub> ≤0.45 for weld integrity
- Full UT testing per ASTM A578 Level III
- Custom cutting: Waterjet (≤150mm) & laser (≤40mm)
Download our free “Cryogenic Material Selection Guide” or request TÜV Nord certified test reports.
Packaging: VCI-coated + desiccant packs; 24-ton 40HQ container capacity.
Certificates: EN 10204 3.1 with full melt heat traceability.
Packing And Delivery
