DH40 Shipbuilding Steel Plate

⚙️ DH40 Steel Plate: Key Facts at a Glance

🔬 Grade Designation

D: Grade of quality, impact at -20°C |   H: High strength |  40: Yield strength grade, ≥390MPa Yield Strength

📊 Core Performance

Strength: Yield ≥390 MPa
Toughness: -20°C Impact Test

🌍 Primary Applications

High-strength hull structures for vessels operating in cold waters, ice-class vessels, decks, bulkheads, marine structures requiring superior strength and cold climate performance.

✅ Certifications & Standards

Complies with ABS, BV, CCS, DNV, etc. 9 major classification societies, EN 10204 3.1 certificate.

🔍 Quick Specs Summary: DH40 Steel Plate

  • Grade & Strength: DH40, 40 Class High Strength Steel
  • Yield Strength (ReH): ≥ 390 MPa
  • Impact Toughness: Tested at -20°C (-4°F)
  • Key Property: High Strength with Excellent Low-Temperature Toughness and Weldability
  • Primary Use: High-strength hull structures, decks, bulkheads of vessels operating in cold waters
  • Service Environment: Cold marine service, ice-class vessels, demanding structural applications
  • Approvals: ABS, BV, CCS, DNV, LR, NK, RINA, KR, IRS
  • Delivery Condition: Normalized (N) or TMCP

DH40 shipbuilding steel plate is a high-strength hull structural steel with enhanced low-temperature toughness, designed for demanding marine applications in cold climate regions. It combines exceptional 390 MPa yield strength with reliable -20°C impact performance, making it ideal for high-strength vessels operating in temperate to cold waters, including ice-class applications.


1. Product Definition and Classification

DH40 belongs to the 40 Class high-strength hull structural steel family with a minimum yield strength of 390 MPa. The prefix D indicates impact testing at -20°C in accordance with classification society rules, providing enhanced low-temperature toughness. The letter H designates steel for hull structural applications.

Applicable Classification Societies

  • ABS – American Bureau of Shipping (United States)
  • BV – Bureau Veritas (France)
  • CCS – China Classification Society (China)
  • DNV – Det Norske Veritas (Norway)
  • IRS – Indian Register of Shipping (India)
  • KR – Korean Register (South Korea)
  • LR – Lloyd's Register (United Kingdom)
  • NK – ClassNK (Japan)
  • RINA – Registro Italiano Navale (Italy)

Note: Listed in alphabetical order by society abbreviation for neutral reference.


2. Key Advantages

🏗️ High Strength Performance ❄️ Cold Climate Toughness ⚓ Marine Durability 🔧 Excellent Fabrication Properties
390 MPa minimum yield strength provides superior load-bearing capacity for demanding structural applications Maintains stable impact toughness at -20°C for reliable cold climate performance Specifically designed for high-strength vessels operating in cold waters and challenging marine environments Superior weldability and formability for efficient shipyard fabrication in various climates

3. Chemical Composition & Mechanical Properties

Chemical Composition (Typical, %)

C Si Mn P S Al
≤0.18 ≤0.55 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 ≥390 510 – 650 ≥22 -20°C

4. D-Grade Hull Steel: Strength Grade Comparison

The following table compares different strength grades within the D-Grade hull steel series (all grades impact tested at -20°C), illustrating available options for increasing load-bearing capacity while maintaining the same -20°C impact toughness.

Steel Grade Impact Test Temperature Yield Strength (Min) Typical Application Environment
DH32 -20°C ≥ 315 MPa Vessels operating in temperate to cold climate waters
DH36 -20°C ≥ 355 MPa Higher strength vessels operating in cold waters
DH40 -20°C ≥ 390 MPa High-strength vessels operating in cold climate regions, ice-class vessels

5. 40-Class Hull Steel: Toughness Grade Comparison

This table compares different toughness grades within the 40 Class high-strength hull steel series. All grades share the same minimum yield strength (≥390 MPa) but are designed for different service temperatures.

Performance Tier Steel Grade Yield Strength (Min) Impact Test Temperature Key Selection Insight
Tier 1: Standard Temperature AH40 ≥ 390 MPa 0°C Standard high strength for demanding marine service in moderate climates
Tier 2: Enhanced Low-Temperature DH40 ≥ 390 MPa -20°C Recommended choice for high-strength vessels operating in cold waters with -20°C impact requirements
Tier 3: Superior Low-Temperature EH40 ≥ 390 MPa -40°C For high-strength vessels operating in very cold waters or arctic conditions

Choose Your Optimal Marine Steel Grade

Compare key specifications across our high-strength low-temperature toughness series. Varying parameters are highlighted for quick decision-making.

AH40

HIGH STRENGTH
Yield Strength ≥390 MPa
Impact Temp 0°C
Key Feature High Strength

DH40

CURRENT RECOMMENDATION
Yield Strength ≥390 MPa
Impact Temp -20°C
Key Feature High Strength + Cold

EH40

LOW TEMP
Yield Strength ≥390 MPa
Impact Temp -40°C
Key Feature Arctic High Strength

DH36

ENHANCED
Yield Strength ≥355 MPa
Impact Temp -20°C
Key Feature Medium High Strength

6. Typical Applications

High-strength hull structures of vessels operating in cold waters (North Atlantic, Baltic Sea, cold climate regions)

Ice-class vessels and structures requiring high strength with cold climate performance

Decks and bulkheads in high-strength marine engineering for cold climate service

Critical marine structural components requiring both high strength and -20°C impact toughness

Offshore structures in cold climate regions demanding superior strength


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 -20°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

DH40 is primarily used for high-strength hull structures, decks, bulkheads, and critical marine components of vessels operating in cold waters, including ice-class vessels. It is ideal for applications requiring both high strength (390 MPa yield) and reliable -20°C impact toughness in cold climate regions.

The main difference is yield strength. Both DH32 and DH40 are impact tested at -20°C, but DH32 has a minimum yield strength of 315 MPa, while DH40 has a higher minimum yield strength of 390 MPa. DH40 provides superior load-bearing capacity for more demanding structural applications.

DH40 is impact tested at -20°C (-4°F) in accordance with classification society requirements for cold climate marine service conditions, same as DH32 but with higher strength.

We provide EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates along with classification society approval certificates for each shipment, including specific documentation for -20°C impact testing and 390 MPa yield strength verification.

Yes, we can supply DH40 plates with certifications from major classification societies including ABS (American Bureau of Shipping), BV (Bureau Veritas), DNV (Det Norske Veritas), LR (Lloyd's Register), CCS (China Classification Society), NK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai), KR (Korean Register), and RINA. We can work with your designated classification society to meet specific project requirements for high-strength applications.

Yes, we can arrange third-party inspections from organizations like SGS, Bureau Veritas, TUV, or Lloyd's Register upon customer request, including verification of -20°C impact test results and 390 MPa yield strength testing.

Yes, we specialize in customized solutions. We can supply DH40 plates according to your specified dimensions, thicknesses, and classification society requirements for high-strength applications. We also provide EN 10204 3.2 certificates upon request.

Delivery time for customized orders: Approximately 20 days for hot-rolled plates and 35-55 days for normalized plates, depending on specifications.

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. We do not have a mandatory requirement for the minimum order quantity of high-strength shipbuilding steel plates between 10-50mm, and we can basically provide them according to the quantity you need.

The price of DH40 steel plate fluctuates based on raw material costs, thickness, dimensions, purchase volume, and market conditions. DH40 typically commands a premium over DH32 due to its higher strength specifications. For the most accurate and competitive real-time quotation, please contact our sales team with your specific requirements (grade, size, quantity, destination port, and any special certifications needed). We provide competitive pricing and respond within 24 hours.

We maintain strategic inventory of D-grade high-strength ship plates including DH40. The inventory we maintain is often the portion exceeding specific customer orders. For accurate real-time stock levels of DH40, please contact our sales team or use our stock inquiry system.

Request Technical & Commercial Support

We supply classification-approved DH40 high-strength shipbuilding steel plate with -20°C impact toughness, 390 MPa yield strength, full traceability, flexible inspection options, and coordinated logistics support.

📋 Certification & Quality

9 major classification societies

EN 10204 3.1 certificates

390 MPa yield strength verification

⚙️ 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