Products FAQ

The key differences between the two lie in their low-temperature impact toughness ratings and applicable scenarios:

BV Grade D: Possesses impact toughness at ultra-low temperatures of -20°C and is suitable for conventional projects in cold, high-latitude waters;

BV Grade E: Offers ultra-low-temperature impact toughness at -40°C, maintaining structural integrity in extremely cold polar environments where Grade D is insufficient, effectively preventing brittle fracture.

BV Grade E provides a higher safety margin and greater structural stability in extreme environments, making it the highest-grade conventional low-temperature-resistant marine steel in the BV series designed for extreme polar engineering applications.

Common delivery conditions include normalized (N), thermomechanically controlled process (TMCP), and quenched and tempered (QT).

Among these, the normalized condition is the most commonly used, as it refines the grain structure and effectively ensures low-temperature impact toughness.

BV Grade E shipbuilding steel plate is a BV-certified, standard-strength cryogenic marine structural steel with impact toughness at -40°C.

It is primarily used in the construction of polar and deep-sea vessels, high-latitude offshore platforms, ports and coastal facilities in ice-covered regions, as well as in the maintenance, repair, and retrofitting of cryogenic marine structures. It serves as a critical structural material in polar and cryogenic marine engineering projects worldwide.

1) Store indoors or in a rain-protected area;

2) Avoid prolonged exposure to standing water;

3) Stack in layers on raised supports;

4) Keep the steel plate markings intact;

5) Prevent surface damage during transportation;

6) For export by sea, use moisture-proof packaging.

We supply the following specifications and dimensions:

Thickness: 5 - 150 mm

Width: 1,500 - 4,000 mm

Length: 6,000 - 18,000 mm

Heat Treatment: Thermo-Mechanical Control Process (TMCP), Normalizing (N), Quenching and Tempering (Q+T)

Additional Inspection: Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Z-Direction Property Testing (Z15/Z25/Z35), Third-Party Inspection (SGS, BV, etc.)

Machining Services: Precision cutting, bending, drilling, rust removal, shot blasting, and anti-corrosion coating.

The shipment must be accompanied by an EN 10204 3.2 Marine Test Certificate (MTC) signed by a BV surveyor.

The certificate must include the furnace batch number, steel plate dimensions, chemical composition, tensile properties, and impact test data at -20°C, and must bear the BV marine inspection stamp.

The range available on the market typically includes:

Thickness: 5 - 150 mm

Width: 1,200 - 4,000 mm

Length: 3,000 - 18,000 mm

Specific dimensions depend on the steel mill’s production capacity and order requirements.

We offer one-stop value-added processing services, including precision cutting, bending, drilling, beveling, surface descaling, shot blasting, anti-corrosion coating, and heat treatment.

Common delivery conditions include hot-rolled (AR), controlled-rolled (CR), and TMCP (thermomechanical controlled process). For steel plates thicker than 40 mm, normalizing (N) is recommended to homogenize the grain structure and ensure stable low-temperature impact toughness.

BV Grade D marine structural steel is suitable for low-temperature marine environments, with a stable operating temperature range of -20°C to 25°C. It can safely withstand prolonged sub-zero freezing conditions, short-term extreme cold spells, and seasonal light ice conditions, covering cold-temperate waters at mid-to-high latitudes.

It is not suitable for polar waters where temperatures remain below -20°C for extended periods and ice conditions are severe; BV Grade E should be selected for such conditions.

Yes. BV Grade D shipbuilding steel plates can fully replace BV Grade B shipbuilding steel plates in all temperate marine environments and offer broader applicability in cold regions.

Not only do they meet all service requirements for standard temperate marine projects, but they are also suitable for cold environments with prolonged sub-zero temperatures and light ice conditions.

Although using Grade D instead of Grade B will slightly increase material costs, it completely eliminates the risk of freezing during the cold season. It is recommended as the preferred choice for marine engineering projects in cold-temperate regions at medium to high latitudes and in seasonal ice zones.