Introduction
ASTM
A738 / A738M is the standard specification for heat-treated
carbon-manganese-silicon steel pressure vessel plates intended for use in
welded pressure vessels and boilers requiring excellent strength, toughness,
and reliable performance under moderate and low-temperature service conditions.
These plates are supplied in a heat-treated condition to enhance their
mechanical properties, making them suitable for demanding industrial
applications.
What
is ASTM A738 / A738M?
ASTM
A738 / A738M covers heat-treated carbon-manganese-silicon steel plates
manufactured specifically for welded pressure vessels. The heat treatment
process improves strength, ductility, toughness, and weldability, enabling the
plates to perform reliably under pressure and varying operating temperatures.
ASTM
A738 / A738M Grades
ASTM
A738 / A738M pressure vessel plates are available in the following grades:
- Grade
A
- Grade
B
- Grade
C
Chemical Requirements
|
Element |
Condition |
Grade A |
Grade B |
Grade C |
|
Carbon, max |
— |
0.24 |
0.20 |
0.20 |
|
Manganese |
Heat analysis – 2.5 in. [65 mm] and under |
1.50 max |
0.90–1.50 |
1.50 max |
|
Heat analysis – Over 2.5 in. [65 mm] |
1.60 max |
0.90–1.60 |
1.60 max |
|
|
Product analysis – 2.5 in. [65 mm] and under |
1.62 max |
0.84–1.62 |
1.62 max |
|
|
Product analysis – Over 2.5 in. [65 mm] |
1.72 max |
0.84–1.72 |
1.72 max |
|
|
Phosphorus, max |
— |
0.035 |
0.030 |
0.025 |
|
Sulfur, max |
— |
0.035 |
0.030 |
0.025 |
|
Silicon |
Heat analysis |
0.15–0.50 |
0.15–0.55 |
0.15–0.50 |
|
Product analysis |
0.13–0.55 |
0.13–0.60 |
0.13–0.55 |
|
|
Copper, max |
Heat analysis |
0.35 |
0.35 |
0.35 |
|
Product analysis |
0.38 |
0.38 |
0.38 |
|
|
Nickel, max |
Heat analysis |
0.50 |
0.60 |
0.50 |
|
Product analysis |
0.53 |
0.63 |
0.53 |
|
|
Chromium, max |
Heat analysis |
0.25 |
0.30 |
0.25 |
|
Product analysis |
0.29 |
0.34 |
0.29 |
|
|
Molybdenum, max |
Heat analysis – 1.5 in. [40 mm] and under |
0.08 |
0.20 |
0.08 |
|
Heat analysis – Over 1.5 in. [40 mm] |
0.08 |
0.30 |
0.08 |
|
|
Product analysis – 1.5 in. [40 mm] and under |
0.09 |
0.21 |
0.09 |
|
|
Product analysis – Over 1.5 in. [40 mm] |
0.09 |
0.33 |
0.09 |
|
|
Vanadium, max |
Heat analysis |
0.07 |
0.07 |
0.05 |
|
Product analysis |
0.08 |
0.08 |
0.05 |
|
|
Columbium, max |
Heat analysis |
0.04 |
0.04 |
C |
|
Product analysis |
0.05 |
0.05 |
C |
|
|
Columbium + Vanadium, max |
Heat analysis |
0.08 |
0.08 |
C |
|
Product analysis |
0.10 |
0.10 |
C |
Notes
A. Applies to both heat and product analyses.
B. Vanadium and columbium may be added only by agreement between the producer and the purchaser.
C. For Grade C, columbium is an unspecified element.
Tensile
Requirements
|
Mechanical Property |
Plate Thickness (t) |
Grade A (ksi [MPa]) |
Grade B (ksi [MPa]) |
Grade C (ksi [MPa]) |
|
Tensile
Strength |
2.5 in. & under [65 mm & under] |
75–95 [515–655] |
85–102 [585–705] |
80–100 [550–690] |
|
Over 2.5 in. to 4 in., incl. [Over 65 mm to 100
mm, incl.] |
75–95 [515–655] |
85–102 [585–705] |
75–95 [515–655] |
|
|
Over 4 in. [Over 100 mm] |
75–95 [515–655] |
85–102 [585–705] |
70–90 [485–620] |
|
|
Yield
Strength, min |
2.5 in. & under [65 mm & under] |
45 [310] |
60 [415] |
60 [415] |
|
Over 2.5 in. to 4 in., incl. [Over 65 mm to 100
mm, incl.] |
45 [310] |
60 [415] |
55 [380] |
|
|
Over 4 in. [Over 100 mm] |
45 [310] |
60 [415] |
46 [315] |
|
|
Elongation
in 2 in. [50 mm], min, % |
4 in. & under [100 mm & under] |
20 |
20 |
22 |
|
Over 4 in. [Over 100 mm] |
20 |
20 |
20 |
Heat Treatment
ASTM
A738 plates are supplied in a heat-treated condition to achieve the required
mechanical properties.
Common
heat treatment methods include:
- Normalizing
- Quenching
- Tempering
- Normalizing
and Tempering (when specified)
Key
Properties
ASTM
A738 / A738M plates offer several performance advantages, including:
- High
tensile strength
- Excellent
yield strength
- Good
weldability
- Outstanding
notch toughness
- Excellent
ductility
- Superior
impact resistance
- High
structural integrity
- Uniform
mechanical properties
- Reliable
performance under pressure
- Long
service life
Advantages
ASTM
A738 / A738M pressure vessel plates provide numerous benefits, including:
- Excellent
performance under pressure
- Improved
mechanical strength
- Enhanced
toughness
- Reliable
weldability
- Longer
equipment life
- Reduced
maintenance requirements
- Excellent
fabrication characteristics
- High
durability
- Cost-effective
solution for pressure vessels
- Compliance
with international pressure vessel standards
Available Forms
ASTM
A738 / A738M steel is commonly supplied as:
- Steel
Plates
- Pressure
Vessel Plates
- Heat-Treated
Plates
- Cut-to-Size
Plates
- Custom
Fabricated Plates
Applications
Pressure Vessels
Used
in the fabrication of welded pressure vessels for industrial process plants.
Boilers
Suitable
for steam boilers and auxiliary boiler equipment operating under pressure.
Petrochemical Industry
Used
in reactors, separators, pressure drums, and process vessels.
Oil and Gas Industry
Applied
in pressure equipment, storage vessels, and processing units.
Chemical Processing Plants
Suitable
for pressure-containing equipment handling chemicals and process fluids.
Power Generation
Used
in boilers, steam drums, condensers, and high-pressure systems.
Fertilizer Industry
Applied
in pressure vessels and chemical processing equipment.
Refineries
Used
in refinery process vessels and pressure systems operating under demanding
conditions.
Storage Tanks
Suitable
for high-pressure storage tanks and industrial containers.
Industrial Fabrication
Widely
used for manufacturing heavy-duty pressure equipment and structural components.
Manufacturing
Process
The
production of ASTM A738 / A738M plates generally includes:
- Steel
melting
- Continuous
casting
- Hot
rolling
- Heat
treatment
- Plate
leveling
- Cutting
- Surface
inspection
- Dimensional
inspection
- Mechanical
testing
- Final
quality inspection
Quality
Testing
ASTM
A738 / A738M plates undergo comprehensive testing, including:
- Chemical
composition analysis
- Tensile
testing
- Yield
strength testing
- Elongation
testing
- Charpy
impact testing
- Ultrasonic
testing (when specified)
- Dimensional
inspection
- Surface
quality inspection
- Hardness
testing
- Material
certification
Factors
to Consider When Selecting ASTM A738 Plates
Several
factors should be evaluated before selecting ASTM A738 / A738M plates:
- Grade
selection
- Operating
pressure
- Operating
temperature
- Plate
thickness
- Mechanical
property requirements
- Welding
requirements
- Design
code compliance
- Fabrication
method
- Service
environment
- Inspection
requirements
Why
Choose ASTM A738 / A738M Pressure Vessel Plates?
ASTM
A738 / A738M plates are widely preferred because they combine high strength,
excellent toughness, reliable weldability, and superior heat-treated mechanical
properties. Their dependable performance under pressure makes them an ideal
material for manufacturing boilers, pressure vessels, and heavy industrial
equipment.
Conclusion
ASTM A738 / A738M Heat-Treated
Carbon-Manganese-Silicon Steel Pressure Vessel Plates are an excellent choice
for industries requiring durable, high-strength, and reliable pressure vessel
materials. Available in Grade
A, Grade B, and Grade C, these plates deliver outstanding mechanical performance, excellent
weldability, and long-term service reliability for pressure vessel, boiler,
petrochemical, power generation, refinery, and chemical processing
applications.
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