ASTM A455/A455M-12a(2023)

Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon Steel, High-Strength Manganese

ABSTRACT
This specification covers high-tensile strength carbon-manganese steel plates intended for welded pressure vessels. Plates are normally supplied in the as-rolled condition. The plates may be ordered normalized or stress relieved, or both. The steel shall conform to the chemical composition requirements. The plates, as represented by the tension test specimens, shall conform to the mechanical property requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification2 covers high-tensile strength carbon-manganese steel plates intended for welded pressure vessels.  
1.2 This steel is usually made to a semi-killed or capped deoxidation practice; however, at the purchaser's or the steel producer's option, the steel may be made silicon-killed or aluminum-killed.  
1.3 The maximum thickness of plates furnished under this specification shall be 3/4 in. [20 mm].  
1.4 For plates produced from coil and furnished without heat treatment or with stress relieving only, the additional requirements, including additional testing requirements and the reporting of additional test results, of Specification A20/A20M apply.  
1.5 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 the specification.  
1.6 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-2023
• 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 A455/A455M-12a(2017) - Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon Steel, High-Strength Manganese
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A20/A20M-20 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023

Overview

ASTM A455/A455M-12a(2023) is a standard specification developed by ASTM International, governing the production of high-tensile strength carbon-manganese steel plates for welded pressure vessels. This standard ensures that the steel plates meet strict chemical composition and mechanical property requirements, making them suitable for demanding pressure vessel applications. Typically supplied in the as-rolled condition, these plates can also be ordered normalized, stress relieved, or both, providing flexibility for various industrial needs.

Key Topics

• High-Tensile Carbon-Manganese Steel: Specifies the required steel type, produced by semi-killed, capped, silicon-killed, or aluminum-killed deoxidation practices, as per purchaser or producer preference.

• Thickness Limitation: Applies to steel plates with a maximum thickness of 3/4 inch [20 mm].

• Heat Treatment Options: Plates may be supplied as-rolled, normalized, stress relieved, or both, depending on service requirements.

• Chemical Composition: Strict limits are set for carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon to ensure consistent quality:

  • Carbon: max 0.33%
  • Manganese: 0.85–1.20% (heat analysis)
  • Phosphorus/Sulfur: max 0.025%
  • Silicon: 0.10% max (with possible adjustments)

• Mechanical Properties: Plates must meet minimum requirements for tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation, verified through tension tests.

• Testing and Supplementary Requirements: Additional tests and requirements, such as simulated post-weld heat treatment, can be specified by the purchaser.

Applications

• Welded Pressure Vessels: These high-strength plates are primarily used in the fabrication of pressure vessels that operate under high stress and pressure conditions, such as in the chemical, petroleum, and power generation industries.
• Industrial Boilers: Suitable for the construction of steam boilers and heat exchangers requiring robust mechanical performance and durability.
• Storage Tanks: Used in manufacturing storage tanks for gases and liquids, where structural integrity and safety are critical.
• Customized Fabrication: The standard allows for various heat treatment processes to tailor the steel plate performance to specific operational requirements.

The high strength and controlled composition make ASTM A455/A455M-12a(2023) steel plates a reliable choice where safety, quality, and compliance with international pressure vessel regulations are essential.

Related Standards

• ASTM A20/A20M: General requirements for steel plates for pressure vessels, referenced for additional testing, dimensions, and ordering information.
• ASME SA-455/SA-455M: Equivalent specification included in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section II for boiler and pressure vessel applications.
• Other ASTM Pressure Vessel Standards: Specifications such as ASTM A516 or ASTM A537, which cover alternative carbon steel grades for different pressure vessel uses.

Summary

Adhering to ASTM A455/A455M-12a(2023) ensures the production of high-tensile strength carbon-manganese pressure vessel steel plates that meet stringent chemical and mechanical criteria. Its application in critical infrastructure enhances safety and performance, making it an essential standard for manufacturers and fabricators in the pressure vessel industry. Utilizing products conforming to this specification supports compliance with both national and international regulations for welded pressure vessel construction.

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: A455/A455M − 12a (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Specification for
Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon Steel, High-Strength
Manganese
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A455/A455M; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This specification covers high-tensile strength carbon-
A20/A20M Specification for General Requirements for Steel
manganese steel plates intended for welded pressure vessels.
Plates for Pressure Vessels
1.2 This steel is usually made to a semi-killed or capped
3. General Requirements and Ordering Information
deoxidation practice; however, at the purchaser’s or the steel
3.1 Material supplied to this material specification shall
producer’s option, the steel may be made silicon-killed or
conform to Specification A20/A20M. These requirements out-
aluminum-killed.
line the testing and retesting methods and procedures, permit-
1.3 The maximum thickness of plates furnished under this
ted variations in dimensions, and mass, quality and repair of
specification shall be ⁄4 in. [20 mm].
defects, marking, loading, and ordering information.
1.4 For plates produced from coil and furnished without 3.2 In addition to the basic requirements of this
heat treatment or with stress relieving only, the additional specification, certain supplementary requirements are available
when additional control, testing, or examination is required to
requirements, including additional testing requirements and the
reporting of additional test results, of Specification A20/A20M meet end use requirements. The purchaser is referred to the
listed supplementary requirements in this specification and to
apply.
the detailed requirements in Specification A20/A20M.
1.5 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
3.3 Coils are excluded from qualification to this specifica-
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
tion until they are processed into finished plates. Plates
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each
produced from coil means plates that have been cut to
system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must
individual lengths from coil. The processor directly controls, or
be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
is responsible for, the operations involved in the processing of
two systems may result in nonconformance with the specifi-
coils into finished plates. Such operations include decoiling,
cation.
leveling, cutting to length, testing, inspection, conditioning,
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- heat treatment (if applicable), packaging, marking, loading for
shipment, and certification.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
NOTE 1—For plates produced from coil and furnished without heat
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- treatment or with stress relieving only, three test results are reported for
each qualifying coil. Additional requirements regarding plates from coil
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
are described in Specification A20/A20M.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.4 If the requirements of this specification are in conflict
with the requirements of Specification A20/A20M, the require-
ments of this specification shall prevail.
4. Heat Treatment
4.1 Plates are normally supplied in the as-rolled condition.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
The plates may be ordered normalized or stress relieved, or
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
both.
A01.11 on Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels.
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