GL E690 Shipbuilding Steel Coil

GL E690 Shipbuilding Steel Coil

GL E690 Shipbuilding Steel Coil - Quenched & Tempered High Strength Marine Plate

Detailed technical data for GL E690 shipbuilding steel coil: chemical composition, mechanical properties, thermal and electrical physical properties, international equivalent grades, and typical applications in offshore and marine engineering.

Hot rolling, quenching, tempering, cutting, welding, cold forming (limited), machining

GL E690 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Introduction

GL E690 is a high-strength, quenched and tempered structural steel primarily used in the construction of ships and offshore structures. It is certified by Germanischer Lloyd (now part of DNV GL) and meets the stringent requirements for toughness at low temperatures (E-grade, -40°C). With a minimum yield strength of 690 MPa and a tensile strength range of 760–940 MPa, E690 offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, enabling lighter designs without sacrificing structural integrity. The steel exhibits good weldability when proper preheating and low-hydrogen procedures are applied, and it is specifically developed to resist brittle fracture in harsh marine environments. Typical delivery condition is quenched and tempered (Q+T). The material is available in the form of coils, plates, and sheets, and is widely used for critical components such as ship hulls, jack-up rig leg racks, heavy-lift crane booms, and pressure vessels. Its chemical composition is carefully controlled to maintain low carbon content and a fine-grained microstructure, with elements like niobium, vanadium, and titanium added for grain refinement and precipitation strengthening. Carbon equivalent (CEV) is restricted to ensure weldability.

GL E690 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Chemical Composition

The chemical composition complies with GL/DNV GL rules for E690 grade. Maximum limits are given unless a range is specified. The steel is microalloyed with Nb, V, Ti to achieve fine grain size and high strength. Carbon equivalent (CEV) is typically restricted to ≤0.53% for weldability.

  • CEV = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15
  • All values are nominal and may vary slightly within the standard's limits.
ElementStandard Value (max, %)Remarks
Carbon (C)0.20Typical range 0.14–0.18
Silicon (Si)0.55Generally 0.20–0.50
Manganese (Mn)1.70Often 0.90–1.60 for thickness ≤50 mm
Phosphorus (P)0.020Maximum
Sulfur (S)0.010Maximum
Chromium (Cr)0.70Optional
Nickel (Ni)0.70May be increased to 1.00 for thicker sections
Molybdenum (Mo)0.50Optional
Copper (Cu)0.35Maximum
Niobium (Nb)0.060.02–0.05 common
Vanadium (V)0.100.05–0.10
Titanium (Ti)0.050.01–0.03
Aluminum (Al)0.015–0.055Minimum soluble, required for grain refinement
Nitrogen (N)0.012Maximum
Boron (B)0.005Optional, rarely used
CEV (IIW)0.53Depending on thickness and delivery condition

GL E690 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Thermal and Electrical Physical Properties

The following physical properties are typical for quenched and tempered high-strength steel and may vary slightly with exact chemical composition and heat treatment. They are useful for design calculations involving heat transfer, stress analysis, and electrical applications. Note: Values are not part of the mandatory certification but are based on published data for similar steels (e.g., EN 10025-6 S690QL).

PropertyTypical ValueUnitCondition / Remarks
Density (ρ)7850kg/m³At 20°C
Elastic Modulus (E)205 – 210GPaAt 20°C, static
Shear Modulus (G)80 – 85GPaCalculated from E and ν
Poisson's Ratio (ν)0.3In elastic range
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α)12.0 – 13.0×10⁻⁶/K20–100°C
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α)13.0 – 14.0×10⁻⁶/K20–200°C
Thermal Conductivity (λ)35 – 45W/(m·K)At 20°C
Thermal Conductivity (λ)30 – 38W/(m·K)At 200°C
Specific Heat Capacity (cp)450 – 500J/(kg·K)At 20°C
Electrical Resistivity (ρe)0.15 – 0.25µΩ·mAt 20°C

GL E690 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Mechanical Properties

The mechanical properties are valid for quenched and tempered condition. Testing is performed according to GL/DNV GL rules, typically on samples taken from a plate or coil. Note: Values may vary depending on product thickness and sampling orientation. Tension tests use proportional specimens (e.g., L0=5.65√S0). Impact tests are conducted on Charpy V-notch specimens at -40°C (E-grade).

PropertyStandard RequirementUnitTest Condition / Remarks
Yield Strength (ReH)≥ 690MPaThickness ≤ 50 mm, transverse direction
Yield Strength (ReH)≥ 650MPaThickness > 50 mm up to 100 mm
Tensile Strength (Rm)760 – 940MPaAll thicknesses, transverse
Elongation (A5)≥ 14%Gauge length 5.65√S0, transverse
Charpy Impact Energy (KV2)≥ 50 (average)JAt -40°C, longitudinal direction
Charpy Impact Energy (KV2)≥ 35 (single)JAt -40°C, longitudinal
Charpy Impact Energy (KV2)≥ 35 (average)JAt -40°C, transverse direction (if specified)
Charpy Impact Energy (KV2)≥ 24 (single)JAt -40°C, transverse
Bend Test (180°)No cracksMandrel diameter = 3 × thickness (t), bend to 180°

GL E690 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Fully Equivalent Standards and Replaceable Grades

Country / SocietyStandard / RuleGradeRemarks
Germanischer Lloyd (GL)GL Rules II-1E690Base specification; now incorporated in DNV GL
DNV GL (Det Norske Veritas)DNV-OS-B101E690Direct equivalent when issued with DNV GL certificate
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)ABS Rules (Part 2, Chapter 1)EH69Same strength and toughness level (E-grade, -40°C)
Lloyd's Register (LR)LR Rules (Pt.2)EH69Identical requirements
Bureau Veritas (BV)BV Rules (NR216)EH690Suffix may differ; EH690 is equivalent
China Classification Society (CCS)CCS Rules (Part 1)E690Direct equivalent in Chinese shipbuilding
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK)NK Rules (Part K)KE690Equivalent strength and toughness
Registro Italiano Navale (RINA)RINA Rules (Pt. B)E690Same designation
Korean Register (KR)KR Rules (Pt. 2)REH69 / KE690Designation may vary; technical equivalence

GL E690 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Application Introduction

GL E690 steel is extensively used in the shipbuilding and offshore industries where high strength and low temperature toughness are paramount. Its 690 MPa yield strength allows for weight reduction in large structures, leading to cost savings and improved payload. Typical applications include:

Product Applications: Ship hull plates, decks, and bulkheads, Jack-up rig leg chords and rack plates, Crane pedestals and boom sections, Pressure vessels and storage tanks for low-temperature service, Structural nodes and transition rings

Processed into products: Hull side shells and bottom plates, Longitudinals and stiffeners, Heavy brackets and gussets, Jack-up leg rack teeth and pinions, Boom chord and lattice members for shipboard cranes, Main deck and strength deck panels, Cofferdam bulkheads and watertight doors, Offshore skid beams and substructure members

Application industries: Shipbuilding (commercial, naval, and specialized vessels), Offshore oil & gas (jack-up rigs, semi-submersibles, fixed platforms), Heavy lifting and transport (crane booms, heavy-lift vessels), Bridge construction (when marine environment exposure requires class-approved steel), Renewable energy (offshore wind turbine foundations, transition pieces)

GL E690 Shipbuilding Steel Coil Performance-Close Alternative Materials

Country / StandardStandard / GradeKey Property ComparisonRemarks
European (EN 10025-6)S690QL / S690QL1YS ≥690 MPa, TS 770–940 MPa, KV at -40°C or -60°CStructural steel; often used offshore with additional qualification. S690QL1 offers better cold formability.
USA (ASTM A514 / A517)Grade Q / A517 Grade QYS ≥690 MPa, TS 760–895 MPaQuenched & tempered plate; used in pressure vessels and structures, but toughness at -40°C may need verification.
USA (ASTM A709)Grade HPS 690WYS ≥690 MPa, improved weatheringHigh-performance bridge steel, not automatically certified for marine usage.
China (GB/T 16270)Q690D / Q690EYS ≥690 MPa, TS 770–940 MPa, KV at -20°C/-40°CStructural quenched and tempered steel; marine classification may be requested.
Japan (JIS G 3128)SHY685 / SHY685NYS ≥685 MPa, TS 780–930 MPaHigh yield strength rolled steel for welded structures; check maritime approval.

Notes:

Welding Considerations: Preheating (typically 100–150°C) and low-hydrogen consumables are required. Control heat input and interpass temperature. Post-weld heat treatment is generally not required but may be specified for thick sections. Certification: Material must be delivered with original class society inspection certificates (e.g., GL/DNV GL stamp 3.1 or 3.2). CEV limiting: If the carbon equivalent exceeds 0.53%, special welding procedures may be necessary. Corrosion protection: Typical marine coatings or cathodic protection should be applied.

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