ASTM A353 / ASME SA353

ASTM SA353 Pressure Vessel Steel Plate Chemical Composition & Mechanical Properties

Chinese-made American Standard Steel Plate Technical Data

Double-normalized and tempered 9% nickel alloy steel plate for welded pressure vessels in cryogenic service. Suitable for extremely low-temperature applications down to -196°C (-320°F), including LNG storage tanks and cryogenic equipment.

1. ASTM SA353 Material Identification & Standards

Standards

  • ASTM A353 / A353M
  • ASME SA353 / SA353M
  • ASTM A20/A20M (General Requirements)
  • ASME BPVC Section II Part A

Alloy Type

9% Nickel Steel

Double-Normalized & Tempered (NNT)

Service Temperature

-196°C

(-320°F) Cryogenic Service

Note: ASTM A353 is a double-normalized and tempered (NNT) 9% nickel steel plate intended particularly for welded pressure vessels for cryogenic service. Plates are subject to impact testing at -320°F [-195°C] [citation:1]. This material is susceptible to magnetization; use of magnets in handling after heat treatment should be avoided [citation:1].

2. ASTM SA353 Chemical Composition & Ladle Analysis Requirements

2.1 ASTM SA353 Chemical Composition Limits

Table 2.1: ASTM SA353 Chemical Composition Requirements (ASTM A353/ASME SA353 Mass Percent)
Element Smelting Analysis Finished Product Analysis
C, ≤ 0.13
Mn, ≤ 0.90 0.98
Si 0.15-0.40 0.13-0.45
S, ≤ 0.035
P, ≤ 0.035
Ni 8.50-9.50 8.40-9.60
Cr ...
Mo ...
V ...

Alloy Design Notes

SA353 is a 9% nickel steel with low carbon and restricted manganese for cryogenic toughness. The high nickel content provides excellent low-temperature impact properties.

Note: This material is susceptible to magnetization; avoid magnets in handling after heat treatment [citation:1].

3. ASTM SA353 Mechanical Properties & Tensile Strength Specification

3.1 ASTM SA353 Tensile Properties

Property Standard Value Test Method Remarks
Tensile Strength Rm 690-825 MPa ASTM A370 Transverse specimen
Yield Strength ReH >=515 MPa ASTM A370 0.2% offset
Elongation A (2in./50mm) >=20% ASTM A370 Per A20/A20M
Charpy Impact KV₂ -196°C ASTM A370 Lateral expansion ≥0.38mm

3.2 Charpy Impact Test Requirements for ASTM SA353

Cryogenic Impact Testing

Impact testing at -320°F [-195°C] or as agreed [citation:1]

Lateral expansion: ≥0.38 mm

Mandatory

Cryogenic Service

  • Designed for LNG storage and transport
  • 9% Ni provides excellent low-temp toughness
  • Typical Charpy energy: >100J at -196°C [citation:12]
Cryogenic

3.3 ASTM SA353 Hardness Limits

  • As-supplied condition (NNT): Typically ≤250 HBW
  • NACE service environment: Weld & HAZ hardness control required

4. ASTM SA353 Double-Normalized + Tempered: Heat Treatment Guide

1

First Normalizing

Austenitizing: ~900°C

Air cool

→
2

Second Normalizing

Austenitizing: ~900°C

Air cool (Double Normalized)

→
3

Tempering

Tempering: ~550-600°C

Air cool

Critical Control Points:
  • SA353 must be supplied in double-normalized and tempered condition
  • Two separate normalizing treatments required (NNT process)
  • Nickel content (8.50-9.50%) provides cryogenic toughness
  • Avoid magnets in handling after heat treatment [citation:1]
  • Material is susceptible to magnetization

5. ASTM SA353 Welding Procedure Specification (WPS/PQR)

5.1 ASTM SA353 Welding Procedure Specification WPS

SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc) SAW (Submerged Arc) GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc) FCAW (Flux Cored)

5.2 ASTM SA353 Preheat & Interpass Temperature Chart

Thickness Range Min Preheat Temp Recommended Preheat Max Interpass Temp
All thicknesses 100°C 100-150°C 150-200°C

5.3 Recommended Welding Consumables for ASTM SA353

Process Filler Classification Typical Composition Hydrogen Control
SMAW ENiCrFe-2, ENiCrFe-3 Ni-Cr-Fe Low Hydrogen
GTAW ERNiCrFe-2, ERNiCrFe-3 Ni-Cr-Fe Shielding: Ar
SAW ENiCrFe-2, ENiCrFe-3 Ni-Cr-Fe Flux bake 300°C*2h
Welding Notes:
  • Use Ni-based fillers for welding 9% nickel steel
  • Preheat is used to prevent moisture condensation
  • Control heat input to maintain cryogenic toughness
  • PWHT typically not required for 9% nickel steel [citation:12]
  • Avoid magnets in handling after heat treatment [citation:1]

6. ASTM SA353 Cryogenic Service & Applications

6.1 ASTM SA353 Service Capability

Cryogenic Performance

  • Excellent toughness down to -196°C (-320°F) [citation:5]
  • 9% Ni provides superior low-temperature impact properties
  • Typical Charpy energy >100J at -196°C [citation:12]
  • Double-normalized + tempered condition

Typical Applications

  • LNG storage tanks and transport vessels
  • Cryogenic pressure vessels
  • Ethylene and propylene storage
  • Low-temperature process equipment

6.2 ASTM SA353 Thickness Capability

Typical maximum thickness: 2 in. [50 mm] [citation:9]

The maximum thickness is limited by the capacity of the material to meet specific mechanical property requirements. Current mill practice normally limits this material to 2 inches [citation:9].

7. ASTM SA353 Inspection & NDT Testing Methods

7.1 Non-Destructive Testing

UT ASTM A578/A578M Per Supplementary Requirements
MT ASTM A275/A275M Surface Crack Detection
PT ASTM A165 Surface Open Defects
RT ASME V Article 2 Weld Internal Quality

7.2 Specimen Orientation & Location

Transverse (T)

Preferred for tensile & impact

Reflects transverse properties

Test Specimen

40mm rectangular for ≤20mm

12.5mm round for >20mm

Charpy V-Notch

Transverse orientation

At -196°C

8. ASTM SA353 Physical Properties

Density

7.85

g/cm3 (20°C)

Elastic Modulus

190-210

GPa (20°C)

Magnetic Permeability

Ferromagnetic

Susceptible to magnetization [citation:1]

9. ASTM SA353 Dimensions & Thickness Tolerance

9.1 Available Dimensions

Thickness 6-50 mm Typical mill practice max 2 in. [citation:9]
Width 1500-4050 mm
Length 3000-12000 mm
Unit Weight Max 30 MT

9.2 Thickness Tolerances (ASTM A20)

Nominal Thickness Class A (Unrestricted) Class B (Restricted)
6-25mm +1.20mm, -0.30mm +/-0.60mm
>25-50mm +1.50mm, -0.30mm +/-0.80mm

10. ASTM SA353 Mill Test Certificate & EN 10204 3.2 Documentation

EN 10204 3.1

Manufacturer Test Certificate

Based on non-specific inspection

EN 10204 3.2

Third Party Inspection Certificate

Witnessed by customer or third party

ASME Data Report

Form CM-1

For ASME stamped equipment

Mill Test Certificate must include:

  • ✓Heat number, plate number, batch traceability
  • ✓Chemical composition (ladle + product analysis)
  • ✓Mechanical properties (tensile, impact)
  • ✓Heat treatment records (NNT temperature-time curves)
  • ✓NDT reports (UT/MT etc.)
  • ✓Dimensional inspection records

11. ASTM SA353 Equivalent Grades: 9% Nickel Steel Comparison

Standard Grade Country Heat Treatment Key Characteristics
ASTM A353 A353 USA NNT Double-normalized + tempered 9% Ni [citation:1]
ASME SA353 SA353 USA NNT ASME equivalent to A353 [citation:5]
GB/T 24510 06Ni9DR China NNT/QT Chinese 9% Ni equivalent [citation:5]
EN 10028-4 X8Ni9 (1.5662) Europe NNT/QT European 9% Ni equivalent [citation:5]
JIS G3127 SL9N520 / SL9N590 Japan NNT/QT Japanese 9% Ni equivalent [citation:5]
Grade Selection Notes:
  • SA353 (NNT): Double-normalized and tempered 9% Ni for cryogenic service [citation:1]
  • SA553 Type I (QT): Quenched and tempered 9% Ni, higher strength than SA353 [citation:5]
  • 06Ni9DR (China): Corresponds to ASME SA553 Type I in Q&T condition [citation:5]
  • All are 9% nickel steels for LNG and cryogenic applications

Warning: Equivalent grades are approximate. Project-specific Gap Analysis and PQR qualification required. 9% nickel steel requires controlled welding procedures and qualified personnel.

12. ASTM SA353 Design Considerations & Fabrication Guidelines

Design Considerations

  • Cryogenic service: SA353 suitable for service down to -196°C (-320°F) [citation:5]
  • Thickness capability: Typical mill practice limits to 2 in. [50 mm] [citation:9]
  • High nickel content: 8.50-9.50% Ni provides excellent low-temperature toughness
  • Magnetization: Avoid magnets in handling after heat treatment [citation:1]

Fabrication Considerations

  • Welding: Use Ni-based fillers (ENiCrFe-2/3, ERNiCrFe-2/3)
  • Preheat: 100-150°C to prevent moisture condensation
  • PWHT: Typically not required for 9% nickel steel [citation:12]
  • Handling: Avoid magnets after heat treatment [citation:1]
  • Forming: Cold forming may require stress relief

Common Failure Mode Prevention

  • Brittle fracture at cryogenic temperatures: Ensure proper NNT heat treatment and impact testing
  • Hydrogen-induced cold cracking: Strict low-hydrogen practice, preheat
  • Magnetization effects: Avoid magnets in handling after heat treatment [citation:1]
  • Weld toughness: Use Ni-based fillers and control heat input

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