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BV Grade AH36 Shipbuilding Steel Plate - High-Strength Marine Structural Steel

Q: What is the difference between BV AH32 and BV AH36?

The main difference is the strength level.GradeYield Strength (ReH)Tensile Strength (Rm)Impact Energy (KV2)Elongation (A)BV AH32≥ 315 MPa450 - 570 MPa≥ 31 J (at 0°C, Longitudinal)≥ 22 %BV AH36≥ 355 MPa490 - 630 MPa≥ 34 J (at 0°C, Longitudinal)≥ 21 %AH36 offers higher strength, while AH32 is typically chosen when moderate strength and better cost-effectiveness are required.

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BV Grade AH36 Shipbuilding Steel Plate - High-Strength Marine Structural Steel

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BV Grade AH36 shipbuilding steel plate is a high-strength marine structural steel certified by Bureau Veritas (BV). It offers superior load-bearing capacity compared to AH32, reliable low-temperature toughness at 0°C, excellent resistance to seawater corrosion, and fatigue resistance, and is specifically designed for large, high-load vessels and offshore engineering structures. We supply BV AH36 shipbuilding steel plates in a full range of specifications, available in various delivery conditions including hot-rolled, controlled-rolled, TMCP, and normalized.

Certification :
BV Rules
Grade :
BV Grade AH36 (BV AH36)
Thickness :
5.0 - 150.0 mm
Width :
1,500.0 - 4,000.0 mm
Length :
6,000.0 - 18,000.0 mm

Special thickness, width, and length can be negotiated separately.
We also provide customized processing services.If you have any questions, please contact us.

Overview

1. What is BV Grade AH36 shipbuilding steel plate?

BV Grade AH36 shipbuilding steel plate is a high-strength marine structural steel certified by Bureau Veritas (BV), with a minimum yield strength of 355 MPa and a tensile strength of 490 - 630 MPa.

It offers excellent low-temperature toughness at 0°C, weldability, formability, fatigue resistance, and resistance to seawater corrosion. It maintains stable mechanical properties under long-term alternating marine loads and effectively resists wave impact, salt fog corrosion, structural fatigue, and microcrack propagation. It is widely used in large-scale commercial shipbuilding, heavy-duty offshore engineering, and heavy-load marine structures in temperate and subarctic waters.

2. Meaning of the Designation

BV: Certified by Bureau Veritas

A: Quality grade "A" (Must meet the requirements of the impact test at 0°C)

H: High strength steel

36: Yield strength ≥ 355 MPa (≈ 36 kgf/mm²)

Available Specifications and Dimensions

Product Name	BV Grade AH36 Shipbuilding Steel Plate
Certification	BV
Grade	AH36
Classification	High-Strength Steel Plates for Ship Hull Structures
Thickness	5 - 150 mm
Width	1,500 - 4,000 mm
Length	6,000 - 18,000 mm
Delivery Conditions	As Rolled (AR), Control Rolled (CR), Thermo-Mechanical Controlled Processed (TMCP), Normalized (N), Quenched and Tempered (Q+T).
Surface Conditions	Original hot-rolled black scale. No cracks, scarring, delamination, inclusions, or deep scratches.
Machining Services	Precision cutting, bending, drilling, rust removal, shot blasting, anti-corrosion coating, and heat treatment.
Additional Inspection	Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Z-direction performance testing (Z15/Z25/Z35 grades), third-party inspections (e.g., SGS, BV), and multiple classification society certifications (ABS, CCS, DNV, LR, NK, etc.)
MOQ	20 tons (small orders can be negotiated).
Delivery Time	15 - 20 days after order confirmation (urgent orders accepted).
Packaging	Standard export packaging for sea transport, or as required.
Country of origin	China

Chemical Composition

* (Heat Analysis, wt %)

Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Cu	Cr	Ni	Nb	V	Ti	Mo	Als
BV AH36	≤ 0.18	≤ 0.50	0.90 - 1.60	≤ 0.030	≤ 0.030	≤ 0.35	≤ 0.20	≤ 0.40	0.02 - 0.05	0.05 - 0.10	≤ 0.02	≤ 0.08	≥ 0.015

Carbon Equivalent

Thickness (mm)	5 - 50	50 - 150
Typical CEV (wt %)	≤ 0.38	≤ 0.40

Calculation formula (IIW): CEV = C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15

Mechanical Properties

Grade	Yield Strength (ReH), MPa	Tensile Strength (Rm), MPa	Elongation (A), %
BV AH36	≥ 355	490 - 630	≥ 21

Impact Properties

Grade	Thickness, mm	Temperature, ℃	Impact Energy, KV₂ / J
Grade	Thickness, mm	Temperature, ℃	Longitudinal	Transverse
BV AH36	≤ 50	0	≥ 34	≥ 24
	> 50 - 70	0	≥ 41	≥ 27
	> 70 - 150	0	≥ 50	≥ 34

Characteristics and Advantages

1. High Strength and Load-Bearing Capacity

It can reliably withstand long-term heavy loads, severe wave impacts, and complex alternating stresses, ensuring the ultimate load-bearing safety of large ocean-going vessels and heavy-duty offshore structures.

2. Stable Low-Temperature Toughness at 0°C

Having passed the mandatory Charpy V-notch impact test at 0°C, it prevents fatigue damage and brittle fracture in high-load hull structures under seasonal temperature fluctuations.

3. Excellent Weldability and Formability

With low susceptibility to cold cracking during welding and excellent ductility and plasticity, it fully supports processes such as precision cutting, hot and cold bending, roll forming, and all-position welding, significantly improving construction efficiency.

4. Excellent Seawater Corrosion Resistance and Fatigue Performance

Effectively delays structural fatigue and corrosion aging under long-term alternating loads, extending the safe service life of large ship hulls and heavy-load structures in harsh sea conditions.

5. Optimal Balance of Performance and Cost

While meeting high-strength load-bearing requirements and 0°C low-temperature toughness, it avoids the high costs associated with performance redundancy at extreme low temperatures, achieving a reasonable balance between engineering economy and safety.

Applications

1. Large Commercial Cargo Ships and Container Ships

Suitable for ultra-large container ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers, and general cargo ships, for use in critical load-bearing areas such as hull plating, main decks, load-bearing bulkheads, hull girder structures, and bottom stiffeners.

2. Offshore Platforms and Marine Engineering Facilities

Suitable for conventional offshore drilling platforms, wind turbine installation platforms, offshore living platforms, and associated auxiliary structures. Used for platform load-bearing decks, equipment supports, support trusses, and fixed components.

3. Marine Engineering Vessels and Support Vessels

Includes various types of engineering vessels such as dredgers, tugs, rescue vessels, and marine construction support vessels.

4. Coastal and Inland Marine Infrastructure

Used in coastal port construction, inland waterway improvement, and marine infrastructure, including wharf load-bearing structures, port collision protection facilities, steel structures for breakwaters, and navigational aids for waterways.

5. Marine Vessel Machinery and Auxiliary Equipment Structures

Used for critical load-bearing components of marine auxiliary equipment, including heavy-duty crane bases, winch supports, engine room load-bearing structures, and mounting frames for offshore construction equipment.

FAQ

Q1:

What are the weldability and formability characteristics of BV AH36 marine steel plates?

Since the carbon equivalent of BV AH36 is strictly controlled at ≤0.40%, it offers excellent weldability. It can be welded using conventional processes such as MIG, TIG, submerged arc welding (SAW), and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), typically without the need for extensive preheating. Additionally, this steel grade has good formability and supports operations such as bending, cutting, and groove preparation.

Q2:

What are the equivalent materials for BV AH36 shipbuilding steel plates?

The equivalent materials for BV AH36 are primarily high-strength shipbuilding plates of the same grade from other classification societies’ systems:

Material Grade	Classification Society
ABS AH36	American Bureau of Shipping
CCS AH36	China Classification Society
DNV AH36	Det Norske Veritas
LR AH36	Lloyd’s Register
KR AH36	Korean Register of Shipping
NK AH36	Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
RINA AH36	Registro Italiano Navale

Q3:

What are the delivery conditions for BV AH36 marine structural steel plates?

Depending on plate thickness, project requirements, and cost considerations, BV AH36 can be supplied in the following conditions:

AR (As-Rolled): The standard rolled delivery condition for thinner steel plates.

CR (Controlled Rolling): A rolling process performed under controlled temperature conditions.

TMCP (Thermomechanical Control Process): A process that refines grain size and improves weldability through controlled rolling and cooling, eliminating the need for subsequent heat treatment.

N (Normalized): A heat-treated condition designed to ensure microstructural uniformity and the performance of critical safety components.

Q4:

Is BV Grade AH36 shipbuilding steel plate compatible with other classification society standards?

Yes. This product offers broad compatibility with international standards and fully complies with the relevant marine steel specifications of major classification societies, including BV, CCS, ABS, LR, DNV, and NK.

We can provide dual or multiple classification society certifications based on customer requirements to meet the acceptance standards for projects in different regions around the world.

Q5: