SA517 Grade B (or ASME SA517 Gr.B) is a high-strength, quenched and tempered (Q&T) alloy steel plate used for fusion-welded boilers and pressure vessels. It is known for its high tensile strength (115–135 ksi/795–930 MPa), excellent toughness, and is primarily used in the construction of storage tanks, pressure vessels, and structural components needing superior yield strength.
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SA517 grade B Chemical Composition |
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Grade |
The Element Max (%) |
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C |
Si |
Mn |
P |
S |
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SA517 grade B |
0.13-0.23 |
0.13-0.37 |
0.64-1.10 |
0.035 |
0.035 |
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Cr |
Mo |
B |
Ti |
V |
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0.36-0.69 |
0.12-0.28 |
0.0005-0.005 |
0.01-0.05 |
0.02-0.09 |
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Grade |
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SA517 grade B Mechanical Property |
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Thickness |
Yield |
Tensile |
Elongation |
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SA517 grade B |
mm |
Min Mpa |
Mpa |
Min % |
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6-65 |
690 |
795-930 |
16% |
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65-150 |
620 |
725-930 |
14% |
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Applications of SA517 Grade B
Petrochemical & Chemical Industry
Fabrication of pressure vessels and pressure-retaining equipment, including reactors, storage tanks and heat exchangers that withstand extreme operating pressure and thermal cycling; manufacturing of high-pressure reaction kettles and distillation tower pressure-bearing sections for fine chemical production.
Power Generation Industry
Production of boiler core components for thermal and nuclear power plants, such as boiler drums, headers and pressure pipes that bear high pressure and high temperature for long-term operation.
Oil & Gas & Marine Engineering
Manufacturing of key pressure-bearing parts for oil and gas exploration and transportation equipment, including offshore platform pressure modules and pipeline pressure sections; fabrication of pressure-resistant components for marine equipment like ship power system pressure tanks and offshore auxiliary pressure devices.
Heavy Manufacturing & Machinery
Production of heavy-duty structural and load-bearing parts for large forging machines, hydraulic press main structures and mining machinery; fabrication of pressure-resistant housings of large mining pumps and hydraulic support main bodies for mining operations.
Aerospace & Special Equipment
Manufacturing of high-strength pressure containers for rocket fuel storage and transportation in aerospace ground support equipment; production of high-pressure hydraulic jack components and temporary pressure-bearing support structures for bridge and large building engineering.
Food & Pharmaceutical Processing
Fabrication of high-strength pressure equipment with strict structural integrity requirements, such as high-pressure sterilization kettles and pressure reaction vessels for food and pharmaceutical production lines.
Advantages of SA517 Grade B
Superior Mechanical Strength
Exceptional high yield (min. 690 MPa) and tensile (min. 862 MPa) strength, fully meeting heavy-duty load-bearing requirements of high-pressure industrial equipment and resisting extreme operating pressure for long-term stable use.
Excellent Toughness & Environmental Adaptability
Outstanding low-temperature toughness, maintaining structural stability and anti-fracture performance in low-temperature environments without brittle failure; good resistance to thermal cycling, adapting to frequent temperature changes in petrochemical and power generation equipment.
Optimal Fabrication Performance
Superior weldability, enabling reliable welding for complex structural fabrication without obvious weld brittleness or strength loss; good machinability, compatible with common machining processes for precise shaping of complex components with high dimensional accuracy.
Uniform & Stable Material Properties
Quenched and tempered heat treatment ensures consistent mechanical properties across the entire plate thickness, avoiding performance differences in thick plate applications; stable chemical composition and strict production standards guarantee low batch-to-batch performance variation.
Strong Structural Reliability
High structural rigidity reduces deformation under dynamic and static loads, ensuring dimensional stability of key industrial equipment; reliable fatigue resistance withstands repeated dynamic loading, effectively extending the service life of fabricated components.
Key Considerations:
Welding: Often requires specialized welding procedures, and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) is recommended for thick sections.
Dimensions: Available in various thicknesses, with specialized suppliers offering up to 300mm–400mm.
Testing: Frequently ordered with supplementary tests like HIC (Hydrogen Induced Cracking) and Charpy V-Notch impact tests for low-temperature applications.
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What is SA517 Grade B?
SA517 Grade B is a high-strength, quenched and tempered alloy steel plate primarily used for pressure vessels and boilers. It offers excellent toughness and weldability, suitable for harsh environments with high pressure and temperature, complying with ASME standards.
What are the main chemical components of SA517 Grade B?
The key chemical components include carbon (C: 0.15-0.21%), manganese (Mn: 0.85-1.15%), silicon (Si: 0.15-0.35%), chromium (Cr: 0.80-1.10%), molybdenum (Mo: 0.45-0.60%), and small amounts of phosphorus and sulfur.
What is the minimum tensile strength of SA517 Grade B?
SA517 Grade B has a minimum tensile strength of 690 MPa (100,000 psi) and a minimum yield strength of 517 MPa (75,000 psi), ensuring high structural integrity under heavy load and high-pressure conditions.
What heat treatment process does SA517 Grade B undergo?
It typically undergoes quenching (heating to 890-925°C, rapid cooling in water or oil) followed by tempering (heating to 595-650°C, holding, then cooling) to achieve desired strength, toughness, and ductility.
What are the common applications of SA517 Grade B?
It is widely used in manufacturing pressure vessels, boiler shells, steam drums, and offshore oil and gas equipment, as well as in petrochemical and power generation industries requiring high-temperature and high-pressure resistance.
Is SA517 Grade B weldable? If yes, what welding methods are recommended?
Yes, it is weldable. Recommended welding methods include shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), and submerged arc welding (SAW) with proper preheat.
What is the recommended preheating temperature for welding SA517 Grade B?
The preheating temperature is usually 150-200°C (302-392°F), depending on plate thickness. Thicker plates may require higher preheat to prevent cold cracking and reduce welding residual stress.
What is the maximum service temperature of SA517 Grade B?
Its maximum continuous service temperature is around 450°C (842°F). Beyond this temperature, the material's strength and toughness may degrade, affecting long-term structural stability and performance.
What standards does SA517 Grade B comply with?
It complies with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, specifically ASME SA-517. This standard specifies requirements for high-strength carbon and alloy steel plates for pressure vessels.
What is the Brinell hardness of SA517 Grade B?
The typical Brinell hardness (HB) of SA517 Grade B ranges from 207 to 269. This hardness range balances strength and ductility, making the material suitable for heavy-duty structural applications.