SA737 Gr.C Steel Plate for Pressure Vessels (ASME)

SA737 Gr.C is an American grade of pressure vessel steel plate under the ASME standard. The manufacturing specification is ASME SA-737/SA-737M, and the ultrasonic testing standard is NB/T 47013.3-2015.

This grade is a carbon-manganese pressure vessel steel with vanadium (V) and niobium (Cb/Nb) addition, offering higher strength and good toughness. It is specifically designed for welded pressure vessels. SA737 Gr.C Approximate Grade Lookup Table.

SA737 Gr.C steel plates are impact tested upon agreement. Vanadium and niobium (Cb) are controlled with specified ranges for enhanced strength.

SA737 Gr.C designation explanation: SA denotes ASME specification, 737 is the specification number, Gr.C denotes Grade C.

Yield Strength
>=415 MPa
Tensile Strength
550-690 MPa
Elongation (2in.)
>=23%
Standard
ASME SA-737

Product Overview

SA737 Gr.C Steel Plate is an American grade of pressure vessel steel manufactured in accordance with ASME SA-737/SA-737M. It contains carbon, manganese, vanadium (V), and niobium (Cb) as alloying elements, providing higher strength and good weldability for welded pressure vessel applications.

This grade offers a minimum yield strength of 415 MPa with tensile strength 550-690 MPa, and high elongation (≥23% for 2in. gauge length) for improved ductility and formability. The combined V and Nb addition provides enhanced strength through microalloying.

YS 415MPa V+Nb Microalloyed Weldable ASME

Core Advantages

  • Higher yield strength (415 MPa) than Gr.B
  • Vanadium + Niobium microalloying for grain refinement
  • High elongation (≥23% for 2in., ≥18% for 8in.)
  • Good weldability for pressure vessel fabrication

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 SA737 Gr.C 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 SA737 Gr.C standard allows vanadium (0.04-0.11%) and niobium (Cb ≤0.05%) addition. 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

Pressure vessels
Boilers
Heat exchangers
Storage tanks
Piping components
General pressure equipment


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)

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

SA737 Gr.C Chemical Composition (max %)

Element Smelting Analysis, % Finished Product Analysis, %
C, ≤ 0.22 0.24
Mn 1.15-1.50① 1.07-1.62
P, ≤ 0.025 0.025
S, ≤ 0.025 0.025
Si 0.15-0.50 0.10-0.55
V 0.04-0.11 0.03-0.12
Cb (Nb)②, ≤ 0.05 0.05
N, ≤ 0.03 0.03

① Under the condition that the carbon content in the smelting analysis does not exceed 0.18%, the maximum manganese content can be increased to 1.60% in the smelting analysis and to 1.72% in the finished product analysis.

② Cb and Nb are the same element, their names are interchangeable, and both names can be used in the A01 standard.

SA737 Gr.C - Alloying Elements and Roles

per ASME SA-737
C Carbon ≤0.22% / 0.24%

Influences strength and hardness. Smelting ≤0.22%, finished product ≤0.24%.

Mn Manganese 1.15-1.62%

Enhances strength and toughness. Smelting 1.15-1.50%, finished 1.07-1.62%. Can be increased if C≤0.18%.

Si Silicon 0.15-0.55%

Deoxidizer, increases strength. Smelting 0.15-0.50%, finished 0.10-0.55%.

P Phosphorus ≤0.025%

Harmful element, reduces toughness.

S Sulfur ≤0.025%

Harmful element, causes hot shortness.

V + Cb(Nb) Vanadium + Niobium (Columbium) V 0.04-0.11% / Nb ≤0.05%

Vanadium (smelting 0.04-0.11%, finished 0.03-0.12%) and niobium (Cb ≤0.05%) work together to refine grain structure and improve strength through microalloying. Cb and Nb are the same element, their names are interchangeable.

SA737 Gr.C typical ranges (wt%): C ≤0.22, Mn 1.15-1.50, P≤0.025, S≤0.025, Si 0.15-0.50, V 0.04-0.11, Cb(Nb) ≤0.05, N ≤0.03.

SA737 Gr.C Mechanical Properties

Property Value
Yield Strength (MPa), ≥ 415
Tensile Strength (MPa) 550-690
Elongation (8in./200mm), ≥, % 18
Elongation (2in./50mm), ≥, % 23

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

SA737 Gr.C vs SA737 Gr.B vs Q345R

Item SA737 Gr.C SA737 Gr.B Q345R
Standard ASME SA-737 ASME SA-737 GB/T 713.2
Yield Strength ≥415 MPa ≥345 MPa ≥345 MPa
Tensile Strength 550-690 MPa 485-620 MPa 510-640 MPa
Elongation ≥23% (2in.) / ≥18% (8in.) ≥23% (2in.) / ≥18% (8in.) ≥21%

Scenario-Based Recommendation - Grade Comparison

SA737 Gr.B

Welded pressure vessels with Nb microalloying
Yield ≥345 MPa - Tensile 485-620 MPa
Elongation ≥23% (2in.)
Nb microalloyed, lower strength
SA737 Gr.B details

SA737 Gr.C

Higher strength welded pressure vessels with V+Nb
Yield ≥415 MPa - Tensile 550-690 MPa
Elongation ≥23% (2in.) / ≥18% (8in.)
V+Nb microalloyed, higher yield strength
[Current Grade]

Q345R

General pressure vessels, boilers
Yield ≥345 MPa - Tensile 510-640 MPa
Charpy 0 C
Chinese standard equivalent grade
Q345R 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 SA737 Gr.C

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 per agreement

Other customized technical conditions are also negotiable.

The above ranges represent our standard customizing capability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SA737 Gr.C steel plate used for?

SA737 Gr.C steel plate is mainly used for welded pressure vessels, boilers, heat exchangers, storage tanks, and general pressure equipment manufactured under ASME standards.

What is the difference between SA737 Gr.B and Gr.C?

SA737 Gr.C has higher yield strength (≥415 MPa vs ≥345 MPa) and higher tensile strength (550-690 MPa vs 485-620 MPa). Gr.C also contains vanadium (0.04-0.11%) in addition to niobium for enhanced strength.

Can the manganese content be increased in SA737 Gr.C?

Yes. Under the condition that the carbon content in the smelting analysis does not exceed 0.18%, the maximum manganese content can be increased to 1.60% in the smelting analysis and to 1.72% in the finished product analysis.

What is the delivery condition for SA737 Gr.C?

SA737 Gr.C is typically delivered in as-rolled (AR), controlled rolled (CR), or normalized (N) condition.

Can you provide SA737 Gr.C 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.

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