Knowledge

SA516 GR.65 Pressure Vessel Plate Sheet

Jan 29, 2026 Leave a message

info-412-353SA516 Grade 65 (or ASME SA-516 Grade 65) is a high-quality carbon steel plate specifically designed for use in welded pressure vessels and boilers operating at moderate and lower temperatures.

 

Key Specifications

Standards: Complies with ASME SA-516 and ASTM A516.

Heat Treatment: Plates thicker than 1.5 inches (40 mm) must be normalized to improve notch toughness and grain structure. Thinner plates are often supplied "as-rolled" unless otherwise specified.

 

 

 

Chemical Requirements

Elements SA 516 Gr 65
(Grade 450)
Carbon, max Composition %  
1/2 in. (12.5 mm) and under 0.24
Over 1/2 to 2 in. (12.5 to 50 mm), incl 0.26
Over 2 to 4 in. (50 to 100 mm), incl 0.28
Over 4 to 8 in. (100 to 200 mm), incl 0.29
Over 8 in. (200 mm) 0.29
Manganese, max  
1/2 (12.5) and under:  
Heat analysis 0.85-1.20
Product analysis 0.79-1.30
Over 1/2 in (12.5)  
Heat analysis 0.85-1.20
Product analysis 0.79-1.30
Phosphorus, max 0.025
Sulfur, max 0.025
Silicon  
Heat analysis 0.15-0.40
Product analysis 0.13-0.45

 

Tensile Requirements

  SA 516 Gr 65
(Grade 450)
Tensile strength, ksi (MPa) 65-85(450-585)
Yield strength, min.B ksi (MPa) 35(240)
Elongation in 8 in. (200 mm), min, % 19
Elongation in 2 in. (50 mm), min, % 23

 

 

 

info-423-493Main Application Scenarios

Petrochemical Industry: Used in manufacturing core equipment such as high-pressure reactors, hydrocracking reactors, and high-pressure separators. It is suitable for working conditions in oil refining and natural gas processing involving high pressure (10-30MPa), medium temperature (300-400℃), and corrosive media such as hydrogen sulfide. Meanwhile, it can be used to produce high-pressure gas storage tanks (for hydrogen, chlorine, etc.) and high-pressure transmission pipelines for chemical raw materials, ensuring production continuity and safety.

Boiler and Pressure Vessel Industry: Compliant with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes, it is widely used in the manufacture of power station boilers, Class 2/3 components of nuclear power plants, and general pressure vessels. It can withstand medium-low temperature and high-pressure loads, and is suitable for various welded structure equipment.

Storage Equipment Industry: Applicable to storage tanks that meet API 650 and API 620 standards, especially suitable for storing low-temperature and high-pressure media such as LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). Its excellent low-temperature toughness reduces the risk of leakage.

Metallurgy and Heavy Machinery Industry: Used in pressure vessels for high-pressure water descaling systems in metallurgy and high-pressure hydraulic tanks for heavy machinery. It can withstand high-pressure liquid impact and long-term loads, extending the equipment maintenance cycle.

Other Industrial Fields: In industries such as pharmaceuticals, refining, and sugar making, it is used to manufacture various medium-low temperature pressure-bearing equipment, meeting the industry's core requirements for material toughness and weldability.

 

Core Application Conditions

Temperature Conditions: Suitable for medium-low temperature working conditions, with a lower design temperature limit of -45℃ and an upper limit not exceeding 450℃ (graphitization embrittlement is prone to occur at high temperatures). The maximum service temperature varies under different standards; for example, it does not exceed 1000°F (approximately 538℃) under the ASME Ⅷ-1 standard.

Pressure Conditions: The maximum allowable pressure must match the temperature. The maximum allowable stress is 18.6ksi at 20-100℃, and the stress decreases gradually as the temperature rises. The typical working pressure of the vessel does not exceed 6.4MPa.

Medium Conditions: It has limited corrosion resistance. Protective measures (painting, epoxy coating, galvanizing, etc.) are required in humid or corrosive environments; overlay welding of 309L stainless steel is needed in acidic environments, and cathodic protection measures should be adopted for seawater media.

Material Standard Conditions: Must comply with ASTM A516/A516M and ASME SA-516/SA-516M standards, with a carbon equivalent (CE) ≤ 0.43% to ensure good weldability and avoid welding cracks.

Processing and Testing Conditions: Plates with a thickness of 5-500mm and a width of ≤ 4600mm must undergo normalizing treatment; before leaving the factory, they need to pass ultrasonic testing, Charpy impact testing, etc., to ensure no defects and provide a mill test certificate.

 

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Full specification and details are available on request. The above information is provided for guidance purposes only. For specific design requirements please contact our technical sales staff.

 

 

What is SA516 Grade 65 mainly used for in industrial applications?

SA516 Grade 65 is primarily used for manufacturing pressure vessels, boilers, and storage tanks. It's suitable for low-temperature service due to its excellent toughness and weldability, widely applied in oil, gas, and petrochemical industries.

 

What are the key chemical composition requirements of SA516 Grade 65?

Its main chemical components include carbon (max 0.28%), manganese (1.20-1.50%), phosphorus (max 0.035%), sulfur (max 0.035%), silicon (0.15-0.40%), and trace amounts of other elements to ensure mechanical properties.

 

What is the minimum tensile strength of SA516 Grade 65?

The minimum tensile strength of SA516 Grade 65 is 450 MPa (65 ksi). This high tensile strength enables it to withstand high pressure and heavy loads in industrial equipment, meeting strict safety standards.

 

Is SA516 Grade 65 weldable? If yes, what welding methods are commonly used?

Yes, SA516 Grade 65 has good weldability. Common welding methods include shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), and submerged arc welding (SAW).

 

What is the minimum yield strength of SA516 Grade 65?

The minimum yield strength of SA516 Grade 65 is 290 MPa (42 ksi). This parameter ensures the material has sufficient rigidity and resistance to deformation under working conditions.

 

Which standard specifies the requirements for SA516 Grade 65?

SA516 Grade 65 is specified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standard, specifically ASME SA-516/SA-516M. This standard covers carbon steel plates for pressure vessels for moderate and low-temperature service.

 

What is the maximum service temperature of SA516 Grade 65?

The maximum service temperature of SA516 Grade 65 is typically 450°C (842°F). Beyond this temperature, its mechanical properties may degrade, affecting the safety and durability of the equipment.

 

What is the impact test requirement for SA516 Grade 65?

SA516 Grade 65 requires Charpy V-notch impact tests. The minimum impact energy is 27 J (20 ft-lb) at the specified test temperature, usually -10°C (14°F) or lower, ensuring good low-temperature toughness.

 

Can SA516 Grade 65 be used in low-temperature environments? If yes, what is the minimum temperature?

Yes, it's suitable for low-temperature environments. The minimum service temperature depends on the plate thickness and impact test results, generally down to -30°C (-22°F) for standard grades, meeting low-temperature toughness needs.

 

What is the typical thickness range of SA516 Grade 65 plates?

SA516 Grade 65 plates typically range in thickness from 6 mm to 200 mm (0.236 in to 7.874 in). Thicker plates may require additional heat treatment to ensure uniform mechanical properties throughout the material.

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