ASTM A517 is the standard specification of high-strength pressure vessel plates in the quenched and tempered condition. This is an extremely strict specification in that it mandates fine alloying compositions, certain grain size requirements, and high minimum tensile properties. The reason being that A517 steels are primarily intended for cryogenic storage tanks in petrochemical facilities as well on road and railway tankers.
As you may know, most steels are prone to cracking at low temperatures. This is a result of what is known as brittle-ductile transition; where the cold causes a dramatic decrease in material toughness, making it more susceptible to fracture. A thorough understanding of these temperature-dependent fracture mechanics has informed the strict parameters of ASTM A517 steel specifications. This makes A517 grades sturdy and reliable for cold storage applications – even on the road.
ASTM A517 Grades B
Several grades of ASTM A517 steel exist, each displaying comparable chemical compositions and mechanical values. Though there are differences, these are minute enough to be negligible for the purposes of this overview. The grade we want to focus on here is ASTM A517 B.
A517 Grade B is a low-alloy pressure vessel grade rolled steel plate that conforms to A20 manufacturing specifications; in an open-hearth under oxygen or via electric arc production. These plates have a maximum thickness of 32mm and must be subjected to robust heat analysis to verify its elemental composition. Process managers must carefully control the levels of carbon, manganese, phosphorous, sulfur, silicon, chromium, molybdenum, boron, vanadium, and titanium in order to guarantee compliance – thus performance.
Like other low carbon steels, A517 has outstanding tensile and yield properties across a broad operating temperature range. Nominal values for A517 B plates are earmarked at around 928 MPa tensile and 687 MPa yield strengths with just 16% elongation at break. This makes it the ideal alloy for liquid gas storage and transportation.
Purchase A517 B from Masteel
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