SA517 Grade E (or A517 Gr.E) is a high-strength, quenched and tempered alloy steel plate specified by ASME/ASTM for use in welded pressure vessels and boilers. It is designed for applications requiring exceptional strength (up to 110 ksi tensile strength) and toughness, often used in specialized equipment like high-pressure reactors and storage tanks.
Key Specifications
Condition: Delivered in a Quenched and Tempered state to achieve high tensile and yield strength.
Applications: Primarily used for unfired pressure vessels, storage tanks, and heavy-duty equipment in the petrochemical and power industries.
Impact Requirements: Must meet specific Charpy V-notch impact property standards to ensure toughness at various temperatures.
Chemical Composition( %):
|
Grade/ Material |
Element |
Composition( Max-A, Min-I) |
|
SA517 Grade E/ SA517 GrE |
C |
0.12-0.20 |
|
Mn |
0.40-0.70 |
|
|
Si |
0.10-0.40 |
|
|
P |
0.035 |
|
|
S |
0.035 |
Mechanical Properties( Mpa)
|
Grade/ Material |
Tensile Test |
Ksi/MPa |
|
SA517 Grade E/ SA517 GrE |
Tensile Strength |
115-135/795-930 |
|
Yield Strength |
100/690 |
|
|
Elongation |
16% |
|
|
Impact Test( if any) |
|
applications
1. Pressure Vessels & Boilers (Core Use)
Designed specifically for high-stress environments where safety and material integrity are critical.
Fusion-Welded Boilers: Used for pressure-bearing shells and drums in power plants and industrial heating systems.
Spherical Storage Tanks: Preferred for large-scale "Horton Spheres" storing liquefied gases (LPG, Ammonia) due to its high strength-to-weight ratio.
Heat Exchangers: Fabrication of shells for high-pressure exchangers in refineries and chemical processing plants.
Separators & Reactors: Essential for high-pressure vessels used in oil and gas extraction and refining.
2. Transport & Logistics
Optimized for the safe containment of hazardous materials during transit.
MC-331 Cargo Tanks: The standard material for highway tankers transporting pressurized anhydrous ammonia and liquefied petroleum gas.
Rail Tank Cars: Used in the construction of specialized high-pressure tank cars for the transport of volatile chemicals.
Subsea Containers: Utilized in deep-sea pressure hulls and submersibles to resist intense external hydrostatic pressure.
3. Energy & Power Generation
Hydroelectric Power: Applied in high-pressure penstocks, gate valves, and turbine scroll cases.
Nuclear & Thermal Power: Used in secondary circuit piping and pressure-boundary components requiring high toughness.
4. Heavy Structural & Mining Equipment
Often cross-applied with its structural twin, ASTM A514 Grade E, for extreme load-bearing tasks.
Crane Boom Sections: Fabrication of telescopic and lattice booms for high-capacity mobile and crawler cranes.
Mining Machinery: Critical frames for electric shovels, haul trucks, and large excavators operating in high-impact environments.
Offshore Rigs: Structural components for jack-up rig legs and support platforms, particularly in cold-weather regions.
5. Specialized Engineering
Defense & Security: Occasionally used for specialized armored plating or ballistic testing structures due to its hardness and impact resistance.
Bridge Components: High-strength pins and structural joints in bridge engineering where weight reduction is necessary without sacrificing safety.
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Can SA517 Grade E be forged?
Yes, it is forgeable. Forging is typically done at 1100°C to 1250°C (2012°F to 2282°F), followed by quenching and tempering to achieve the required mechanical properties.
What is the thermal conductivity of SA517 Grade E?
At room temperature, its thermal conductivity is about 45 W/(m·K) (26 Btu/(ft·h·°F)). This property is crucial for heat transfer calculations in boiler and heat exchanger designs.
What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of SA517 Grade E?
The linear thermal expansion coefficient is approximately 11.5 × 10⁻⁶/°C (6.4 × 10⁻⁶/°F) between 20°C and 600°C. It helps predict thermal deformation in high-temperature applications.
What non-destructive testing (NDT) methods are used for SA517 Grade E?
Common NDT methods include ultrasonic testing (UT) for internal defects, magnetic particle testing (MT) and liquid penetrant testing (PT) for surface defects, ensuring material and weld quality.
What is the maximum operating temperature for SA517 Grade E?
Its maximum continuous operating temperature is around 450°C (842°F). Exceeding this temperature may cause a decrease in strength and toughness over time.
Is SA517 Grade E a carbon steel or alloy steel?
It is a low-alloy steel. Unlike carbon steel, it contains alloying elements (Cr, Mo, Ni) that enhance its strength, toughness, and heat resistance for high-pressure applications.
What is the difference between SA517 Grade E and SA517 Grade F?
The main difference is yield strength: SA517 E has min 690 MPa yield strength, while Grade F has min 760 MPa. Grade F also has slightly higher alloy content, suitable for more demanding conditions.
Can SA517 Grade E be used for offshore structures?
Yes, it is widely used in offshore oil and gas structures (e.g., platforms, pipelines). Its high strength and low-temperature toughness withstand harsh marine and offshore working environments.
What is the delivery condition of SA517 Grade E?
It is delivered in the quenched and tempered (Q&T) condition. This ensures consistent mechanical properties, including high strength and toughness, meeting the requirements of pressure vessel applications.
What standards should be followed for SA517 Grade E welding?
Welding should follow ASME Section IX (Welding Qualifications) and AWS D1.1 (Structural Welding Code - Steel). Proper electrode selection (e.g., E11018-G) and process control are essential for quality welds.