09MnNiDR Pressure vessel steel · Low temperature down to –70°C
Fine-grain killed steel for cryogenic service. Designed for welded pressure vessels and components operating at temperatures down to –70°C.
⚖️ International grade equivalents (verified)
| Standard | Grade designation | Steel number / UNS | Main characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳 GB (China) | 09MnNiDR | —— | Pressure vessels, low temp. down to –70°C (GB/T 3531) |
| 🇪🇺 EN (Europe) | 11MnNi5-3 | 1.6212 | EN 10028-4, low temp. vessels, 0.5% Ni steel |
| 🇺🇸 ASME (USA) | SA203 Gr.E | K32018 | 3.5% Ni alloy steel, ASME pressure vessels, matches 09MnNiDR in application (-70°C) |
ℹ️ Verified cross-reference: 09MnNiDR ↔ EN 11MnNi5-3 (1.6212) ↔ ASME SA203 Gr.E (K32018). SA203 Gr.D is a similar grade but SA203 Gr.E is the commonly accepted equivalent in welding consumables and engineering practice.
📊 Chinese pressure vessel steels: Mechanical properties & impact energy comparison
Comparison of five common Chinese GB pressure vessel steels for low temperature service: 16MnDR (-40°C), Q370R (high strength), 09MnNiDR (-70°C), 08Ni3DR (-101°C, 3.5% Ni), and 06Ni9DR (-196°C, 9% Ni).
| Grade | Standard | Ni (%) | Thickness (mm) |
Yield ReL (MPa) min |
Tensile Rm (MPa) |
Elong. A (%) |
Impact temp. (°C) |
Charpy KV2 (J) min |
Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16MnDR | GB/T 713.3 | ≤0.40 | 6-16 16-36 36-60 |
325 315 305 |
480-610 480-610 470-600 |
21 | –40 | ≥47 | Low-temp vessels, –40°C |
| Q370R | GB/T 713.2 | ≤0.40 | 3-16 16-36 36-60 |
370 360 350 |
530-630 530-630 520-620 |
20 | –20 | ≥47 | High strength, moderate temp. |
| 09MnNiDR | GB/T 713.3 | 0.30-0.80 | 6-16 16-36 36-60 |
285 275 265 |
430-580 | 23 | –70 | ≥47 | Cryogenic vessels, –70°C |
| 08Ni3DR | GB/T 713.4 | 3.25-3.70 | 6-60 >60-100 |
320 300 |
490-620 480-610 |
21 | –100 | ≥60 | LNG, ethylene, –101°C |
| 06Ni9DR | GB/T 713.4 | 8.50-10.0 | 5-30 >30-50 >50-80 |
585 575 565 |
680-820 | 18 | –196 | ≥80 | LNG storage, –196°C |
📋 All impact values are transverse specimens, minimum average for three tests. 08Ni3DR is the Chinese equivalent of 3.5% Ni steel. 06Ni9DR (9% Ni) corresponds to ASTM A553 / EN X7Ni9 for –196°C service.
🧪 Chemical composition (typical, wt%)
| Grade | C | Si | Mn | P | S | Ni | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09MnNiDR | ≤0.12 | 0.15-0.50 | 1.20-1.60 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.010 | 0.30-0.80 | — |
| 11MnNi5-3 (EN) | ≤0.14 | ≤0.50 | 1.10-1.60 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.010 | 0.30-0.80 | Mo≤0.08 |
| SA203 Gr.E | ≤0.20 | 0.15-0.40 | ≤0.88 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.025 | 3.18-3.82 | — |
| 16MnDR | ≤0.20 | 0.15-0.50 | 1.20-1.60 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.010 | ≤0.40 | Alt≥0.020 |
| Q370R | ≤0.18 | ≤0.55 | 1.20-1.60 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.010 | ≤0.40 | Nb/Ti/V |
| 08Ni3DR | ≤0.10 | 0.15-0.35 | 0.30-0.80 | ≤0.015 | ≤0.005 | 3.25-3.70 | Mo≤0.12 |
| 06Ni9DR | ≤0.08 | 0.10-0.35 | 0.30-0.80 | ≤0.008 | ≤0.003 | 8.50-10.0 | Cr≤0.25 |
* 09MnNiDR and 11MnNi5-3 have nearly identical chemistry (0.5% Ni type). SA203 Gr.E uses higher Ni (3.5%) but is the established ASME equivalent for –70°C service.
🔬 Mechanical properties (min. values, transverse)
| Grade | Yield (Rp0.2) MPa |
Tensile (Rm) MPa |
Elongation A% |
Impact temp. | Charpy KV (J) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09MnNiDR (6-16mm) | ≥285 | 430-580 | ≥23 | –70°C | ≥47 (avg) |
| 11MnNi5-3 (EN) | ≥285 | 430-580 | ≥23 | –70°C | ≥47 (avg) |
| SA203 Gr.E | ≥275 | 485-620 | ≥21 | –101°C* | ≥27** |
* SA203 Gr.E is typically impact tested at –101°C per ASME, guaranteeing performance down to –70°C.
** Impact energy 27J is typical minimum; values at –70°C are significantly higher (often ≥47J).
→ All three grades ensure reliable service at –70°C, with SA203 Gr.E providing extra margin.
🔄 Verified cross-reference for international projects
Based on multiple welding consumable datasheets and steel mill references, the correct equivalents for 09MnNiDR are:
- 🇪🇺 EN 10028-4 11MnNi5-3 (1.6212) — identical chemistry and mechanical properties; the direct European equivalent.
- 🇺🇸 ASME SA203 Gr.E (K32018) — 3.5% Ni steel, widely used for cryogenic pressure vessels. Welding consumables for 09MnNiDR explicitly state compatibility with SA203 Gr.E.
- For lower temperatures: 08Ni3DR matches SA203 Gr.E for –101°C, and 06Ni9DR matches ASTM A553 for –196°C.
✉️ For detailed technical datasheet or quotation, please contact our export team. Reference: 09MnNiDR / EN 11MnNi5-3 / ASME SA203 Gr.E – verified 2026