ASTM A516 Grade 65 (A516 Gr 65) is a normalized carbon steel plate specified for moderate- and low-temperature pressure vessel service where weldability and impact toughness matter more than maximum strength. It sits between the more common Grade 70 and the lower-strength Grade 60, giving engineers a balance of design margin and formability for shells, heads, and boiler components operating down to -46 °C. This page covers the full technical, dimensional, and supply spec for Huaxia-Steel A516 Gr 65 plate.
Product Overview
ASTM A516 is the standard specification for pressure vessel plates, carbon steel, for moderate- and lower-temperature service. The standard covers four grades (55, 60, 65, 70) with progressively higher tensile and yield strength. Grade 65 specifies a minimum yield strength of 260 MPa (38 ksi) for thicknesses up to 100 mm — strong enough for most industrial boiler and pressure vessel codes, yet still readily weldable without preheat in many thickness ranges.
A516 Gr 65 is widely used for:
- Shell and head plates for industrial boilers.
- Storage tanks for LPG, ammonia, and other liquefied gases.
- Heat exchanger shells and tube sheets.
- Pressure vessel components for petrochemical plants.
- Compressed air receivers and process vessels.
- Wind tower flanges and tower internals.
Available Thickness and Width
Huaxia-Steel supplies A516 Gr 65 in normalized condition from stock and mill-direct:
- Thickness: 5 mm to 200 mm (mill); 6–50 mm typically from stock plate.
- Width: 1,500 mm to 4,000 mm (cut-to-width available).
- Length: Up to 18,000 mm (mill); stock plate usually 6,000 mm or 12,000 mm.
- Plate condition: As-rolled (+AR), normalized (+N), stress-relieved (+SR). Normalized is most common for pressure vessel service.
Chemical Composition (Heat Analysis)
| Element | Maximum % (Grade 65) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.24 (≤ 40 mm) / 0.26 (40–65 mm) / 0.28 (65–100 mm) / 0.29 (100–200 mm) | Thickness-dependent |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.85–1.20 | Higher Mn improves toughness |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.035 | — |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.035 | — |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.15–0.40 | — |
| Carbon Equivalent (CE) | 0.45 typical (for weldability) | CE = C + Mn/6 |
A516 plates are typically fully killed and fine-grained. Heat analysis is mandatory; product (check) analysis is also performed per ASTM A20.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Grade 65 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength Rm | 450–585 MPa (65–85 ksi) |
| Yield Strength Rp0.2 | ≥ 260 MPa (38 ksi) |
| Elongation in 200 mm | ≥ 19% |
| Elongation in 50 mm | ≥ 23% |
| Charpy V-notch Impact (-46 °C, full-size, 3 specimens avg.) | ≥ 18 J (13 ft-lbf) per ASTM A20 supplementary requirement S5 |
For low-temperature service below -46 °C, specify supplementary requirement S5 (impact test). For LNG service at -162 °C, A516 Gr 65 is not adequate — use ASTM A537 Class 2 or 9% Ni steel instead.
Standard Plate Weight
| Thickness (mm) | Weight per m² (kg/m²) | Standard Plate 1500×6000 (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 47.1 | 424 |
| 8 | 62.8 | 565 |
| 10 | 78.5 | 707 |
| 12 | 94.2 | 848 |
| 16 | 125.6 | 1,131 |
| 20 | 157.0 | 1,413 |
| 25 | 196.3 | 1,766 |
| 30 | 235.5 | 2,120 |
| 40 | 314.0 | 2,826 |
| 50 | 392.5 | 3,533 |
| 60 | 471.0 | 4,239 |
| 80 | 628.0 | 5,652 |
| 100 | 785.0 | 7,065 |
Tolerance per ASTM A20: thickness ±0.01 × thickness for ≤ 25 mm, ±1/4 in (6.35 mm) for thicker plates.
Manufacturing Standards
- ASTM A516 / A516M — primary product specification.
- ASTM A20 / A20M — general requirements for pressure vessel plates.
- ASME SA-516 / SA-20 — ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code equivalent.
- EN 10028-2 P265GH — European equivalent (close to Gr 65 chemistry, slightly different mechanical).
- JIS G3115 SPV 410 — Japanese equivalent (higher strength than A516 Gr 65).
- GB/T 713 Q370R — Chinese equivalent for pressure vessel plate.
Welding and Forming
A516 Gr 65 has excellent weldability thanks to its low carbon content. For most thicknesses, preheating is not required if ambient temperature is above 15 °C and heat input is controlled. Recommended practices:
- Use low-hydrogen electrodes (e.g., AWS E7018, EN ISO 2560-A E 46 B).
- Preheating required above 25 mm thickness: 100–150 °C.
- Preheating above 50 mm: 150–200 °C.
- Interpass temperature below 250 °C for fine-grain HAZ.
- Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) at 595–620 °C may be required for vessels above 50 mm thickness or per ASME code.
- Forming: hot forming above 850 °C or cold forming with radius ≥ 2× thickness. Avoid cold forming below 0 °C.
Typical Applications
- Shell and head plates for boilers operating at -46 °C to 400 °C.
- Storage tanks for LPG, propane, butane, ammonia (down to -46 °C).
- Heat exchanger shells and tube sheets.
- Pressure vessel shells for chemical and petrochemical service.
- Wind turbine tower flanges and base rings.
- Hydrocracker and reformer reactors in refineries (with cladding).
- Compressor receivers and air receivers (ASME U-stamp).
Quality Assurance and Testing
- Heat analysis and product analysis per ASTM A20.
- Tensile test — yield, ultimate, elongation (per ASTM A370).
- Charpy V-notch impact at -46 °C (supplementary requirement S5, optional).
- Ultrasonic testing per ASTM A578 (Level A, B, C, or D; default Level B).
- Dimensional and visual inspection per ASTM A20.
- Normalized condition verified by microstructure (sample) and mechanical properties.
Mill test certificate per EN 10204-3.1. Third-party inspection by SGS, BV, TUV, or Intertek available on request. For ASME-stamped vessels, the plate must also come from a mill with ASME QWCA / QWTR certification.
Marking and Traceability
Each plate is stenciled per ASTM A20 with manufacturer mark, ASTM specification, grade, heat number, plate number (if applicable), size, and condition (e.g., “A516-65 N”). Plates ≥ 25 mm typically also have color-coded edges or ink-jet marks for grade identification.
Packaging and Shipping
- Standard export packing: bare plates bundled with steel strapping, separated by wooden spacers to prevent surface damage.
- Sea-worthy packing: fumigated wooden pallets or steel-framed cradles for break-bulk and container loading.
- Anti-rust oil or VCI paper for long-voyage orders.
- Container loading: 20-ft container fits ~22–25 tonnes of 10–20 mm plate; 40-ft HC fits ~25–28 tonnes.
- Bulk vessel: for orders above 3,000 tonnes, loaded directly into bulk carrier holds.
- Optional shot-blasting and primer coating available before shipment.
Order A516 Grade 65 Plate from Huaxia-Steel
Huaxia-Steel supplies A516 Gr 65 normalized plate from certified Chinese mills with monthly capacity above 50,000 tonnes. We provide cut-to-size, beveling, drilling, rolling of heads and shells, and even full boiler assembly. Every plate ships with EN 10204-3.1 certificate and optional third-party inspection. Send your specification (thickness, width, length, quantity, end use, code) to [email protected] for a mill-direct quote within 24 hours.
Related products: A516 Grade 70 Plate · A285 Gr C Plate · ASTM A36 Plate
