ASTM A517 / ASME SA517

ASTM SA517 Grade A Pressure Vessel Steel Plate Chemical Composition & Mechanical Properties

Chinese-made American Standard Steel Plate Technical Data

High-strength quenched and tempered alloy steel plate for fusion-welded boilers and pressure vessels. Grade A is a C-Mn-B grade with the most limited thickness capability, suitable for thin-section high-strength pressure vessel applications.

1. ASTM SA517 Grade A Material Identification & Standards

Standards

  • ASTM A517 / A517M
  • ASME SA517 / SA517M
  • ASTM A20/A20M (General Requirements)
  • ASME BPVC Section II Part A

Alloy Type

C-Mn-B

Carbon-Manganese-Boron steel

Grade Classification

  • ASTM SA517 Grade A (C-Mn-B) ← This Spec
  • SA517 Grade B (C-Mn-B)
  • SA517 Grade E (Cr-Mo-B)
  • SA517 Grade F (Ni-Cr-Mo-B)
  • SA517 Grade H (Ni-Cr-Mo-B)
  • SA517 Grade P (Ni-Cr-Mo-B)
  • SA517 Grade Q (Ni-Cr-Mo-V)
  • SA517 Grade S (Mn-Mo-Ti-Cb)

Note: ASTM A517 Grade A is a C-Mn-B grade with no alloying additions of Cr, Mo, or Ni. It has the most limited maximum thickness of 1.25 inches (32 mm) among all A517 grades [citation:1][citation:4]. Grade A is chemically identical to A514 Grade A, differing only in the specification (A517 for pressure vessels, A514 for structural applications) [citation:3].

2. ASTM SA517 Grade A Chemical Composition & Ladle Analysis Requirements

2.1 ASTM SA517 Grade A Chemical Composition Limits

Table 2.1: ASTM SA517 Grade A Chemical Composition Requirements (ASTM A517/ASME SA517 Mass Percent)
Element Smelting Analysis Finished Product Analysis
C 0.15-0.21 0.13-0.23
Mn 0.80-1.10 0.74-1.20
Si 0.40-0.80 0.34-0.86
S, ≤ 0.035 0.035
P, ≤ 0.035 0.035
Cr 0.50-0.80 0.46-0.84
Mo 0.18-0.28 0.15-0.31
B, ≤ 0.0025
Ni ...
V ...
Ti ...
Cu ...
Nb ...
Zr ...

Carbon Equivalent (CE)

CE = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15

Typical value: ~0.55% (Grade A has moderate carbon equivalent)

Note: High-strength quenched and tempered steel requires controlled welding procedures; low hydrogen practice is mandatory. Preheat and interpass temperature control are critical for Grade A.

3. ASTM SA517 Grade A Mechanical Properties & Tensile Strength Specification

3.1 ASTM SA517 Grade A Tensile Properties

Property Thickness ≤65mm Thickness 65-150mm Test Method
Tensile Strength Rm 795-930 MPa 725-930 MPa ASTM A370
Yield Strength ReH >=690 MPa >=620 MPa ASTM A370
Elongation A (2in./50mm) >=16% >=14% ASTM A370
Charpy Impact KV₂ Lateral expansion ≥0.38mm By agreement

3.2 Charpy Impact Test Requirements for ASTM SA517 Grade A

Standard Requirement

Transverse Charpy V-notch impact test required

Lateral expansion: ≥0.38 mm [citation:1]

Mandatory

Test Temperature

  • By agreement between manufacturer and purchaser
  • Not higher than 0°C (32°F) per ASTM A517 [citation:1]
By Agreement

3.3 ASTM SA517 Grade A Hardness & Brinell Hardness Limits

  • As-supplied condition (quenched + tempered): Typically 235-290 HBW
  • NACE service environment: Weld & HAZ hardness control required

4. ASTM SA517 Grade A Quenched + Tempered: Heat Treatment Guide

1

As-Rolled (AR)

Not applicable for SA517

High strength requires Q+T

→
2

Quenched + Tempered (Q+T)

Austenitizing: ≥900°C

Quench: Water or Oil

Tempering: ≥620°C

→
3

Simulated PWHT (SPWHT)

By agreement

For property verification

Critical Control Points:
  • SA517 must be supplied in quenched + tempered condition [citation:1][citation:16]
  • Austenitizing temperature: not less than 900°C (1650°F) [citation:1][citation:16]
  • Quench in water or oil [citation:1][citation:16]
  • Tempering temperature: not less than 620°C (1150°F) [citation:1][citation:16]
  • Tempering temperature must be carefully controlled to achieve required strength and toughness balance

5. ASTM SA517 Grade A Welding Procedure Specification (WPS/PQR)

5.1 ASTM SA517 Grade A Welding Procedure Specification WPS

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

5.2 ASTM SA517 Grade A Preheat & Interpass Temperature Chart

Thickness Range Min Preheat Temp Recommended Preheat Max Interpass Temp
<=32mm 100°C 100-150°C 200-250°C

5.3 Recommended Welding Consumables for ASTM SA517 Grade A

Process AWS Classification Strength Match Hydrogen Control
SMAW E11018-M, E11018M-H4R 110 ksi Low Hydrogen (H4)
GTAW ER110S-G 110 ksi Shielding: Ar
FCAW E110T1-G 110 ksi Self/ Gas Shielded
SAW F11A2-EM12K, F11P2-EM12K 110 ksi Flux bake 300°C*2h
Welding Notes:
  • A517 Grade A requires controlled welding procedures with preheat and interpass temperature control
  • Use only low hydrogen type electrodes; E11018 is commonly specified for matching strength [citation:9]
  • Control heat input to avoid HAZ softening
  • Heat straightening of A517 steel shall not exceed 1100°F (593°C) [citation:2][citation:6]

6. ASTM SA517 Grade A High Strength Service & Applications

6.1 ASTM SA517 Grade A Service Capability

Service Characteristics

  • High strength-to-weight ratio
  • Good toughness at low temperatures
  • C-Mn-B composition provides moderate hardenability
  • Suitable for thin-section pressure vessel applications

Typical Applications

  • Fusion-welded boilers [citation:1]
  • Pressure vessels [citation:1]
  • Storage tanks
  • High-stress components requiring reduced weight

6.2 ASTM SA517 Grade A Thickness Capability

Maximum thickness for Grade A: 1.25 in. [32 mm] [citation:1][citation:4]

Grade A has the most limited thickness capability among A517 grades. Other grades have higher limits: Grade S/H (50mm), Grade F (65mm), Grade P (100mm), Grade E/Q (150mm).

7. ASTM SA517 Grade A Inspection & NDT Testing Methods

7.1 Non-Destructive Testing

UT ASTM A435/A435M, A577/A577M, 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)

Required for tensile & impact

Per ASTM A517 requirements [citation:1]

Test Specimen

40mm rectangular for ≤20mm

12.5mm round for >20mm [citation:1]

Charpy V-Notch

Transverse orientation

Lateral expansion measurement [citation:1]

8. ASTM SA517 Grade A Physical Properties

Density

7,750

kg/m3 [citation:7]

Elastic Modulus

200,000

MPa [citation:7]

Poisson's Ratio

0.29

[citation:7]

Thermal Expansion

12

*10⁻⁶/°C [citation:7]

9. ASTM SA517 Grade A Dimensions & Thickness Tolerance

9.1 Available Dimensions

Thickness (Grade A) 5-32 mm Max 1.25 in. per ASTM A517 [citation:1]
Width 1500-3050 mm
Length 3000-15000 mm
Unit Weight Max 20 MT

9.2 Thickness Tolerances (ASTM A20)

Nominal Thickness Class A (Unrestricted) Class B (Restricted)
5-25mm +1.20mm, -0.30mm +/-0.60mm
>25-32mm +1.50mm, -0.30mm +/-0.80mm

10. ASTM SA517 Grade A 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 (temperature-time curves)
  • ✓NDT reports (UT/MT etc.)
  • ✓Dimensional inspection records

11. ASTM SA517 Grade A Equivalent Grades: A517 Steel Comparison

Grade Yield MPa Tensile MPa Elong % Max Thk Key Characteristics
SA517 Grade A ≥690 795-930 ≥16 32 mm C-Mn-B, most limited thickness [citation:1]
SA517 Grade B ≥690 795-930 ≥16 32 mm C-Mn-B, similar to Grade A
SA517 Grade E ≥690 795-930 ≥16 150 mm Cr-Mo-B, highest thickness capability
SA517 Grade F ≥690 795-930 ≥16 65 mm Ni-Cr-Mo-B, good low-temp toughness
SA517 Grade Q ≥690 795-930 ≥16 150 mm Ni-Cr-Mo-V, highest thickness capability
Grade Selection Notes:
  • Grade A & B: C-Mn-B, most limited thickness (32mm) [citation:1]
  • Grade E: Cr-Mo-B, highest thickness capability (150mm)
  • Grade F: Ni-Cr-Mo-B, good low-temp toughness, 65mm max
  • Grade Q: Ni-Cr-Mo-V, highest thickness capability (150mm)

Warning: Equivalent grades are approximate. Project-specific Gap Analysis and PQR qualification required. High-strength quenched and tempered steels require controlled welding procedures and qualified personnel.

12. ASTM SA517 Grade A Design Considerations & Fabrication Guidelines

Design Considerations

  • High strength: Grade A provides yield strength of 690 MPa for thickness up to 32mm
  • Thickness capability: Maximum thickness for Grade A is 32mm (1.25 in.) [citation:1][citation:4]
  • C-Mn-B composition: Provides moderate hardenability for thin-section applications
  • Impact requirements: Transverse Charpy V-notch with lateral expansion ≥0.38mm [citation:1]

Fabrication Considerations

  • Cold forming: May require stress relief after forming depending on strain level
  • Hot forming: Forming temperature 900-960°C, re-quenching and tempering required after forming
  • Welding: Low hydrogen practice mandatory; preheat 100-150°C; interpass temperature control
  • Heat straightening: Maximum temperature shall not exceed 1100°F (593°C) [citation:2][citation:6]
  • Oxygen gouging: Shall not be used on A517 steel [citation:2][citation:6]

Common Failure Mode Prevention

  • Hydrogen-induced cold cracking: Strict low-hydrogen practice, preheat, control diffusible hydrogen <=5 mL/100g
  • HAZ softening: Control heat input during welding to avoid excessive softening
  • Lamellar tearing: Consider through-thickness properties for critical joints
  • Stress corrosion cracking: Consider environment and use appropriate protective measures

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