Pressure Vessel Steel Plate Comparison Guide: Standards, Grades, and Applications

Introduction

Pressure vessel steel is a specialized category of steel plate designed for the manufacturing of boilers, storage tanks, and pressure-containing equipment. Choosing the right pressure vessel steel grade is critical to ensure safety, performance, and compliance with industry standards.

This comprehensive guide compares pressure vessel steel grades from ASTM, EN, and GB standards, providing a clear reference for engineers, purchasers, and fabricators.

1. What Are Pressure Vessel Steel Grades

Pressure vessel steel plates are designed to withstand high pressure and temperature in demanding applications such as oil & gas, chemical processing, power generation, and shipbuilding.

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

In each application, selecting the correct pressure vessel steel grade ensures structural safety and regulatory compliance.

From a practical engineering perspective, pressure vessel steel types are commonly classified into carbon steel grades, alloy steel grades, and low-temperature pressure vessel steels, based on service temperature, design pressure, and toughness requirements.

2. International Pressure Vessel Steel 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

• 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

• Widely adopted across Europe, Africa, and parts of the Middle East and South America
• 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

• Used domestically in China and frequently by Chinese steel exporters
• Key standards include:
  • GB 713: Steel plates for boilers and pressure vessels
  • Common grades: Q245R, Q345R, 16MnDR

Each standard defines specific pressure vessel material types suited to various temperature and pressure environments.

3. Key Pressure Vessel Steel Grades: Side-by-Side Comparison

Understanding PVQ (Pressure Vessel Quality) Steel

PVQ (Pressure Vessel Quality) steel plates are specially produced to meet stricter quality and impact toughness requirements for pressure vessels. Common PVQ grades include A516 Gr.70 PVQ and A285 PVQ, often used in ASME-certified boilers, storage tanks, and high-pressure systems. These steels ensure consistent mechanical properties, enhanced weldability, and reliable performance under elevated pressure and low-temperature conditions, making them essential for critical industrial applications.

Below is a comparison of major pressure vessel steel plate grades from ASTM, EN, and GB standards.

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

4. Chemical Composition

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

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 the differences between pressure vessel steel grades helps engineers and buyers make informed decisions. Whether your project requires ASTM A516 carbon steel, A387 alloy steel, or EN P355GH, selecting the right grade guarantees performance and reliability.

Contact us if you still not sure which grade to choose.

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