ArcelorMittal USA

Plate
A516 and A387 Pressure Vessel Steels: A Technical Overview
Introduction

ArcelorMittal is the major producer of carbon and alloy plate for the
petroleum, petrochemical and chemical processing industries in the
United States. We operate three facilities in Pennsylvania and Indiana
with five rolling mills for the production of plate.
Many of the more than 450 grades of carbon and alloy plate steels
produced by ArcelorMittal are pressure vessel quality (PVQ) grades
used in the design and fabrication of process vessels. In addition, we
offer the thinnest, thickest, widest and heaviest plates available in
North America. For a comprehensive list of PVQ grades and availability, refer to our Plate Steel Specification Guide.
Two pressure vessel plate steel specifications comprise, by far, the
most popular process vessel applications. Based on ArcelorMittals
experience, ASME SA516 (ASTM A516) carbon steel and ASME
SA387 (ASTM A387) alloy steel are detailed technically in this brochure.

Production Practices

ArcelorMittals PVQ steels are manufactured to stringent metallurgical practices in steelmaking shops located in Burns Harbor, IN
and Coatesville, PA. Plate products manufactured at our Coatesville
electric arc furnace (EAF) facility (Figure 1) provide the basis for all
the information described in this brochure.

Figure 1
Coatesville Steelmaking Process Plan
Automatic
Alloys

Electrodes

Automatic
Alloys
Wire Feed

Argon Stirring

Argon Stirring

Ladle Furnace

Ladle Degasser
Continuous
Cast Slabs

Ladle

Electric Arc Furnace

Bottom
Poured Ingots

PVQ steels at ArcelorMittal that are melted in an electric arc

furnace meet specification requirements using scrap that is among

the most carefully selected in the world.
The molten steel is then refined in a ladle metallurgy station that
includes a ladle furnace (LRF). A tank degasser is available for additional removal of undesirable gases when required.
High levels of cleanliness are available. When specified,
0.001% maximum sulfur, 0.005% maximum phosphorus and
0.003% maximum oxygen can be achieved for certain grades.
The lowest sulfur levels are achieved through Finleline processing that includes calcium treatment for inclusion shape
control.
Improved accuracy and precise control of chemical composition is achieved, making it possible to offer the stringent
carbon equivalent (CE) maximums required by our customers.
Microalloying elements (B, Ti, Cb, V) are not intentionally
added to PVQ steels, unless permitted by customer specification. This practice addresses industry concerns about the
unpredictable response of hard heat affected zones containing these elements during welding and subsequent post weld
heat treatment (PWHT) of fabricated process vessels. However, when specifically approved by our customer, microalloying additions may be considered to achieve special properties.
PVQ steels are bottom-poured into ingots or continuously cast
into slabs, depending on plate size and weight. Based on final
product dimensions, our PVQ steels are rolled on our, 110, 140 or
206-inch wide rolling mills.
Depending on specification requirements, PVQ steel can be heat
treated in car-bottom or continuous furnaces. If the steel is
intended for hot forming applications, ArcelorMittal will perform
a capability test on laboratory heat treated samples from the
as-rolled plates in accordance with the provisions of A20.

ArcelorMittal produces the full range of A516 plate steels in grades

55, 60, 65, and 70. Plate thicknesses to 15 inches, widths to 195
inches, lengths to 1525 inches and pattern weights up to 50 tons
can be produced, depending on a combination of specification and
size requirements. Our advanced facilities make possible the production of A516 to a variety of customer and industry specifications,
including rigorous hydrogen- induced cracking (HIC) testing requirements.
There are no heat lot ordering requirements for any of the quality
levels of A516 produced by ArcelorMittal.

Figure 2
Tensile Strength of Normalized A516
The Effect of Carbon Equivalent

Tensile (KSI)

A516 Carbon Steels

95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
0.3

Carbon Equivalent Controls

Due to the concern for weldability, ArcelorMittal produces A516
steels to restricted carbon and CE levels, when requested. The carbon equivalent maximums we can offer will vary by grade, thickness
and post-weld heat treatment requirements.

Employing special melting practices can control both carbon and CE.
Improvements can be achieved with special melting for individual
situations depending on thickness, other unique chemical restrictions
(such as Pcm), toughness requirements or PWHT considerations.
Furthermore, if even more aggressive requirements are desired,
quench and temper (Q&T) heat treatment will allow even lower carbon and CE levels. Quenching and tempering also improves toughness and resistance to degradation of properties due to post-weld
heat treatment (PWHT).
The improvement in Charpy V-Notch (CVN) toughness realized by
Q&T is illustrated in Figure 4.

0.4

0.45

0.55

Carbon Equivalent (IIW)

CE Maximum

Figure 3
Available CE Maximums for Normalized A516
0.50
0.48
0.46
Grade 70 w/PWHT
0.44
0.42
Grade 70 w/o PWHT
0.40
Grade 65 All Conditions
0.38
0.36
Grade 60 All Conditions
0.34
CE = C + Mn/6 + (Cu + Ni)/15 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5
0.32
0
1
2
3
4
5-8

Plate Thickness, in.

Figure 4
Effect of Heat Treatment on Transverse CVN
Toughness of A516
200
Q+T

150

Normalized

100

As-rolled

50
0
-110

-60

-10

40

90

Temperature (F)

Pressure Vessel Page 2

0.5

80% of all results for plates 1.5 to 3 thick fall within shaded area.

CVN Absorbed Energy - Ft lbs

As shown by the data in Figure 2, carbon and other elements

that comprise the most commonly used CE formula [C + Mn/6 +
(Cu+Ni)/15 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5] are important for providing strength.
Tensile strength rises linearly as CE increases, generally at the rate of
1,000 psi per 0.01 increase in CE. Thus, while it may be important
to restrict CE, certain amounts of carbon, manganese and other elements need to be present in order to achieve minimum mechanical
properties. This is especially true for Grade 70 as thickness increases.
Figure 3 shows the CE levels that can be achieved for the various
grades of A516, while still maintaining the required strength levels as
a function of plate thickness.

0.35

140

190

240

Figures 7-9 further summarize the results of testing on 1-1/2 and

3 inch thick A516 Grade 70 plate and show the degradation of
toughness as PWHT severity increases. Figure 7 depicts the actual
absorbed energy values but a more dramatic representation of the
data is illustrated in Figure 8. In this example, toughness at 50F
is shown to drop by as much as 75 percent from the as-normalized
condition when subjected to a PWHT cycle of 1175F for 8 hours.
Figure 9 displays the effects when measured by the 35 ft-lb transition temperature and shows a shift of over 60F from the same
PWHT cycle.

Figure 5
Guidelines for Adjusting CE Requirements
Due to the Effects of PWHT
1

1125
1150
1175
1200
1225
1250

0.010
0.018
0.026
0.034
0.042
0.050

0.013
0.021
0.029
0.037
0.045
0.053

0.016
0.024
0.032
0.040
0.048
0.056

Hours of PWHT
4
5
0.019
0.027
0.035
0.043
0.051
0.059

0.02
0.030
0.038
0.041
0.049
0.065

100

1-1/2"

80
60

3"

40
20
0
As Norm

32

0.025
0.033
0.041
0.049
0.057
0.065

0.028
0.036
0.044
0.052
0.060
0.068

0.030
0.038
0.046
0.054
0.062
0.070

34

35

36

We will consider multiple certification of A516 to Grades 60, 65 and

70 on normalized plates. The necessary chemistry controls can be
achieved in our ladle metallurgy facilities.

Figure 8
The Effects of PWHT on Impact Properties
LMP vs. % of Original Energy @ -50F
100

33

Larson-Miller Parameter

% of Original Ft-lbs

TEMP
(F)

Figure 7
The Effects of PWHT on Impact Properties*
LMP vs. CVN Energy @ -50F

CVN (Ft-lbs)

Post-Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT)

In general, a PWHT cycle of 1150 degrees F for eight hours will create the need for nearly four additional points of CE to achieve the
same strength as in a plate of the same thickness without PWHT.
This is shown by the matrix found in Figure 5 which is based on the
accumulation of thousands of data points as well as the result of
specific heat treat studies by ArcelorMittal. The effect of PWHT on
lowering strength levels is shown in Figure 6.* In this example, the
reduction of tensile properties is shown as a percentage of the starting as-normalized tensile strength. As a result, and given the predictable relationship between CE, thickness and strength for normalized
plate typified in Figure 2, an approximation of the effects of PWHT
can easily be derived.

3"

80

1-1/2"

60
40
20

1125F- 2 hrs

0
30

As Norm

1175F- 8 hrs

32

33

34

35

36

Larson-Miller Parameter

Figure 6
The Effects of PWHT on Tensile Properties*
As a % of Original Strength

Figure 9
The Effects of PWHT on Impact Properties
LMP vs. 35 Ft-lb Transition Temperature

98

96

-20

94
92
90

3"
1125F- 2 hrs

1175F- 8 hrs
1-1/2"

88
As Norm

32

33

34

35

Larson-Miller Parameter
* ArcelorMittal uses the Larson-Miller time-temperature parameter to assist in
identifying the effects of PWHT on properties.

36

Temperature (F)

% of Original Tensile

100

-40
-60
-80

-100
-120

1125F- 2 hrs

30 As Norm 32

33

1175F- 8 hrs

34

35

Larson-Miller Parameter
Results of 1-1/2" and 3" plates

Pressure Vessel Page 3

1-1/2"

3"

36

37

38

A516 Steels for Sour Service Applications

Pressure vessel steels, and more commonly A516, for use in refinery
environments that are subject to certain operating conditions can be
susceptible to hydrogen-assisted cracking. This cracking can come
in the form of blistering on the surface, step-wise cracking through
the thickness (HIC), or sulfide stress cracking (SSC). More recently
there has been attention to a phenomenon termed stress-oriented
hydrogen-induced cracking (SOHIC). Blistering and HIC cracking
can occur without the presence of external stresses, while SSC and
SOHIC require the combination of hydrogen activity in the presence
of external stress.
As shown schematically in Figure 10, hydrogen ions generated by
the reaction of steel with a sour process environment (wet H2S) attempt to pass through the steel shell containment boundary. If there
is an absence of inclusions in the steel, this is done harmlessly while
creating an iron-sulfide scale at the reaction interface. However, if
inclusions are present, the ions nucleate at these voids and form
hydrogen gas pockets, appearing as blisters on the steels surface.
High internal pressure can eventually cause the inclusions to be initiation sites for further hydrogen -induced, or stepwise cracking (HIC)
in the steel.
The facility at the Coatesville plant for ArcelorMittal has produced
HIC-Tested A516 plate steels since 1990 for use in a variety of process vessels where there is a concern for HIC in aqueous hydrogen
sulfide service or other hydrogen charging environments.
To meet HIC testing requirements, it is imperative to have very clean
steels with low inclusion contents. All HIC-Tested A516 steels are
produced to our exclusive Fineline process, which reduces sulfur
levels to 0.002% or less and employs calcium treatment for inclusion
shape control. Maximum levels of phosphorus and oxygen may also
be accepted.
Besides cleanliness, we have found heat treating to be very important in attaining satisfactory results with HIC tests. ArcelorMittal will
not perform HIC tests on unheat-treated products. Both normalizing
and Q&T heat treatments are available and help meet other properties as well.
Where less severe conditions are expected, use of lower sulfur steels
with restrictive CE and prohibitions against the use of microalloys
may suffice. A more detailed review of this subject is contained in
NACE Publication 8X194, Materials and Fabrication Practices for
New Pressure Vessels Used in Wet H2S Refinery Service.

Pressure Vessel Page 4

ArcelorMittals HIC-Tested A516 can be produced in plate thicknesses from 3/8 through 6 inches and plate weights to 55,000 pounds.
Other thicknesses and weights will be considered on an individual
basis. HIC testing of these steels is performed as outlined in the
specifications found in Figure 11.
HIC testing is performed according to NACE TM0284.
Figure 12 depicts the orientation and size of three test specimens
to be cut from one plate of each thickness rolled from each heat of
steel. The formulae used to determine various HIC test parameters,
(CLR, CTR, and CSR) are also shown.
Note that requirements are based on average values of all specimens. ArcelorMittal recognizes that there are increasingly more
corporate specifications requiring individual specimen or crosssection maximums. To accommodate these more restrictive
standards, we may impose additional quality extras or employ the
use of Q&T heat treatment.
The Testing Solution A of NACE TM0284 (the low pH solution) is
the standard used for the test.
Test reports for all HIC-Tested A516 steels include values for CLR,
CTR, and CSR, and other information specified by the purchaser.
Examples of CLR values obtained from testing HIC-Tested A516
are illustrated in Figure 13.

Figure 10
Stepwise Cracking Mechanism

H+

Had

H+

Service-Side Vessel Surface

Had

FeS

Fe ++

H+

H+

H2

Blister

Hab

Elongated Non-Metallic Inclusions

Hab
microcrack

(H2 gas)

Exterior Vessel Surface

Figure 11
Available NACE TM0284 Acceptance
REF

Solution

Criteria

CLR %

CTR %

CSR %

HIC-A-15

Overall
Average

HIC-A-15S

5
5
5

2
5
2

HIC-A-10

10

HIC-A-10S

10

HIC-A-5

Specimen
Average
Overall
Average
Specimen
Average
Overall
Average

15
15
15

HIC-A-10CS

5
5
10

1
1.5
2

0.375
0.5
1

CrossSection Max

Note: 1: Available in strand cast sizes, inquire for ingot product.

Note 2: Inquire more restrictive criteria.
Note 3: SSC testing per NACE TM0177 available with inquiry.

Figure 12
Determining Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC)
Resistance NACE Specification TM0284

Other Available Testing

A variety of additional property controls for A516 steels are available
from ArcelorMittal . Some of these require more restrictive chemistry control and/or heat treatment.
Ultrasonic internal quality requirements, such as ASTM A578/
ASME SA578 Level C may be specified. Depending on plate size,
this specification requires a minimum of ArcelorMittal Fineline
with .010% max. sulfur processing. More restrictive requirements
will be considered on request.
The most aggressive CVN impact properties for A516 steels can
be met using a variety of sulfur controls, chemistry adjustments
and heat treatments. Please inquire your specific requirements.
Through-thickness tensile properties may be specified per A770
for plates up to 6-inches thick, including reduction of area (RA)
up to 50%, when purchased to Fineline with 0.002% max. sulfur.
40% RA and 25% RA are available with Fineline with 0.005%
max. sulfur or Fineline 0.010% max. sulfur, respectively. For plate
thicknesses over 6 inches, please inquire.
The weldability of A516 is primarily addressed through the control
of carbon and carbon equivalent levels that may permit the use of
lower preheat levels. A516 steels, whether HIC tested or otherwise, can be welded with conventional welding techniques.
High temperature tensile properties are not usually specified for
A516 steels. However, for reference purposes, Figure 14 shows
test results for three plates of various thicknesses.

Strength, ksi

Figure 14
Elevated Temperature
Tensile Strength of A516-70

2%

3%

4%

5%

Cumulative %

CLR Overall Average

Pressure Vessel Page 5

400

600

800

1000

Temperature F
Plate Thickness:

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1%

Ultimate Tensile
Strength

Yield Strength

200

Figure 13
HIC-Test Performance (TM0284, Solution A)
Cumulative Results Since 1995

0%

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10

10%

15%

3/4"

2"

12"

1200

1400

Grades 11, 12 and 22 are most commonly used in process vessels and are the primary focus of this review. All grades of A387 are
melted at our Coatesville, PA location. Plates up to 12-inches thick,
186-inches wide and 600-inches long, with weights up to 100,000
pounds can be produced, depending on the combination of specification and size required. A387 plates can be produced in accordance
with requirements of API 934.
Chemistry
In applications where improved toughness, temper embrittlement
resistance, or concern over reheat-cracking in Grade 11 are needed,
restricted levels of tramp elements considered impurities may be
specified. These restrictions can normally be obtained by taking
special care in scrap selection and subsequent treating of the molten
steel at our ladle metallurgy facility. The following controlled impurity
levels are available for fine grain A387 steels.

Heat Analysis, Guaranteed Maximum Levels

(When Specified)*
Antimony
Tin
Phosphorus
Sulfur
Arsenic

Grades 11 and 12

Grade 22

0.004%
0.010%
0.005%
0.002%
0.010%

0.004%
0.010%
0.008%
0.005%
0.010%

Concern about temper embrittlement, discussed in more detail later,

is normally addressed by specifying limits on one of two chemical
factors, J and X bar defined by the following equations:
= (% Si + % Mn) (% P + % Sn) x 104

X bar

= (10P + 5Sb + 4Sn + As)

100
{elements in ppm}

The maximum levels available by grade are:

Grades

J Factor

X Bar

12
11
22

110
150
90

12
12
15

The distributions of J and X bar data for Grade 22 are shown in Figures 15 and 16. More restrictive levels of individual tramp elements,
or J and X bar factors, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Pressure Vessel Page 6

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200

J Factor
Regular Melting

Controlled

Figure 16
Distribution of X bar for A387 Grade 22 Utilizing
Melting Practices to Control Tramp Elements

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

X Bar
Regular Melting

* Inquire if more restrictive levels are required.

Number of Heats

ArcelorMittal is the major supplier of A387 PVQ alloy steels in North

America producing a full range of A387 grades, including Grades 11,
12, 22, 5, 9 and 91. Other less commonly specified grades such as
2, 21, 21L and 22L are also available if ordered in sufficient quantity,
usually greater than 100 tons. A542 is also available including Type
D (22V).

Figure 15
Distribution of J Factors for A387 Grade 22 Utilizing
Melting Practices to Control Tramp Elements

Number of Heats

A387 Alloy Steels

Controlled

Somewhat higher J factors for Grade 11 may be required to allow

for higher Mn and minimum silicon levels, which may be required to
meet strength levels in thicker plates and/or when extensive PWHT
is required. The effect of chemistry balance on strength is illustrated
in Figure 17. In this example, tensile strength of Grade 11 plate,
1-3/8 inch thick in the normalized and tempered condition, is plotted against Larson-Miller Parameter (LMP). ArcelorMittal has found
that there is an excellent correlation between strength, thickness,
chemistry and time-temperature parameters such as Larson-Miller
{P = T(C + log t) x 1000}. In the chart, the effects of both additional
chemistry, represented by a conventional carbon equivalent, as well
as more stress relief, represented by higher LMP factors, are shown.
When trying to achieve Class 2 properties of 75 KSI minimum tensile
strength, chemistry and PWHT must be considered carefully.
More will also be said about this in the section on toughness.
Distribution for J and X bar factors for Grade 11 are depicted in
Figures 18 and 19.

Figure 17
The Effect of Time - Temperature on Tensile
Strength of N+T 1-3/8 A387-11

Figure 20
Influence of Processing on the
Toughness of A387 Steels

95

Fineline
Double-O-Five

CVN Impact Toughness

Tensile (ksi)

90
85
80
75
70

Fineline
Q+T

Baseline N+T

65
32

33

34

35

36

37

Test Temperature

38

Larson-Miller Parameter
.58 CE

Temperature

.68 CE

Charpy V-Notch Toughness

Improved Charpy V-notch toughness properties can be met for
A387 steels with Fineline processing, including vacuum degassing
and calcium treatment for inclusion shape control. When thick plates
are specified with high CVN toughness requirements or when PWHT
requirements demand it, a quench and temper heat treatment may
be required. Multiple austenization cycles may also be utilized to
meet increased toughness requirements. The general effects of Fineline processing and heat treatment on toughness are shown in Figure
20. PWHT also has a significant effect on notch-toughness that will
be discussed later. In all cases, we highly recommend that our Specification Metallurgy Department be contacted for CVN capabilities
before specifying design criteria.

Number of Heats

Figure 18
Distribution of J Factors for A387 Grade 11 Utilizing
Melting Practices to Control Tramp Elements

60

80

100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300

J Factor
Controlled Melting

Regular Melting

Figure 19
Distribution of X bar for A387 Grade 11 Utilizing
Melting Practices to Control Tramp Elements

Tramp elements may cause degradation of CVN toughness over time

in vessels with long-term service, a phenomenon known as temper
embrittlement. The effect is shown schematically in Figure 21. As
previously discussed, certain tramp elements, but particularly phosphorus and tin, are restricted to minimize the temper embrittlement
susceptibility of A387 steels.

Number of Heats

Figure 21
Effect of Temper Embrittlement on
40 Ft-Lb Transition Temperature

CVN ft lbs

As Received

10

11

12

13

14

X Bar
Regular Melting

Pressure Vessel Page 7

Controlled

15

16

17

Step Cooled

40

Delta T40

Temperature

Post Weld Heat Treatment ( PWHT)

End users and fabricators typically impose various post-weld heattreatment (stress relief) requirements when specifying A387 steels
that are driven by the applicable ASME construction code. Extended
time at the PWHT stabilizes and softens the microstructure of the
as-welded heat affected zone after fabrication. The number of
cycles applied to the tests representing the plates usually will account for any subsequent weld repairs that may be made during the
life of the vessel. However, as PWHT temperatures and hold times
are increased, the ability of the chemistry of each grade to achieve
the tensile strength requirements of the specification is limited, particularly when using normalize and temper heat treatment.
Extensive stress relief treatments are also found to have a dramatic
deleterious influence on notch-toughness in A387 steels. This is illustrated in Figure 22, which summarizes the influence of increasing
PWHT cycles on longitudinal CVN toughness of a 2-inch thick A387
Grade 22 plate by showing the resultant shift in the transition
curve. In this example, the shift in the 40 ft.-lb. transition temperature is 43F as the result of a PWHT cycle of 1350F for 4 hours.
Looking back on the step-cooled data from Grade 22, this shift, due
to the coarsening of carbides at the grain boundaries as shown in the
photomicrographs (Figure 23) is more than is normally encountered
when evaluating for temper embrittlement.
As footnoted earlier, one measure of the severity of a particular
PWHT cycle is the Larson-Miller Parameter (LMP). The effect of extended stress relief on Grade 11 is illustrated in Figure 24 and shows
the drop in tensile strength by increasing the normal tempering
temperature and PWHT by 100F, a common request from design
engineers. The differences are sometimes not apparent but the combination of such increases to accommodate either hardened HAZs
or to address reheat cracking concerns is evident in Figure 25. In
Figure 26, the effects of the extended heat treatment on toughness
are illustrated, showing the increase in 40 ft.-lb. transition temperature. What is also demonstrated is the improvement in resistance to
PWHT property degradation with quenched and tempered Grade 11.
Figure 27 shows the microstructural damage that progresses with
increasing LMP.

Figure 22
The Effect of PWHT on N & T A387-22
240
Absorbed Energy (ft lbs)

Step-cooling simulations performed are to determine the steels

susceptibility to temper embrittlement. ArcelorMittal will perform
stepcooling treatment and meet commonly specified requirements
that limit the amount of shift in the 40 ft.-lb. CVN transition temperature (TT40). In lieu of step cooling, ArcelorMittal encourages
impact testing at -80F with results of 40/35 ft. lbs. as contained in
API 934A.

200
160
120
80
40

T40 = 43

0
-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

2" Plate Test Temperature (F)

As N+T

1275F - 8 Hours

1350F - 4 hours

Figure 23
Grain Boundary Embrittlement A387-22

Normalized and Tempered

Coalescence of carbides in grain boundaries of A387-22 after excessive exposure to
time-temperature.

Normalized and Tempered & PWHT 1325F for 20 hours.

Figure 24
The Effect of a 100F Increase in Tempering
Temperatures on N & T A387-11
84

Tensile (ksi)

82
80

1350F +
1300F - 6 hrs

1250F +
1200F - 6 hrs

78
76

Cl. 2 Min Tensile

74
33

34

35

36

Larson-Miller Parameter
Pressure Vessel Page 8

37

38

Figure 28
Percentage Loss of Original CVN Toughness with
Increasing PWHT After Initial N + T as f(test
temperature): A387-11 2" Plate

Figure 25
Time Temperature Parameter Illustrative Example
Past Practice

Current Trends

% Loss

1250F for 1 hour tempering

1350F for 1 hour tempering
+
+
1200F for 6 hours PWHT
1300F for 6 hours PWHT
The combination of tempering and PWHT =
34.86 LMP
36.94 LMP

40 Ft-lb Transition Temp (F)

Figure 26
The Effect of LMP on Toughness of A387-11
80
60
40
20
0
-20
-40
-60
-80

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

-20F

+40F

-40F

34.5

35

35.5

36

36.5

37

37.5

38

38.5

LMP
-40F

-20F

0F

+40F

1250F +
1200F - 6 hrs
1350F +
1300F - 6 hrs

34

35

36

37

38

Total Larson-Miller Parameter

N+T

Q+T

Figure 27
Microstructural Effects of Time-Temperature in N+T
A387-11

1160F

1275F

1340F

1/2
Hr.

31.91

34.18

35.46

1
Hr.

32.40

34.70

36.00

4
Hrs.

33.38

35.34

37.08

Pressure Vessel Page 9

39

ArcelorMittals experience is that loss of toughness as the result

of extended PWHT time and temperature is also dependent on
the CVN test temperature. Figure 28 illustrates the reduction in
overall absorbed energy for Grade 11 that is subjected to increasing time-temperature (LMP) as a function of percentage loss and
test temperature. It is clear that for test temperatures below 0F,
the degradation of toughness is accelerated, making it even more
difficult to achieve minimum requirements when sub-zero impact
test temperatures are required, something that is becoming more
prevalent in the industry.
As toughness requirements become even more restrictive, the
PWHT cycle will dictate that plates will need to be quenched and
tempered to maintain toughness as well as strength. Due to the
increasing demand for improved resistance to creep embrittlement
and concerns for reheat cracking, higher PWHT temperatures are being specified, especially for Grade 11. To improve performance, Class
1 strength levels are also being specified. This allows lower carbon
and CE levels to be achieved, particularly when quench and tempered
heat treatment is specified.
Ultrasonic Quality
A387 plates to 6-inches thick and over 50,000 pounds can be
ordered to meet the requirements of A578 Level C, when the steel is
produced with Fineline processing. For plates thicker than 6 inches,
please inquire.

Technical Literature
A516 Steels

1. Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) Resistance of A516 Grade 70

Plate Steel, Emil G. Hamburg and Alexander D. Wilson, AIME-TMS
Conference Metallurgy of Vacuum Degassed Steel Products,
October 1989
2. HIC Testing of A516 Grade 70 Steels, E. G. Hamburg and A. D.
Wilson, NACE Corrosion 93, March 1993, NACE, Houston, TX
3. Performance Characteristics of Special Clean Pressure Vessel Steel Subjected to SSC and HIC Testing, Kenneth E. Orie and
Fred B. Fletcher, Paper No. 632, Corrosion 99, April 1999, NACE,
Houston, TX
4. The Effect of PWHT on Normalized Base- Metal Properties of
ASTM A516 Steel, Ken Orie and Charles R. Roper, Welding Research Council Bulletin 481, May 2003

A387 Steels

1. Improvements of the Mechanical Properties of 1 Cr-1/2 Mo

Steel, R. A. Swift, ASME Petroleum Mechanical Engineers Conference, Mexico City, Mexico, 1976
2. High Toughness 2-1/4 Cr 1 Mo Steel for Hydrocarbon Process Pressure Vessels, K. J. Benusa and R. A. Swift, API Mid-Year
Meeting, May 1981
3. Evaluation of A387-22 Steel Modified for Improved Toughness,
R. A. Swift and J. A. Gulya, MPC-ASME Symposium Advanced
Materials for Pressure Vessel Service with Hydrogen at High Temperatures and Pressures, June 1982
4. The Effect of Inclusions on the Fracture Properties of A387-22
Steel Plate, A. D. Wilson, MPC-ASME Symposium Advanced
Materials for Pressure Vessel Service with Hydrogen at High Temperatures and Pressures, June 1982
5. Effects of Composition and Heat Treatment on the Mechanical
Properties of 300 mm gauge 2- 1/4 Cr 1 Mo Steel Plate, R. A.
Swift, ASTM STP 755, 1982

6. Fineline A387-11 Data, J. A. Gulya, Lukens Steel Company Report RPR 86-1, February 1986
7. Effects of Composition and Heat Treatment on the Mechanical
Properties of 300 mm gauge 2- 1/4 Cr 1 Mo Steel Plate, R. A.
Swift, ASTM STP 755, 1982
8. Fineline A387-11 Data, J. A. Gulya, Lukens Steel Company Report RPR 86-1, February 1986
9. Properties and Behavior of Modern A387 Cr- Mo Steels, A. D.
Wilson, C. R. Roper, K. E. Orie and F. B. Fletcher, ASME PVP Vol.
239, 1992
10. Tougher Steels Improve Pressure Vessel Performance, A. D.
Wilson, Advanced Materials & Processes, Vol. 143, April 1993

More Information

For more information, please contact Jerry Shick at

+1 610 383 2589 or email: [email protected]
Important
The information provided herein is based on testing or ArcelorMittal
experience and is accurate and realistic to the best of our knowledge
at the time of publication. However, characteristics described or implied may not apply in all situations. ArcelorMittal reserves the right
to make changes in practices which may render some information
outdated or obsolete. In cases where specific properties are desired,
ArcelorMittal should be consulted for current information and/or
capabilities.

All information in this brochure is for the purpose of information only. ArcelorMittal USA reserves the right to change its product range at any time without prior notice.

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February 2015