AH36 Shipbuilding Steel Plate
⚙️ AH36 Steel Plate: Key Facts at a Glance
A: 0°C Impact | H: Hull | 36: ≥355MPa Yield Strength
• Strength: Yield ≥355 MPa
• Toughness: 0°C Impact Test
Commercial vessels (bulk carriers, container ships) hull, decks, bulkheads, offshore platforms.
Complies with ABS, BV, CCS, DNV, etc. 9 major classification societies, EN 10204 3.1 certificate.
🔍 Quick Specs Summary: AH36 Steel Plate
- Grade & Strength: AH36, 36 Class High Strength Steel
- Yield Strength (ReH): ≥ 355 MPa
- Impact Toughness: Tested at 0°C (32°F)
- Key Property: Excellent Weldability and Formability
- Primary Use: Hull structures, decks, bulkheads of commercial vessels
- Service Environment: General marine service, non-Arctic offshore
- Approvals: ABS, BV, CCS, DNV, LR, NK, RINA, KR, IRS
- Delivery Condition: Normalized (N) or TMCP
AH36 shipbuilding steel plate is a high-strength hull structural steel widely used in commercial shipbuilding and offshore marine structures. It is designed for normal marine service conditions, offering stable mechanical performance, excellent weldability, and certified low-temperature toughness.
1. Product Definition and Classification
AH36 belongs to the 36 Class high-strength hull structural steel family with a minimum yield strength of 355 MPa. The prefix A indicates impact testing at 0°C in accordance with classification society rules. The letter H designates steel for hull structural applications.
Applicable Classification Societies
- ABS – American Bureau of Shipping
- BV – Bureau Veritas
- CCS – China Classification Society
- DNV – Det Norske Veritas
- IRS – Indian Register of Shipping
- KR – Korean Register
- LR – Lloyd's Register
- NK – ClassNK
- RINA – Registro Italiano Navale
Note: Societies listed alphabetically. Actual approval depends on specific mill certification.
2. Key Advantages
| ⚓ Standard Marine Strength | 🧱 High Yield Strength | ❄️ Low-Temperature Toughness | 🔧 Excellent Weldability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineered for conventional ship hulls and marine structures | 355 MPa minimum yield strength for reliable load-bearing performance | Maintains stable impact toughness at 0°C per classification requirements | Optimized for shipyard welding, cutting, and fabrication processes |
3. Chemical Composition & Mechanical Properties
Chemical Composition (Typical, %)
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Al |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤0.18 | ≤0.50 | 0.90 – 1.60 | ≤0.035 | ≤0.035 | ≥0.015 |
* Typical values according to classification society specifications. Actual limits may vary by approval.
Mechanical Properties
| Thickness (mm) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Impact Test Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤50 | ≥355 | 490 – 620 | ≥21 | 0°C |
4. 36-Class Hull Steel: Toughness Grade Comparison
The following table compares different toughness grades within the 36 Class high-strength hull steel series. All grades share the same minimum yield strength (≥355 MPa) but are designed for different service temperatures.
| Steel Grade | Impact Test Temperature | Typical Application Environment |
|---|---|---|
| AH36 | 0°C | Standard ship hull structures in general marine service |
| DH36 | -20°C | Vessels and structures operating in colder waters |
| EH36 | -40°C | Offshore platforms and ice-class vessels requiring higher toughness |
| FH36 | -60°C | Extreme low-temperature applications such as LNG carrier containment systems |
5. A-Grade Hull Steel Series: Strength Progression
This table shows the strength progression within the A-Grade hull steel series (all grades impact tested at 0°C), illustrating available options for increasing load-bearing capacity while maintaining the same impact toughness level.
| Performance Tier | Steel Grade | Yield Strength (Min) | Impact Test Temperature | Key Selection Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: Baseline Strength | AH32 | ≥ 315 MPa | 0°C | Standard strength for general hull structures requiring 0°C impact toughness |
| Tier 2: Enhanced Strength | AH36 | ≥ 355 MPa | 0°C | Recommended upgrade for higher load-bearing needs while maintaining 0°C impact toughness |
| Tier 3: High Strength | AH40 | ≥ 390 MPa | 0°C | For critical structural components requiring maximum strength with 0°C impact toughness |
6. Typical Applications
- Ship hull structures of commercial vessels (bulk carriers, container ships, tankers)
- Main decks and bulkheads in marine engineering
- Offshore platforms and marine structural components
- General marine service environments (non-Arctic conditions)
7. Available Sizes & Supply Conditions
- Thickness: 6 – 150 mm
- Width: Up to 5,300 mm
- Length: Up to 18,000 mm
- Delivery Condition: Normalized (N) / Thermo-Mechanical Control Processed (TMCP)
- Surface Treatment: As rolled, blasted, or primed (upon request)
8. Quality Control & Certification
Inspection & Quality Control
- Chemical composition analysis
- Tensile and elongation testing
- Charpy V-notch impact testing at 0°C
- Ultrasonic testing (UT) for internal quality
- Third-party inspection available (SGS, BV, TUV, etc.)
Certification
Each shipment includes:
- EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate
- Classification society approval certificate
- Heat number traceability
- Optional EN 10204 3.2 certificate (upon request)
9. Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is AH36 steel plate used for?
AH36 is primarily used for ship hull structures, decks, bulkheads, and offshore marine components in commercial vessels like bulk carriers, container ships, and tankers.
2. What is the impact test temperature for AH36 steel?
AH36 is impact tested at 0°C (32°F) in accordance with classification society requirements for general marine service conditions.
3. Is third-party inspection available for AH36 steel plate?
Yes, we can arrange third-party inspections from organizations like SGS, Bureau Veritas, TUV, or Lloyd's Register upon customer request.
4. What certificates are supplied with AH36 steel plate?
We provide EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates along with classification society approval certificates for each shipment.
5. How to get a quote for AH36 steel plate?
Please contact our sales team with your specific requirements including grade, dimensions, quantity, destination port, and any special certifications needed. We provide competitive pricing and respond within 24 hours.
6. What is the difference between AH36 and ordinary A-grade ship plate?
Ordinary A-grade ship plate has 235 MPa yield strength, while AH36 is a high-strength grade with ≥355 MPa yield strength. AH36 offers superior load-bearing capacity with potential weight savings, making it suitable for larger vessels and critical structures.
7. Can you provide customized AH36 plates with specific dimensions and certifications?
Yes, we specialize in customized solutions. We can supply AH36 plates according to your specified dimensions, thicknesses, and classification society requirements. We also provide EN 10204 3.2 certificates upon request.
8. What is your minimum order quantity and lead time?
We offer flexible MOQ options. For hot-rolled plates, typical lead time is around 20 days. For normalized plates, expect 35-55 days depending on specifications and quantity.
Request Technical & Commercial Support
We supply classification-approved AH36 shipbuilding steel plate with full traceability, flexible inspection options, and coordinated logistics support.
📋 Certification & Quality
- 9 major classification societies
- EN 10204 3.1 certificates
- Third-party inspection available
⚙️ Custom Solutions
- Custom dimensions & cutting
- Various surface treatments
- Flexible certification options
🚚 Logistics Support
- Global shipping coordination
- Documentation assistance
- Technical support
Response Time: We typically respond to all inquiries within 24 hours