ASTM A203 Grade E Steel Plate | A203 Gr.E 3.5Ni Pressure Vessel Plate

As a professional China mill-Direct Supply and pressure-vessel plate exporter, SHH STEEL supplies ASTM A203 Grade E Steel Plate.

This grade is searched and specified under many writings: ASTM A203 Grade E, ASTM A203 Gr.E, ASTM A203 Gr E, A203GRE, A203 GR E, A203 Grade E steel plate, ASME SA203 Grade E, SA203 Gr.E, SA203GRE, SA-203 Grade E, 3.5Ni pressure vessel plate, 3.5 nickel steel plate and 3.50 nickel pressure vessel plate. All of these names refer to the 3.50% nominal nickel grade at the higher normalized strength level under ASTM A203/A203M and ASME SA-203/SA-203M.

Grade E belongs to the 3.50% nickel half of the A203 family together with Grade D and Grade F. Strength of Grade E matches Grade B: minimum yield 275 MPa (40 ksi) and tensile 485–620 MPa (70–90 ksi). Compared with Grade D, Grade E keeps the same 3.5Ni chemistry and raises the strength table. Compared with Grade B, Grade E keeps the same strength table and raises nickel from 2.25% to 3.50% for lower-temperature toughness.

A203 Gr.E is intended primarily for welded pressure vessels in moderate- and low-temperature service. It is not a 9% Ni cryogenic grade and it is not an elevated-temperature Cr-Mo grade such as ASME SA387. It also sits above carbon vessel steels such as ASTM A516 and ASME SA516 when the designer needs both 275 MPa yield and 3.5Ni toughness.

Plates of Grades A, B, D and E are normally delivered normalized. Steel is killed and produced to fine-grain practice under ASTM A20 / ASME SA-20.

SHH STEEL supplies A203 Gr.E as true China mill-Direct Supply from Chinese mills that roll nickel vessel plate. Certificates can be EN 10204 3.1 issued by the mill, or EN 10204 3.2 with independent third-party endorsement. Dual ASTM A203 Grade E / ASME SA203 Grade E marking is available for ASME Section VIII equipment.

When the project also compares heat-treated carbon vessel plate, SHH STEEL places A203 Gr.E next to ASTM A537, ASME SA537, ASTM A285 and ASME SA515 so nickel content, heat treatment and toughness can be reviewed on one table.

This product belongs to the Pressure Vessel Steel Plates family. It is a 3.5Ni alloy vessel plate, not a structural Carbon Steel Plates grade.

ASTM A203 Grade E chemistry 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 E

Product Analysis — Grade E

Heat-analysis nickel of 3.25–3.75% (product 3.18–3.82%) is the 3.50% nominal nickel grade. Carbon of Grade E follows the higher Grade B/E/F schedule, not the lower Grade A/D schedule, so the 275 MPa yield and 485–620 MPa tensile can be met. Phosphorus and sulfur are 0.025% max. Tighter residuals, restricted carbon equivalent or HIC chemistry are treated as supplementary requirements.

SHH STEEL reports ladle analysis on every certificate. Product analysis is added when the PO or the vessel specification calls for it.

Tensile Requirements — ASTM A203 Grade E (A203 Gr.E)

Grade E uses the same tensile table as Grade B. The extra nickel does not raise room-temperature strength above Grade B; it is specified for low-temperature toughness at that higher strength level. Density is 7.85 g/cm³. Hardness after normalizing is typically around 160–180 HB unless a special hardness window is ordered.

SHH STEEL reports tensile results from specimens prepared per ASTM A20. If simulated PWHT is specified, tensile and impact coupons can be heat-treated to represent the vessel cycle before testing.

Select A203 Gr.E / A203GRE when the drawing needs 3.5Ni and 275 MPa yield. If 3.5Ni is required but 255 MPa yield is enough, Grade D is sufficient. If 275 MPa yield is required and the MDMT is not severe, Grade B may be more economical. Quenched-and-tempered carbon vessel alternatives include ASTM A537 and ASME SA537. HSLA Steel Plates are structural, not a substitute for coded nickel vessel plate.

A203 Grade E is specified when the vessel needs both the 275 MPa strength table and 3.50% nickel toughness. The extra nickel lowers the ductile-to-brittle transition relative to Grade B and relative to carbon vessel steel of similar strength.

A203 does not fix one MDMT for all Grade E plates. Impact temperature, specimen orientation and absorbed-energy minimums are agreed on the order. When Grades A, B, D and E are given a cooling rate faster than air cooling and then tempered at not less than 595°C, the specification requires Charpy V-notch testing with a minimum average of 27 J (20 ft·lbf). Many vessel specifications go further and call for a colder test temperature or a higher energy average.

SHH STEEL can produce A203 Gr.E 3.5Ni pressure vessel plate with Charpy sets at the temperature written on the RFQ. Results are listed on the 3.1 or 3.2 certificate. For design temperatures approaching cryogenic service, 9% Ni or austenitic stainless should be evaluated separately.

ASTM A203 Grade E is specified for welded pressure vessels. Normalized 3.5Ni plate welds with low-hydrogen procedures qualified to ASME Section IX.

Consumables are selected to match nickel and toughness. Preheat and interpass depend on thickness, restraint and hydrogen control. Grade E carbon is slightly higher than Grade D, so hydrogen control should follow the qualified WPS. When the vessel code requires PWHT, the shop cycle is often 595–650°C. If the fabricator needs mechanical properties after that cycle, simulated PWHT of test coupons should be ordered before the plate leaves the mill.

Compared with Grade F, Grade E avoids quench-and-temper distortion and is simpler for site welding. SHH STEEL recommends a qualified WPS/PQR for each thickness break and can support procedure review through steel welding services.

All ASTM A203 Grade E plates shall be normalized, except where the purchaser approves a faster cool plus temper at not less than 595°C to improve toughness. That optional route requires Charpy testing.

Normalizing is carried out by heating into the austenite range and air cooling to produce a fine-grain structure. Grade F is the only A203 grade that must be austenitized, water quenched and tempered. Do not apply Grade F quench-and-temper practice to Grade E unless the purchase order is changed to Grade F.

If the vessel specification requires a defined normalizing temperature band, holding time per thickness, or a recorded cooling rate, SHH STEEL writes those parameters into the mill heat-treatment instruction and reports them on the certificate.

SHH STEEL delivers ASTM A203 Grade E / A203 Gr.E in the normalized condition as standard.

The certificate states grade name (A203 Gr.E or SA203 Gr.E), heat number, heat analysis, product analysis when ordered, tensile results, heat-treatment condition, agreed Charpy values and any supplementary tests. Plates are supplied as industrial pressure-vessel plate: heat-treated, then pickled or shot-blasted as agreed.

Decorative stainless finishes such as 2B, BA or No.4 are not used on A203 Gr.E. Surface condition is vessel-plate quality for welding, NDE and coating. Identification includes heat number and grade marking for ASME traceability.

Certificates may be EN 10204 3.1 (mill inspection representative) or EN 10204 3.2 (mill plus independent inspector). Third-party stamps such as BV, LR, DNV, TUV, SGS or the purchaser’s nominated agency are arranged when listed on the order.

Typical supply range from SHH STEEL for A203 Gr.E 3.5Ni pressure vessel plate:

• Thickness: 6 mm – 100 mm as common practice for Grade E (heavier by mill enquiry)
• Width: up to about 4600 mm
• Length: up to about 12000 mm

Cut-to-length shells, heads and nest sizes are available. Extra-wide or extra-thick plates should be confirmed before the purchase order is issued, because Grade E mill practice is often limited to about 100 mm.

Dimensional tolerances follow ASTM A20 / ASME SA-20 for pressure-vessel plates.

Thickness, width, length, flatness and camber are vessel-plate tolerances, not strip tolerances. Over-tolerance or restricted-thickness orders can be accepted when the vessel drawing needs tighter control. Ultrasonic testing to ASTM A435 or A578 is added when the specification requires lamination checks. SHH STEEL can also arrange steel cutting services so delivered pieces stay inside the ordered tolerance envelope.

Vessel specifications rarely stop at the base A203 Grade E table. SHH STEEL treats the following items as supplementary requirements and places them on the mill order when the purchaser lists them.

Simulated post-weld heat treatment (PWHT). Coupons from the same heat and thickness can be given a simulated PWHT cycle matching the vessel procedure (temperature, hold time, number of cycles). Tensile and Charpy tests are then run on the simulated coupons so the fabricator knows properties after shop PWHT, not only after mill normalizing.

Nondestructive examination. Straight-beam or angle-beam ultrasonic examination is available to ASTM A435, A577 or A578, including purchaser-defined acceptance levels. Magnetic-particle or dye-penetrant checks on cut edges can be added after cutting.

Low-temperature impact. Beyond the 27 J default that applies to the optional faster-cool route, the purchaser may specify test temperature, specimen size, orientation and minimum average/minimum single values. Extra sets can be left attached for the fabricator.

Special hardness. If the vessel specification limits HBW or HV after normalizing or after simulated PWHT, SHH STEEL records hardness on the certificate and rejects plates outside the window.

Restricted chemical requirements. Tighter carbon, lower P and S, restricted residual elements, or a maximum carbon equivalent can be imposed on heat analysis and product analysis. These limits are stated on the MTC.

HIC testing. For wet H2S process service, hydrogen-induced cracking tests can be run to NACE TM0284 with purchaser-defined solution A or B and CLR/CTR/CSR limits. HIC is not automatic on A203 Gr.E; it must be ordered.

NACE / sour-service notes. When the datasheet references NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 or NACE MR0103, SHH STEEL reviews hardness, chemistry and delivery condition against the clause cited. A203 Grade E is a low-temperature nickel vessel plate; sour-service acceptance is by the written specification, not by grade name alone.

Through-thickness (Z-direction) testing. For thick nozzles, tees and highly restrained joints, Z-quality tensile tests (reduction of area in the through-thickness direction) can be ordered, typically to ASTM A770 or the purchaser’s Z15/Z25/Z35 class.

Third-party witnessing. Inspection can be witnessed by the purchaser or by an independent body. Witness points commonly include heat treatment, mechanical testing, UT, impact testing and final document review. The resulting document can be EN 10204 3.2.

Supplementary tests are performed through steel testing service and are listed line by line on the 3.1 or 3.2 certificate. Items not written on the purchase order are not assumed.

Equivalents are guidance only. For ASME stamping, order ASTM A203 Grade E or ASME SA203 Grade E by name. Nearby carbon vessel grades include ASTM A516, ASME SA516, ASTM A285 and ASME SA515.

ASTM A203 Grade E / A203 Gr.E is selected when 3.5Ni toughness is required at 275 MPa yield. Typical applications of ASTM A203 Grade E Steel Plate include:

SHH STEEL supplies A203 Gr.E for these vessel applications 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.

SHH STEEL is a China mill-Direct Supply for pressure-vessel and nickel alloy plates. For ASTM A203 Grade E we offer:

• Genuine China mill-Direct Supply pricing on A203 Gr.E / SA203 Gr.E
• Heat analysis and product analysis on the certificate
• EN 10204 3.1 as standard, EN 10204 3.2 or nominated third-party inspection on request
• Dual ASTM A203 / ASME SA203 marking
• Normalized delivery with agreed Charpy temperature
• Supplementary PWHT simulation, UT, HIC, NACE review and Z-direction testing
• Cutting to shell and head nest sizes
• Technical support to separate Grade E from A/B/D/F and from A516 / A537
• Export packing through worldwide shipping service

For company scope and other vessel grades, visit China steel Mill Agent-SHH STEEL.

ASTM A203 Grade E Steel Plate is the 3.50% nickel, 275 MPa yield pressure-vessel grade under A203/A203M and SA-203. Whether the inquiry says A203 Gr.E, A203GRE, SA203 Grade E or 3.5Ni pressure vessel plate, SHH STEEL supplies normalized vessel 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 ASTM A203 Grade E / A203 Gr.E 3.5Ni Pressure Vessel Plate with full traceability and technical support for ASME Section VIII fabrication.

Contact SHH STEEL today for stock, impact temperature, simulated PWHT, 3.2 inspection, cutting sizes or a quotation.

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