ASME SA203 Grade F Steel Plate | SA203 Gr.F QT Nickel Steel Plate
What is ASME SA203 Grade F Steel ?
As a professional China mill-Direct Supply and ASME pressure-vessel plate exporter, SHH STEEL supplies ASME SA203 Grade F Steel Plate produced to ASME SA-203/SA-203M.
On drawings, MTCs and RFQs this grade is written many ways: ASME SA203 Grade F, SA203 Gr.F, SA203 Gr F, SA203GRF, SA203 GR F, SA-203 Grade F, SA-203 Gr.F, ASTM A203 Grade F, A203 Gr.F, A203GRF, QT nickel steel plate, 3.5Ni QT plate and quenched and tempered SA203 F. All of these names refer to the highest-strength 3.50% nickel grade in ASME SA-203/SA-203M. SA-203 is the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code companion to ASTM A203/A203M.
Grade F is the only SA-203 grade that must be heat treated by austenitizing, water quenching and tempering. Grades A, B, D and E are normalized. Chemistry of Grade F is the same 3.50% nickel table as Grade E. Strength is higher and depends on thickness under ASME SA-203:
- ≤ 50 mm (2 in.): yield 380 MPa (55 ksi), tensile 550–690 MPa (80–100 ksi)
- > 50 mm: yield 345 MPa (50 ksi), tensile 515–655 MPa (75–95 ksi)
SA203 Gr.F is intended for ASME Section VIII vessels that need 3.5Ni toughness plus quench-and-temper strength. It is not a substitute for normalized Grade D or Grade E, and it is not an elevated-temperature Cr-Mo grade such as ASME SA387 (SA-387). Carbon vessel comparisons include ASME SA516 (SA-516), ASTM A516, ASME SA537 (SA-537) and ASTM A537. SA-537 is also often QT, but it is carbon-manganese vessel plate, not 3.5Ni plate.
General requirements follow ASME SA-20. Steel is killed and produced to fine-grain practice. SHH STEEL supplies SA203 Gr.F as true China mill-Direct Supply from mills that can quench and temper nickel vessel plate. Dual marking ASME SA203 Grade F / ASTM A203 Grade F is available. Certificates can be EN 10204 3.1 or EN 10204 3.2.
Material Specification
| Specification Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | ASME SA203 Grade F / SA203 Gr.F / SA203GRF | Confirmed |
| Product Specification | ASME SA-203/SA-203M | Applied |
| Companion Spec | ASTM A203 Grade F / A203 Gr.F | Dual cert available |
| General Requirements | ASME SA-20 / ASTM A20 | Applied |
| Code Context | ASME Section VIII | As specified |
| Product Form | Pressure vessel plate | Available |
| Delivery Condition | Quenched and tempered | Mandatory for Grade F |
| Typical Thickness | 6 mm – 100 mm (common mill practice for Grade F) | Heavier by enquiry |
| Width / Length | Up to about 4600 mm wide / 12000 mm long | Mill capability |
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 / third-party | As ordered |
This product belongs to the Pressure Vessel Steel Plates family. It is a 3.5Ni QT coded vessel plate under ASME SA-203, not a structural Carbon Steel Plates grade.
Chemical Composition
SA203 Grade F chemistry under ASME SA-203/SA-203M is reported as heat analysis (ladle analysis) and, when specified, product analysis. Grades E and F share the same chemical table.
Heat Analysis (Ladle Analysis) — Grade F
| Element | Thickness / Basis | Heat Analysis (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C), max | ≤ 50 mm (2 in.) | 0.20 |
| Carbon (C), max | > 50 mm to 100 mm (2–4 in.) | 0.23 |
| Manganese (Mn), max | ≤ 50 mm | 0.70 |
| Manganese (Mn), max | > 50 mm | 0.80 |
| Phosphorus (P), max | All | 0.025 |
| Sulfur (S), max | All | 0.025 |
| Silicon (Si) | All | 0.15 – 0.40 |
| Nickel (Ni) | All | 3.25 – 3.75 |
Product Analysis — Grade F
| Element | Thickness / Basis | Product Analysis (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Manganese (Mn), max | ≤ 50 mm | 0.78 |
| Manganese (Mn), max | > 50 mm | 0.88 |
| Silicon (Si) | All | 0.13 – 0.45 |
| Nickel (Ni) | All | 3.18 – 3.82 |
| C, P, S | Product check per SA-20/SA-203 | Per order |
Heat-analysis nickel of 3.25–3.75% (product 3.18–3.82%) is the 3.50% nominal nickel grade in ASME SA-203. Carbon follows the Grade E/F schedule so quench-and-temper strength can be met. Tighter residuals or carbon equivalent limits are supplementary requirements.
SHH STEEL reports ladle analysis on every certificate. Product analysis is added when ASME SA-20 product analysis or the vessel specification requires it.
Mechanical Properties
Tensile Requirements — ASME SA203 Grade F per ASME SA-203/SA-203M
| Property | ≤ 50 mm (2 in.) | > 50 mm |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 550 – 690 MPa (80 – 100 ksi) | 515 – 655 MPa (75 – 95 ksi) |
| Yield strength, min (0.2%) | 380 MPa (55 ksi) | 345 MPa (50 ksi) |
| Elongation in 50 mm (2 in.), min | 20% | 20% |
Grade F is the only SA-203 grade whose tensile table changes with thickness. Designers must use the correct line for the ordered thickness. Density is 7.85 g/cm³. Hardness after quench and temper depends on tempering practice and any special hardness window on the order.
Specimens are prepared under ASME SA-20. If simulated PWHT is specified, coupons can be given the vessel cycle before testing. Do not compare Grade F numbers directly with normalized Grade D or Grade E without checking heat treatment.
Material Comparison
| Grade | Nominal Ni | Yield min | Tensile | Heat treatment | Code use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA203 Gr.A | 2.25% | 255 MPa | 450–585 MPa | Normalized | Lowest-strength 2.25Ni |
| SA203 Gr.B | 2.25% | 275 MPa | 485–620 MPa | Normalized | Higher-strength 2.25Ni |
| SA203 Gr.D | 3.50% | 255 MPa | 450–585 MPa | Normalized | 3.5Ni, lowest strength |
| SA203 Gr.E | 3.50% | 275 MPa | 485–620 MPa | Normalized | 3.5Ni normalized |
| SA203 Gr.F | 3.50% | 380 / 345 MPa | 550–690 / 515–655 | Quench + temper | Highest-strength 3.5Ni |
Order SA203 Gr.F / SA203GRF when the ASME SA-203 drawing names Grade F or requires QT nickel vessel plate. If 3.5Ni is needed but quench and temper is not wanted, use Grade D or Grade E. Carbon QT options include ASME SA537 and ASTM A537. HSLA Steel Plates are not a coded substitute. Nearby carbon vessel grades for milder service include ASME SA515 and ASTM A285.
Low-Temperature Toughness
Grade F combines 3.50% nickel with a quenched-and-tempered microstructure under ASME SA-203/SA-203M. Nickel improves notch toughness for ASME Section VIII service. Quenching and tempering raise strength and can also support toughness when tempering is controlled.
Impact temperature, orientation and energy minimums are agreed on the order. Because Grade F is QT, many vessel specifications call for Charpy testing as a standard supplementary requirement. SHH STEEL can produce SA203 Gr.F QT nickel steel plate with Charpy sets at the temperature written on the RFQ. Results appear on the 3.1 or 3.2 certificate.
Grade F is still not a 9% Ni cryogenic steel.
Weldability
SA203 Grade F under ASME SA-203 is specified for welded pressure vessels, but fabrication must respect the quenched-and-tempered condition.
Low-hydrogen procedures qualified to ASME Section IX are required. Consumables should match nickel and the required as-welded or PWHT toughness. Preheat, interpass and hydrogen control are more important than on normalized Grade E because the plate is already at high strength. When ASME Section VIII requires PWHT, the shop cycle must not over-temper the mill QT condition unless that loss of strength is accepted and proven on simulated coupons.
SHH STEEL recommends a qualified WPS/PQR for each thickness break and can support procedure review through steel welding services. Do not assume a Grade E welding procedure is automatically valid for Grade F.
Heat Treatment
ASME SA-203/SA-203M is explicit for Grade F. All plates of Grade F shall be heat treated by:
- Heating into the austenitic range
- Quenching in water
- Tempering at not less than 595°C (1100°F) for not less than 1/2 hour
This quench-and-temper route is mandatory. Normalizing alone does not meet Grade F. Do not substitute Grade E normalizing for Grade F QT.
Tempering temperature, hold time and cooling after temper are recorded on the mill certificate under ASME SA-20 identification rules. If the purchaser specifies a tighter tempering band to hit a hardness or yield window, that band is written into the mill instruction. Additional simulated PWHT of test coupons is a supplementary requirement, not part of the mill QT cycle itself.
Delivery Condition
SHH STEEL delivers ASME SA203 Grade F / SA203 Gr.F in the quenched and tempered condition required by ASME SA-203.
The certificate lists SA203 Gr.F and, when dual certified, A203 Gr.F; heat number; heat analysis; product analysis when ordered; tensile results by thickness line; heat-treatment cycle (austenitize / water quench / temper); agreed Charpy values; and supplementary tests. Plates are industrial vessel plate: QT, then pickled or shot-blasted as agreed.
Decorative finishes such as 2B, BA or No.4 are not used. Surface condition is vessel-plate quality for welding, NDE and coating. Heat number and grade marking support ASME Section VIII traceability.
Certificates may be EN 10204 3.1 or EN 10204 3.2. Third-party stamps (BV, LR, DNV, TUV, SGS or the purchaser’s agency) are arranged when written on the order.
Dimensions
Typical supply range from SHH STEEL for SA203 Gr.F QT nickel steel plate:
- Thickness: 6 mm – 100 mm as common practice for Grade F (heavier by mill enquiry)
- Width: up to about 4600 mm
- Length: up to about 12000 mm
Because strength changes at 50 mm in ASME SA-203, the purchase order should state the ordered thickness clearly. Cut-to-length shells, heads and nest sizes are available. Extra-wide or extra-thick QT plates should be confirmed before the PO is issued.
Tolerances
Dimensional tolerances follow ASME SA-20 / ASTM A20 for pressure-vessel plates.
Thickness, width, length, flatness and camber are vessel-plate tolerances. Quench-and-temper plates can show more distortion than normalized plates; SHH STEEL levels plates to the agreed flatness before shipment. Ultrasonic testing to A435 or A578 is added when specified. Cutting after QT is available through steel cutting services.
Supplementary Requirements
ASME Section VIII specifications for Grade F almost always add tests beyond the base SA-203 tensile table. SHH STEEL treats the following as supplementary requirements.
Simulated PWHT. Coupons from the same heat and thickness receive the vessel PWHT cycle. Tensile and Charpy tests on those coupons show properties after shop PWHT, which can lower strength if the vessel temper exceeds the mill temper.
Nondestructive examination. UT to A435, A577 or A578 with purchaser acceptance levels. Edge MT/PT after cutting if required.
Low-temperature impact. Test temperature, specimen size, orientation and minimum average/single values as written on the RFQ.
Special hardness. HBW or HV window after mill QT or after simulated PWHT.
Restricted chemistry. Tighter C, P, S, residuals or carbon equivalent on heat and product analysis per ASME SA-203 / SA-20.
HIC testing. NACE TM0284 with purchaser solution and CLR/CTR/CSR limits. Not automatic on SA203 Gr.F.
NACE / sour-service notes. Review against NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 or MR0103 only when the datasheet cites the clause.
Z-direction testing. ASTM A770 or purchaser Z15/Z25/Z35 for thick nozzles and restrained joints.
Third-party witnessing. Witness of austenitize, quench, temper, mechanical tests, UT and documents. Output can be EN 10204 3.2.
Supplementary tests go through steel testing service and appear line by line on the certificate. Items not on the purchase order are not assumed.
Equivalent Material Grades
| Designation | Standard / Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ASME SA203 Grade F / SA203 Gr.F / SA203GRF | ASME SA-203/SA-203M | Code name on this page |
| ASTM A203 Grade F / A203 Gr.F / A203GRF | ASTM A203/A203M | Companion material spec |
| QT nickel steel plate / 3.5Ni QT plate | Commercial | Heat-treatment search names |
| JIS G3127 related 3.5Ni QT | JIS | Project-specific comparison |
| EN 10028-4 related Ni QT vessel steels | EN | Project-specific dual cert |
| GB related 3.5Ni QT vessel | GB/T | Chinese related family |
For ASME stamping, the purchase order should say ASME SA203 Grade F to ASME SA-203/SA-203M, or dual SA203 / A203 Grade F. Do not dual-mark Grade F as Grade E. Nearby carbon QT vessel grades include ASME SA537 and ASTM A537.
Applications
ASME SA203 Grade F / SA203 Gr.F is selected for ASME Section VIII vessels that need 3.5Ni toughness and quench-and-temper strength. Typical applications of ASME SA203 Grade F Steel Plate include:
| Industry / Sector | Typical Components (with keywords) |
|---|---|
| High-Strength Vessels | SA203 Gr.F shells, heads and SA203GRF QT nickel steel plate |
| Low-Temperature Process | ASME SA203 Grade F drums and cold-service high-strength tanks |
| Oil, Gas & Petrochemical | SA-203 Grade F welded QT pressure equipment |
| Energy & Power | SA203 Grade F 3.5Ni QT heat-exchange shells |
| Thickness-Critical Design | QT nickel plate used to reduce wall thickness versus Grade E |
| Dual-Certified Export Jobs | SA203 / A203 Gr.F plate to ASME SA-203 and ASTM A203 |
SHH STEEL supplies SA203 Gr.F with full heat traceability. Related industry pages include petrochemical industry and energy industry. Supporting services include steel cutting services, steel welding services, steel testing service and worldwide shipping service.
Why Choose SHH STEEL
SHH STEEL is a China mill-Direct Supply for plates to ASME SA-203/SA-203M. For SA203 Grade F we offer:
- China mill-Direct Supply pricing on SA203 Gr.F / A203 Gr.F
- Mandatory quench-and-temper route recorded on the certificate
- Dual ASME SA203 / ASTM A203 marking
- Heat analysis and product analysis per ASME SA-20 / SA-203
- EN 10204 3.1 as standard; EN 10204 3.2 or nominated third-party inspection on request
- QT delivery with agreed Charpy temperature and thickness-line tensile results
- Supplementary PWHT simulation, UT, HIC, NACE review and Z-direction testing
- Cutting to shell and head nest sizes after quench and temper
- Technical support to separate Grade F from D/E and from SA516 / SA537
- Export packing through worldwide shipping service
For company scope and other vessel grades, visit China steel Mill Agent-SHH STEEL.
FAQ
- What other names are used for ASME SA203 Grade F?Buyers also write SA203 Gr.F, SA203GRF, SA-203 Grade F, ASTM A203 Grade F, A203GRF and QT nickel steel plate. They all mean the 3.50% nickel quench-and-temper Grade F plate in ASME SA-203/SA-203M. SHH STEEL prints the exact name required on the purchase order.
- Is SA203 Grade F the same as A203 Grade F?They are companion specifications. ASME SA-203 is the Code version used with ASME Section VIII; ASTM A203 is the ASTM product spec. Chemistry, QT route and tensile limits match. SHH STEEL dual-certifies when the vessel must be Code-stamped.
- What is the nickel content of SA203 Gr.F?Heat analysis is 3.25–3.75% Ni and product analysis is 3.18–3.82% Ni under ASME SA-203. That is the same 3.50% nominal nickel band as Grade D and Grade E. The difference is heat treatment and strength, not nickel.
- What is the difference between SA203 Grade E and Grade F?Same 3.50% nickel chemistry in ASME SA-203/SA-203M. Grade E is normalized at 275 MPa yield. Grade F must be water quenched and tempered: 380 MPa yield at ≤50 mm, or 345 MPa yield above 50 mm. SHH STEEL does not interchange the two grades.
- Why do Grade F properties change at 50 mm?ASME SA-203 gives two tensile lines for Grade F. Use 380 MPa / 550–690 MPa at or below 50 mm, and 345 MPa / 515–655 MPa above 50 mm. State the ordered thickness on the PO so the correct line is certified.
- Can Grade F be supplied normalized only?No. ASME SA-203 requires austenitize, water quench and temper at not less than 595°C. If the project only needs normalized 3.5Ni plate, order Grade D or Grade E.
- Can welding be qualified to ASME Section IX?Yes. SA203 Gr.F is a welded vessel plate, but the WPS must respect the QT condition. Procedures should be qualified to ASME Section IX with low-hydrogen, nickel-matching consumables. Shop PWHT must not over-temper the mill condition unless simulated-coupon tests accept the result.
- Can SHH STEEL issue EN 10204 3.2?Yes. EN 10204 3.1 is standard. EN 10204 3.2 or another third-party witness (BV, LR, DNV, TUV, SGS or the buyer’s agency) is arranged when it is written on the order. Witness points can include quench, temper, tensile, impact and UT.
- Can HIC or Z-direction testing be added?Yes. Both are supplementary requirements under the vessel specification. SHH STEEL does not assume them unless they appear on the purchase order.
- What is the density of SA203 Gr.F?7.85 g/cm³. SHH STEEL uses this value for shipping-weight estimates on ASME SA-203 plate.
Conclusion
ASME SA203 Grade F Steel Plate is the 3.50% nickel, quench-and-temper vessel grade in ASME SA-203/SA-203M. Whether the inquiry says SA203 Gr.F, SA203GRF, SA-203 Grade F or QT nickel steel plate, SHH STEEL supplies water-quenched and tempered plate with heat and product analysis, optional supplementary tests, and EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certification.
As a professional China mill-Direct Supply, SHH STEEL provides ASME SA203 Grade F / SA203 Gr.F QT Nickel Steel Plate with full traceability for ASME Section VIII fabrication.
Contact SHH STEEL today for stock, thickness-line properties, simulated PWHT, dual SA203/A203 marking to ASME SA-203, 3.2 inspection or a quotation.
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