ASTM A203 Grade F Steel Plate | A203 Gr.F QT Nickel Steel Plate

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

This grade is searched and specified under many writings: ASTM A203 Grade F, ASTM A203 Gr.F, ASTM A203 Gr F, A203GRF, A203 GR F, A203 Grade F steel plate, ASME SA203 Grade F, SA203 Gr.F, SA203GRF, SA-203 Grade F, QT nickel steel plate, 3.5Ni QT plate and quenched and tempered A203 F. All of these names refer to the highest-strength 3.50% nickel grade under ASTM A203/A203M and ASME SA-203/SA-203M.

Grade F is the only A203 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:

• ≤ 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)

A203 Gr.F is intended for welded pressure 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. Carbon vessel comparisons include ASTM A516, ASME SA516, ASTM A537 and ASME SA537. A537 is also often QT, but it is carbon-manganese vessel plate, not 3.5Ni plate.

Steel is killed and produced to fine-grain practice under ASTM A20 / ASME SA-20. SHH STEEL supplies A203 Gr.F as true China mill-Direct Supply from Chinese mills that can quench and temper nickel vessel plate. Certificates can be EN 10204 3.1 or EN 10204 3.2. Dual ASTM A203 Grade F / ASME SA203 Grade F marking is available for ASME Section VIII equipment.

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

ASTM A203 Grade F 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 F

Product Analysis — Grade F

Heat-analysis nickel of 3.25–3.75% (product 3.18–3.82%) is the 3.50% nominal nickel grade. Carbon follows the Grade E/F schedule so quench-and-temper strength 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 F (A203 Gr.F)

Grade F is the only A203 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.

SHH STEEL reports tensile results from specimens prepared per ASTM A20. If simulated PWHT is specified, tensile and impact 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.

Select A203 Gr.F / A203GRF when the 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. Quenched-and-tempered carbon vessel alternatives include ASTM A537 and ASME SA537. HSLA Steel Plates are structural, not a substitute for coded nickel QT plate. Nearby carbon vessel grades for milder service include ASTM A285 and ASME SA515.

Grade F combines 3.50% nickel with a quenched-and-tempered microstructure. Nickel improves notch toughness. Quenching and tempering raise strength and can also support toughness when the tempering practice is controlled.

Impact temperature, specimen 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 rather than only after an optional faster-cool route. SHH STEEL can produce A203 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. For liquid-gas temperatures well below typical A203 service, a different specification should be reviewed.

ASTM A203 Grade F 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 D because the plate is already at high strength. When the vessel code 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.

ASTM A203 is explicit for Grade F. All plates of Grade F shall be heat treated by:

1. Heating into the austenitic range
2. Quenching in water
3. 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. 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.

SHH STEEL delivers ASTM A203 Grade F / A203 Gr.F in the quenched and tempered condition.

The certificate states grade name (A203 Gr.F or SA203 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 any supplementary tests. Plates are supplied as industrial pressure-vessel plate: QT, then pickled or shot-blasted as agreed.

Decorative stainless finishes such as 2B, BA or No.4 are not used on A203 Gr.F. 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 or EN 10204 3.2. 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.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, 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.

Dimensional tolerances follow ASTM A20 / ASME SA-20 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 ASTM A435 or A578 is added when the specification requires lamination checks. Cutting after QT is available through steel cutting services.

Vessel specifications for Grade F almost always add tests beyond the base tensile table. SHH STEEL treats the following items as supplementary requirements.

Simulated post-weld heat treatment (PWHT). Coupons from the same heat and thickness are given a simulated PWHT cycle matching the vessel procedure. 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. Ultrasonic examination 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. Test temperature, specimen size, orientation and minimum average/minimum single values as written on the RFQ. Extra sets can be left attached for the fabricator.

Special hardness. Maximum or range of HBW/HV after mill QT or after simulated PWHT. Plates outside the window are rejected.

Restricted chemical requirements. Tighter carbon, lower P and S, restricted residuals, or a maximum carbon equivalent on heat analysis and product analysis.

HIC testing. NACE TM0284 with purchaser-defined solution and CLR/CTR/CSR limits. HIC is not automatic on A203 Gr.F.

NACE / sour-service notes. When the datasheet references NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 or NACE MR0103, SHH STEEL reviews hardness, chemistry and QT condition against the cited clause. Acceptance is by the written specification, not by grade name alone.

Through-thickness (Z-direction) testing. ASTM A770 or purchaser Z15/Z25/Z35 class for thick nozzles and restrained joints.

Third-party witnessing. Witness of heat treatment, quench, temper, mechanical testing, UT and final documents. The resulting document can be EN 10204 3.2.

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

Equivalents are guidance only. For ASME stamping, order ASTM A203 Grade F or ASME SA203 Grade F by name. Do not dual-mark Grade F as Grade E. Nearby carbon QT vessel grades include ASTM A537 and ASME SA537.

ASTM A203 Grade F / A203 Gr.F is selected when 3.5Ni toughness and quench-and-temper strength are both required. Typical applications of ASTM A203 Grade F Steel Plate include:

SHH STEEL supplies A203 Gr.F 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 F we offer:

• Genuine China mill-Direct Supply pricing on A203 Gr.F / SA203 Gr.F
• Mandatory quench-and-temper route recorded on the certificate
• Heat analysis and product analysis
• EN 10204 3.1 as standard, EN 10204 3.2 or nominated third-party inspection on request
• Dual ASTM A203 / ASME SA203 marking
• Supplementary PWHT simulation, UT, HIC, NACE review and Z-direction testing
• Cutting to shell and head nest sizes after QT
• Technical support to separate Grade F from D/E and from A537 QT carbon plate
• Export packing through worldwide shipping service

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

ASTM A203 Grade F Steel Plate is the 3.50% nickel, quench-and-temper pressure-vessel grade under A203/A203M and SA-203. Whether the inquiry says A203 Gr.F, A203GRF, SA203 Grade F or QT nickel steel plate, SHH STEEL supplies water-quenched and tempered 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 F / A203 Gr.F QT Nickel Steel Plate with full traceability and technical support for ASME Section VIII fabrication.

Contact SHH STEEL today for stock, thickness-line properties, simulated PWHT, 3.2 inspection, cutting sizes or a quotation.

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