GB/T 713 vs ASTM A516 Pressure Vessel Steel Plate
GB/T 713 vs ASTM A516 Pressure Vessel Steel Plate in chemical and property
GB/T 713 is China’s current standard for pressure-equipment plate. ASTM A516 / ASME SA516 is the carbon vessel-plate family used on ASME VIII work. Only the carbon Q245R, Q345R, Q370R, Q420R and Q460R grades sit next to A516. Cr-Mo, Mn-Mo-Nb and low-temperature DR / Ni plates are different families — see pressure vessel steel plates.
1. What is ASTM A516/A516M?
ASTM A516 and ASME SA516 cover carbon steel plate for moderate- and lower-temperature vessels. Four grades. Yield does not fall with thickness. Charpy is not mandatory in the base spec — order S5, or follow ASME VIII UCS-66.
ASTM A516 / ASME SA516 is carbon steel plate for moderate- and lower-temperature pressure vessels. Four strength grades. Yield does not step down with thickness (unlike GB/T 713). Charpy impact is not mandatory in the base specification — it must be ordered as Supplementary Requirement S5, or set by the ASME VIII UCS-66 MDMT curve.
| Grade | Product pages | Rm | Min. yield | A50 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 55 | ASTM A516 Gr.55 · SA516 Gr.55 | 380–515 MPa | 205 MPa | 27% |
| Grade 60 | ASTM A516 Gr.60 · SA516 Gr.60 | 415–550 MPa | 220 MPa | 25% |
| Grade 65 | ASTM A516 Gr.65 · SA516 Gr.65 | 450–585 MPa | 240 MPa | 23% |
| Grade 70 | ASTM A516 Gr.70 · SA516 Gr.70 | 485–620 MPa | 260 MPa | 21% |
| ASTM A516 | Tensile Rm | Min. yield | A50 min | C max (thin) | Mn (>12.5 mm) |
| Grade 55 | 380–515 MPa | 205 MPa | 27% | 0.18% | 0.60–1.20% |
| Grade 60 | 415–550 MPa | 220 MPa | 25% | 0.21% | 0.85–1.20% |
| Grade 65 | 450–585 MPa | 240 MPa | 23% | 0.24% | 0.85–1.20% |
| Grade 70 | 485–620 MPa | 260 MPa | 21% | 0.27% | 0.85–1.20% |
Carbon max rises with thickness: Grade 70 may reach 0.31% at 100–200 mm. Current P and S limits are 0.025% max.
Carbon max rises with thickness. Grade 70 may reach 0.31% C at 100–200 mm. Current P and S: 0.025% max.
2. GB/T 713 Carbon R versus A516
Thin-plate comparison (about ≤16 mm) under GB/T 713:
| GB/T 713 | Product | Thin ReL / Rm | Standard impact | Closest A516 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q245R | Q245R plate | 245 / 400–520 | 0 °C ≥34 J | A516 Gr.60 |
| Q345R | Q345R plate | 345 / 510–640 | 0 °C ≥41 J | Traded vs A516 Gr.70 |
| Q370R | Q370R plate | 370 / 530–630 | −20 °C ≥47 J | Above Gr.70 |
| Q420R | Q420R plate | 420 / 590–720 | −20 °C ≥60 J | None in A516 |
| Q460R | Q460R plate | 460-class / 630–750 | −20 °C | None in A516 |
| GB/T 713 | Thin-plate ReL / Rm | Standard impact | Closest A516 | Relationship |
| Q245R | 245 / 400–520 | 0 °C ≥34 J | Grade 60 (then Gr.65) | Yield slightly above Gr.60; tensile window sits one step lower |
| Q345R | 345 / 510–640 | 0 °C ≥41 J | Traded against Grade 70 | Tensile overlap; yield ~85 MPa higher |
| Q370R | 370 / 530–630 | −20 °C ≥47 J | Above Gr.70 | Not an A516 grade; closer to A537 / high-strength normalized plate |
| Q420R | 420 / 590–720 | −20 °C ≥60 J | None | Outside the A516 range |
| Q460R | 460-class / 630–750 | −20 °C | None | Outside the A516 range |
“Q345R = A516 Grade 70” is a buying shorthand, not an equal-code statement.
Real gaps between Q345R and SA516 Gr.70:
- Yield: 345 MPa vs 260 MPa. GB still derates with thickness (325 MPa at 16–36 mm, 285 MPa at 100–150 mm), but even heavy plate stays above 260 MPa.
- Carbon: Q345R is typically C ≤0.20% (0.22% on thick plate). Grade 70 already allows 0.27% on thin plate and 0.30–0.31% on heavy plate. Q345R welds more easily.
- Manganese: Q345R is 1.20–1.70%. Grade 70 is 0.85–1.20%. High Mn is a disadvantage in wet H₂S unless Q345R is ordered as a HIC grade.
- Impact: Q345R ships with 0 °C Charpy. Base A516 has no mandatory impact; −20 °C or −46 °C must be on the PO (SA516-70N).
- Closer ASTM mechanical cousin: ASTM A537 Class 1 / SA537 Class 1 (Re ≥345 MPa, Rm 485–620 MPa), not A516-70. See also ASTM A537 and ASME SA537.
Q245R vs A516 Gr.60: yield 245 vs 220 MPa; tensile 400–520 vs 415–550 MPa. Partial overlap. Export ASME vessels should still be ordered as SA516 Gr.60.
3. GB/T 713 grades that are not A516
These plates are on GB/T 713 but they are not carbon A516 substitutes.
| Grade | Product | Alloy type | Correct ASTM / ASME direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18MnMoNbR | 18MnMoNbR plate | Mn–Mo–Nb | SA302 / SA533 family |
| 13MnNiMoR | 13MnNiMoR plate | Mn–Ni–Mo | SA302 heavy Mn-Mo-Ni |
| 15CrMoR | 15CrMoR plate | 1Cr–0.5Mo | SA387 Gr.12 · SA387 |
| 14Cr1MoR | 14Cr1MoR plate | 1.25Cr–0.5Mo | SA387 Gr.11 / Gr.12 |
| 12Cr2Mo1R | 12Cr2Mo1R plate | 2.25Cr–1Mo | SA387 Gr.22 |
| 12Cr1MoVR | 12Cr1MoVR plate | 1Cr–Mo–V | Cr-Mo-V boiler plate, not A516 |
| 12Cr2Mo1VR | 12Cr2Mo1VR plate | 2.25Cr–1Mo–V | SA542 / SA832 |
| 07Cr2AlMoR | 07Cr2AlMoR plate | Cr–Al–Mo | Sulfur / naphthenic-acid service |
Low-temperature plates live under GB/T 713.3, GB/T 713.4 and GB/T 713.5 (former GB/T 3531):
| Grade | Product | Rating | Not A516 because |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16MnDR | 16MnDR plate | −40 °C | Base A516 has no −40 °C rating |
| 15MnNiNbDR | 15MnNiNbDR plate | −50 °C | Ni-Nb low-temp plate |
| 13MnNiDR | 13MnNiDR plate | −60 °C | Ni low-temp plate |
| 09MnNiDR | 09MnNiDR plate | −70 °C | Ni low-temp plate |
| 11MnNiMoDR | 11MnNiMoDR plate | −70 °C Q&T | Q&T Mn-Ni-Mo |
| Q420DR | Q420DR plate | −40 °C, 420 MPa | High-strength DR, not Gr.70 |
| Q460DR | Q460DR plate | −40 °C, 460 MPa | High-strength DR |
| 08Ni3DR | 08Ni3DR plate | 3.5Ni, −100 °C | SA203 family |
| 07Ni5DR | 07Ni5DR plate | 5Ni | Nickel cryogenic plate |
| 06Ni9DR | 06Ni9DR plate | 9Ni, −196 °C | 9% Ni LNG plate |
| Q400GMDR | Q400GMDR plate | High-Mn, −196 °C | GB/T 713.5 austenitic high-Mn |
4. What are GB/T 713 Adopt standard for Vessle Plate?
- GB/T 713
- GB/T 713.3
- GB/T 713.4
- GB/T 713.5
- GB/T 3531 (withdrawn low-temperature standard, now covered by 713.3 / 713.4)
GB/T 713 / GB/T 713.2 carbon and low-alloy vessel plate
GB/T 713: Q245R, Q345R, Q370R, Q420R, Q460R, 18MnMoNbR, 13MnNiMoR, 15CrMoR, 14Cr1MoR, 12Cr2Mo1R, 12Cr1MoVR, 12Cr2Mo1VR, 07Cr2AlMoR
| Designation | Internal link |
|---|---|
| GB/T 713 Q245R | Q245R Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713 Q345R | Q345R Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713 Q370R | Q370R Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713 Q420R | Q420R Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713 Q460R | Q460R Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713 18MnMoNbR | 18MnMoNbR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713 13MnNiMoR | 13MnNiMoR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713 15CrMoR | 15CrMoR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713 14Cr1MoR | 14Cr1MoR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713 12Cr2Mo1R | 12Cr2Mo1R Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713 12Cr1MoVR | 12Cr1MoVR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713 12Cr2Mo1VR | 12Cr2Mo1VR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713 07Cr2AlMoR | 07Cr2AlMoR Steel Plate |
GB/T 713.3 low-temperature low-alloy vessel plate
GB/T 713.3: 16MnDR, 09MnNiDR, 15MnNiNbDR, 13MnNiDR, 11MnNiMoDR, Q420DR, Q460DR
| Designation | Internal link |
|---|---|
| GB/T 713.3 16MnDR | 16MnDR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713.3 09MnNiDR | 09MnNiDR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713.3 15MnNiNbDR | 15MnNiNbDR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713.3 13MnNiDR | 13MnNiDR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713.3 11MnNiMoDR | 11MnNiMoDR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713.3 Q420DR | Q420DR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713.3 Q460DR | Q460DR Steel Plate |
GB/T 713.4 nickel-alloy low-temperature vessel plate
GB/T 713.4: 08Ni3DR, 07Ni5DR, 06Ni7DR, 06Ni9DR
| Designation | Internal link |
|---|---|
| GB/T 713.4 08Ni3DR | 08Ni3DR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713.4 07Ni5DR | 07Ni5DR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713.4 06Ni7DR | 06Ni7DR Steel Plate |
| GB/T 713.4 06Ni9DR | 06Ni9DR Steel Plate |
06Ni7DR has no product URL in the link file and is left unlinked.
GB/T 713.5 high-manganese cryogenic vessel plate
| Designation | Internal link |
|---|---|
| GB/T 713.5 Q400GMDR | Q400GMDR Steel Plate |
Paragraph for the product page
GB/T 713 is the current Chinese standard for steel plate and strip for pressure equipment. Carbon and low-alloy grades include Q245R, Q345R, Q370R, Q420R, Q460R, 18MnMoNbR, 13MnNiMoR, 15CrMoR, 14Cr1MoR, 12Cr2Mo1R, 12Cr1MoVR, 12Cr2Mo1VR and 07Cr2AlMoR.
Low-temperature low-alloy plate is specified in GB/T 713.3: 16MnDR, 09MnNiDR, 15MnNiNbDR, 13MnNiDR, 11MnNiMoDR, Q420DR and Q460DR.
Nickel-alloy cryogenic plate is specified in GB/T 713.4: 08Ni3DR, 07Ni5DR and 06Ni9DR.
High-manganese plate for −196 °C service is specified in GB/T 713.5: Q400GMDR.
The withdrawn low-temperature standard is archived under GB/T 3531.
5. Rules that matter on an inquiry
- Code. A516 / SA516 belong to ASME VIII. QxxxR belongs to GB/T 150 / GB/T 713. Substitution needs a designer to re-check allowable stress.
- Allowable stress. Q345R yield is higher, so GB allowables are usually higher than SA516-70 at the same thickness. That does not make weld procedure, PWHT or MDMT automatic.
- Thickness. A516 yield is one line (Gr.70 ≥260 MPa). Q345R drops to 285 MPa above 100 mm and 265 MPa at 250 mm — close to Gr.70 on heavy plate, with a large surplus on thin plate.
- MDMT. Export jobs must state SA516-70N + Charpy at −29 °C or −46 °C. Mill-standard Q345R 0 °C does not cover UCS-66.
- Wet H₂S. Order A516 with NACE + HIC, or a dedicated HIC Q345R. High-Mn Q345R is not safer than low-Mn Grade 60.
- Delivery. Heavy SA516-70 is almost always normalized. Thin Q345R may be as-rolled. Lock +N on the PO when the drawing assumes it.
6. How to quote?
- ASME carbon vessel plate → SA516 Gr.60 or SA516 Gr.70 (state normalize and impact temperature). Category: ASME SA516.
- GB/T 150 carbon vessel plate → Q245R or Q345R (state thickness-band yield and 0 °C impact). Category: GB/T 713.
- Drawing says A516-70, mill is Chinese → Q345R is a strength-rich approximation, not a code equivalent. Offer dual certification or SA516 retest.
- Drawing says 15CrMoR / 12Cr2Mo1R → 15CrMoR / 12Cr2Mo1R against SA387 Gr.12 / SA387 Gr.22, not A516.
Related carbon and elevated-temperature vessel plates on the same site: SA515, ASTM A515, SA299, EN 10028-2, JIS G3115.
SHH STEEL supplies SA516-60/70N and GB/T 713 Q245R / Q345R / Cr-Mo R from stock and mill production, FOB Shanghai, EN 10204 3.1 + UT. Do not mix ASME and GB allowables on the same drawing.
