Pressure Vessel Steel Plate Comparison Guide: Standards, Grades, and Applications

2025-11-21 | More News

Introduction

Pressure vessel steel is a specialized category of steel plate designed for the manufacturing of boilers, storage tanks, and pressure-containing equipment. Choosing the right pressure vessel steel grade is critical to ensure safety, performance, and compliance with industry standards.

This comprehensive guide compares pressure vessel steel grades from ASTM, EN, and GB standards, providing a clear reference for engineers, purchasers, and fabricators.

Applications of pressure vessel steel plates in boilers and LNG storage tanks

1. What Are Pressure Vessel Steel Grades

Pressure vessel steel plates are designed to withstand high pressure and temperature in demanding applications such as oil & gas, chemical processing, power generation, and shipbuilding.

Key properties of pressure vessel steel material

High tensile strength and toughness
Good resistance to creep and fatigue
Excellent weldability and formability

Applications of Pressure Vessel Steel Plates

Boilers and heat exchangers
Oil & gas separators
LNG storage tanks
Chemical reactors
Power plant equipment

In each application, selecting the correct pressure vessel steel grade ensures structural safety and regulatory compliance.

2. International Pressure Vessel Steel Standards (ASTM / EN / GB)

To ensure global compatibility and safety, pressure vessel material grades are standardized by leading international codes. The most recognized are ASTM, EN, and GB.

ASTM

Commonly used in North and South America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East
Key standards include:
- ASTM A516 (for moderate temperature service)
- ASTM A387 (for high-temperature service, alloy steel)
- ASTM A285 (lower strength pressure vessels)

EN

Widely adopted across Europe, Africa, and parts of the Middle East and South America
Key standards include:
- EN 10028-2: Non-alloy and alloy steels for pressure purposes
- Typical grades: P265GH, P355GH, 16Mo3, 13CrMo4-5

Check our EN 10028 P265GH / P355GH Steel Plate for more technical specifications.

GB

Used domestically in China and frequently by Chinese steel exporters
Key standards include:
- GB 713: Steel plates for boilers and pressure vessels
- Common grades: Q245R, Q345R, 16MnDR

Each standard defines specific pressure vessel material types suited to various temperature and pressure environments.

3. Key Pressure Vessel Steel Grades: Side-by-Side Comparison

Below is a comparison of major pressure vessel steel plate grades from ASTM, EN, and GB standards.

Grade	Standard	Type	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Yield Strength (MPa)	Key Features	Typical Applications
A516 Gr.60	ASTM	Carbon steel	415–550	≥ 220	Good weldability, for moderate temperature	Boilers, pressure tanks, heat exchangers
A516 Gr.70	ASTM	Carbon steel	485–620	≥ 260	Higher strength version of A516 Gr.60	High-pressure boilers, tanks
A285 Gr.C	ASTM	Low tensile carbon steel	380–515	≥ 205	Low strength, cost-effective	Storage tanks with low pressure
A387 Gr.11	ASTM	Cr-Mo alloy steel	485–620	≥ 275	Heat resistance, creep strength	Petrochemical, power plant vessels
A387 Gr.22	ASTM	Cr-Mo alloy steel	620–760	≥ 310	Excellent high-temp performance	Reactors, heaters, high-pressure systems
P265GH	EN 10028	Non-alloy boiler steel	410–530	≥ 265	Equivalent to A516 Gr.60, great weldability	Boilers, pressure vessels in Europe
P355GH	EN 10028	Non-alloy boiler steel	470–630	≥ 355	Higher strength than P265GH	High-pressure components, energy sector
16Mo3	EN 10028	Molybdenum alloy steel	450–600	≥ 280	Good for high temp + pressure, oxidation resistance	Heat exchangers, steam pipes
Q245R	GB 713	Carbon steel	400–520	≥ 245	Equivalent to A516 Gr.60, widely used in China	General pressure vessels, boilers
Q345R	GB 713	High strength boiler steel	490–610	≥ 345	Stronger than Q245R, great toughness	Thick-walled pressure vessels
16MnDR	GB 3531	Low-temp pressure steel	470–640	≥ 255	Excellent low-temp impact toughness	Cryogenic storage, LNG tanks

4. Technical Comparison Table: Chemical and Mechanical Properties

Chemical Composition (Max Weight %)

Grade	C	Mn	Si	P	S	Cr	Mo	Ni	Notes
A516 Gr.60	0.21	0.55–1.30	≤0.40	≤0.035	≤0.035	–	–	–	Carbon steel
A516 Gr.70	0.27	0.85–1.20	≤0.40	≤0.035	≤0.035	–	–	–	Stronger version of A516 Gr.60
A285 Gr.C	0.28	0.90–1.30	≤0.05	≤0.035	≤0.035	–	–	–	Low tensile carbon steel
A387 Gr.11	0.12–0.20	0.30–0.60	≤0.50	≤0.035	≤0.035	1.00–1.50	0.44–0.65	–	Cr-Mo alloy steel
A387 Gr.22	0.05–0.15	0.30–0.60	≤0.50	≤0.035	≤0.035	1.00–1.50	0.90–1.10	–	High-temp alloy steel
P265GH	≤0.20	0.80–1.60	≤0.40	≤0.025	≤0.020	–	–	–	EN non-alloy boiler steel
P355GH	≤0.22	1.00–1.70	≤0.50	≤0.025	≤0.020	–	–	–	Higher strength EN grade
16Mo3	0.12–0.20	0.90–1.30	0.20–0.35	≤0.025	≤0.020	–	0.25–0.35	–	Mo-alloy steel, high-temp
Q245R	≤0.20	≤1.20	≤0.50	≤0.025	≤0.015	–	–	–	Chinese std, A516 Gr.60 equiv.
Q345R	≤0.20	≤1.70	≤0.50	≤0.025	≤0.015	–	–	–	Closer to A516 Gr.70
16MnDR	≤0.20	≤1.60	≤0.50	≤0.020	≤0.015	–	–	–	Low-temp service

Mechanical Properties

Grade	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Elongation (%)	Impact Toughness	Working Temperature
A516 Gr.60	≥ 220	415–550	≥ 21	27J @ -20°C (option)	≤ 455°C
A516 Gr.70	≥ 260	485–620	≥ 21	27J @ -20°C (option)	≤ 455°C
A285 Gr.C	≥ 205	380–515	≥ 20	Notch toughness low	≤ 400°C
A387 Gr.11	≥ 275	485–620	≥ 20	Good @ high temp	≤ 600°C
A387 Gr.22	≥ 310	620–760	≥ 19	High temp creep res.	≤ 620°C
P265GH	≥ 265	410–530	≥ 22	27J @ 20°C	≤ 450°C
P355GH	≥ 355	470–630	≥ 22	27J @ 20°C	≤ 450°C
16Mo3	≥ 280	450–600	≥ 22	27J @ room temp	≤ 600°C
Q245R	≥ 245	400–520	≥ 21	31J @ 0°C	≤ 450°C
Q345R	≥ 345	490–610	≥ 21	34J @ 0°C	≤ 450°C
16MnDR	≥ 255	470–640	≥ 22	41J @ -20°C	≤ -40°C (cryogenic use)

5. How to Choose the Right Pressure Vessel Steel Grade

Selecting the correct pressure vessel steel grade depends on:

Operating pressure & temperature – Higher grades for extreme conditions.
Corrosion resistance – Alloyed steel for chemical exposure.
Weldability – Match grade with fabrication process.
Certification requirements – ASME, PED, or local standards.

Example: For moderate temperature service, ASTM A516 Gr.70 is the most widely used pressure vessel plate. For higher strength and heat resistance, A387 Gr.22 or P355GH may be more appropriate.

When selecting plates, the steel plate thickness must also match design requirements — refer to our Steel Plate Thickness Chart.

Material Selection by Temperature Range

Working Temperature	Recommended Grades	Notes
≤ 400°C (Normal temp)	A516 Gr.60 / Gr.70, P265GH, Q245R	Cost-effective, good weldability, widely available
400°C – 600°C	A387 Gr.11 / Gr.22, 16Mo3, P355GH, Q345R	Alloyed grades provide heat resistance, creep strength
≤ -20°C (Cryogenic)	16MnDR, impact-tested A516 Gr.70, Q345R (low temp spec)	Enhanced impact toughness, required for LNG or low-temp vessels

Material Selection by Application Type

Application	Recommended Steel Grades	Justification
Boilers & Steam Drums	A516 Gr.70, P265GH, Q245R	Excellent pressure resistance and weldability
Petrochemical Pressure Vessels	A387 Gr.11 / Gr.22, 16Mo3, P355GH	Withstand high temperatures and pressure, good corrosion resistance
Cryogenic LNG Tanks	16MnDR, Q345R (tested), A516 with impact toughness at -20°C	Good toughness at low temperatures
Heat Exchangers	16Mo3, A387 Gr.11	Heat resistant with good strength retention
Industrial Storage Tanks	A285 Gr.C, A516 Gr.60, Q245R	Lower pressure applications, cost-effective
Nuclear or Energy Equipment	A387 Gr.22, 16Mo3, P355GH	Strong at elevated temps and pressure, high-spec requirements

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the difference between ASTM and EN pressure vessel steel grades?

ASTM grades are based on U.S. specifications, while EN grades follow European regulations. Both define mechanical and chemical properties for pressure vessel plates, but may differ in testing methods.

Q: Is P265GH equivalent to A516 Gr.60 or Gr.70?

P265GH is comparable to A516 Gr.60 in terms of pressure vessel applications, but the exact composition and standards differ. For projects requiring EN standards, P265GH is preferred; for ASME-coded vessels, A516 Gr.60/70 is standard.

Q: What is the Chinese equivalent of A516 Gr.70?

The closest equivalent is Q345R in the GB713 standard, offering similar mechanical strength and usage. For less demanding applications, Q245R is used.

7. Conclusion

Understanding the differences between pressure vessel steel grades helps engineers and buyers make informed decisions. Whether your project requires ASTM A516 carbon steel, A387 alloy steel, or EN P355GH, selecting the right grade guarantees performance and reliability.

GNEE offers a full range of pressure vessel steel plates — certified under ASTM, EN, and GB standards — available for global export with customized sizes and cutting services.

If you want to learn about or purchase other pressure vessel steel plates from GNEE, you can send an email to [email protected]. We will be very happy to serve you.