Boiler quality plate is a subfamily of steel alloys designated for the manufacture of pressure vessels and pipelines. There is an extensive range of specifications and grades suitable for use in both on- and offshore facilities. Natural gas extraction. Petroleum refining. Chemical containment. Cryogenic transportation. The petrochemical and gas production sectors utilise boiler quality plate for an extensive range of applications, each of which demands the highest quality alloys with several key properties.
In this blog post, Masteel explores four of the key properties of boiler quality plate in more detail.
Weldability
Pressure vessels and boilers are generally fabricated by welding multiple curved steel plates together to form a cylindrical or spherical component. This geometry enables the component to withstand the strain exerted from pressurised fluids and liquidised gases at cryogenic temperatures. Weldability is subsequently one of the most important properties of boiler quality plate.
Weldability of alloys is determined qualitatively to assess the appropriate joining methods for a given steel grade. Fusion welding is the preferred method of joining boiler quality plate, but it is important to holistically determine suitable welding methods against the elemental composition of individual steels to mitigate the risk of failure modes in the design.
Low-Temperature Toughness
The tensile toughness of boiler quality plate is vital for determining the material’s resistance to mechanical strain, but it is also indicative of both brittleness and ductility. Pressure vessels are routinely and continuously subjected to extreme temperatures that can dramatically alter the tensile toughness of steels used in their manufacture.
Assessing the low-temperature toughness of boiler quality plate via Charpy designations enables engineers to predict the strain-resistant qualities of the material under operating conditions.
Creep Resistance
Creep deformation, or cold flow, refers to a material’s slow mechanical distortion in response to long-term exposure to high degrees of mechanical stress. It is a vital property in pressure vessel applications as steel grades are subjected to significant thermodynamic stresses throughout their lengths of service.
Boiler quality plate is designed for exceptional toughness properties in response to ambient and applied pressures. They are tested for the highest levels of notch toughness to guarantee materials are neither too hard nor brittle, providing long-lasting strength and ductility under demanding conditions.
Corrosion Resistance
The corrosion-resistant requirements of boiler quality plate largely depend on its eventual area of application. Performance is dictated by the chemical composition of the steel grade, which can be finely tailored to elicit distinct resistances to cryogenic gases, hydrocarbons, acidic fluids, and more.
For example; Masteel has invested heavily in Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) resistant boiler quality plate to resolve common issues in the sour service industry. Cold cracking is one of the primary failure modes of pressure vessel steel grades and boiler quality plate. It occurs when martensite is formed during heat treatment, or joining, and when hydrogen (H2) is present in the steel microstructure. Eliminating this issue from critical components can provide appreciable cost benefits and throughput improvements for petrochemical facilities.
Boiler Quality Plate from Masteel
Masteel is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of boiler quality plate and industrial engineering solutions. If you would like to learn more about our pressure vessel steels, read A Guide to Pressure Vessel Design and Manufacturing. Or contact us directly if you have any questions.