ASTM A836/A836M
Characteristics
Low Carbon Content: ASTM A836/A836M steel plates are typically produced with a low carbon content, usually below 0.25%. This ensures good weldability and ductility, making them suitable for welded construction of pressure vessels.
High-Strength Properties: Despite the low carbon content, ASTM A836/A836M steel plates exhibit high-strength properties, allowing them to withstand high temperatures and pressures encountered in pressure vessel applications.
Impact Resistance: These steel plates are designed to have excellent impact resistance, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of pressure vessels under dynamic loading conditions.
ASTM A836/A836M Data Sheet
Dimensions and Tolerances
Chemical Composition
Fabrication and Welding
Equivalent Steel Grades
Dimensions and Tolerances
Plate
- Width (mm): 1200-4000
- Thickness (mm): 6-150
- Length (mm): 3000-18000
- Tolerances: Width and thickness: ASTM A6/A6M specifications
Chemical Composition
Carbon (C): 0.24 – 0.29
Manganese (Mn): 0.85 – 1.20
Phosphorus (P): 0.035 (max)
Sulfur (S): 0.035 (max)
Silicon (Si): 0.15 – 0.40
Copper (Cu): 0.20 (max)
Nickel (Ni): 0.25 (max)
Chromium (Cr): 0.08 (max)
Molybdenum (Mo): 0.08 (max)
Fabrication and Welding
Formability
- Fabrication Considerations:
ASTM A836/A836M Grade 70 steel exhibits good formability, allowing for ease of fabrication processes such as bending, rolling, and forming.
- Welding Considerations:
Weldability of ASTM A836/A836M Grade 70 steel is generally good, but preheating and proper welding procedures are recommended to minimize the risk of weld cracking.
Machinability
- Fabrication Considerations:
ASTM A836/A836M Grade 70 steel has fair machinability characteristics, requiring proper tooling and cutting parameters for machining operations such as drilling, milling, and turning.
- Welding Considerations:
Preheating and post-weld heat treatment may be required for thick sections to minimize the risk of heat-affected zone (HAZ) softening and weld distortion.
Heat Treatment
- Fabrication Considerations:
Heat treatment processes such as normalizing or stress relieving may be employed to improve the mechanical properties and reduce internal stresses in ASTM A836/A836M Grade 70 steel.
- Welding Considerations:
Proper welding techniques, including preheating, interpass temperature control, and post-weld heat treatment, are essential to ensure the integrity of welded joints and minimize the risk of weld defects.
Surface Finish
- Fabrication Considerations:
ASTM A836/A836M Grade 70 steel typically has a smooth surface finish after fabrication processes, but additional surface treatment may be required for specific applications.
- Welding Considerations:
Welded joints should be carefully inspected for defects such as porosity, cracking, or incomplete fusion, and appropriate non-destructive testing methods may be employed to ensure weld quality.
Edge Condition
- Fabrication Considerations:
ASTM A836/A836M Grade 70 steel is available with either mill edge or cut edge conditions, and proper edge preparation is crucial for subsequent fabrication processes such as welding or forming.
- Welding Considerations:
Welding parameters, including welding currents, voltages, travel speeds, and electrode or filler metal selections, should be carefully controlled to achieve desired weld properties and minimize the risk of defects.
Equivalent Steel Grades
United States
- Equivalent Steel Grade(s): ASME SA516 Grade 70
- Standard: ASME SA516/SA516M
European Union
- Equivalent Steel Grade(s): EN10028-2 P265GH
- Standard: EN 10028-2
Japan
- Equivalent Steel Grade(s): JIS G3115 SPV410
- Standard: JIS G3115
China
- Equivalent Steel Grade(s): GB713 Q245R
- Standard: GB 713
Comparing ASTM A836 and A516 for Pressure Vessels
ASTM A836 and A516 are commonly used materials for pressure vessels, each with its own set of properties. ASTM A836 is a low-carbon, low-alloy steel known for its excellent toughness and weldability, making it suitable for applications requiring superior impact resistance, particularly at low temperatures. On the other hand, ASTM A516 is a carbon steel widely used in moderate-temperature service, offering good weldability and notch toughness.
In choosing between the two, consider the specific operating conditions of the pressure vessel. If your application requires high toughness and impact resistance, especially at low temperatures, ASTM A836 may be the better option. However, if you need a material that offers versatility and performs well in moderate-temperature service, ASTM A516 would be more suitable. Ultimately, the selection should be based on a thorough evaluation of the application requirements to ensure safety, reliability, and performance of the pressure vessel.
