KR Grade D70 Shipbuilding Steel Plate

KR Grade D70 Shipbuilding Steel Plate

KR Grade D70 Shipbuilding Steel Plate: High Strength & Excellent Low-Temperature Toughness

Comprehensive datasheet for KR Grade D70 shipbuilding plate: chemical composition, mechanical properties, physical data, equivalent grades and key applications.

Suitable for thermal cutting, cold forming, hot bending, welding (all common arc techniques), and moderate machining.

KR Grade D70 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Introduction

KR Grade D70 is a high-strength, weldable structural steel plate primarily designed for ship and offshore constructions in accordance with the rules of Korean Register (KR). The designation "D70" indicates that the material is required to provide a minimum yield strength of 70 ksi (approximately 483 MPa) combined with guaranteed Charpy-V impact properties down to -20 °C (grade "D").

  • Typical thickness range: 6 mm to 50 mm (thicker gauges may require adjusted properties).
  • Supplied in thermo-mechanically controlled (TMCP), normalised, or quench-and-tempered condition, depending on thickness and customer specification.
  • Features low carbon equivalent to ensure good weldability and resistance to cold cracking.
  • Finds extensive use in hull structures, deck stiffeners, crane booms, jack-up rig legs, and other critical load-bearing components.
  • Often selected where high strength-to-weight ratio and reliable low-temperature impact resistance are mandatory.

KR Grade D70 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of KR Grade D70 is tightly controlled to achieve a balance between strength and toughness. Maximum limits are set for detrimental elements such as phosphorus and sulfur. Grain-refining microalloying elements (Nb, V, Ti) are added to enhance mechanical properties. Carbon Equivalent Value (CEV) is typically kept below 0.40–0.43 % (depending on thickness) to ensure excellent weldability.

  • Values provided are typical for plates ≤ 50 mm thickness and are in accordance with KR Rules for high-strength shipbuilding steels.
  • Fine-grain practice with sufficient aluminium is mandatory.
  • Additional elements such as Cu, Ni, Cr, and Mo may be present as residuals or deliberate additions for thicker products.
Chemical ElementStandard Value (wt %)Remarks
Carbon (C)≤ 0.18Maximum
Manganese (Mn)1.00 – 1.60Typical range
Silicon (Si)0.10 – 0.50Fully killed (Al-killed)
Phosphorus (P)≤ 0.025Maximum
Sulfur (S)≤ 0.015Maximum
Aluminium (Al, total)≥ 0.015Minimum, fine grain requirement
Niobium (Nb)≤ 0.05Typical maximum
Vanadium (V)≤ 0.10Typical maximum
Titanium (Ti)≤ 0.02Typical maximum
Copper (Cu)≤ 0.35Residual (unless specified)
Nickel (Ni)≤ 0.30Residual (unless specified)
Chromium (Cr)≤ 0.20Residual (unless specified)
Molybdenum (Mo)≤ 0.08Residual (unless specified)
Nitrogen (N)≤ 0.012Bound by Al, V, Ti
CEV (IIW)≤ 0.43 (t ≤ 50 mm)Carbon equivalent for weldability

KR Grade D70 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Physical & Thermal Properties

The data below represent typical physical properties for high-strength shipbuilding steel of the same composition class as KR D70. Actual values may vary slightly with heat treatment and exact chemical analysis.

  • Density is used for weight calculations.
  • Elastic constants are valid at room temperature and near-linear up to ~200 °C.
  • Thermal conductivity and specific heat are essential for welding heat flow simulations and fire engineering.
PropertyTypical ValueUnitTest Condition / Reference
Density (ρ)7.85g/cm³Room temperature
Elastic modulus (E)200 – 210GPaRoom temperature, tensile test
Shear modulus (G)≈ 80GPaRoom temperature, calculated
Poisson's ratio (ν)0.3Room temperature, typical
Thermal expansion coefficient (α)11.5 – 12.5×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹20 °C – 100 °C
Thermal expansion coefficient (α)12.5 – 13.5×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹20 °C – 200 °C
Thermal conductivity (λ)42 – 48W/(m·K)Room temperature
Thermal conductivity (λ)38 – 44W/(m·K)At 100 °C
Specific heat capacity (c_p)460 – 500J/(kg·K)Room temperature
Electrical resistivity (ρ_e)0.22 – 0.28μΩ·mRoom temperature

KR Grade D70 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Mechanical Properties

The mechanical properties listed below correspond to the longitudinal direction of plates with a maximum thickness of 50 mm, tested in accordance with KR Rule requirements. Yield strength (ReH) is specified in ksi (70 ksi minimum), but values are also given in MPa for convenience. Charpy-V impact tests are performed at -20 °C for the D-grade level.

  • Requirements for thicker plates (e.g., 50–100 mm) may be slightly reduced – consult the material certificate.
  • Bend test is performed with 180° bending over the specified mandrel diameter.
  • Through-thickness properties (Z-quality) can be supplied if ordered with suffix Z25/Z35.
PropertyStandard Required ValueUnitTest Condition
Yield strength (ReH)≥ 483 (min. 70 ksi)MPa (ksi)Ambient, t ≤ 50 mm, transverse
Tensile strength (Rm)570 – 720 (82.5 – 104 ksi)MPa (ksi)Ambient, t ≤ 50 mm
Elongation (A5)≥ 15%Gauge length 50 mm (2″), longitudinal
Elongation (A200)≥ 18%Gauge length 200 mm (8″), longitudinal
Bend test (180°)No cracksMandrel diameter = 3 × thickness (t ≤ 25 mm)
Bend test (180°)No cracksMandrel diameter = 4 × thickness (25 < t ≤ 50 mm)
Charpy impact (KV₂, -20 °C)≥ 27 (average, longitudinal)JV-notch, 10×10 mm specimen (if thickness permits)
Charpy impact (KV₂, -20 °C)≥ 20 (individual, longitudinal)JV-notch, 10×10 mm specimen
Charpy impact (KV₂, -20 °C)≥ 27 / 20 (transverse)JAvailable upon request (transverse specimens)

KR Grade D70 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Fully Equivalent Standards & Replaceable Grades

Country / RegionStandardGradeRemarks
South Korea / InternationalKR RulesGrade D70 (KR D70)Original grade – main specification
International (IACS member)American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)Grade D70 / DH70Equivalent when approved by ABS (check specific thickness)
International (IACS member)DNV Rules for ShipsGrade D70 / DH70 (NV D70)DNV optional notation: NV D70
International (IACS member)Lloyd's Register (LR)Grade D70 / DH70Subject to LR approval of material and welder qualification
International (IACS member)Bureau Veritas (BV)Grade D70 / DH70May require additional tests for fatigue or CTOD
ChinaCCS RulesGrade D70 / DH70Same chemistry and tensile requirements; impact at -20 °C

KR Grade D70 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Application Introduction

KR Grade D70 combines high strength with dependable toughness at sub-zero service temperatures, making it an ideal choice for weight-critical marine and offshore structures.

  • Excellent weldability when correct preheat and heat input ranges are observed.
  • Good cold formability – inner bending radius ≥ 3 t recommended.
  • Can be supplied with additional through-thickness tensile properties (Z15, Z25, Z35) to resist lamellar tearing.
  • Often used in harsh environments where corrosion fatigue and low-cycle fatigue performance are design drivers.

Product Applications: Hull plates and shell plates of very large crude carriers (VLCC) and bulk carriers, Deck plating and longitudinal stiffeners in offshore modules, Legs, spud cans, and rack plates of jack-up rigs, Transition pieces and platform connections for offshore wind turbines, Crane booms, slewing rings, and chassis of heavy mobile cranes, Structural frames in polar-class icebreakers and LNG carriers

Processed into products: Bottom and side shell strakes in ice-strengthened vessels, Heavy doubler plates at load concentration points, Stiffeners, brackets, and web frames, Flange plates and web plates in built-up girders, Box structures for barge connection systems, Mooring system foundations and fairlead supports

Application industries: Shipbuilding (commercial, naval, and Arctic-class vessels), Offshore oil & gas platforms (jack-ups, semi-submersibles, TLPs), Renewable energy offshore wind turbine foundations (transition pieces, monopile connection details), Heavy lifting and port machinery (crane pedestals, boom luffing frames), Bridge construction (structural steel in cold climates), Pressure vessels and large storage tanks (subject to approval)

KR Grade D70 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Similar / Alternative Materials

Country / RegionStandardGradeRemarks
InternationalASTM A131 / A131MGrade EH70 (if available) or Grade FH70Higher toughness temperature (EH = -40 °C); FH = -60 °C. Slightly different chemistry may apply.
EuropeEN 10025-6S460QL / S460QL1Quenched and tempered high-strength steel; yield ≥ 460 MPa, similar strength class but not specific to shipbuilding. Impact temperature as low as -40 °C.
InternationalAPI 2W / 2YGrade 70 (API 2W Gr.70)Steel for offshore structures; minimum yield 70 ksi. Not exactly same shipbuilding chemistry but often interchangeable.
Japan / KoreaJIS G 3106SM570 / SM570-TMCRolled steel for welded structures; yield ≥ 460 MPa, tensile 570–720 MPa. No mandatory low-temperature impact but can be supplied with designated class.

Notes:

  • This datasheet is based on the general requirements of Korean Register Rules for high-strength shipbuilding steels and typical published data. For exact limits applicable to a specific project, always refer to the original material certificate and the latest revision of the KR Rules.
  • Welding consumables should be matched to provide undermatched or overmatched weld metal strength as per design; preheating (100–150 °C) is recommended for thicknesses above 30 mm to avoid hydrogen cracking.
  • Post-weld heat treatment (if required) must be agreed with the classification society, as it may affect mechanical properties.
  • When the steel is specified for critical applications (e.g., primary structural members in offshore units), additional CTOD or wide-plate tests may be requested.
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