What is A537 Class 2 material?

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ASTM A537 Class 2 is a heat-treated, carbon-manganese-silicon steel plate, specified for fusion-welded pressure vessels and structures like tanks, offering higher yield and tensile strength than Class 1 due to quenching and tempering, making it suitable for demanding applications in oil, gas, and chemical industries requiring strength at higher pressures and temperatures. It provides excellent toughness and weldability (with proper procedures) for heavy-duty service, with minimum yield strength of 60 ksi (415 MPa) for typical thicknesses.

Dimension Range

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Thickness (in)	Width (in)	Length (in)
0.375 - 2.00	96 - 120	240 - 588

Thickness: Inquire for thicknesses <0.375 in. and down to 0.197 in. and for thicknesses >2.00 in. up to 3.60.

Width: Inquire for widths <96 inches down to 60 inches and for widths >120 inches up to 131.9 inches.

Length: Inquire for lengths <240 inches down to 73 inches.

Mechanical Properties

Tensile testing is performed in the transverse direction according to ASTM A20 requirements. The required mechanical properties are tabulated below:

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Grade	Yield strength (min ksi)	Tensile strength (ksi)	Elongation in 2" (min %)
A537 Class 2	60	80 - 100	22

Mechanical testing

Charpy V-Notch Impact Toughness requirements may be ordered as a supplementary requirement (S5). A minimum Charpy V-notch impact energy value of 30 ft-lbs [41 J] at - 40°F [-40°C] in longitudinal specimens is a typical supplemental impact toughness requirement. Please inquire for applications requiring a specified minimum impact toughness.

Chemical Composition

(Heat Analysis, wt. %, maximum unless indicated)

Meets chemical requirements of ASTM A537 Class 2/ SA537 Class 2, as shown below. ASTM A20 limits apply to unspecified elements.

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C (max wt %)	Mn¹⁾ (max wt %)	P²⁾ (max wt %)	S²⁾ (max wt %)	Si (max wt %)	Cu (max wt %)	Ni¹⁾ (max wt %)	Cr (max wt %)	Mo (max wt %)
0.24	1.60	0.020	0.010	0.50	0.35	0.25	0.25	0.080

¹⁾ Manganese may exceed 1.35 % on heat analysis, up to a maximum of 1.60 %, and nickel may exceed 0.25 % on heat analysis, up to a maximum of 0.50 %, provided the heat analysis carbon equivalent (CEV) does not exceed 0.57 %.

²⁾ P and S are more restrictive than A537/SA537 requirements. Even lower limits for P and S are available on an inquiry basis.

Carbon Equivalent

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Thickness (in)	0.375 - 2.00
Typical CET (wt %)	0.33
Typical CEV (wt %)	0.45

Available Chemistries: Carbon equivalent (CEV) restrictions for weldability are available as a supplementary requirement (S20). Please inquire for additional chemistry restrictions.

Tolerances

Thickness, width, and length tolerances for A537 Class 2/ SA537 Class 2 are in accordance with ASTM A20 requirements. The flatness tolerance for as- supplied product is ½ ASTM A20.

Delivery Conditions

ASTM A537 Class 2/ SA537 Class 2 is supplied in the quench and tempered condition.

Formability properties

A537 Class 2/ SA537 Class 2 exhibits excellent cold forming characteristics. Shear burrs and heat-affected zones of thermal cut edges on or near the bend axis as well as sharp corners on edges and on gas cut or punched holes located on or adjacent to the bend axis should be removed by grinding prior cold forming. The following recommended minimum inside bend radius, R, and die width opening, W, as a function of bending orientation are provided:

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Thickness(in. [mm])	Bend Axis Perpendicular to Rolling Direction Inside Radius, R (min.)	Bend Axis Perpendicular to Rolling Direction Die Width, W (min.)	Bend Axis Parallel to Rolling Direction Inside Radius, R (min.)	Bend Axis Parallel to Rolling Direction Die Width, W (min.)
0.375 – 1.00 [9.5 – 25.4]	1.5t	8t	2.25t	10t
1.00 – 2.00 [25.4 – 50.1]	2.0t	8t	3.0t	10t

Weldability

Welding of A537 Class 2/ SA537 Class 2 shall be performed in accordance with applicable welding code. In the absence of a specified welding code, the following minimum preheat and interpass temperatures and welding consumables are provided. Special welding consumables and welding procedures may be required to avoid detrimental effects on the mechanical properties of the base metal. Low hydrogen practices are strongly recommended.

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Welding process	Thickness(in. [mm])	Minimum Preheat and Interpass Temperature (°F [°C])	Consumables
Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW)	≤3/4 [≤19]	50 [10]	AWS E7015-X, E7016-X, E7018-X
Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW)	>3/4 – 1.5 [19 – 38]	50 [10]	AWS E7015-X, E7016-X, E7018-X
Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW)	>1.50 – 2.00 [>38 – 50]	150 [65]	AWS E7015-X, E7016-X, E7018-X
Gas Metal Arc (GMAW)	≤3/4 [≤19]	50 [10]	AWS ER70S-X
Gas Metal Arc (GMAW)	>3/4 – 1.5 [19 – 38]	50 [10]	AWS ER70S-X
Gas Metal Arc (GMAW)	>1.50 – 2.00 [>38 – 50]	150 [65]	AWS ER70S-X
Submerged Arc (SAW)	≤3/4 [≤19]	50 [10]	AWS F7XX-EXXX-XX
Submerged Arc (SAW)	>3/4 – 1.5 [19 – 38]	50 [10]	AWS F7XX-EXXX-XX
Submerged Arc (SAW)	>1.50 – 2.00 [>38 – 50]	150 [65]	AWS F7XX-EXXX-XX
Flux Cored Arc (FCAW)	≤3/4 [≤19]	50 [10]	AWS E7XTX-X
Flux Cored Arc (FCAW)	>3/4 – 1.5 [19 – 38]	50 [10]	AWS E7XTX-X
Flux Cored Arc (FCAW)	>1.50 – 2.00 [>38 – 50]	150 [65]	AWS E7XTX-X

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1.What is A537 Class 2 steel?
A537 Class 2 is a high-strength, heat-treated carbon-manganese-silicon steel plate primarily used for welded pressure vessels and structural applications requiring good low-temperature toughness.

2.What are the mechanical properties of A537 Class 2?
For plates up to 2.5 inches thick, typical properties include a minimum tensile strength of 95-115 ksi (655-795 MPa) and a minimum yield strength of 80 ksi (550 MPa), achieved through quenching and tempering.

3.What is the chemical composition of A537 Class 2?
It features a carbon-manganese-silicon composition, with maximums typically around 0.24% Carbon, 1.60% Manganese, and 0.15-0.50% Silicon, along with controlled levels of phosphorus and sulfur.

4.What is the difference between A537 Class 1 and Class 2?
The key difference is heat treatment and strength. Class 2 is quenched and tempered, offering significantly higher strength, while Class 1 is normalized or stress-relieved with lower strength values.

5.Is A537 Class 2 a carbon steel or alloy steel?
It is classified as a high-strength carbon steel (specifically carbon-manganese-silicon steel), with its enhanced properties derived from heat treatment rather than high alloy content.

6.What is the Charpy impact requirement for A537 Class 2?
It typically requires Charpy V-Notch impact testing at -50°F (-46°C) with minimum average energy absorption often specified as 40 ft-lbs (54 J) for plates over certain thicknesses.

7.Can A537 Class 2 be welded?
Yes, but it requires careful welding procedures due to its quenched and tempered microstructure. Use of low-hydrogen electrodes, proper preheat, and control of heat input are essential to maintain properties.

8.What are common applications for A537 Class 2 steel?
It's widely used in pressure vessels, storage tanks, offshore structures, mining equipment, and other applications where high strength and good low-temperature toughness are required.

9.What is the heat treatment for A537 Class 2 plates?
A537 Class 2 plates are supplied in the quenched (rapidly cooled) and tempered (reheated) condition, which gives them their high strength and toughness combination.

10.Is A537 Class 2 suitable for low-temperature service?
Yes, due to its quenched and tempered microstructure, A537 Class 2 offers excellent notch toughness and is commonly specified for service temperatures down to -50°F (-46°C) and below.

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.

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