Pressure Vessel Steel Grades Comparison Guide (ASTM, EN, GB & Equivalent Chart)

Introduction

Pressure vessel steel grades are specifically engineered for manufacturing boilers, storage tanks, and high-pressure equipment. Selecting the right pressure vessel steel plate is essential to ensure safety, long-term performance, and compliance with international standards such as ASTM, EN, and GB.

This guide provides a practical comparison of pressure vessel steel grades, including ASTM, EN, and GB standards, along with an equivalent chart to support global sourcing and project-based procurement decisions.

1. What Are Pressure Vessel Steel Grades

Pressure vessel steel plates are designed to withstand high pressure and temperature in demanding industries such as oil & gas, petrochemical processing, power generation, and LNG storage.

Key properties of pressure vessel steel material

• High tensile strength and toughness
• Good resistance to creep and fatigue
• Excellent weldability and formability

Applications of Pressure Vessel Steel Plates

• Boilers and heat exchangers
• Oil & gas separators
• LNG storage tanks
• Chemical reactors
• Power plant equipment

From an engineering and procurement perspective, pressure vessel steel grades are commonly classified into:

• Low-temperature pressure vessel steels (16MnDR)
• Carbon steel grades (A516, Q245R)
• Alloy steel grades (A387, 16Mo3)

2. Pressure Vessel Steel Grades by International Standards (ASTM / EN / GB)

To ensure global compatibility and safety, pressure vessel material grades are standardized by leading international codes. The most recognized are ASTM, EN, and GB.

ASTM (ASME-oriented projects)

• Commonly used in North and South America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East
• Key standards include:
  • ASTM A516 (for moderate temperature service)
  • ASTM A387 (for high-temperature service, alloy steel)
  • ASTM A285 (lower strength pressure vessels)

EN (European standard – PED projects)

• Widely used in Europe, Africa, international EPC projects
• Key standards include:
  • EN 10028-2: Non-alloy and alloy steels for pressure purposes
  • Typical grades: P265GH, P355GH, 16Mo3, 13CrMo4-5

Check our EN 10028 P265GH / P355GH Steel Plate for more technical specifications.

GB (China standard – export supply chain)

• Common in global sourcing from Chinese mills
• Key standards include:
  • GB 713: Steel plates for boilers and pressure vessels
  • Common grades: Q245R, Q345R, 16MnDR

3. Pressure Vessel Steel Grades Comparison (ASTM vs EN vs GB)

Understanding the differences between standards helps buyers select the correct material for pressure, temperature, and certification requirements.

Grade	Standard	Yield / Tensile (MPa)	Elongation (%)	Impact	Temp	Equivalent	Recommended Applications
A516 Gr.60	ASTM	≥220 / 415–550	≥21	27J @ -20°C	≤455°C	EN P265GH / GB Q245R	Boilers, moderate-pressure tanks
A516 Gr.70	ASTM	≥260 / 485–620	≥21	27J @ -20°C	≤455°C	GB Q345R	High-pressure boilers, heat exchangers
A285 Gr.C	ASTM	≥205 / 380–515	≥20	Low	≤400°C	—	Low-pressure storage tanks
A387 Gr.11	ASTM	≥275 / 485–620	≥20	Good @ high temp	≤600°C	—	Petrochemical, power plant vessels
A387 Gr.22	ASTM	≥310 / 620–760	≥19	High-temp creep	≤620°C	—	Reactors, high-pressure systems
P265GH	EN 10028	≥265 / 410–530	≥22	27J @ 20°C	≤450°C	ASTM A516 Gr.60	Boilers, European pressure vessels
P355GH	EN 10028	≥355 / 470–630	≥22	27J @ 20°C	≤450°C	ASTM A516 Gr.70	High-pressure components, energy sector
16Mo3	EN 10028	≥280 / 450–600	≥22	27J @ RT	≤600°C	—	Heat exchangers, steam pipes
Q245R	GB 713	≥245 / 400–520	≥21	31J @ 0°C	≤450°C	ASTM A516 Gr.60	General pressure vessels, boilers
Q345R	GB 713	≥345 / 490–610	≥21	34J @ 0°C	≤450°C	ASTM A516 Gr.70	Thick-walled vessels, high-strength tanks
16MnDR	GB 3531	≥255 / 470–640	≥22	41J @ -20°C	≤-40°C	—	Cryogenic LNG tanks, low-temp vessels

While comparing pressure vessel steel grades across ASTM, EN, and GB standards, buyers should also pay attention to quality classifications and manufacturing requirements. In practical procurement, PVQ (Pressure Vessel Quality) steel plates are often specified for projects requiring higher safety standards and stricter inspection criteria.

Understanding PVQ (Pressure Vessel Quality) Steel Plates

PVQ (Pressure Vessel Quality) steel plates are produced under enhanced quality control processes to meet the stringent requirements of pressure vessel fabrication.

Compared with standard structural steel plates, PVQ steel offers:

• Improved impact toughness
• Better consistency in mechanical properties
• Strict control of chemical composition
• Enhanced weldability for pressure applications

Common PVQ steel grades include:

• A516 Gr.70 PVQ
• A285 PVQ

These grades are widely used in ASME-certified pressure vessels, boilers, and petrochemical equipment where reliability under pressure is critical.

Chemical Composition of Key Pressure Vessel Steel Grades

Below is a representative chemical composition comparison of commonly used pressure vessel steel grades:

Grade	C	Mn	Si	P	S	Cr	Mo	Ni	Notes
A516 Gr.60	0.21	0.55–1.30	≤0.40	≤0.035	≤0.035	–	–	–	Carbon steel
A516 Gr.70	0.27	0.85–1.20	≤0.40	≤0.035	≤0.035	–	–	–	Stronger version of A516 Gr.60
A387 Gr.11	0.12–0.20	0.30–0.60	≤0.50	≤0.035	≤0.035	1.00–1.50	0.44–0.65	–	Cr-Mo alloy steel
P265GH	≤0.20	0.80–1.60	≤0.40	≤0.025	≤0.020	–	–	–	EN non-alloy boiler steel
P355GH	≤0.22	1.00–1.70	≤0.50	≤0.025	≤0.020	–	–	–	Higher strength EN grade
Q245R	≤0.20	≤1.20	≤0.50	≤0.025	≤0.015	–	–	–	Chinese std, A516 Gr.60 equiv.
Q345R	≤0.20	≤1.70	≤0.50	≤0.025	≤0.015	–	–	–	Closer to A516 Gr.70

4. Pressure Vessel Steel Equivalent Chart (ASTM, EN, GB)

For international projects and cross-border procurement, understanding pressure vessel steel grade equivalents is critical when sourcing materials from different regions.

Common equivalent relationships

ASTM	EN	GB
A516 Gr.60	P265GH	Q245R
A516 Gr.70	P355GH	Q345R
A387 Gr.11	16Mo3	—

Practical procurement insight

• A516 Gr.70 equivalent to Q345R is widely used in Chinese export supply
• P265GH equivalent ASTM material is typically A516 Gr.60
• EN grades are preferred for PED-certified projects, while ASTM grades dominate ASME projects

Note: Equivalent grades are not identical. Always verify:

• Impact test requirements
• Heat treatment condition
• Certification (ASME / PED / EN10204 3.1)

5. How to Choose the Right Pressure Vessel Steel Grade

Selecting the correct pressure vessel steel grade depends on:

1. Operating pressure & temperature – Higher grades for extreme conditions.
2. Corrosion resistance – Alloyed steel for chemical exposure.
3. Weldability – Match grade with fabrication process.
4. Certification requirements – ASME, PED, or local standards.

Material Selection by Temperature Range

Working Temperature	Recommended Grades	Notes
≤ 400°C (Normal temp)	A516 Gr.60 / Gr.70, P265GH, Q245R	Cost-effective, good weldability, widely available
400°C – 600°C	A387 Gr.11 / Gr.22, 16Mo3, P355GH, Q345R	Alloyed grades provide heat resistance, creep strength
≤ -20°C (Cryogenic)	16MnDR, impact-tested A516 Gr.70, Q345R (low temp spec)	Enhanced impact toughness, required for LNG or low-temp vessels

Material Selection by Application Type

Application	Recommended Steel Grades
Boilers & Steam Drums	A516 Gr.70, P265GH, Q245R
Petrochemical Pressure Vessels	A387 Gr.11 / Gr.22, 16Mo3, P355GH
Cryogenic LNG Tanks	16MnDR, Q345R (tested), A516 with impact toughness at -20°C
Heat Exchangers	16Mo3, A387 Gr.11
Industrial Storage Tanks	A285 Gr.C, A516 Gr.60, Q245R
Nuclear or Energy Equipment	A387 Gr.22, 16Mo3, P355GH

For more information about steel grades for high-pressure applications, you can explore: Structural vs. Pressure Vessel Steel Plates: What’s the Difference?

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q: What is the difference between ASTM and EN pressure vessel steel grades?
  ASTM grades are based on U.S. specifications, while EN grades follow European regulations. Both define mechanical and chemical properties for pressure vessel plates, but may differ in testing methods.
• Q: Is P265GH equivalent to A516 Gr.60 or Gr.70?
  P265GH is comparable to A516 Gr.60 in terms of pressure vessel applications, but the exact composition and standards differ. For projects requiring EN standards, P265GH is preferred; for ASME-coded vessels, A516 Gr.60/70 is standard.
• Q: What is PVQ steel plate and why is it important?
  Pressure Vessel Quality (PVQ) steel ensures superior impact toughness and strict quality control, often required for ASME vessels and high-pressure systems.
• Q: Which steel is suitable for cryogenic LNG applications?
  16MnDR or impact-tested A516 Gr.70 provide excellent low-temperature toughness for cryogenic storage.
• Q: How to select steel for high-temperature, high-pressure petrochemical equipment?
  Use A387 Gr.11/Gr.22, 16Mo3, P355GH, which provide heat resistance, creep strength, and corrosion resistance.
• Q: What is the Chinese equivalent of A516 Gr.70?
  The closest equivalent is Q345R in the GB713 standard, offering similar mechanical strength and usage. For less demanding applications, Q245R is used.

7. Conclusion

Understanding pressure vessel steel grades, their differences, and equivalent relationships is essential for engineers and buyers involved in global projects. Whether you are sourcing ASTM A516, EN P355GH, or GB Q345R, selecting the correct pressure vessel steel plate ensures safety, compliance, and cost efficiency.

For project-based sourcing or technical support, feel free to contact us.

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