ASTM A736/A736M-17

Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Low-Carbon Age-Hardening Nickel-Copper-Chromium-Molybdenum-Columbium (Niobium) Alloy Steel

ABSTRACT
This specification covers two grades of low-carbon age-hardening alloy steel plates for welded pressure vessels and piping components. The two grades are nickel-copper-chromium-molybdenum-columbium and nickel-copper-manganese-molybdenum-columbium alloy steel. The heat treatment procedure for class 1, 2, 3 plates are presented. The steel shall conform to the required chemical compositions. Mechanical property requirements of the steel plates that include tension test requirements and notch-toughness requirements are presented in details.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification2 covers low-carbon age-hardening alloy steel plates for welded pressure vessels and piping components. The specification covers nickel-copper-chromium-molybdenum-columbium (niobium) steel.  
1.2 Plates under this specification are available as follows:  
1.2.1 Available in Grade A, Class 3 only.  
1.2.1.1 Quenched and precipitation heat treated with a minimum specified tensile strength of 85 ksi for thinner plates and 75 and 70 ksi for thicker plates, with the minimum tensile strength dependent upon the plate thickness. The maximum thickness of Grade A, Class 3 plates is limited only by the capacity of the chemical composition and heat treatment to meet the specified mechanical property requirements.  
1.3 This specification is expressed in both inch-pound units and in SI units. However, unless the order specifies the applicable “M” specification designation (SI units), the material shall be furnished in inch-pound units.  
1.4 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 exact equivalents. Therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with this specification.  
1.5 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-Oct-2017
• ICS: 77.140.30 - Steels for pressure purposes
• Technical Committee: A01 - Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• Drafting Committee: A01.11 - Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM A736/A736M-12 - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Low-Carbon Age-Hardening Nickel-Copper-Chromium-Molybdenum-Columbium Alloy Steel
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM A435/A435M-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Steel Plates
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A578/A578M-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A577/A577M-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Examination of Steel Plates
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A20/A20M-18 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM A20/A20M-17 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM A578/A578M-17 - Standard Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM A20/A20M-15 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM A20/A20M-14 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2014
• Refers: ASTM A20/A20M-13 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM A577/A577M-90(2012) - Standard Specification for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Examination of Steel Plates
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2012
• Refers: ASTM A435/A435M-90(2012) - Standard Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Steel Plates
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2012
• Refers: ASTM A578/A578M-07(2012) - Standard Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2012
• Refers: ASTM A20/A20M-11 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM A20/A20M-10 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2010

Overview

ASTM A736/A736M-17 is the standard specification developed by ASTM International for pressure vessel plates manufactured from low-carbon age-hardening nickel-copper-chromium-molybdenum-columbium (niobium) alloy steel. This standard covers Grade A, Class 3 alloy steel plates intended for welded pressure vessels and piping components where enhanced mechanical properties, notch toughness, and controlled chemical composition are crucial for service safety and reliability. ASTM A736/A736M-17 is recognized for its use in both inch-pound and SI units and is developed according to globally accepted standardization practices.

Key Topics

• Scope and Material Grades:

  • Covers low-carbon, age-hardening alloy steel plates.
  • Specifies Nickel-Copper-Chromium-Molybdenum-Columbium (Niobium) alloy, available in Grade A, Class 3.

• Heat Treatment:

  • Plates must be quenched and precipitation heat treated to achieve specified mechanical properties.
  • Minimum specified tensile strength:
    • 85 ksi for plates 3/4 inch [20 mm] and under
    • 75 ksi for plates up to 4 inches [100 mm]
    • 70 ksi for plates over 4 inches

• Chemical and Mechanical Properties:

  • Strict requirements for maximum carbon (0.07%), and specified ranges for other alloying elements.
  • Mechanical property requirements include minimum yield and tensile strengths, as well as minimum elongation.
  • Charpy V-notch impact testing required at −50°F [−45°C], ensuring notch-toughness.

• Testing and Supplementary Requirements:

  • Conformance to ASTM A20/A20M general requirements.
  • Optional supplementary requirements include vacuum treatment, ultrasonic and magnetic particle examinations, additional tension and impact tests, weldability assessment, and more.

Applications

ASTM A736/A736M-17 plates are widely used in industries requiring welded pressure vessels and high-performance piping components. Key applications include:

• Pressure Vessels:
  Utilized in the fabrication of pressure vessels for the chemical, oil & gas, and power generation industries, where high strength and notch-toughness at low temperatures are required.

• Piping Components:
  Suitable for welded piping parts critical for fluid containment under pressure, especially in aggressive or low-temperature environments.

• Process Equipment:
  Applied in process tanks, reactors, and heat exchangers demanding corrosion resistance, strength, and impact toughness.

• Industrial and Energy Sectors:
  Used where compliance to international safety and quality standards for material performance is mandatory.

Related Standards

These referenced documents are frequently used in conjunction with ASTM A736/A736M-17 for quality assurance and performance criteria:

• ASTM A20/A20M: General requirements for steel plates used in pressure vessels.
• ASTM A435/A435M: Ultrasonic straight-beam examination of steel plates.
• ASTM A577/A577M and A578/A578M: Ultrasonic angle-beam and straight-beam examination standards for special applications.
• ASME SA-736: The corresponding specification for use in ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications.

Practical Value

Adhering to ASTM A736/A736M-17 ensures that steel plates used for critical pressure vessel and piping applications meet rigorous standards for durability, mechanical performance, and safety. Its adoption supports compliance with international codes, improves reliability in demanding environments, and helps manufacturers and operators maintain industry best practices for pressure equipment.

For procurement, engineering, and quality assurance professionals, referencing ASTM A736/A736M-17 guarantees that only approved, tested, and appropriately certified materials are put into service, supporting both operational integrity and regulatory compliance.

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:A736/A736M −17
Standard Specification for
Pressure Vessel Plates, Low-Carbon Age-Hardening Nickel-
Copper-Chromium-Molybdenum-Columbium (Niobium) Alloy
Steel
This standard is issued under the fixed designationA736/A736M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2 3
1.1 This specification covers low-carbon age-hardening 2.1 ASTM Standards:
alloy steel plates for welded pressure vessels and piping A20/A20M SpecificationforGeneralRequirementsforSteel
components. The specification covers nickel-copper- Plates for Pressure Vessels
chromium-molybdenum-columbium (niobium) steel. A435/A435M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
Examination of Steel Plates
1.2 Plates under this specification are available as follows:
A577/A577M Specification for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Ex-
1.2.1 Available in Grade A, Class 3 only.
amination of Steel Plates
1.2.1.1 Quenched and precipitation heat treated with a
A578/A578M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
minimum specified tensile strength of 85 ksi for thinner plates
Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applica-
and 75 and 70 ksi for thicker plates, with the minimum tensile
tions
strength dependent upon the plate thickness. The maximum
thickness of Grade A, Class 3 plates is limited only by the
3. General Requirements and Ordering Information
capacity of the chemical composition and heat treatment to
3.1 Material supplied to this material specification shall
meet the specified mechanical property requirements.
conform to Specification A20/A20M. These requirements out-
1.3 This specification is expressed in both inch-pound units
line the testing and retesting methods and procedures, permit-
and in SI units. However, unless the order specifies the
ted variations in dimensions, and mass, quality, and repair of
applicable “M” specification designation (SI units), the mate-
defects, marking, loading, and ordering information.
rial shall be furnished in inch-pound units.
3.2 In addition to the basic requirements of this
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
specification,certainsupplementaryrequirementsareavailable
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
when additional control, testing, or examination is required to
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each
meet end use requirements. The purchaser is referred to the
system are not exact equivalents. Therefore, each system must
listed supplementary requirements in this specification and to
beusedindependently of the other. Combining valuesfromthe
the detailed requirements in Specification A20/A20M.
two systems may result in nonconformance with this specifi-
3.3 If the requirements of this specification are in conflict
cation.
withtherequirementsofSpecificationA20/A20M,therequire-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
ments of this specification shall prevail.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4. Materials and Manufacture
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1 The steel shall be killed and shall conform to the fine
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
austenitic grain size requirement of Specification A20/A20M.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Heat Treatment
5.1 The plates shall be quenched in a liquid medium from a
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
temperature in the range from 1600 to 1700°F [870 to 930°C]
Stainless Steel and RelatedAlloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.11 on Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017. Published November 2017. Originally
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as A736/A736M – 12. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
DOI: 10.1520/A0736_A0736M-17. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. 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-736 in Section II of that Code. 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
A736/A736M−17
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements
Composition, % Grade A
Element
Class 3,
Grade A
ksi [MPa]
Carbon, max
Yield strength, min
Heat analysis 0.07
⁄4 in. and under 75
Product analysis 0.09
[20 mm and under] [515]
Manganese
Over ⁄4 to 1 in., incl 75
Heat analysis 0.40–0.70
[Over 20 to 25 mm, incl] [515]
Product analysis 0.35–0.78
Over 1 to 2 in., incl 75
A
Phosphorus, max 0.025
A [Over 25 to 50 mm, incl] [515]
Sulfur, max 0.025
Over 2 to 4 in., incl 65
Silicon, max
[Over 50 to 100 mm, incl] [450]
Heat analysis 0.40
Over 4 in. 60
Product a
...

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: A736/A736M − 12 A736/A736M − 17
Standard Specification for
Pressure Vessel Plates, Low-Carbon Age-Hardening Nickel-
Copper-Chromium-Molybdenum-Columbium (Niobium) Alloy
Steel
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A736/A736M; 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*
1.1 This specification covers low-carbon age-hardening alloy steel plates for welded pressure vessels and piping components.
The specification covers nickel-copper-chromium-molybdenum-columbium (niobium) steel.
1.2 Plates under this specification are available as follows:
1.2.1 Available in Grade A, Class 3 only.
1.2.1.1 Quenched and precipitation heat treated with a minimum specified tensile strength of 85 ksi for thinner plates and 75
and 70 ksi for thicker plates, with the minimum tensile strength dependent upon the plate thickness. The maximum thickness of
Grade A, Class 3 plates is limited only by the capacity of the chemical composition and heat treatment to meet the specified
mechanical property requirements; however, current practice usually limits the maximum thickness to 8 in. [200 mm].require-
ments.
1.3 This specification is expressed in both inch-pound units and in SI units. However, unless the order specifies the applicable
“M” specification designation (SI units), the material shall be furnished in inch-pound units.
1.4 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 exact equivalents. Therefore, each system must be used
independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with this specification.
1.5 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:
A20/A20M Specification for General Requirements for Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels
A435/A435M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Steel Plates
A577/A577M Specification for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Examination of Steel Plates
A578/A578M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applications
3. General Requirements and Ordering Information
3.1 Material supplied to this material specification shall conform to Specification A20/A20M. These requirements outline the
testing and retesting methods and procedures, permitted variations in dimensions, and mass, quality, and repair of defects, marking,
loading, and ordering information.
3.2 In addition to the basic requirements of this specification, certain supplementary requirements are available when additional
control, testing, or examination is required to meet end use requirements. The purchaser is referred to the listed supplementary
requirements in this specification and to the detailed requirements in Specification A20/A20M.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A01.11
on Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2012Nov. 1, 2017. Published January 2013November 2017. Originally approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 20072012
as A736/A736M – 03 (2007).A736/A736M – 12. DOI: 10.1520/A0736_A0736M-12.10.1520/A0736_A0736M-17.
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Specification SA-736 in Section II of that Code.
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
A736/A736M − 17
3.3 If the requirements of this specification are in conflict with the requirements of Specification A20/A20M, the requirements
of this specification shall prevail.
4. Materials and Manufacture
4.1 The steel shall be killed and shall conform to the fine austenitic grain size requirement of Specification A20/A20M.
5. Heat Treatment
5.1 The plates shall be quenched in a liquid medium from a temperature in the range from 1600 to 1700°F [870 to 930°C] and
then precipitation heat treated at a temperature in the range from 1000 to 1300°F [540 to 705°C] for a time to be determined by
the manufacturer or processor.
5.2 If the purchaser elects to perform the thermal treatment, the plates shall be accepted on the basis of mill tests made from
test coupons heat treated as specified in the purchase order. If the test coupon heat treatment requirements are not specified in the
purchase order, the manufacturer or processor shall heat treat the test coupons under conditions it considers appropriate. The
manufacturer or processor shall inform the purchaser of the procedure followe
...