ASTM A517 / ASME SA517

ASTM SA517 Grade P 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 P is a Ni-Cr-Mo-B grade with excellent low-temperature toughness and hardenability, suitable for thick-wall pressure equipment and cold-climate applications.

1. ASTM SA517 Grade P Material Identification & Standards

Standards

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

Alloy Type

Ni-Cr-Mo-B

Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum-Boron steel

Grade Classification

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

Note: ASTM A517 Grade P is a Ni-Cr-Mo-B grade with significant nickel content (1.20-1.50%). The nickel enhances both strength and low-temperature toughness, making Grade P suitable for cold-climate or cryogenic pressure vessel applications [citation:19]. Maximum thickness is 4 inches (100 mm) [citation:2][citation:9].

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

2.1 ASTM SA517 Grade P Chemical Composition Limits

Table 2.1: ASTM SA517 Grade P Chemical Composition Requirements (ASTM A517/ASME SA517 Mass Percent)
Element Smelting Analysis Finished Product Analysis
C 0.12-0.21 0.10-0.23
Mn 0.45-0.70 0.40-0.78
Si 0.20-0.35 0.18-0.37
S, ≤ 0.035 0.035
P, ≤ 0.035 0.035
Cr 0.85-1.20 0.79-1.26
Mo 0.45-0.60 0.41-0.64
Ni 1.20-1.50 1.15-1.55
B 0.001-0.005
V ...
Ti ...
Cu ...
Nb ...
Zr ...

Carbon Equivalent (CE)

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

Typical value: ~0.65% (Grade P 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 P [citation:4].

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

3.1 ASTM SA517 Grade P Tensile Properties

Property Thickness ≤65mm Thickness 65-100mm 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 P

Standard Requirement

Transverse Charpy V-notch impact test required

Lateral expansion: ≥0.38 mm

Mandatory

Low-Temperature Toughness

  • High Ni content (1.20-1.50%) provides excellent low-temp toughness [citation:19]
  • Suitable for cold climates or cryogenic environments
  • Impact testing temperature by agreement
Low-Temp Service

3.3 ASTM SA517 Grade P 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 P 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
  • Austenitizing temperature: not less than 900°C (1650°F)
  • Quench in water or oil
  • Tempering temperature: not less than 620°C (1150°F)
  • Tempering temperature must be carefully controlled to achieve required strength and toughness balance

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

5.1 ASTM SA517 Grade P Welding Procedure Specification WPS

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

5.2 ASTM SA517 Grade P Preheat & Interpass Temperature Chart

Thickness Range Min Preheat Temp Recommended Preheat Max Interpass Temp
<=65mm 100°C 100-150°C 200-250°C
>65mm 150°C 150-200°C

5.3 Recommended Welding Consumables for ASTM SA517 Grade P

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 P requires controlled welding procedures with preheat and interpass temperature control [citation:4]
  • Use only low hydrogen type electrodes; E11018 is commonly specified [citation:14]
  • Control heat input to avoid HAZ softening
  • Clean joint thoroughly; remove all rust and scale before welding [citation:14]

6. ASTM SA517 Grade P High Strength Service & Applications

6.1 ASTM SA517 Grade P Service Capability

Service Characteristics

  • Excellent low-temperature toughness due to high Ni content
  • Good hardenability with B addition
  • Suitable for thick-wall pressure vessels (up to 100mm)
  • Good strength-toughness balance

Typical Applications

  • Cold-climate pressure vessels [citation:19]
  • Cryogenic equipment
  • High-pressure boilers
  • Petrochemical reactors
  • Heavy-duty pressure equipment

6.2 ASTM SA517 Grade P Thickness Capability

Maximum thickness for Grade P: 4 in. [100 mm] [citation:2][citation:9]

Grade P has moderate thickness capability, higher than Grade F (65mm) and Grade S (50mm), but lower than Grade E and Q (150mm).

7. ASTM SA517 Grade P 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

Test Specimen

40mm rectangular for ≤20mm

12.5mm round for >20mm

Charpy V-Notch

Transverse orientation

Lateral expansion measurement

8. ASTM SA517 Grade P Physical Properties

Density

7.7-8.03

g/cm3 (25°C) [citation:5]

Elastic Modulus

190-210

GPa (25°C) [citation:5]

Poisson's Ratio

0.27-0.30

[citation:5]

9. ASTM SA517 Grade P Dimensions & Thickness Tolerance

9.1 Available Dimensions

Thickness (Grade P) 6-100 mm Max 4 in. per ASTM A517 [citation:2][citation:9]
Width 1500-4050 mm
Length 3000-15000 mm
Unit Weight Max 50 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
>50-100mm +2.40mm, -0.30mm +/-1.20mm

10. ASTM SA517 Grade P 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 P Equivalent Grades: A517 Steel Comparison

Grade Yield MPa Tensile MPa Elong % Max Thk Key Characteristics
SA517 Grade P ≥690 (65mm) 795-930 ≥16 100 mm Ni-Cr-Mo-B, high Ni for low-temp toughness [citation:19]
SA517 Grade Q ≥690 795-930 ≥16 150 mm Ni-Cr-Mo-V, highest thickness capability
SA517 Grade F ≥690 795-930 ≥16 65 mm Ni-Cr-Mo-B, good low-temp toughness
SA517 Grade S ≥690 795-930 ≥16 50 mm Mn-Mo-Ti-Cb, optimized weldability
Grade Selection Notes:
  • Grade P: Ni-Cr-Mo-B, high Ni content for excellent low-temp toughness, 100mm max thickness [citation:19]
  • Grade Q: Ni-Cr-Mo-V, highest alloy content, 150mm max thickness
  • Grade F: Ni-Cr-Mo-B, good low-temp toughness, 65mm max
  • Grade S: Mn-Mo-Ti-Cb, optimized weldability, 50mm max

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 P Design Considerations & Fabrication Guidelines

Design Considerations

  • High strength: Grade P provides yield strength of 690 MPa for thickness up to 65mm
  • Thickness capability: Maximum thickness for Grade P is 100mm (4 in.) [citation:2][citation:9]
  • Low-temperature service: High Ni content provides excellent toughness for cold-climate applications [citation:19]
  • Impact requirements: Transverse Charpy V-notch with lateral expansion ≥0.38mm

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 100-200°C; interpass temperature control [citation:4]
  • Machining: High strength requires proper tooling and cutting parameters
  • Thermal cutting: Oxy-fuel, laser, or plasma cutting is acceptable with proper controls [citation:4]

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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