Introduction
In the harsh industrial environment of high temperature and high pressure, the choice of material directly determines the safety and longevity of the equipment. SA387 steel plate, as a chromium-molybdenum alloy steel plate following the ASTM A387 standard, is the benchmark material in this field. It has become an indispensable choice for petrochemical, boiler and pressure vessel fabrication due to its excellent high-temperature strength, hydrogen corrosion resistance and good weldability.
The purpose of this article is to provide foreign trade buyers with a comprehensive and professional reference guide on SA387 steel plate, which will help you understand its properties in depth and be able to make informed purchasing decisions.
SA387 Steel Plate Material Specifications and Standards
The ASTM SA387 specification is the core standard for SA387 steel plates, which defines the requirements for chromium-molybdenum alloy steel plates for use in welded pressure vessels. With the addition of the elements chromium (Cr) and molybdenum (Mo), these plates offer improved resistance to high temperatures, corrosion and creep, and are suitable for use in environments with temperatures up to 600°C. The chemical composition is the basis for their performance.
In terms of mechanical properties, SA387 steel plate emphasises tensile strength and yield strength. For example, Class 2 grades typically have a tensile strength of 515-690 MPa and a yield strength of not less than 310 MPa. These specifications ensure that the plate maintains its structural integrity under high pressure. The differences between the grades are mainly in the alloying element content and the applicable temperature: Grade 5 is suitable for medium temperatures, while Grade 22 is more suitable for high temperature and high pressure scenarios.
The following table compares the chemical composition and mechanical properties (in Class 2) of common grades (Grade 5, 11, 12, 22):
| Grade | Cr (%) | Mo (%) | C (%) | Tensile Strengt(MPa) | Yield Strength(MPa) | Applicable Temperature Range (℃) |
| Grade 5 | 4.00-6.00 | 0.45-0.65 | 0.15 max | 515-690 | 310 min | Up to 540 |
| Grade 11 | 0.94-1.56 | 0.40-0.70 | 0.04-0.17 | 515-690 | 310 min | Up to 450 |
| Grade 12 | 0.80-1.25 | 0.45-0.65 | 0.05-0.17 | 450-585 | 275 min | Up to 425 |
| Grade 22 | 1.88-2.62 | 0.85-1.15 | 0.04-0.15 | 515-690 | 310 min | Up to 600 |
Production Process and Quality Control
Production Process
Smelting and Continuous Casting: Smelting is carried out in electric arc furnaces (EAF) or converters, and is often supplemented by extra-furnace refining (e.g., LF, VD) for precise control of chemical composition and reduction of impurities.
Hot Rolling: Billets are rolled at high temperatures to the desired thickness. Precise temperature control is essential to ensure uniform internal organisation.
Heat treatment: this is the central step in achieving the final properties of SA387 steel plates.
- Normalising: Heating the steel plate above the critical point and then cooling it in air to refine the grains and even out the organisation.
- Tempering: This is carried out after normalising and is designed to remove internal stresses and improve toughness and stability.
- Normalising : tempering is the most common heat treatment condition for SA387 steel plates.
Quality Control
Quality control is carried out throughout the production process. Common testing methods include ultrasonic testing (UT) for internal defects, impact testing (Charpy V-Notch) to assess low-temperature toughness, and tensile testing to verify mechanical properties. In addition, chemical analyses ensure that alloy compositions comply with standards, and magnetic particle testing (MT) or penetration testing (PT) is used for surface crack screening. These measures comply with ISO 9001 and PED (Pressure Equipment Directive) certifications, ensuring product export compliance.
Application Areas of SA387 Steel Plate
The value of SA387 Pressure Vessel Steel Plate is perfectly reflected in its wide range of applications.
- Petrochemical: It is the shell material for core equipment such as hydrogenation reactors, catalytic cracking units, high temperature and high pressure separators. Its resistance to hydrogen corrosion is crucial.
- Boiler manufacturing: used in power station boiler ladle, collector box and high temperature superheater parts, can withstand the erosion of high temperature and high pressure steam for a long time.
- Nuclear power equipment: Used in certain auxiliary systems in nuclear power plants for the manufacture of high temperature resistant pressure vessels and piping.
Procurement Core Elements
Supplier Selection: Prefer suppliers with the qualification of direct supply from large steel mills or first-class agents. Examine its past export performance, warehousing capacity and technical support level.
Price factors: The price of SA387 steel plate is affected by the cost of raw materials (chromium, molybdenum ferroalloys), energy prices, the difficulty of the production process and market demand.
Export certifications and standards:
- Quality management systems: Ensure that suppliers have ISO 9001 certification.
- Third Party Inspection: It is recommended to hire a third party organisation such as SGS, BV, etc. to carry out Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) to ensure the quality and quantity of the goods.
Conclusion
SA387 steel sheet occupies an irreplaceable position in the industrial field due to its unique high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance. Whether it’s the versatile SA387 Grade 11 or the high-performance SA387 Grade 22, a thorough understanding of its specifications, processes and applications will give you a competitive edge in your global sourcing business.
Please feel free to contact Henan Hennes if you need to obtain a detailed SA387 steel plate specification sheet or request a quotation for a specific project. Our team of experts is ready to support you.
Contact Us for Quotation
📧 Email: carroll@hnssteel.com
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