ASTM A633/A633M-24

Standard Specification for Normalized High-Strength Low-Alloy Structural Steel Plates

ABSTRACT
This specification covers normalized high-strength low-alloy structural steel plates for welded, riveted, or bolted construction. This material is suited for low ambient temperatures where the desired notch toughness is better than that expected in as-rolled materials of comparable strength level. The material shall have fine austenitic grain size and shall be normalized by heat treatment. Its chemical composition shall be determined by heat analysis. Tension tests shall also be done.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers normalized high-strength low-alloy structural steel plates for welded, riveted, or bolted construction.  
1.2 This material is particularly suited for service at low ambient temperatures of −50 °F [−45 °C] and higher where notch toughness better than that expected in as-rolled material of a comparable strength level is desired.  
1.3 Four grades, designated Grades A, C, D, and E are covered by this specification. Grade A provides a minimum yield point of 42 ksi [290 MPa]. Grades C and D provide a minimum yield point of 50 ksi [345 MPa] in thicknesses up to 2.50 in. [65 mm], inclusive and 46 ksi [315 MPa] in thicknesses over 2.50 in. [65 mm]. Grade E provides a minimum yield point of 60 ksi [415 MPa] in thicknesses up to 4.0 in. [100 mm], inclusive and 55 ksi [380 MPa] in thicknesses over 4 in. [100 mm].  
1.4 Current practice normally limits plates furnished under this specification to maximum thickness of 4 in. [100 mm] for Grades A, C, and D, and to a maximum thickness of 6 in. [150 mm] for Grade E. However, the maximum thickness of the plates is limited only by the capacity of the composition to meet the specified mechanical property requirements.  
1.5 When the steel is to be welded, it is presupposed that a welding procedure suitable for the grade of steel and intended use or service will be utilized. See Appendix X3 of Specification A6/A6M for information on weldability.  
1.6 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 29-Feb-2024
• ICS: 77.140.10 - Heat-treatable steels
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.02 - Structural Steel for Bridges, Buildings, Rolling Stock and Ships

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM A633/A633M-18 - Standard Specification for Normalized High-Strength Low-Alloy Structural Steel Plates
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM A6/A6M-24 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet Piling
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM A6/A6M-23 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet Piling
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A400-23 - Standard Practice for Steel Bars, Selection Guide, Composition, and Mechanical Properties
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024

Overview

ASTM A633/A633M-24 is the standard specification for normalized high-strength low-alloy structural steel plates, developed by ASTM International. This standard is widely used for plates intended for welded, riveted, or bolted construction, particularly applications that demand high notch toughness at low ambient temperatures (as low as -50 °F [-45 °C]). The specification covers steel grades with minimum yield strengths ranging from 42 ksi to 60 ksi, ensuring reliable performance in demanding structural environments. The steel plates are produced by normalization heat treatment to provide fine austenitic grain size and enhanced mechanical properties.

Key Topics

• Normalized High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel: ASTM A633/A633M specifies a heat-treated, normalized plate product engineered for superior structural strength and resilience compared to as-rolled materials, especially at low temperatures.
• Superior Notch Toughness: The material’s notch toughness exceeds that of comparable strength as-rolled steel, aiding in resistance to brittle fracture under impact or stress at low temperatures.
• Multiple Grades: Four grades are covered:
  • Grade A: Minimum yield point of 42 ksi [290 MPa].
  • Grades C and D: Minimum yield point of 50 ksi [345 MPa] (up to 2.50 in [65 mm] thick) and 46 ksi [315 MPa] above that thickness.
  • Grade E: Minimum yield point of 60 ksi [415 MPa] (up to 4.0 in [100 mm] thick) and 55 ksi [380 MPa] for thicker plates.
• Heat Treatment: All plates must be normalized by heating and air cooling, with additional requirements for heavier Grade E plates.
• Chemical and Mechanical Testing: Plates must meet specified chemical compositions by heat analysis and pass tension tests as dictated by the standard.
• Thickness Limits: While generally limited to 4 in [100 mm] for Grades A, C, and D, and 6 in [150 mm] for Grade E, plates may be produced thicker if all requirements are met.

Applications

ASTM A633/A633M-24 structural steel plates are commonly used in:

• Bridge Construction: Suitable for fabrications where both high strength and notch toughness at low temperatures are crucial.
• Building Frames: Ideal for high-rise and critical infrastructure where welded, bolted, or riveted connections are used.
• Transport and Offshore Structures: Effective in rolling stock, ships, and offshore platforms operating in cold climates.
• Heavy Equipment: Applied in structural components where durability and performance under stress are priorities.
• Energy and Petrochemical Facilities: Used where enhanced safety and reliability are necessary for extreme service conditions.

By specifying ASTM A633/A633M-compliant steel plates in these applications, engineers and designers ensure both safety and reliability, even in the most challenging operating environments.

Related Standards

For enhanced context and interoperability, the following standards are often referenced alongside ASTM A633/A633M:

• ASTM A6/A6M: General requirements for rolled structural steel bars, plates, shapes, and sheet piling.
• ASTM A36/A36M: Standard specification for carbon structural steel.
• ASTM A572/A572M: Standard specification for high-strength low-alloy columbium-vanadium structural steel.
• ASTM A709/A709M: Standard specification for structural steel for bridges.
• ASTM A992/A992M: Standard specification for structural steel shapes.

ASTM A633/A633M-24 aligns with internationally recognized principles for standardization, ensuring global acceptance and seamless integration into engineering specifications for high-strength, low-alloy normalized plate steel.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: A633/A633M − 24
Standard Specification for
Normalized High-Strength Low-Alloy Structural Steel Plates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A633/A633M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This specification covers normalized high-strength low-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
alloy structural steel plates for welded, riveted, or bolted
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
construction.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.2 This material is particularly suited for service at low
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ambient temperatures of −50 °F [−45 °C] and higher where
notch toughness better than that expected in as-rolled material
2. Referenced Documents
of a comparable strength level is desired. 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 Four grades, designated Grades A, C, D, and E are A6/A6M Specification for General Requirements for Rolled
Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet Piling
covered by this specification. Grade A provides a minimum
yield point of 42 ksi [290 MPa]. Grades C and D provide a
3. General Requirements for Delivery
minimum yield point of 50 ksi [345 MPa] in thicknesses up to
2.50 in. [65 mm], inclusive and 46 ksi [315 MPa] in thick-
3.1 Material furnished under this specification shall con-
nesses over 2.50 in. [65 mm]. Grade E provides a minimum
form to the requirements of the current edition of Specification
yield point of 60 ksi [415 MPa] in thicknesses up to 4.0 in.
A6/A6M, for the ordered material, unless a conflict exists in
[100 mm], inclusive and 55 ksi [380 MPa] in thicknesses over
which case this specification shall prevail.
4 in. [100 mm].
4. Materials and Manufacture
1.4 Current practice normally limits plates furnished under
this specification to maximum thickness of 4 in. [100 mm] for
4.1 The requirements for fine austenitic grain size in Speci-
Grades A, C, and D, and to a maximum thickness of 6 in.
fication A6/A6M shall be met.
[150 mm] for Grade E. However, the maximum thickness of
the plates is limited only by the capacity of the composition to 5. Heat Treatment
meet the specified mechanical property requirements.
5.1 The material shall be normalized by heating to a suitable
temperature which produces an austenitic structure, but not
1.5 When the steel is to be welded, it is presupposed that a
welding procedure suitable for the grade of steel and intended exceeding 1700 °F [925 °C], holding a sufficient time to attain
uniform heat throughout the material and cooling in air.
use or service will be utilized. See Appendix X3 of Specifica-
tion A6/A6M for information on weldability. 5.1.1 Grade E material over 3 in. [75 mm] in thickness shall
be double normalized.
1.6 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
5.2 If the purchaser elects to perform the required heat
are to be regarded as standard. Within the text, the SI units are
treatment, the material shall be accepted on the basis of mill
shown in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be
tests made from test coupons heat treated in accordance with
exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used inde-
the purchase order requirements. If the test coupon heat
pendently of the other. Combining values from the two systems
treatment requirements are not indicated on the purchase order,
may result in non-conformance with the standard.
the manufacturer shall heat treat the test coupons under
conditions considered appropriate. The manufacturer shall
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.02 on Structural Steel for Bridges, Buildings, Rolling Stock and Ships. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2024. Published April 2024. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as A633/A633M – 18. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/A0633_A0633M-24. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A633/A633M − 24
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
NOTE 1—Where “.” appears in this table, there is no requirement.
A
Element Grade A, % Grade C, % Grade D, % Grade E, %
Carbon, max 0.18 0.20 0.20 0.22
Manganese:
B
1 ⁄2 in. [40 mm] and under in thickness 1.00 to 1.35 1.15 to 1.50 0.70 to 1.35 1.15 to 1.50
B
Over 1 ⁄2 in. to 4 in. [40 mm to 100 mm], incl 1.00 to 1.35 1.15 to 1.50 1.00 to 1.60 1.15 to 1.50
C C C
O
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: A633/A633M − 18 A633/A633M − 24
Standard Specification for
Normalized High-Strength Low-Alloy Structural Steel Plates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A633/A633M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers normalized high-strength low-alloy structural steel plates for welded, riveted, or bolted construction.
1.2 This material is particularly suited for service at low ambient temperatures of −50°F [−45°C]−50 °F [−45 °C] and higher
where notch toughness better than that expected in as-rolled material of a comparable strength level is desired.
1.3 Four grades, designated Grades A, C, D, and E are covered by this specification. Grade A provides a minimum yield point of
42 ksi [290 MPa]. Grades C and D provide a minimum yield point of 50 ksi [345 MPa] in thicknesses up to 2.50 in. [65 mm],
inclusive and 46 ksi [315 MPa] in thicknesses over 2.50 in. [65 mm]. Grade E provides a minimum yield point of 60 ksi [415 MPa]
in thicknesses up to 4.0 in. [100 mm], inclusive and 55 ksi [380 MPa] in thicknesses over 4 in. [100 mm].
1.4 Current practice normally limits plates furnished under this specification to maximum thickness of 4 in. [100 mm] for Grades
A, C, and D, and to a maximum thickness of 6 in. [150 mm] [150 mm] for Grade E. However, the maximum thickness of the plates
is limited only by the capacity of the composition to meet the specified mechanical property requirements.
1.5 When the steel is to be welded, it is presupposed that a welding procedure suitable for the grade of steel and intended use or
service will be utilized. See Appendix X3 of Specification A6/A6M for information on weldability.
1.6 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown
in brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of
the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A6/A6M Specification for General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet Piling
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A01.02
on Structural Steel for Bridges, Buildings, Rolling Stock and Ships.
Current edition approved June 1, 2018March 1, 2024. Published June 2018April 2024. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 20132018 as
A633/A633M – 13.A633/A633M – 18. DOI: 10.1520/A0633_A0633M-18.10.1520/A0633_A0633M-24.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A633/A633M − 24
3. General Requirements for Delivery
3.1 Material furnished under this specification shall conform to the requirements of the current edition of Specification A6/A6M,
for the ordered material, unless a conflict exists in which case this specification shall prevail.
4. Materials and Manufacture
4.1 The requirements for fine austenitic grain size in Specification A6/A6M shall be met.
5. Heat Treatment
5.1 The material shall be normalized by heating to a suitable temperature which produces an austenitic structure, but not exceeding
1700°F [925°C],1700 °F [925 °C], holding a sufficient time to attain uniform heat throughout the material and cooling in air.
5.1.1 Grade E material over 3 in. [75 mm] in thickness shall be double normalized.
5.2 If the purchaser elects to perform the required heat treatment, the material shall be accepted on the basis of mill tests made
from test coupons heat treated in accordance with the purchase order requirements. If the test coupon heat treatment requirements
are not indicated on the purchase order, the manufacturer shall heat treat the test coupons under conditions considered appropriate.
The manufacturer shall inform the purchaser of the heat-treatment procedure followed in heat treating the test coupons at the mill.
6. Chemical Composition
6.1 The heat analysis shall conform to the chemical composition requirements listed in Table 1.
6.2 The steel shall conform on product analysis When a purchaser specifies a product analysis in accordance with Supplementary
Requirement S2, the product analysis shall conform to the requirements prescribedgiven in Table 1, subject to the product analysis
tolerances in Specification A6/A6M.
7. Tension Test
7.1 The material as represented by the test specimens shall conform to the requirements listed in Table 2.
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
NOTE 1—Where “.” appears in this table, there is no requirement.
A
Element Grade A, % Grade C, % Grade D, % Gr
...