DNV Grade F460 Shipbuilding Steel Plate

DNV Grade F460 Shipbuilding Steel Plate

DNV Grade F460 Shipbuilding Steel Plate - High Strength Structural Steel for Marine & Offshore Engineering

Comprehensive material data for DNV Grade F460 shipbuilding steel plate: chemical composition, mechanical and physical properties, equivalent standards, and application guide.

Cutting, bending, welding (SMAW, SAW, GMAW), machining, cold forming, hot forming (controlled)

DNV Grade F460 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Introduction

DNV Grade F460 is a high-strength structural shipbuilding steel plate certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), now DNV GL. It belongs to the normalized or thermomechanically rolled fine-grain steel category with a minimum yield strength of 460 MPa. Designed for demanding marine and offshore structures, F460 offers excellent low-temperature toughness down to -60°C (Grade F), good weldability, and high resistance to brittle fracture. It is widely used in hulls, decks, and critical structural members of ships, offshore platforms, and other marine engineering projects. The steel is typically delivered in a normalized or thermomechanically rolled condition, often with reduced carbon equivalent to enhance weldability and fabrication reliability.

DNV Grade F460 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Chemical Composition

Chemical composition requirements according to DNV rules for Grade F460. The steel is microalloyed with Nb, V, Ti to achieve fine grain and high strength. Carbon equivalent (CEV) is controlled to ensure weldability, typically CEV ≤ 0.45–0.48 depending on thickness.

  • F: Specifies -60°C impact toughness grade.
  • Microalloying elements may be added singly or in combination.
ElementStandard Value (max, %) unless rangeRemarks
Carbon (C)≤ 0.18Deoxidized fine-grain steel
Silicon (Si)≤ 0.55Killed with sufficient aluminum
Manganese (Mn)1.00 – 1.70Contributes to strength and toughness
Phosphorus (P)≤ 0.025
Sulfur (S)≤ 0.020
Aluminum (Al, total)≥ 0.015Grain refining
Niobium (Nb)≤ 0.05Microalloying element
Vanadium (V)≤ 0.12Microalloying element
Titanium (Ti)≤ 0.05Microalloying element
Chromium (Cr)≤ 0.25Residual / optional
Nickel (Ni)≤ 0.80Residual / optional
Copper (Cu)≤ 0.50Residual / optional
Molybdenum (Mo)≤ 0.50Residual / optional
Nitrogen (N)≤ 0.015Usually combined with Al
CEV (IIW)≤ 0.45 (t≤50mm)Carbon equivalent for weldability

DNV Grade F460 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Thermal and Electrical Physical Properties

Physical properties are typical for low-alloy high-strength structural steels. These values are not part of the mandatory DNV specification but serve as reliable engineering data for design and simulation. Thermal expansion and conductivity influence welding procedure and in-service performance; modulus of elasticity is essential for structural analysis.

PropertyTypical ValueUnitTest Conditions / Remarks
Density (ρ)7.85g/cm³At 20°C
Young's Modulus (E)210GPaAt 20°C
Shear Modulus (G)81GPaCalculated
Poisson's Ratio (ν)0.3In elastic range
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α)12.0 × 10⁻⁶K⁻¹20–100°C average
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α)13.0 × 10⁻⁶K⁻¹20–200°C average
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α)13.8 × 10⁻⁶K⁻¹20–300°C average
Thermal Conductivity (λ)48W/(m·K)At 20°C
Thermal Conductivity (λ)44W/(m·K)At 200°C
Specific Heat Capacity (cp)460J/(kg·K)At 20°C
Electrical Resistivity (ρ_e)0.22 × 10⁻⁶Ω·mAt 20°C, typical for carbon steel

DNV Grade F460 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties at ambient temperature to DNV specifications. The tensile test is performed on flat specimens; impact test is done on Charpy-V specimens. Minimum values for yield and tensile strength apply to thickness ≤ 50 mm; for thicker sections (50–100 mm) a slight decrease in strength is allowed. Impact test temperature for Grade F is -60°C.

  • Bend test: mandrel diameter = 3a (a = specimen thickness) for 180° bending.
  • Through-thickness properties (Z-direction) available on request.
PropertyStandard RequirementUnitTest Conditions / Remarks
Yield Strength (ReH)≥ 460MPaThickness ≤ 50 mm, transverse
Yield Strength (ReH)≥ 440MPaThickness 50–100 mm, transverse
Tensile Strength (Rm)570 – 720MPaTransverse
Elongation (A5)≥ 17%Gauge length 5.65√S0
Impact Energy (KV2)≥ 27 (average)JLongitudinal, -60°C
Impact Energy (KV2)≥ 20 (minimum single)JLongitudinal, -60°C
Impact Energy (KV2)≥ 20 (average)JTransverse, -60°C (optional)
Bend Test (180°)d = 3aNo cracks, a = specimen thickness

DNV Grade F460 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Fully Equivalent Material Standards and Replaceable Grade Recommendations

Country/RegionStandardGradeRemarks
EuropeEN 10225:2009S460G2+MThermomechanically rolled, -60°C impact (Grade 2)
EuropeEN 10225:2009S460G1+QTQuenched and tempered, -60°C (Grade 1) alternative
InternationalISO 4950-2/3E460High yield strength structural steel, Type E (fine grain)
UKLloyd's Register RulesLR F460Identical chemical and mechanical requirements
USAABS RulesABS F460ABS Grade F460, equivalent toughness and strength
FranceBureau Veritas RulesBV F460F460 steel plate to BV classification
ChinaCCS RulesCCS F460Equivalent ship steel governed by China Classification Society
DNVDNV-OS-C401F460Original designation, offshore structural steel

DNV Grade F460 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Application Introduction

DNV Grade F460 steel is engineered for the most severe marine environments, where a combination of high strength, excellent toughness at Arctic temperatures, and fatigue resistance is required. It is ideal for weight-critical structures without compromising safety. The steel can be processed by gas or plasma cutting, cold or hot forming, and all common welding methods with appropriate filler metals. Preheating and interpass temperature control are recommended based on thickness and carbon equivalent. Post-weld heat treatment may not be required for normalized grades but can be applied following qualified procedures.

Product Applications: Container ships, bulk carriers, and oil tankers, Icebreakers and polar supply vessels, FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading) units, Jack-up rigs and semi-submersible platforms, Offshore wind turbine transition pieces and foundations, Submarine pressure hulls and naval combatant structures

Processed into products: Main hull plates, shell plating, and deck plating, Longitudinal stiffeners, transverse frames, and stringers, Heavy-duty crane booms and pedestals, Hatch covers and coamings, Helicopter decks (helidecks) on offshore units, Mooring components and Padeyes, Structural nodes (castings or welded build-ups) in offshore jackets

Application industries: Shipbuilding and Ship Repair, Offshore Oil & Gas Exploration and Production, Renewable Energy (Offshore Wind, Tidal), Naval Defence & Coast Guard, Marine Heavy Lifting & Transportation, Arctic Engineering

DNV Grade F460 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Near/Similar Substitute Material Recommendations

Country/RegionStandardGradeRemarks
ChinaGB/T 712F460Chinese ship steel with -60°C impact, similar strength range
EuropeEN 10025-6S460QLQuenched and tempered structural steel, -20/ -40°C impact, high strength, may need higher impact qualifications
EuropeEN 10025-4S460MLThermomechanically rolled, -50°C impact, close to F460 when -60°C not mandatory
USAASTM A709 / A709MGrade 50W / HPS 70WWeathering steel for bridges, yield 345-485 MPa, not all satisfy -60°C toughness
RussiaGOST R 52927F460Marine steel grade comparable to DNV, often used in Arctic ships

Notes:

  • For thickness above 100 mm, special agreement with the classification society is often required. Mechanical properties may be slightly reduced; a design factor is applied.
  • Z-direction (through-thickness) property: Z25 or Z35 to EN 10164 can be specified to avoid lamellar tearing in heavily restrained welded joints.
  • Ultrasonic testing per EN 10160 or equivalent is normally mandatory for Class 1 structural usage.
  • Material certificates (DNV 3.1B or 3.2) are issued by the mill and endorsed by the surveyor.
  • Share

Processing Services

BBN supplies steel raw materials and provides product processing services according to customer requirements. .

Get In Touch

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt dolore magna aliqua. Quis ipsum suspendisse ultrices gravida.

Contact Us

Drop Us A Message