Products FAQ
What is the difference between ABS Grade A and AH36?
Strength: Standard Grade A steel plates have a yield strength requirement of just 235 MPa, whereas AH36 achieves 355 MPa. This means that, under the same load, using AH36 allows for thinner steel plates, thereby reducing the ship’s weight.
Toughness: Standard Grade A steel is typically tested at room temperature, whereas AH36 requires Charpy impact testing at 0°C or -20°C to ensure that the vessel does not suffer brittle fracture when sailing in cold waters.
Can ABS AH36 marine steel plates be used in low-temperature environments?
Yes, AH36 marine steel plates are required to undergo impact toughness testing at 0°C. For lower temperatures, we recommend using grades such as DH36 (-20°C) or EH36 (-40°C).
How can I verify the authenticity of the ABS AH32 steel plates I have purchased?
1. Check the Material Test Certificate (MTC): The steel plates purchased must be accompanied by a Material Test Certificate bearing the official ABS seal.
2. Check the steel plate stamp: The surface of the steel plate should bear a stamp applied by an ABS surveyor, which must include: the manufacturer’s code, material grade (AH32), and furnace number / batch number
3.Third-party verification: You can verify the authenticity of the certificate and the steel plate by entering the reference number on the certificate into the official ABS online database or by contacting your local ABS office.
What are the weldability characteristics of ABS AH32 shipbuilding steel plates?
Due to the low carbon equivalent of ABS AH32 shipbuilding steel plate, it exhibits excellent weldability. It is suitable for most mainstream welding processes, such as submerged arc welding (SAW) and gas shielded arc welding (GMAW/FCAW). However, when welding thick plates, it is still recommended to carry out appropriate preheating in accordance with the specifications to prevent cold cracking.
In which parts of a ship is ABS AH32 marine steel plate primarily used?
Due to its high strength, AH32 marine steel plates is primarily used in the following critical structures:
Hull plating, main decks, hatch covers on bulk carriers, offshore platforms and offshore engineering structures
What is the difference between ABS AH32, DH32, EH32 and FH32?
ABS Grade AH32, DH32, EH32 and FH32 shipbuilding steel plates have the same strength. The core difference is low-temperature impact resistance.
| Grade | Impact Test Temperature | Impact Energy, KV2 / J | Suitable for Marine Environments |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS AH32 | 0°C | 31(Longitudinal), 22(Transverse) | Standard marine environments. |
| ABS DH32 | -20°C | 31(Longitudinal), 22(Transverse) | Cold-water marine environments. |
| ABS EH32 | -40°C | 31(Longitudinal), 22(Transverse) | Polar marine environments with extremely low temperatures. |
| ABS FH32 | -60°C | 31(Longitudinal), 22(Transverse) | Polar/ice regions and ultra-low-temperature deep-sea environments. |
Is ABS Grade E suitable for offshore platforms?
Yes, its low-temperature toughness and high strength make it ideal for offshore structures in cold regions.
Can A516Gr70 pressure vessel steel plates be used in hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) environments?
Yes, provided that HIC/SCC (hydrogen-induced cracking/stress corrosion cracking) testing is carried out.
Does A516Gr70 steel plate require post-weld heat treatment?
Thickness ≤50 mm: Not mandatory, but recommended for critical welds.
Thickness >50 mm or for use in hydrogen sulphide or wet corrosion environments: Post-weld heat treatment is mandatory to eliminate residual welding stresses and prevent hydrogen-induced cracking.
Can A516Gr70 steel plates be used for cryogenic tanks?
Yes, A516Gr70 steel plates are suitable for the manufacture of LNG, LPG and liquid nitrogen storage tanks, but must undergo impact testing at -40°C/-46°C as required.
