ABS Grade AQ70 Shipbuilding Steel Coil

ABS Grade AQ70 Shipbuilding Steel Coil

ABS Grade AQ70 Shipbuilding Steel Coil: High-Strength Quenched & Tempered Plate for Marine Structures

In-depth data sheet of ABS Grade AQ70 shipbuilding steel coil including chemical composition, mechanical properties, thermal & electrical performance, international equivalents, and application guidelines.

Hot rolling, quenching, tempering, cutting, welding, bending

ABS Grade AQ70 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Introduction

ABS Grade AQ70 is a high-strength quenched and tempered structural steel primarily used in shipbuilding and offshore constructions. As per the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels, this grade belongs to the 690 MPa yield strength category, ensuring superior weldability, toughness, and resistance to brittle fracture. The 'A' designation indicates a minimum Charpy V-notch impact energy of 31 J at 0°C in the longitudinal direction. Typical applications include critical hull members, deck plating, and offshore platform components subject to severe loading and low-temperature environments. The material is supplied in normalized or quenched and tempered condition, often in the form of hot-rolled coils subsequently processed to plates or cut sheets.

ABS Grade AQ70 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Chemical Composition

The ladle analysis of ABS AQ70 steel follows the limits given in ABS Rules. Minor alloying elements such as Cr, Ni, Mo, V, Nb, Ti may be added individually or in combination to achieve the required mechanical properties. The carbon equivalent (CEV) is often controlled to ensure good weldability, typically CEV ≤ 0.52% for thicknesses up to 50 mm.

ElementStandard Value (max, unless range given)Remarks
C≤ 0.20For plate thickness t ≤ 50 mm; may be lower for thicker sections
Mn0.70 - 1.70May be adjusted based on plate thickness
Si≤ 0.55Killed fine grain practice required
P≤ 0.030Maximum
S≤ 0.030Maximum
Cu≤ 0.35
Cr≤ 1.50May be added for strength
Ni≤ 2.50May be added for toughness
Mo≤ 0.70May be added for hardenability
V≤ 0.12May be present as microalloy
Nb≤ 0.06May be present as microalloy
Ti≤ 0.05May be present as microalloy
Al (acid soluble)≥ 0.015Grain refining, fully killed
N≤ 0.012Typical control
CEV≤ 0.52 (t ≤ 50 mm)Carbon equivalent based on IIW formula

ABS Grade AQ70 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Thermal and Electrical Physical Properties

The physical properties provided are representative for high-strength quenched and tempered steels similar to ABS AQ70. Actual values may vary slightly depending on the exact chemical composition and heat treatment. These data are essential for structural design, thermal stress analysis, and electrical applications.

PropertyTypical ValueUnitTest Condition / Remarks
Density (ρ)7.85g/cm³At 20°C
Modulus of Elasticity (E)205 - 210GPaAt room temperature
Shear Modulus (G)≈ 80GPaCalculated from E and ν
Poisson's Ratio (ν)0.29 - 0.30Elastic range
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (α)11.5 - 12.5 (20-100°C); 13.0 - 13.5 (20-400°C)10⁻⁶/KAverage over temperature range
Thermal Conductivity (λ)35 - 45 at 20°C; 30 - 35 at 400°CW/(m·K)Decreases with temperature
Specific Heat Capacity450 - 500 at 20°C; 550 - 600 at 400°CJ/(kg·K)Increases with temperature
Electrical Resistivity (ρe)0.20 - 0.25 at 20°CµΩ·m

ABS Grade AQ70 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Mechanical Properties

Mechanical tests are carried out on specimens taken in the transverse direction unless otherwise agreed. Charpy V-notch tests are performed at 0°C for Grade AQ70. The minimum impact energy is 31 J for longitudinal specimens and reduced values for transverse orientation. Tensile testing follows the standard bar methods. Bend tests are performed on full-thickness specimens with a mandrel diameter at least 3 times the plate thickness.

PropertyRequired ValueUnitTest Condition
Yield Strength (ReH)≥ 690MPaAmbient temperature, transverse
Tensile Strength (Rm)770 - 940MPaAmbient temperature, transverse
Elongation (A)≥ 14 (gauge 200 mm) / ≥ 16 (gauge 50 mm)%Ambient temperature, transverse
Bend TestNo cracks; mandrel diameter = 3t-180° bend, ambient temperature; t = specimen thickness
Charpy V-Notch Impact (KV)≥ 31 (longitudinal)J0°C, specimen 10×10 mm²
Charpy V-Notch Impact (KV)≥ 22 (transverse)J0°C, specimen 10×10 mm²
Hardness (HBW)Typically 235 - 330HBWQuenched and tempered condition; not mandatory in ABS rules

ABS Grade AQ70 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Fully Equivalent Material Standards and Substitute Grades

Country/RegionStandardGradeRemarks
International (ABS)ABS Rules, Part 2 Ch 1 S 2AQ70Base grade, 0°C impact
European UnionEN 10025-6S690QLSame yield class; Q+T condition; minimum impact 27J at -20°C (L) → close equivalent
USAASTM A514 / A517Grade S, Grade QA514 is plate; A517 is for pressure vessels; yield ≥ 690 MPa; Q+T
ChinaGB/T 712E690 (with F, E, D, A impact classes)CCS/GB standard; A690 has 0°C impact; full equivalency needs confirmation of deoxidation practice
Norway/Germany (DNV)DNVGL VL E690VL E690DNV equivalent of 690 MPa YP steel; E class is for 0°C impact
Bureau VeritasBV RulesE690Impact at 0°C
Lloyd's RegisterLR RulesEH69EH69 has 0°C impact
ClassNKNK RulesKE690K is for 0°C; AQ70 corresponds to A class
RINARINA RulesE690Same strength class

ABS Grade AQ70 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Application Introduction

ABS AQ70 steel coil, after conversion to plate or profile, is widely utilized in naval and commercial shipbuilding as well as in fixed and floating offshore structures. Thanks to its high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent low-temperature toughness, it enables weight reduction and enhances service life in harsh marine environments. Industries served:

  • Shipbuilding (hulls, superstructures)
  • Offshore oil & gas platforms (jackets, decks)
  • Renewable energy (offshore wind turbine foundations)
  • Heavy machinery and crane manufacturing
  • Pressure vessels and storage tanks

Product Applications: Hull plating for large container ships and tankers, Deck plating for drillships and semi-submersibles, Leg racks and chords of jack-up rigs, Tubular nodes and braces for fixed offshore platforms, Transition pieces for monopile wind-turbine foundations, Crane booms and jibs built to ABS lifting appliance rules

Processed into products: Web frames and stringers in ship structures, Transverse bulkheads, Heavy-duty bearing supports, Welded beams and columns for platform decks, Eye pads and padeyes for lifting lugs, Shackles and hooks (after forging from plate/coil), Pressure-retaining parts of subsea modules, Cut-to-length parts for stiffeners, brackets, and chocks

Application industries: Shipbuilding and ship repair, Offshore engineering (oil & gas platforms, FPSOs), Offshore wind energy structures, Port and crane equipment, Mining and heavy machinery, Pressure vessel fabrication

ABS Grade AQ70 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Similar / Alternative Material Recommendations

Country/RegionStandardGradeRemarks
European UnionEN 10025-6S690QSlightly lower notched impact energy requirement than S690QL; check toughness
USAASTM A709Grade HPS 100WHigher strength (690 MPa) but different chemistry; may require re-qualification
JapanJIS G 3128SHY685High yield point steel for welded structures; yield ≥ 685 MPa; often used in bridges
ChinaGB/T 1591Q690D/EQ690D has -20°C impact, Q690E -40°C; may substitute AQ70 if low-temperature toughness is adequate
ISOISO 4950-2/3S690QLSimilar to EN 10025-6

Notes:

  • When ordering ABS AQ70 steel coil, the specification must clearly indicate the required thickness, width, impact orientation, and any supplementary testing (e.g., through-thickness tensile, ultrasonic, NACE MR0175 compliance).
  • Welding must follow approved procedures using low-hydrogen electrodes and preheat/interpass temperature control to prevent cold cracking. Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) is generally not required but may be applied for heavy sections.
  • The coil product is intended for direct use in coil form only after agreement with the classification society; otherwise it is normally processed into cut-to-length plates or strip before fabrication.
  • This data sheet is for informational purposes only. For design purposes, refer to the latest edition of the ABS Rules and the material manufacturer's test certificates.
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