SA553 Steel Plate for Pressure Vessels (ASME)

SA553 is an American grade of nickel-alloyed pressure vessel steel plate under the ASME standard. The manufacturing specification is ASME SA-553/SA-553M, and the ultrasonic testing standard is NB/T 47013.3-2015.

This grade is a 9% nickel steel offering excellent low-temperature toughness and high strength for cryogenic service. It is available in three types (Type I, II, III) with different nickel contents and is specifically designed for cryogenic pressure vessels and LNG storage. SA553 Approximate Grade Lookup Table.

SA553 steel plates are designed for low-temperature service, with the high nickel content providing excellent toughness at cryogenic temperatures. Type III includes molybdenum and niobium additions for enhanced properties.

SA553 designation explanation: SA denotes ASME specification, 553 is the specification number, Type I/II/III denotes different nickel content grades.

Yield Strength

>=585 MPa

Tensile Strength

690-825 MPa

Elongation (2in.)

>=20%

Standard

ASME SA-553

Product Overview

SA553 Steel Plate is an American grade of nickel-alloyed pressure vessel steel manufactured in accordance with ASME SA-553/SA-553M. It contains high nickel content (6.50-9.50% depending on type) providing excellent low-temperature toughness and high strength for cryogenic pressure vessel applications.

This grade is available in three types: Type I (8.50-9.50% Ni), Type II (7.50-8.50% Ni), and Type III (6.50-7.50% Ni with Mo and Nb additions). All types offer yield strength ≥585 MPa and tensile strength 690-825 MPa, ideal for LNG storage and cryogenic equipment.

YS 585MPa 9% Ni Steel Cryogenic ASME

Core Advantages

High nickel content for excellent cryogenic toughness
High yield strength (≥585 MPa) and tensile strength (690-825 MPa)
Three types available for different Ni content requirements
Type III with Mo and Nb for enhanced properties

Professional Technical Support and Customization

Comprehensive Knowledge Base: Our sales team is proficient in mainstream domestic and international pressure vessel standards. Whether it's the American ASME standard SA553 or other international standards, we can provide accurate technical communication.

Zero Communication Errors: With solid product knowledge, we can avoid all basic errors during the order technical condition confirmation stage, ensuring the accuracy of your order.

Flexible Customization Capabilities: The SA553 standard specifies different nickel contents for Type I, II, and III. Type III includes Mo (0.10-0.30%) and Nb (≤0.03%). If your design has special requirements (e.g., specific hardness, impact testing, HIC/SSC testing), we support customized production.

Hot-rolled ~15 days

Normalized ~30 days

Max thickness Custom

Applications

LNG storage tanks

Cryogenic pressure vessels

Liquefied gas storage

Ethylene storage tanks

Low-temperature heat exchangers

Cryogenic piping components

Stock Resources

Plates: 6-100mm+ (W:2000-2500, L:11000-12500)

Hot-rolled plates: 6-40mm (W:1800-2500, L:11000-12500)

Coils: 5-16mm (W:1500-2000)

Click to check SA553 inventory

Spot stock size range and supply conditions

Hot Rolled (AR)

Thickness (mm)	Width (mm)	Length (mm)
6-40	1800/2000/2200/2500	11000-12500

Normalized (N)

Thickness (mm)	Width (mm)	Length (mm)
6-100	2000/2200/2500	11000-12500

Hot-Rolled Coils

Thickness (mm)	Width (mm)
5-16	1500/1800/2000

Supply Condition: AR, CR, N

SA553 Chemical Composition (max %)

Element	Analysis Type	Type I	Type II	Type III
C, ≤①	-	0.13	0.13	0.13
Mn, ≤	Smelting②	0.9	0.9	0.9
Mn, ≤	Finished③	0.98	0.98	0.98
P, ≤①	-	0.015	0.015	0.01
S, ≤①	-	0.015	0.015	0.01
Si, ≤	Smelting	0.15-0.40②	0.15-0.40②	0.15-0.30①
Si, ≤	Finished	0.13-0.45③	0.13-0.45③	-
Ni	Smelting	8.50-9.50	7.50-8.50	6.50-7.50①
Ni	Finished	8.40-9.60	7.40-8.60	-
Mo①	-	...	...	0.10-0.30
Nb④, ≤①	-	...	...	0.03

① Both smelting analysis and finished product analysis are applicable.

② If the total aluminum content is 0.030% or higher, or if the acid-soluble aluminum content is 0.025% or higher, the silicon content may be less than 0.15%.

③ If the total aluminum content is 0.030% or higher, or if the acid-soluble aluminum content is 0.025% or higher, the silicon content may be less than 0.13%.

④ Cb and Nb are the same element, their names are interchangeable, and both names can be used in the A01 standard.

SA553 - Alloying Elements and Roles

per ASME SA-553

C Carbon ≤0.13%

Low carbon for improved toughness and weldability. Same limit for all three types.

Mn Manganese ≤0.98%

Enhances strength and toughness. Smelting ≤0.9%, finished product ≤0.98%.

Ni Nickel 6.50-9.50%

Primary alloying element for cryogenic toughness. Type I: 8.50-9.50%, Type II: 7.50-8.50%, Type III: 6.50-7.50%.

P Phosphorus ≤0.015% / 0.01%

Harmful element, reduces toughness. Type I/II ≤0.015%, Type III ≤0.01%.

S Sulfur ≤0.015% / 0.01%

Harmful element, causes hot shortness. Type I/II ≤0.015%, Type III ≤0.01%.

Mo Molybdenum 0.10-0.30%

Only specified for Type III. Improves strength and hardenability.

Nb (Cb) Niobium (Columbium) ≤0.03%

Only specified for Type III. Cb and Nb are the same element, their names are interchangeable. Refines grain structure and improves strength.

SA553 typical ranges (wt%): C ≤0.13, Mn ≤0.9 (smelting) / ≤0.98 (finished), P≤0.015 (Type I/II) / ≤0.01 (Type III), S≤0.015 (Type I/II) / ≤0.01 (Type III), Si 0.15-0.40 (Type I/II) / 0.15-0.30 (Type III), Ni 8.50-9.50 (Type I) / 7.50-8.50 (Type II) / 6.50-7.50 (Type III), Mo 0.10-0.30 (Type III), Nb ≤0.03 (Type III).

SA553 Mechanical Properties

Property	Value
Tensile Strength (MPa)	690-825
Yield Strength (0.2% residual deformation) MPa, ≥	585
Elongation (2in./50mm), % ① ≥	20

① For adjustments to elongation, please refer to the A20/A20M standard.

SA553 Type I vs Type II vs Type III

Item	Type I	Type II	Type III
Ni Content	8.50-9.50%	7.50-8.50%	6.50-7.50%
P, ≤	0.015%	0.015%	0.01%
S, ≤	0.015%	0.015%	0.01%
Mo	...	...	0.10-0.30%
Nb, ≤	...	...	0.03%

Scenario-Based Recommendation - Type Comparison

SA553 Type I

Highest Ni content, best cryogenic toughness

Ni 8.50-9.50%
YS ≥585 MPa / TS 690-825 MPa

Maximum cryogenic performance

[Current Grade]

SA553 Type II

Balanced Ni content for cryogenic service

Ni 7.50-8.50%
YS ≥585 MPa / TS 690-825 MPa

Cost-effective cryogenic option

SA553 Type II details

SA553 Type III

Mo + Nb additions for enhanced properties

Ni 6.50-7.50% + Mo 0.10-0.30%
Nb ≤0.03%, P/S ≤0.01%

Stricter P/S control with microalloying

SA553 Type III details

Quality Control and Inspection

Mill Test Certificate 3.1 Chemical analysis Mechanical testing Charpy V-notch UT optional Third-party inspection

Customizable Specification Range for SA553

Thickness

6-100 mm+

(custom rolling)

Width

1500-5200 mm

(adjustable per order)

Length

≤ 18000 mm

(max. single length)

Delivery Condition

AR CR N

AR as rolled - CR controlled rolled - N normalized

Additional Requirements

Simulated post-weld heat treatment (PWHT)
Brinell hardness requirements
HIC / SSC testing
Impact testing at cryogenic temperature

Other customized technical conditions are also negotiable.

The above ranges represent our standard customizing capability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SA553 steel plate used for?

SA553 steel plate is mainly used for LNG storage tanks, cryogenic pressure vessels, liquefied gas storage, ethylene storage tanks, and low-temperature heat exchangers under ASME standards.

What is the difference between Type I, II, and III of SA553?

Type I has the highest nickel content (8.50-9.50%), Type II has 7.50-8.50% Ni, and Type III has 6.50-7.50% Ni with Mo (0.10-0.30%) and Nb (≤0.03%) additions. Type III also has stricter P and S limits (≤0.01%).

What is the yield strength of SA553?

SA553 has a minimum yield strength of 585 MPa (0.2% residual deformation) and tensile strength 690-825 MPa for all three types.

What is the delivery condition for SA553?

SA553 is typically delivered in as-rolled (AR), controlled rolled (CR), or normalized (N) condition.

Can you provide SA553 steel plates with custom sizes?

Yes. Custom rolling up to 100mm+ thick, 5200mm wide, 18000mm long. Delivery: 15-20 days hot-rolled, 30-35 days normalized.

Request a Quote

Emails go directly to customize@cehesteel.com - reply within 12h.