ASME SA285 Grade B Steel Plate | SA285 Gr.B Pressure Vessel Plate
What is ASME SA285 Grade B Steel?
ASME SA285 Grade B sits between Grade A and Grade C in ASME SA-285/SA-285M. The specification covers carbon steel plates of low and intermediate tensile strength for fusion-welded pressure vessels. Grade C takes most of the search traffic. Grade B is the mid-strength option when the drawing does not need the Grade C tensile window. As a China mill Agent, SHH STEEL supplies this plate to ASME SA-285/SA-285M.
The same plate is written SA285 Gr.B, SA285GRB, SA285 GR B, SA-285 Grade B, SA285 Grade B, ASME SA285 GR.B, ASME SA285GRB, ASTM A285 Grade B, A285 Gr.B, A285GRB and A/SA285 Grade B. They all mean Grade B. ASTM A285/A285M is the product companion.
Do not treat this page as ASME SA516 or ASTM A516. A516 is fine-grain, higher-quality vessel plate. Do not treat it as ASME SA515 either. SA515 is silicon-killed carbon plate for intermediate and higher temperature. ASME SA285 Grade B is the simpler mid-tensile carbon vessel grade, usually supplied as-rolled, with a specification thickness ceiling of 50 mm (2 in.).
The steel follows ASME SA-20 general requirements. It may be rimmed, capped, semi-killed or killed as agreed. Fine austenitic grain practice is not the default the way it is on SA516. If the drawing wants killed steel, fine grain, or normalized delivery, that has to be written on the purchase order.
For Code work the plate is used under ASME Section VIII. Dual marking ASME SA285 Grade B / ASTM A285 Grade B is available. Certificates can be EN 10204 3.1 or EN 10204 3.2.
When a project is still choosing carbon vessel plate, a China mill Distributor path through SHH STEEL puts SA285GRB next to ASME SA537, ASTM A537, ASME SA387 and ASTM A285, so the buyer can see whether Grade B is enough or whether the vessel actually needs Grade C or SA516.
Material Specification
| Specification Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | ASME SA285 Grade B / SA285 Gr.B / SA285GRB | Confirmed |
| Product Specification | ASME SA-285/SA-285M | Applied |
| Companion Spec | ASTM A285 Grade B / A285GRB | Dual cert available |
| General Requirements | ASME SA-20 / ASTM A20 | Applied |
| Code Context | ASME Section VIII | As specified |
| Product Form | Pressure vessel plate | Available |
| Typical Practice | Rimmed, capped, semi-killed or killed as ordered | Confirmed |
| Usual Delivery | As-rolled | Confirmed |
| Maximum Thickness | 50 mm (2 in.) | Per SA-285 |
| Typical Supply | 6 mm – 50 mm | By mill enquiry |
| Width / Length | Up to about 4000 mm / 12000 mm | Mill capability |
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 / third-party | As ordered |
This plate belongs to the Pressure Vessel Steel Plates family. It is not a structural HSLA Steel Plates substitute and not a Carbon Steel Plates structural grade such as A36.
Chemical Composition
Chemistry for ASME SA285 Grade B is reported as heat analysis and, when specified, product analysis under ASME SA-285/SA-285M. Carbon is the grade marker. Grade B allows less carbon than Grade C.
Heat Analysis — ASME SA285 Grade B / SA285 Gr.B
| Element | Heat Analysis (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C), max | 0.22 |
| Manganese (Mn), max | 0.90 |
| Phosphorus (P), max | 0.025 |
| Sulfur (S), max | 0.025 |
Product Analysis — SA285GRB / A285 Grade B
| Element | Product Analysis (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C), max | 0.25 |
| Manganese (Mn), max | 0.98 |
| Phosphorus (P), max | 0.025 |
| Sulfur (S), max | 0.025 |
Silicon is not mandated in the base SA-285 Grade B table the way it is in SA515. Copper 0.20–0.35% can be specified when atmospheric corrosion resistance is wanted. If the drawing requires killed steel, a silicon or aluminum minimum belongs on the mill order, not as an assumption.
A Grade C heat cannot be recertified as Grade B if carbon sits above the Grade B maximum. If the drawing says ASME SA285 Grade B or ASME SA285GRB, the ladle and the tensile test must sit in Grade B. SHH STEEL reports heat analysis on every certificate and adds product analysis when ASME SA-20 or the vessel specification requires it.
Mechanical Properties
Tensile Requirements — ASME SA285 Grade B per ASME SA-285/SA-285M
| Property | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 345 – 485 MPa (50 – 70 ksi) |
| Yield strength, min | 185 MPa (27 ksi) |
| Elongation in 200 mm (8 in.), min | 25% |
| Elongation in 50 mm (2 in.), min | 28% |
Grade A is 310–450 MPa. Grade B is 345–485 MPa. Grade C is 380–515 MPa. If the drawing says SA285 Gr.B, do not ship Grade C and hope the numbers overlap. The carbon maximum is also different.
Density is 7.85 g/cm³. Hardness is not a default requirement in SA-285. Charpy impact is not a default line. If the vessel needs a stated test temperature and energy, that is a supplementary requirement.
Specimens follow ASME SA-20. Simulated PWHT of coupons is added when the shop will stress-relieve or otherwise heat-treat the vessel after welding.
Material Comparison
| Grade | Strength class | Max thickness | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASME SA285 Gr.A / ASTM A285 Gr.A | 310–450 MPa | 50 mm | Lowest tensile |
| ASME SA285 Gr.B / ASTM A285 Gr.B | 345–485 MPa | 50 mm | This page |
| ASME SA285 Gr.C / ASTM A285 Gr.C | 380–515 MPa | 50 mm | Highest SA285 tensile |
| ASME SA516 Gr.60 / ASTM A516 Gr.60 | 415–550 MPa | Thicker capability | Fine-grain PV plate |
| ASME SA515 Gr.60 / ASTM A515 Gr.60 | 415–550 MPa | Thicker capability | High-temp silicon-killed |
| ASTM A36 | Structural | Structural spec | Not a vessel spec |
Order ASME SA285 Grade B when the drawing names Grade B and thickness is 50 mm or less. If the vessel needs the Grade C tensile window, fine-grain practice, guaranteed impact, or plate thicker than 50 mm, change the specification in writing. SHH STEEL does not swap SA285GRB for SA285GRC or A516 Gr.70 without a revision.
Intermediate and Lower Temperature Vessel Service
ASME SA285 Grade B is selected for fusion-welded tanks, drums and low-to-moderate pressure equipment that do not need Grade C strength or the toughness package of SA516. Allowable stress for Code work comes from ASME Section II Part D for SA-285 Grade B, not from a mill flyer.
Typical use is shop tanks, air receivers, low-pressure process drums and utility vessels. It is not a cryogenic nickel grade, not a QT 690 MPa grade, and not a creep-focused Cr-Mo grade.
Weldability
SA285GRB is a plain carbon vessel plate. Welding is straightforward compared with SA517 QT alloy plate, but it is still Code welding.
Procedures for Code work are qualified to ASME Section IX. Low-hydrogen consumables such as E7018 (AWS A5.1) are the usual shop choice. Preheat depends on thickness, restraint and hydrogen. Grade B carbon is lower than Grade C, which helps, but a thick, restrained joint should still not be started cold and wet.
PWHT follows the vessel specification and ASME Section VIII, not a mill default. Simulated PWHT of mill coupons should be on the purchase order when the shop cycle is known.
Do not copy an SA517 or SA387 procedure onto ASME SA285 Grade B. Procedure review can go through steel welding services. The fabricator owns the qualified WPS.
Heat Treatment
Standard delivery of ASME SA285 Grade B is as-rolled.
Normalizing, stress relieving or annealing is supplementary. If the drawing says “normalized SA285 Gr.B”, that cycle is ordered and recorded. Do not assume every SA285GRB plate left the mill normalized.
SHH STEEL reports the actual delivery condition on the MTC.
Delivery Condition
Usual delivery is as-rolled pressure-vessel plate. Normalized or stress-relieved plate is supplied when specified.
The certificate lists ASME SA285 Grade B and, when dual certified, ASTM A285 Grade B; heat number; heat analysis; product analysis when ordered; tensile results; heat-treatment condition; and supplementary tests.
Surface is vessel-plate quality. Shot blasting and shop primer are available.
Certificates may be EN 10204 3.1 or EN 10204 3.2.
Dimensions
Usual supply range from SHH STEEL for SA285 Gr.B pressure vessel plate:
- Thickness: 6 mm – 50 mm (Grade B maximum in ASME SA-285 is 50 mm)
- Width: up to about 4000 mm
- Length: up to about 12000 mm
If the inquiry is 60 mm, SA-285 is the wrong specification. Cut-to-length shells and nest sizes are available inside 50 mm.
Tolerances
Dimensional limits follow ASME SA-20. Thickness, width, length, flatness and camber are vessel-plate tolerances.
Ultrasonic testing to A435 or A578 is added when specified. Finished sizes go through steel cutting services.
Supplementary Requirements
Most export ASME SA285 Grade B orders add tests beyond the base tensile table. SHH STEEL does not assume these extras.
Killed steel / fine grain. Base SA-285 does not force killed, fine-grain practice. If the vessel specification wants it, write it.
Heat treatment. Normalize or stress relieve as specified. Simulated PWHT of coupons when the shop cycle is known.
Charpy impact. Temperature, energy, specimen orientation and location as agreed. Not a default in SA-285.
NDE. UT to A435 / A577 / A578; edge MT/PT after cutting.
Hardness survey. Surface HBW when the datasheet sets a window.
Restricted chemistry. Tighter P, S, copper addition, or residuals per SA-20.
HIC / NACE. Only when TM0284 or MR0175 / ISO 15156 is cited. Grade B is not automatically sour-service plate.
Z-direction. A770 or Z15/Z25/Z35 when the joint is strained.
Third-party. Witness of rolling, testing and documents. Output can be EN 10204 3.2.
These tests run through steel testing service. If an item is not on the purchase order, it is not assumed.
Equivalent Material Grades
These names are used for project comparison. They are not automatic substitutes.
| Designation | Standard | Region / notes |
|---|---|---|
| ASME SA285 Grade B / SA285 Gr.B / SA285GRB | ASME SA-285/SA-285M | Code name on this page |
| ASTM A285 Grade B / A285 Gr.B / A285GRB | ASTM A285/A285M | Companion spec |
| ASME SA285 Grade C / ASTM A285 Grade C | SA-285 / A285 | Higher tensile in the same spec |
| EN 10028-2 P235GH | EN 10028-2 | Common EU carbon PV comparison |
| EN 10028-2 P265GH | EN 10028-2 | Often compared with Grade C; check tensile |
| DIN 17155 HI / HII | DIN 17155 (historical) | Old German boiler plate comparison |
| ISO 9328 P235GH / P265GH related | ISO 9328 | ISO PV comparison |
| JIS G3118 SGV410 | JIS G3118 | Japanese intermediate-temp PV comparison |
| JIS G3103 SB410 | JIS G3103 | Japanese boiler plate comparison |
| GB/T 713 Q245R | GB/T 713 | Chinese boiler/vessel comparison, confirm tensile |
| GB 6654 20R (historical) | GB 6654 | Older Chinese PV comparison |
| ASME SA516 Gr.60 | ASME SA-516 | Fine-grain upgrade, not a substitute |
For stamping, write ASME SA285 Grade B or dual SA285 / A285 Grade B. Nearby vessel pages: ASME SA516, ASTM A516, ASME SA537, ASTM A537.
Applications
ASME SA285 Grade B / SA285 Gr.B is selected when a Section VIII or equivalent vessel needs mid-tensile carbon plate inside 50 mm.
| Industry | Typical components |
|---|---|
| Pressure vessels | ASME SA285 Grade B shells and SA285GRB heads |
| Petrochemical | SA-285 Grade B low-to-moderate pressure drums |
| Energy and utility | ASME SA285 Grade B air receivers and shop tanks |
| Storage | SA285 Gr.B welded tanks |
| Dual-certified export | SA285 / A285 Gr.B plate |
| Fabrication | SA285GRB cut to nest sizes |
Related pages: petrochemical industry, energy industry, steel cutting services, steel welding services, steel testing service, worldwide shipping service.
Why Choose SHH STEEL
SHH STEEL works as a China Mill Direct Exporter for plates to ASME SA-285/SA-285M. On ASME SA285 Grade B that means mill pricing, dual SA285/A285 marking, heat and product analysis, as-rolled or specified heat treatment, 3.1 as standard and 3.2 when specified, and the extra tests a vessel shop actually writes on the PO.
We also keep the order on the right grade. Grade B is not Grade C. Grade B is not SA516 Gr.70. Grade B is not A36. If the thickness is 60 mm, we will say so before anyone tries to buy SA285. If the drawing wants the Grade C tensile window or fine-grain impact-tested plate, we will point the inquiry to SA285 Grade C or SA516 instead of forcing SA285GRB.
Export packing goes through worldwide shipping service. Company scope: China steel Mill Agent-SHH STEEL.
FAQ
- What names are used for ASME SA285 Grade B?Buyers write SA285 Gr.B, SA285GRB, SA285 GR B, SA-285 Grade B, ASME SA285 GR.B, ASME SA285GRB, ASTM A285 Grade B and A285GRB. They all mean Grade B in ASME SA-285/SA-285M. SHH STEEL prints the wording on the purchase order.
- Is ASME SA285 Grade B the same as ASTM A285 Grade B?Chemistry and tensile limits match. ASME SA-285 is the Code version used with ASME Section VIII. ASTM A285 is the product spec. As China mill-Direct Supply, SHH STEEL dual-certifies SA285 Gr.B / A285 Gr.B when the vessel must be stamped.
- What is the tensile strength of SA285 Gr.B?345–485 MPa. Yield is 185 MPa minimum. Elongation is 25% in 200 mm and 28% in 50 mm, per ASME SA-285.
- Why specify Grade B instead of Grade C?Grade C is the higher tensile grade (380–515 MPa) and allows more carbon. Follow the grade on the drawing. Do not recertify C as B, or B as C, without checking both chemistry and tensile.
- Is SA285GRB the same as SA516 Gr.60 or A36?No. SA516 Gr.60 is fine-grain pressure-vessel plate. A36 is structural. ASME SA285 Grade B is a low-to-intermediate tensile carbon vessel plate under SA-285 and SA-20.
- What is the maximum thickness for ASME SA285 Grade B?50 mm (2 in.) in ASME SA-285. Thicker carbon vessel plate usually moves to SA516 / A516.
- Is heat treatment mandatory for SA285 Gr.B?No. Standard delivery is as-rolled. Normalize or stress relieve only when specified.
- Can welding of SA285 Gr.B be qualified to ASME Section IX?Yes. It is a fusion-welded vessel plate. E7018-type low-hydrogen procedures are common. The fabricator owns the WPS.
- Can SHH STEEL issue EN 10204 3.2 on ASME SA285 Grade B?Yes. EN 10204 3.1 is standard. EN 10204 3.2 or another third-party witness is arranged when it is written on the order.
- What is the density of SA285 Gr.B plate?7.85 g/cm³. SHH STEEL uses this value for shipping-weight estimates on ASME SA-285 plate.
Conclusion
ASME SA285 Grade B Steel Plate is the mid-strength carbon grade in ASME SA-285/SA-285M for low- and intermediate-tensile pressure vessels. Whether the inquiry says SA285 Gr.B, SA285GRB, ASME SA285 GR.B, ASME SA285GRB or A285 Grade B, SHH STEEL supplies plate with heat and product analysis, as-rolled or specified heat treatment, agreed extras, and EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certification.
As Direct Mill Supply by SHH STEEL, we provide ASME SA285 Grade B / SA285 Gr.B Pressure Vessel Plate for ASME Section VIII fabrication.
Contact SHH STEEL for mill rolling, dual SA285/A285 marking, 3.2 inspection or a quotation.
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