What is the Temperature Range for ASME SA 516 GR 70 Material?

ASME SA 516 GR 70 material is suitable for temperatures from -46°C to 538°C in normalized conditions, offering excellent performance in both low and high-temperature pressure vessels.At Gangsteel, we manufacture ASME SA 516 GR 70 plates with superior toughness and HIC resistance for global applications. This article details the temperature range, properties, and applications of SA 516 GR 70.

Temperature Range of SA 516 GR 70

ASME SA 516 GR 70, equivalent to ASTM A 516 GR 70, is designed for pressure vessels and boilers operating across a wide temperature range. According to ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section VIII, Division 1, the material’s temperature limits are:

• Upper Limit: Up to 538°C (1000°F) in normalized conditions, suitable for high-temperature boilers and pressure vessels. Beyond 538°C, creep and thermal degradation may occur, requiring alloy steels like SA 537.
• Lower Limit: Down to -46°C (-50°F), with excellent notch toughness (27 J Charpy V-notch impact energy at -46°C), making it ideal for low-temperature applications, such as arctic pipelines or cryogenic storage.

Gangsteel’s SA 516 GR 70 plates are normalized at 900-950°C to achieve a fine-grain structure, enhancing low-temperature toughness and high-temperature stability. For sour service applications, our plates are tested per NACE TM0284 to ensure Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) resistance, further expanding their usability in extreme environments.

Chemical Composition Supporting Temperature Performance

The chemical composition of SA 516 GR 70 is optimized for temperature resilience:

Gangsteel’s SA 516 GR 70 plates are tested for HIC with sulfur content as low as 0.003%, ensuring reliability in sour gas environments across the full temperature range.

Mechanical Properties Across Temperatures

The mechanical properties of SA 516 GR 70 support its performance from -46°C to 538°C:

These properties are verified through ASTM E8 (tension testing) and ASTM E23 (impact testing), ensuring that SA 516 GR 70 performs reliably across its temperature range. Gangsteel’s plates, such as ASME SA 516 GR 65, are similarly tested for consistent performance.

Applications Across the Temperature Range

SA 516 GR 70’s wide temperature range makes it versatile for:

• High-Temperature Applications:
  • Boilers: Operating at temperatures up to 538°C and pressures up to 500 bar, used in power generation and industrial heating systems.
  • Petrochemical Reactors: Handling high-temperature chemical processes, often paired with ASME SA 516 GR 60.
• Low-Temperature Applications:
  • Arctic Pipelines: Withstanding -46°C in oil and gas pipelines, especially in sour service environments requiring HIC resistance.
  • Cryogenic Storage: Tanks for liquefied gases, leveraging SA 516 GR 70’s notch toughness.
• General Pressure Vessels: Used in oil and gas, petrochemical, and chemical processing industries for vessels operating in moderate conditions.

Gangsteel supplies SA 516 GR 70 plates in thicknesses from 6mm to 200mm (custom up to 300mm), with widths up to 4,500mm and lengths up to 12,000mm, tailored to meet project-specific temperature requirements.

Gangsteel’s Manufacturing and Testing for SA 516 GR 70

Gangsteel ensures that our SA 516 GR 70 plates perform reliably across the specified temperature range through:

• Controlled Rolling: Produces fine-grain plates to enhance low-temperature toughness and high-temperature stability.
• Heat Treatment: Normalizing at 900-950°C or stress-relieving at 620-650°C to optimize mechanical properties.
• Testing:
  • Ultrasonic Testing: Per ASTM A435 to detect internal defects, ensuring structural integrity at all temperatures.
  • HIC Testing: Per NACE TM0284 for sour service reliability, critical for low-temperature applications.
  • Charpy V-Notch Impact Testing: At -46°C to verify low-temperature toughness.
• Certifications: Mill Test Certificates (MTCs) per EN 10204 3.1, verified by third-party inspectors like SGS and BV.

Our global supply chain supports exports to over 50 countries, with delivery to Asia in 3-7 days, maintaining a zero-defect record. Gangsteel’s SA 516 GR 70 plates are dual-certified with ASTM A 516 GR 70, offering flexibility for both ASME and ASTM applications.

Why SA 516 GR 70 Excels Across Temperatures

SA 516 GR 70’s temperature range (-46°C to 538°C) offers several advantages:

• Versatility: Suitable for both high and low-temperature applications, reducing material selection complexity.
• HIC Resistance: Ensures reliability in sour gas environments, critical for oil and gas pipelines.
• Weldability: Low carbon content (≤0.31%) facilitates strong welds, maintaining integrity across temperature extremes.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Carbon steel composition lowers costs compared to alloy steels for high-temperature applications.

Gangsteel’s SA 516 GR 70 plates are designed to integrate seamlessly with other ASME-compliant components, such as ASME SA 516 GR 55, for comprehensive pressure vessel solutions.

Conclusion

ASME SA 516 GR 70 material is suitable for temperatures from -46°C to 538°C, offering excellent toughness and strength for pressure vessels and boilers. Gangsteel’s ASME SA 516 GR 70 plates are engineered to meet ASME BPVC standards, ensuring reliability across a wide temperature range for global industries. Contact Gangsteel for customized plates and competitive pricing to support your pressure vessel projects.

Keywords: ASME SA 516 GR 70 temperature range, carbon steel pressure vessels, HIC resistance, Gangsteel SA 516