ASTM A543/A543M-09(2021)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Quenched and Tempered Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum
Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Quenched and Tempered Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum
ABSTRACT
This specification covers nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel plates for use in the quenched and tempered condition, intended for the fabrication of welded pressure vessels and other pressure equipment. Material under this specification is available in two types, B and C. The material is also available in three classes as follows: Class 1; Class 2; and Class 3. The steel shall be killed and shall conform to the fine austenitic grain size requirement. All plates shall be heat treated by heating to a suitable austenitizing temperature. The steel shall conform to the chemical requirements specified. Tension tests shall be made to meet the required specifications.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification2 covers nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel plates for use in the quenched and tempered condition, intended for the fabrication of welded pressure vessels and other pressure equipment. These alloy compositions are normally considered for construction involving plate thicknesses of 2 in. [50 mm] or greater.
1.2 Material under this specification is available in two types, B and C. The material is also available in three classes as follows:
Class
Minimum Tensile Strength, ksi [MPa]
1
105 [725]
2
115 [795]
3
90 [620]
1.3 The maximum thickness of plates is limited only by the capacity of the chemical composition to meet the specified mechanical property requirements.
1.4 The minimum plate thickness is 3/16 in. [5 mm].
1.5 These alloy steel plates in the as-rolled condition are sensitive to cracking during flame cutting, transit, and handling. They should be shipped in the as-rolled condition only with the mutual agreement of the manufacturer and the purchaser or fabricator.
1.6 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not necessarily 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 specification.
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
- 31-Aug-2021
- Technical Committee
- A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
- Drafting Committee
- A01.11 - Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2018
- Effective Date
- 15-Nov-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2015
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2014
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2010
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2009
Overview
ASTM A543/A543M-09(2021) is an internationally recognized standard specification developed by ASTM for nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel plates. These plates are supplied in the quenched and tempered condition and are primarily aimed at the fabrication of welded pressure vessels and other pressure equipment requiring robust mechanical performance and reliable durability. The standard covers material in two types (B and C) and three tensile strength classes, providing flexibility to meet various engineering requirements.
Key Topics
- Material Types and Classes:
- Types B and C refer to specific chemical composition ranges.
- Available Classes: Class 1 (minimum tensile strength 105 ksi/725 MPa), Class 2 (115 ksi/795 MPa), Class 3 (90 ksi/620 MPa).
- Thickness Limits:
- Minimum thickness: 3/16 in. [5 mm]
- Maximum thickness is determined by the steel’s ability to meet specified mechanical properties.
- Heat Treatment:
- All plates must be quenched and tempered via a controlled process, including austenitizing, quenching, and tempering at not less than 1100°F [595°C].
- Mechanical Properties Testing:
- Plates must undergo tension tests to ensure they meet mechanical property requirements for their class, as outlined in the standard.
- Chemical Composition:
- Strict chemical limits ensure quality and consistency, particularly for elements like carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, nickel, chromium, and molybdenum.
- Grain Size Requirement:
- The steel must be “killed” and possess a fine austenitic grain size.
Applications
ASTM A543/A543M alloy steel pressure vessel plates are designed for use in high-stress environments that demand superior strength and resistance to cracking. Key applications include:
- Pressure Vessel Fabrication:
Used as base material for constructing high-pressure tanks and vessels processed through welding. - Industrial Boilers and Reactors:
Employed in power generation or chemical processing where reliable performance at elevated pressure is essential. - Heavy Equipment and Energy Sector:
Suitable for structures subjected to intense mechanical and thermal loads, such as offshore platforms, refinery units, and energy sector infrastructure.
The specification is especially relevant to projects involving thicker plate sections (2 in. [50 mm] or greater), though thinner plates are included as long as they meet all requirements for chemical composition and mechanical properties.
Related Standards
To ensure comprehensive quality and comparability, ASTM A543/A543M-09(2021) references and aligns with several other standards, including:
- ASTM A20/A20M: Specification for general requirements for steel plates for pressure vessels.
- ASTM A435/A435M: Straight-beam ultrasonic examination of steel plates.
- ASTM A577/A577M: Ultrasonic angle-beam examination of steel plates.
- ASTM A578/A578M: Straight-beam ultrasonic examination of rolled steel plates for special applications.
Additionally, for ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, a related specification exists: ASME SA-543 in Section II of the Code.
Practical Value
By adhering to ASTM A543/A543M-09(2021), manufacturers, engineers, and fabricators ensure their pressure-containing steel components meet stringent international requirements for mechanical strength, chemical consistency, and safety. The standard’s supplementary requirements and referenced documents provide further quality control and testing options for critical projects in the oil and gas, power generation, and petrochemical industries.
Keywords: ASTM A543, pressure vessel plate, nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel, quenched and tempered, alloy steel, mechanical properties, pressure equipment, standard specification, welded pressure vessels.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM A543/A543M-09(2021) is a technical specification published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Quenched and Tempered Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum". This standard covers: ABSTRACT This specification covers nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel plates for use in the quenched and tempered condition, intended for the fabrication of welded pressure vessels and other pressure equipment. Material under this specification is available in two types, B and C. The material is also available in three classes as follows: Class 1; Class 2; and Class 3. The steel shall be killed and shall conform to the fine austenitic grain size requirement. All plates shall be heat treated by heating to a suitable austenitizing temperature. The steel shall conform to the chemical requirements specified. Tension tests shall be made to meet the required specifications. SCOPE 1.1 This specification2 covers nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel plates for use in the quenched and tempered condition, intended for the fabrication of welded pressure vessels and other pressure equipment. These alloy compositions are normally considered for construction involving plate thicknesses of 2 in. [50 mm] or greater. 1.2 Material under this specification is available in two types, B and C. The material is also available in three classes as follows: Class Minimum Tensile Strength, ksi [MPa] 1 105 [725] 2 115 [795] 3 90 [620] 1.3 The maximum thickness of plates is limited only by the capacity of the chemical composition to meet the specified mechanical property requirements. 1.4 The minimum plate thickness is 3/16 in. [5 mm]. 1.5 These alloy steel plates in the as-rolled condition are sensitive to cracking during flame cutting, transit, and handling. They should be shipped in the as-rolled condition only with the mutual agreement of the manufacturer and the purchaser or fabricator. 1.6 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not necessarily 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 specification. 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.
ABSTRACT This specification covers nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel plates for use in the quenched and tempered condition, intended for the fabrication of welded pressure vessels and other pressure equipment. Material under this specification is available in two types, B and C. The material is also available in three classes as follows: Class 1; Class 2; and Class 3. The steel shall be killed and shall conform to the fine austenitic grain size requirement. All plates shall be heat treated by heating to a suitable austenitizing temperature. The steel shall conform to the chemical requirements specified. Tension tests shall be made to meet the required specifications. SCOPE 1.1 This specification2 covers nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel plates for use in the quenched and tempered condition, intended for the fabrication of welded pressure vessels and other pressure equipment. These alloy compositions are normally considered for construction involving plate thicknesses of 2 in. [50 mm] or greater. 1.2 Material under this specification is available in two types, B and C. The material is also available in three classes as follows: Class Minimum Tensile Strength, ksi [MPa] 1 105 [725] 2 115 [795] 3 90 [620] 1.3 The maximum thickness of plates is limited only by the capacity of the chemical composition to meet the specified mechanical property requirements. 1.4 The minimum plate thickness is 3/16 in. [5 mm]. 1.5 These alloy steel plates in the as-rolled condition are sensitive to cracking during flame cutting, transit, and handling. They should be shipped in the as-rolled condition only with the mutual agreement of the manufacturer and the purchaser or fabricator. 1.6 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not necessarily 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 specification. 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.
ASTM A543/A543M-09(2021) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 77.140.30 - Steels for pressure purposes. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM A543/A543M-09(2021) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM A578/A578M-17(2023), ASTM A435/A435M-17(2023), ASTM A577/A577M-17(2023), ASTM A20/A20M-18, ASTM A20/A20M-17, ASTM A578/A578M-17, ASTM A20/A20M-15, ASTM A20/A20M-14, ASTM A20/A20M-13, ASTM A577/A577M-90(2012), ASTM A435/A435M-90(2012), ASTM A578/A578M-07(2012), ASTM A20/A20M-11, ASTM A20/A20M-10, ASTM A20/A20M-09. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM A543/A543M-09(2021) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
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:A543/A543M −09 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Quenched and
Tempered Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA543/A543M; 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.
1. Scope Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
2 mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 This specification covers nickel-chromium-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
molybdenum alloy steel plates for use in the quenched and
tempered condition, intended for the fabrication of welded
2. Referenced Documents
pressure vessels and other pressure equipment. These alloy
compositions are normally considered for construction involv- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
A20/A20M SpecificationforGeneralRequirementsforSteel
ing plate thicknesses of 2 in. [50 mm] or greater.
Plates for Pressure Vessels
1.2 Material under this specification is available in two
A435/A435M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
types, B and C. The material is also available in three classes
Examination of Steel Plates
as follows:
A577/A577M Specification for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Ex-
Class Minimum Tensile Strength, ksi [MPa]
amination of Steel Plates
1 105 [725]
A578/A578M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
2 115 [795]
3 90 [620]
Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applica-
1.3 The maximum thickness of plates is limited only by the tions
capacity of the chemical composition to meet the specified
3. General Requirements and Ordering Information
mechanical property requirements.
3.1 Material supplied to this material specification shall
1.4 The minimum plate thickness is ⁄16 in. [5 mm].
conform to Specification A20/A20M. These requirements out-
1.5 These alloy steel plates in the as-rolled condition are
line the testing and retesting methods and procedures, permit-
sensitive to cracking during flame cutting, transit, and han-
ted variations in dimensions, and mass, quality and repair of
dling. They should be shipped in the as-rolled condition only
defects, marking, loading, and ordering information.
with the mutual agreement of the manufacturer and the
3.2 In addition to the basic requirements of this
purchaser or fabricator.
specification, certain supplementary requirements are available
1.6 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
when additional control, testing, or examination is required to
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
meet end use requirements. The purchaser is referred to the
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each
listed supplementary requirements in this specification and to
system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, each
the detailed requirements in Specification A20/A20M.
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
3.3 If the requirements of this specification are in conflict
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
with the requirements of Specification A20/A20M, the require-
with the specification.
ments of this specification shall prevail.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4. Manufacture
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1 Steelmaking Practice—The steel shall be killed and
shall conform to the fine austenitic grain size requirement of
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Specification A20/A20M.
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.11 on Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published September 2021. Originally
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as A543/A543M – 09 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
(2014). DOI: 10.1520/A0543_A0543M-09R21. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Specifi- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
cation SA-543 in Section II of that Code. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
A543/A543M−09 (2021)
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
5. Heat Treatment
Composition, %
5.1 All plates shall be heat treated by heating to a suitable
E
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