Certified for Containment. Engineered for Safety.
Pressure vessel plates are the single most critical plate category in downstream oil and gas. They form the shells, heads, and internals of pressure-containing equipment operating under high pressure, elevated temperature, and corrosive process conditions. Every plate we supply comes with full EN 10204 Type 3.1 or 3.2 certification.
Sub-Section A: Standard PVQ Plates
ASTM A516 / ASME SA516 Pressure Vessel Quality Plates
The industry standard for welded pressure vessels in refinery, gas processing, and petrochemical service.
Grade Minimum Tensile Strength Typical Service
A516 Grade 60 415 – 550 MPa Moderate pressure, sweet service
A516 Grade 65 450 – 585 MPa Standard refinery vessels, separators
A516 Grade 70 485 – 620 MPa The workhorse grade. Most common PVQ plate in oil and gas
Available Conditions: As-Rolled, Normalized, Stress Relieved
Optional Testing: Charpy V-Notch to -46°C, through-thickness tensile (Z-quality), simulated PWHT
Sub-Section B: High-Temperature Plates (Chrome-Moly)
ASTM A387 / ASME SA387 Chromium-Molybdenum Alloy Steel Plates
Designed for elevated temperature service where carbon steel strength degrades. Chrome-moly plates resist hydrogen attack and high-temperature creep in refinery and petrochemical reactors.
Grade Alloy Composition Typical Maximum Service Temperature
A387 Grade 11 1.25Cr – 0.5Mo Up to 600°C
A387 Grade 12 1Cr – 0.5Mo Up to 550°C
A387 Grade 22 2.25Cr – 1Mo Up to 650°C
A387 Grade 5 5Cr – 0.5Mo Up to 550°C (resistant to sulfur-bearing streams)
A387 Grade 9 9Cr – 1Mo Up to 650°C (enhanced oxidation resistance)
Typical Applications: Hydrocrackers, hydrotreaters, catalytic reformers, delayed coker drums, hot feed/effluent exchangers
Sub-Section C: HIC-Resistant Plates (Sour Service)
Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) Resistant Pressure Vessel Plates
Specifically produced and tested for wet H2S (sour) environments. These plates undergo rigorous HIC and SSC testing to prevent hydrogen blistering and cracking in amine contactors, sour water strippers, and gas sweetening units.
Standard Testing Requirement
NACE TM0284 HIC test (96 hours in specified sour solution). Crack Length Ratio (CLR), Crack Thickness Ratio (CTR), Crack Sensitivity Ratio (CSR) limits as specified
NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC) hardness and testing requirements for sour service materials
Proprietary HIC Grades A516 Grade 60/65/70 HIC, A537 Class 1/2 HIC
Key Process Requirements:
· Low sulfur content (typically ≤ 0.002% S)
· Calcium treated for inclusion shape control
· Clean steel practices (low inclusions)
· Tight chemistry control on Mn, P, and S
Sub-Section D: Low-Temperature & Cryogenic Plates
Plates for Sub-Zero and Cryogenic Storage Applications
From LPG spheres operating at -46°C to massive LNG storage tanks at -162°C, low-temperature and cryogenic plates demand verified notch toughness at the minimum design metal temperature (MDMT).
Low-Temperature Carbon & Carbon-Manganese Plates (-40°C to -60°C)
Grade Typical MDMT Application
A516 Grade 70 Normalized -46°C LPG storage spheres, propane/de-propane vessels
A537 Class 1 -60°C LPG bullets, ethylene storage (low-pressure)
A537 Class 2 -60°C Higher strength option for low-temperature vessels
Nickel Alloy Steel Plates for Cryogenic Service (-100°C to -196°C)
Grade Nickel Content Typical MDMT Application
ASTM A203 Grade D / E 2.25% – 3.5% Ni -101°C to -107°C Low-temperature separators, smaller ethylene vessels
ASTM A645 5% Ni -170°C Ethylene storage, ethane recovery
ASTM A353 / A553 Type I 9% Ni -196°C LNG storage tank inner shell (the global standard for LNG)
Why 9% Nickel Steel for LNG?
· Excellent notch toughness at -196°C (Charpy typically > 100 Joules)
· High strength (690 MPa minimum tensile)
· Lower cost and thinner sections compared to austenitic stainless steel
· Proven track record in LNG terminals worldwide
Austenitic Stainless Steel Cryogenic Plates
Grade Minimum Service Temperature Application
304L (UNS S30403) -196°C Small cryogenic vessels, inner piping, vacuum jackets
316L (UNS S31603) -196°C Where enhanced corrosion resistance is required
Cryogenic Plate Supply Summary
Grade Temp Range Typical Use
A516 Gr.70 Norm. Down to -46°C LPG storage
A537 Class 1/2 Down to -60°C LPG, ethylene
2.25-3.5% Ni (A203) Down to -107°C Low-temp separators
5% Ni (A645) Down to -170°C Ethylene, ethane
9% Ni (A353/A553) Down to -196°C LNG inner tanks
304L / 316L Down to -196°C Small vessels, pipework
Sub-Section E: Clad Pressure Vessel Plates
(See separate Clad & Composite Plates page for full details.)