ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 Steel Plate | SA542 Type C Cl.3 QT Cr-Mo-V Vessel Plate
What is ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 Steel ?
ASME SA542 Type C Class 3, also written ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3, is quenched-and-tempered chromium-molybdenum-vanadium alloy plate under ASME SA-542/SA-542M. Type C is the 3Cr-1Mo-V line. Chromium heat is 2.75–3.25%. Molybdenum heat is 0.90–1.10%. Vanadium heat is 0.20–0.30%. Class 3 sits between the high Classes and the Class 4 / 4a band: 515 MPa yield and 655–795 MPa tensile. SHH STEEL is the supplier, exporter and distributor of this Type and Class. Plate is produced to ASME SA-542/SA-542M.
Buyers write ASME SA542 Type C Class 3, ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3, SA542 Type C Class 3, SA542 Type C Cl.3, SA542C CL3, SA-542 Type C Class 3 and SA 542 Type C Cl 3. ASTM A542 Type C Class 3 is the companion product spec. A purchase order that only says “SA542 Type C” is incomplete. A purchase order that says “SA542 Grade 21 Class 3” is mixing this book with SA387 Gr.21 Cl.2.
This page is not Type A or Type B. Those are 2.25Cr-1Mo without the Type C vanadium band. It is not Type D, which is 2.25Cr-1Mo-V. It is not Type E, which is 3Cr-1Mo-V but only Class 4 and 4a. It is not SA832 21V or 23V; those are normalized-and-tempered. It is not SA517 Gr.E. It is not SA516 Gr.70. Minimum thickness in the specification is about 5 mm. Maximum thickness is limited by the ability of the heat to meet Class 3 after quench and temper.
For Type A, B and C in Class 1, 2 and 3, the minimum tempering temperature is 565 °C. Dual marking SA542 / A542 Type C Class 3 is available from SHH STEEL as mill supplier. Certificates can be EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2. Company scope: China steel Mill Agent-SHH STEEL.
Material Specification
| Specification Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Class | ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 | Confirmed |
| Product Specification | ASME SA-542/SA-542M | Applied |
| Companion Spec | ASTM A542 Type C Class 3 | Dual cert available |
| General Requirements | ASME SA-20 / ASTM A20 | Applied |
| Process | Quenched and tempered | Confirmed |
| Alloy idea | 3Cr-1Mo-V | Confirmed |
| Sister N+T spec | SA-832 / A832 | Not this page |
| Supply role | Supplier / exporter / distributor | SHH STEEL |
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 / third-party | As ordered |
This plate sits in pressure vessel steel plates and next to the ASME SA387 family, not as a substitute. It does not sit with carbon steel plates or ASTM A36 steel plate.
SA-20 still governs marking, testing location, retests and repair rules.
Chemical Composition
ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 / ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3 uses Type C chemistry. Class only changes strength.
Heat Analysis and Product Analysis — ASME SA542 Type C (typical Table 1 limits)
| Element | Heat Analysis (%) | Product Analysis (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.10 – 0.15 | 0.08 – 0.18 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.30 – 0.60 | 0.25 – 0.66 |
| Phosphorus (P), max | 0.025 | 0.025 |
| Sulfur (S), max | 0.025 | 0.025 |
| Silicon (Si), max | 0.10 | 0.13 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 2.75 – 3.25 | 2.63 – 3.37 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.90 – 1.10 | 0.85 – 1.15 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.20 – 0.30 | 0.18 – 0.33 |
| Titanium, boron, copper, nickel, niobium, calcium | As Table 1 of the named edition | As Table 1 of the named edition |
Vanadium is not optional decoration. If V is missing, the plate is closer to SA387 Gr.21 Cl.2 than to SA542 Type C. Chromium at 2.00–2.50% is Type A, B or D, not Type C.
SHH STEEL reports heat analysis on every certificate, including Cr, Mo and V.
Mechanical Properties
Class 3 is the mid QT line.
Tensile Requirements — ASME SA542 Type C Class 3
| Property | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Yield strength, min | 515 MPa (75 ksi) |
| Tensile strength | 655 – 795 MPa (95 – 115 ksi) |
| Elongation in 50 mm, min | 20% |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Hardness | Not a default substitute for tensile |
Class 1 is 585 MPa yield and 725–860 MPa tensile. Class 2 is 690 / 795–930. Class 4 is 380 / 585–760. Class 4a is 415 / 585–760. Do not stamp Class 3 as Class 1 because a coupon came in high.
Density is 7.85 g/cm³. Notch toughness is commonly added. Write the temperature, energy, location and orientation. Simulated PWHT is common.
Do not treat 515 MPa yield as permission to substitute A516 Grade 70, SA533 Type A Cl.1 or high strength low alloy plates.
Material Comparison
| Grade | Route | Alloy / strength idea | Swap? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SA542 Type C Class 1 | QT 3Cr-1Mo-V | 585 / 725–860 | No |
| SA542 Type C Class 2 | QT 3Cr-1Mo-V | 690 / 795–930 | No |
| SA542 Type C Cl.3 | QT 3Cr-1Mo-V | 515 / 655–795 | This page |
| SA542 Type A / B Class 3 | QT 2.25Cr-1Mo | No Type C vanadium band | No |
| SA542 Type C Class 4a | QT 3Cr-1Mo-V | 415 / 585–760 | No |
| SA542 Type E Class 4a | QT 3Cr-1Mo-V | Type E, Class 4 / 4a only | No |
| SA387 Gr.21 Cl.2 | Cr-Mo family | 3Cr-1Mo, not QT Type C | No |
| SA832 21V / 23V | N+T Cr-Mo-V | Not QT Type C | No |
SA299 Gr.A, SA225 Gr.C, SA455 steel plate and SA285 Gr.C are also vessel plates. None of them is ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3.
QT Cr-Mo-V Vessel Service
ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 / ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3 is selected when the vessel wants quenched-and-tempered 3Cr-1Mo-V at the Class 3 strength line. Typical equipment is high-temperature welded pressure vessels and components written to SA-542 Type C Class 3. Allowable stress comes from ASME Section II Part D after the Code lists this Type and Class.
SHH STEEL supplies this plate as exporter and stockist. It is not nickel low-temp plate like SA203 Gr.A or SA203 Gr.D. It is not layered QT carbon like SA724. It is not SA302 Gr.B. Stainless inquiries belong on ASME SA240 or ASTM A240.
Do not form this plate as if it were as-rolled SA285 Gr.A. Quench-and-temper properties are the product. A later PWHT cycle has to be planned and, when required, simulated on coupons.
Weldability
SA542 Type C Cl.3 is killed, fine-grain 3Cr-1Mo-V at Class 3 strength. Welding is Code welding.
Qualify procedures to ASME Section IX. Use consumables written for 3Cr-1Mo-V QT at 655–795 MPa tensile, not a Class 2 procedure copied down and not an unreviewed SA387 Gr.12 Cl.2 procedure. Vanadium belongs in the WPS review. Hydrogen control, preheat, interpass and PWHT follow the qualified procedure and the vessel specification.
The fabricator owns the WPS. SHH STEEL as supplier can share mill heat data for review.
Heat Treatment
Plates shall be austenitized, quenched in a suitable liquid medium, then tempered. For Type A, B and C in Class 1, 2 and 3, the minimum tempering temperature is 565 °C (1050 °F). Soak is not less than 1.2 min/mm of thickness and not less than ½ hour. Class 4 uses 650 °C. Class 4a uses 675 °C. Type E uses a higher austenitizing floor. Do not apply the Type E 1010 °C floor to Type C Class 3 without checking the order.
If the vessel will see a long PWHT, test coupons shall follow a simulated cycle. This is not the SA832 N+T route and not the SA537 Cl.1 heat-treated carbon route. SHH STEEL as mill exporter prints QT, Type C, Class 3, austenitizing and tempering temperatures on the certificate when the mill record carries them.
Delivery Condition
Usual delivery from SHH STEEL as supplier and distributor is quenched-and-tempered ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 / ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3 plate.
The certificate lists ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 and, when dual certified, ASTM A542 Type C Class 3; heat number; heat analysis including Cr, Mo and V; product analysis when ordered; tensile results to the Class 3 table; QT statement; impact and simulated PWHT when ordered. Certificates may be EN 10204 3.1 or EN 10204 3.2.
Dimensions
Usual supply range from SHH STEEL for SA542 Type C Cl.3 QT Cr-Mo-V vessel plate:
- Thickness: commonly 8 mm – 150 mm, minimum about 5 mm, limited by the ability of the heat to meet Class 3 after QT
- Width: 1500 mm – 4000 mm
- Length: 3000 mm – 12000 mm
- Cut-to-length shells, heads and nest sizes inside those limits
Structural sizes belong on EN 10025-2 or JIS G3106. Weathering plate belongs on EN 10025-5 or Corten A/B. Fine-grain structural belongs on EN 10025-3 or EN 10025-4. QT structural belongs on EN 10025-6.
Tolerances
Dimensional limits follow ASME SA-20. Thickness, width, length, flatness and camber are vessel-plate tolerances. UT to A435 / A577 / A578 is commonly added on reactor plate.
Supplementary Requirements
Most export ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 / ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3 orders add extras. SHH STEEL as supplier does not assume them.
Charpy details. Temperature, energy, location and orientation.
Simulated PWHT. Same-heat coupons follow the vessel cycle.
NDE. UT to A435 / A577 / A578.
Hydrogen-service extras. When the vessel specification names them.
Third-party. EN 10204 3.2.
Equivalent Material Grades
| Designation | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 / ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3 | ASME SA-542/SA-542M | Code name on this page |
| ASTM A542 Type C Class 3 | ASTM A542/A542M | Companion spec |
| SA542 Type C Class 1 / 2 / 4 / 4a | SA-542 | Other Classes |
| SA542 Type E Class 4 / 4a | SA-542 | Related 3Cr-1Mo-V, limited Classes |
| SA387 Gr.21 Cl.2 | SA-387 | 3Cr-1Mo, not QT Type C |
| SA832 21V / 23V | SA-832 | N+T Cr-Mo-V |
| ASME SA387 | SA-387 | Related Cr-Mo family |
DIN 17100, ASTM A516, ASME SA515 and ASTM A285 are not SA542 Type C Class 3.
Applications
| Industry | Typical components |
|---|---|
| High-temperature vessels | ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 shells and ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3 heads |
| QT 3Cr-1Mo-V equipment | SA542 Type C Cl.3 courses |
| Dual-certified export | SA542 / A542 Type C Class 3 plate from SHH STEEL |
| Fabrication | SA542 Type C Cl.3 cut to nest sizes |
Ship plate inquiries belong on shipbuilding steel plates or BV Rules. Weathering inquiries belong on weathering steel plates. Stainless inquiries belong on stainless steel products, JIS G4305 or AISI stainless.
Other vessel comparisons: SA203 Gr.B, SA302 Gr.C, A516 Grade 70, SA533 Type C Cl.2, SA517 Gr.P, SA387 Gr.11 Cl.2.
Why Choose SHH STEEL
SHH STEEL is the supplier, exporter, distributor and stockist of ASME SA-542/SA-542M plate. On ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 / ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3 that means mill pricing, dual SA542/A542 marking, Type C chemistry with Cr-Mo-V reported, recorded quench and temper at the Class 3 floor, tensile results at 515 MPa yield and 655–795 MPa tensile, 3.1 as standard and 3.2 when specified.
We keep Type and Class on the order. Type C is not Type A, Type B, Type D or Type E. Class 3 is not Class 1 and is not Class 4a. SA542 Type C is not SA387 Gr.21 Cl.2. SA542 is not SA516 Gr.55. SA542 Type C Cl.3 is not SA533 Type C Cl.1. If the drawing names N+T Cr-Mo-V, we point the inquiry to SA832. If the drawing names 2.25Cr-1Mo QT, we point it to Type A or Type B.
Company scope: China steel Mill Agent-SHH STEEL.
FAQ
- What names are used for ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 / ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3?Buyers write ASME SA542 Type C Class 3, ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3, SA542 Type C Class 3, SA542 Type C Cl.3, SA542C CL3, SA-542 Type C Class 3 and SA 542 Type C Cl 3. SHH STEEL as supplier prints the wording on the purchase order.
- Is ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 the same as ASTM A542 Type C Class 3?Chemistry and tensile limits match. ASME SA-542 is the Code version. ASTM A542 is the product spec. As exporter and mill distributor, SHH STEEL dual-certifies both names when the vessel must be stamped.
- What is the yield strength of SA542 Type C Cl.3?515 MPa minimum. Tensile is 655–795 MPa. Elongation is 20% in 50 mm.
- How is ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3 different from Type A Class 3?Same Class 3 tensile table. Type C is 3Cr-1Mo-V. Type A is 2.25Cr-1Mo without that vanadium band.
- How is ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 different from Class 1, Class 2 and Class 4a?Class 3 is 515 / 655–795. Class 1 is 585 / 725–860. Class 2 is 690 / 795–930. Class 4a is 415 / 585–760.
- Is SA542 Type C Class 3 the same as SA832 21V or SA387 Grade 21?No. SA832 21V is N+T Cr-Mo-V. SA387 Grade 21 is 3Cr-1Mo in the SA387 family. SA542 Type C Class 3 is QT 3Cr-1Mo-V at Class 3 strength.
- Who supplies ASME SA542 Type C Class 3?SHH STEEL is the supplier, exporter, distributor and stockist.
- What is the density of ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3?.85 g/cm³.
Conclusion
ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 Steel Plate, also searched as ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3, is quenched-and-tempered 3Cr-1Mo-V plate under ASME SA-542/SA-542M, with Class 3 strength. Whether the inquiry says ASME SA542 Type C Class 3, ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3, SA542 Type C Cl.3 or SA542C CL3, SHH STEEL as supplier, exporter, distributor and stockist supplies plate with Type C chemistry, recorded QT delivery, 515 MPa yield, and EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certification.
SHH STEEL is the China mill vendor of ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 / ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3 QT Cr-Mo-V Vessel Plate for ASME Section VIII work that actually names this Type and Class.
Contact SHH STEEL for mill rolling, stock inquiry, dual SA542/A542 marking, simulated PWHT testing, 3.2 inspection or a quotation.
ASME SA542 Type C Class 3 Steel Plate, ASME SA542 TYPE C CL.3, SA542 Type C Cl.3, SA542C CL3, SA-542 Type C Class 3, QT Cr-Mo-V vessel plate, SHH STEEL supplier exporter distributor stockist
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