ASTM A202 Grade B (A202GRB) Pressure Vessel & Boiler Steel Plate

ASTM A202 Grade B (A202GRB) Pressure Vessel & Boiler Steel Plate

ASTM A202 Grade B (A202GRB) Pressure Vessel & Boiler Steel Plate | Material Data

Complete material data for ASTM A202 Grade B (A202GRB) pressure vessel and boiler steel plate: chemical composition, mechanical properties, physical properties, international equivalents, and application guide.

Hot rolling, normalizing, stress relieving, welding, cutting, forming, machining

ASTM A202 Grade B Pressure Vessel & Boiler Steel Plate Introduction

ASTM A202 Grade B is a chromium-manganese-silicon alloy steel plate primarily used for welded boilers and pressure vessels in moderate-temperature service. Developed under the now-withdrawn ASTM A202/A202M standard, it offers a balance of good strength, toughness, and weldability. Grade B features a controlled composition with higher carbon and manganese compared to Grade A, providing superior mechanical properties. The material is typically supplied in the normalized condition and can be stress-relieved after welding. Although the specification has been superseded, grade A202GRB remains relevant in legacy equipment and finds equivalent performance in modern Cr-Mo alloy steels.

ASTM A202 Grade B Pressure Vessel & Boiler Steel Plate Chemical Composition

The chemical composition conforms to the requirements of ASTM A202 Grade B. The values are ladle analysis maxima or ranges as specified.

  • Alloy design: Chromium, manganese, and silicon are added for improved strength and heat resistance.
  • Residual elements: Copper, nickel, molybdenum, and vanadium may be present as residuals but are not deliberately added.
ElementValue (wt%)Remarks
Carbon (C)≤ 0.25Ladle analysis
Manganese (Mn)0.90 – 1.20Ladle analysis
Phosphorus (P)≤ 0.035Maximum
Sulfur (S)≤ 0.040Maximum
Silicon (Si)0.15 – 0.30Ladle analysis
Chromium (Cr)0.35 – 0.60Ladle analysis

ASTM A202 Grade B Pressure Vessel & Boiler Steel Plate Thermal & Electrical Physical Properties

The following physical properties are typical for Cr-Mn-Si alloy steel similar to ASTM A202 Grade B and are provided for design guidance only. Actual values may vary slightly with heat treatment and composition.

  • Properties are measured at room temperature unless otherwise noted.
  • Thermal conductivity and specific heat change with temperature; average values are given for the range 20–200°C.
PropertyTypical ValueUnitCondition
Density (ρ)7.85g/cm³Room temperature
Modulus of Elasticity (E)205GPaRoom temperature
Shear Modulus (G)80GPaRoom temperature
Poisson's Ratio (ν)0.29Room temperature
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α) (20–100 °C)11.7×10⁻⁶/°CAverage
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α) (20–200 °C)12.3×10⁻⁶/°CAverage
Thermal Conductivity (λ) (20 °C)49W/(m·K)
Thermal Conductivity (λ) (200 °C)46W/(m·K)
Specific Heat Capacity (cp) (20–200 °C)460J/(kg·K)Average
Electrical Resistivity (ρe)0.22µΩ·mRoom temperature

ASTM A202 Grade B Pressure Vessel & Boiler Steel Plate Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties are determined in accordance with the standard test methods referenced in ASTM A202. Values are for plates in the normalized condition with thickness up to 50 mm (2 in.). Impact testing requirements are subject to supplementary agreements.

  • Note: The specification was withdrawn; these values represent historical minimum requirements.
  • Bending test requirements depend on plate thickness and the ratio of bend diameter to specimen thickness.
PropertyStandard ValueUnitTest Condition
Tensile Strength (Rm)515 – 655 (75 – 95)MPa (ksi)Transverse specimen
Yield Strength (ReH)≥ 260 (≥ 38)MPa (ksi)0.2% offset; transverse specimen
Elongation (A)≥ 19%Gauge length 50 mm or 2 in.; thickness ≤ 50 mm
Elongation (A)≥ 17%Gauge length 200 mm or 8 in.; thickness ≤ 50 mm
Bend Test (bend diameter – thickness ≤ 19 mm)2T180° bend; no cracks
Bend Test (19 mm < thickness ≤ 32 mm)3T180° bend; no cracks
Charpy V-Notch Impact (KV) (if specified)≥ 20 (≥ 27)J (ft·lbf)At -30 °C or as agreed (e.g., 20 J at -20 °C typical supplementary requirement)

ASTM A202 Grade B Pressure Vessel & Boiler Steel Plate Direct Equivalent Material Standards & Alternative Grade Recommendations

Country/RegionStandardDesignationRemarks
USAASTM A202 (withdrawn)Grade BOriginal specification; now obsolete but still used in retrofits
GermanyDIN 17155 (withdrawn)19Mn5Chemical similarity but no Cr; limited moderate-temperature use; not a full match
JapanJIS G3115 (withdrawn)SPV315Similar pressure vessel steel; composition differs slightly; not fully equivalent
InternationalISO 2604-4 (withdrawn)F36Old international reference; mechanicals close but composition not identical
Modern Replacement (USA)ASME SA-387Grade 2 Class 1/2 (1Cr-0.5Mo)Superior elevated-temperature strength; recommended for new construction as an upgrade
Modern Replacement (Europe)EN 10028-213CrMo4-5 (1.7335)Widely used Cr-Mo steel; higher oxidation resistance; suitable alternative for many A202 Gr.B applications

ASTM A202 Grade B Pressure Vessel & Boiler Steel Plate Application Introduction

ASTM A202 Grade B was extensively used for welded pressure vessels and boilers operating at temperatures up to approximately 500 °C. Its moderate alloy content provides better elevated-temperature strength than carbon steel while maintaining good weldability and toughness.

  • Fabrication: Suitable for hot forming and cold forming with subsequent heat treatment. Preheating and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) are generally required based on thickness.
  • Design limits: As per historic ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code allowable stresses, often replaced today by modern Cr-Mo steels with higher design margins.

Product Applications: Pressure vessels (vertical and horizontal cylindrical vessels), Boiler drums and shells, Process columns (distillation, absorption), Reactor pressure shells, Heat exchanger shells and channels, Storage spheres and bullets

Processed into products: Shell courses and formed heads (dished, elliptical), Nozzles and reinforcement pads (when plate cut from A202 Gr.B), Flanges (plate-type, when fabricated from plate), Tube sheets (for shell-and-tube exchangers), Stiffening rings and support saddles, Transition sections and conical reducers

Application industries: Oil & Gas (refining, gas processing), Petrochemical (chemical reactors, separators), Power Generation (boiler drums, steam separators), Industrial Equipment (heat exchangers, autoclaves), Shipbuilding (marine boilers, compressed air receivers) [historical]

ASTM A202 Grade B Pressure Vessel & Boiler Steel Plate Similar / Alternative Materials with Close Performance

Country/RegionStandardDesignationRemarks
USAASME SA-387Gr. 2 Cl. 1 (1Cr-0.5Mo)Excellent alternative with improved creep resistance; often substituted for A202 Grade B in new pressure vessels.
EUEN 10028-216Mo3Nominal Mo addition steel for elevated temperature; lacks Cr but shares similar mechanicals; suitable for less corrosive environments.
ChinaGB/T 713 (old GB 6654)15CrMoRChinese pressure vessel steel with Cr-Mo; composition closer to 1Cr-0.5Mo; used widely in similar services.
USAASTM A204Grade B (C-0.5Mo)Mo alloy steel plate; lower strength but good high-temperature properties; viable substitute where Cr is not required.
EUEN 10028-2P265GHNon-alloy pressure vessel steel; lower cost alternative for lower-temperature applications (<400°C); not a direct replacement for creep service.

Notes:

Important Notice: ASTM A202/A202M was officially withdrawn in 1999 without a direct replacement. Existing inventory and legacy equipment may still use A202 Grade B plates. For new construction, it is strongly recommended to use the modern equivalent ASME SA-387 Grade 2 Class 1/2 or EN 10028-2 13CrMo4-5, which offer better defined properties and wider acceptance under current pressure vessel codes. When replacing components in old equipment, a detailed engineering assessment is required to ensure compatibility of welding procedures and mechanical properties.

  • The data provided in this profile are from the last published edition of the standard and typical supplier documentation.
  • No additional elements beyond those listed in the composition table are intentionally added; all values are based on official historical records.
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