Shipbuilding Steel Plate
Shipbuilding steel plate is a high-quality structural plate product manufactured with controlled chemistry and thermo-mechanical processing to deliver exceptional strength, notch toughness, and weldability for marine environments.
Material
High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) Steel. Common grade designations include AH32/36/40, DH32/36/40, EH32/36/40 (per classification societies), and equivalents like EN 10025-6 S355G10+N.
Model
NV Plate, AH/DH/EH Plate
Size
Standard widths from 1500 mm to 4500 mm; lengths up to 25000 mm or more. Custom cutting to near-net shape is common.
Thickness
6 mm to 150 mm, with the most common range being 10 mm to 50 mm for hull structures.
Standard
ASTM A131, EN 10225, JIS G3104, GB 712. Additionally certified to rules of ABS, LR, DNV, BV, CCS, KR, etc.
MOQ
20 Metric Tons.
Delivery Time
Standard lead time is 5 to 10 weeks from order confirmation, depending on grade, certification, and cutting requirements.
Long Description
Shipbuilding steel plate is engineered specifically for the construction and repair of vessels and offshore structures. Its production involves precise control of chemical composition, particularly low carbon equivalent for weldability, and specialized rolling and heat treatment processes like controlled rolling or normalizing to achieve the required mechanical properties. Key performance characteristics include high yield and tensile strength across a wide thickness range, excellent through-thickness properties (Z-direction), and superior impact toughness at low temperatures to withstand dynamic loads and harsh ocean conditions. These plates are certified by major classification societies (e.g., ABS, LR, DNV, BV) and are produced in standardized strength grades (e.g., A, D, E, F for increasing toughness levels) to meet specific design requirements for different parts of a vessel, from the inner hull to exposed deck areas.
Key Product Highlights
Shipbuilding plates offer excellent notch toughness at specified low temperatures to prevent brittle fracture.
The product features good through-thickness properties to resist lamellar tearing in highly constrained welded joints.
It is manufactured with a low carbon equivalent to ensure superior weldability without pre-heat or post-weld heat treatment.
Plates are supplied with full certification from major international marine classification societies.
Various strength levels and toughness grades are available to optimize weight and performance in different hull zones.
Product Advantages
Material properties are consistently maintained across the entire plate and through the full thickness.
Classification society approval and survey provide an additional layer of quality assurance for critical marine applications.
The combination of strength and toughness allows for lighter, more efficient hull designs.
Technical support includes certification for specific chemical, mechanical, and non-destructive testing requirements.
Supply chains are established to meet the large-volume and just-in-time demands of major shipyards.
Industry Application
This plate is used in the construction of ship hulls, decks, bulkheads, offshore platforms, jack-up rig legs, floating production storage units (FPSOs), and other marine structures subjected to dynamic loads and corrosive environments.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Unit | General Strength Grade (AH36) | Higher Toughness Grade (EH36) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content (C) | % | ≤ 0.18 | ≤ 0.18 | Max value; actual is lower for CE control. |
| Manganese (Mn) | % | 0.90 – 1.60 | 0.90 – 1.60 | Controlled for strength and toughness. |
| Phosphorus (P) | % | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.030 | Tighter control in higher grades. |
| Sulfur (S) | % | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.030 | Tighter control in higher grades; affects Z-performance. |
| Tensile Strength | MPa | 490 – 620 | 490 – 620 | Grade 36 specifies min 490 MPa. |
| Yield Strength | MPa | ≥ 355 (t≤50mm) | ≥ 355 (t≤50mm) | Minimum yield strength for Grade 36. |
| Elongation | % | ≥ 21 | ≥ 21 | Minimum longitudinal value. |
| Hardness | HB | N/A | N/A | Not a primary specification for ship plates. |
| Thickness | mm | 6 – 150 | 6 – 150 | Product form range; yield strength is thickness dependent. |
| Width | mm | 1500 – 4500 | 1500 – 4500 | Standard mill rolling width capabilities. |
| Coil Weight | MT | N/A | N/A | This product is supplied as plates, not in coil form. |
| Surface Treatment | – | Blast Cleaned, Primed | Blast Cleaned, Primed | Often supplied with shop primer (e.g., inorganic zinc). |
| Coating / Finish | – | As-Rolled (AR), Normalized (N) | Normalized (N), Thermo-Mechanical Controlled Process (TMCP) | Delivery condition critical for properties. |
| Rolling Type | – | N/A | N/A | Parameter is specific to coil products. |
| Standard Example | – | ABS Grade AH36 | DNV Grade EH36 TMCP | Representative classification society grade and condition. |
Packaging & Surface Treatment
Plates are bundled and secured on heavy-duty steel skids or in lifting frames for safe crane handling. They are typically separated by protective wooden or synthetic spacers to prevent damage. For export, bundles are wrapped in waterproof and tear-resistant packaging material and secured with steel straps. Surface condition is typically as-rolled, blast-cleaned, or supplied with a certified shop primer (e.g., inorganic zinc silicate) for immediate fabrication and long-term interim corrosion protection.
Aliases Names
Marine Plate, Hull Plate, Class Plate, Offshore Plate, NV Plate, AH36 Plate.
