BV/AH32|BV Grade AH32 STEEL PLATE

BV AH32 steel plate, also written as BV/AH32, BV Grade AH32, Bureau Veritas AH32 or AH32 ship steel plate, is the higher-strength hull structural steel of Bureau Veritas Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships (IACS UR W11 higher-strength family) with 315 MPa minimum yield, 440-590 MPa tensile strength and Charpy V-notch toughness at 0°C [32°F]. In the grade name, "A" is the toughness class, "H" means higher strength and "32" refers to the strength level (historically about 32 kgf/mm²). Gangsteel, a steel plate exporter, supplies BV AH32 / Grade AH32 plates cut to size for shipbuilding, offshore platforms and marine structures.

Data source: Per IACS UR W11 (ordinary/higher-strength hull structural steel) as adopted in Bureau Veritas hull structural steel rules. Official mill/certificate grade is BV AH32 (BV Grade AH32). Verify the current BV edition before ordering.

BV AH32 Chemical Composition (Heat Analysis)

 

Element	C	Mn	Si	P	S	Al (acid sol.)
BV AH32, %	0.18 max	0.90-1.60	0.10-0.50	0.035 max	0.035 max	0.015 min
Element	Nb	V	Ti	Cu	Cr	Ni / Mo
BV AH32, %	0.02-0.05	0.05-0.10	0.02 max	0.35 max	0.20 max	0.40 max / 0.08 max

Per IACS UR W11 / Bureau Veritas hull structural steel rules (higher-strength grades). Nb, V and Al grain-refining elements may be used singly or in combination; when used in combination the individual minima do not apply. Where acid-soluble Al is not less than 0.015%, the Si minimum does not apply. Carbon equivalent: Ceq = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15 (%).

Product Analysis (Check Analysis)

 

IACS UR W11 / BV rules do not separately tabulate product (check) analysis limits for higher-strength grades. When product analysis is required, the finished plate shall meet the heat limits subject to ASTM A6/A6M Table A permitted variations (same practice as other IACS societies).

Element	Heat analysis limit	Product analysis (heat ± A6)
C	0.18 max	0.22 max
Mn	0.90-1.60	0.81–1.72
Si	0.10-0.50	0.04–0.56
P	0.035 max	0.045 max
S	0.035 max	0.045 max
Al (acid sol.)	0.015 min	no A6 Table A tolerance; product value not tabulated
Nb	0.02-0.05	0.010–0.060
V	0.05-0.10	0.040–0.110
Ti	0.02 max	0.03 max
Cu	0.35 max	0.38 max
Cr	0.20 max	0.24 max
Ni	0.40 max	0.43 max
Mo	0.08 max	0.09 max

Per IACS UR W11 / Bureau Veritas hull structural steel rules. Product analysis applies only when specified; for a range, results may not vary both above and below it.

BV AH32 Mechanical Properties

 

Grade	Yield strength, min	Tensile strength	Elongation, min
BV AH32	315 MPa [46 ksi]	440-590 MPa [64-85 ksi]	22%

Per IACS UR W11 / Bureau Veritas hull structural steel rules. Yield and tensile values apply for the full thickness range covered by the grade (typically up to 100 mm for these ship plates).

Charpy V-Notch Impact Requirements (0°C [32°F])

 

Thickness	Test temperature	Longitudinal, avg min	Transverse, avg min
t≤50 mm	0°C [32°F]	31 J	22 J
50<t≤70 mm	0°C [32°F]	38 J	26 J
70<t≤100 mm	0°C [32°F]	46 J	31 J

Per IACS UR W11 / Bureau Veritas hull structural steel rules. Average of three full-size Charpy V-notch specimens; not more than one value below the average and none below 70% of it. Longitudinal values shown; transverse values apply when required by the rules or purchase order. Thicker plates (above 100 mm) may be supplied by agreement with adjusted impact requirements.

Delivery Condition and Deoxidation

Deoxidation: Killed, fine-grain practice. Delivery condition: A-class (AH32) grades may be as-rolled, controlled rolled, normalized or TMCP depending on thickness; thicker plates usually N or TMCP. Optional extras by agreement include ultrasonic testing, Z-direction (Z15/Z25/Z35) through-thickness testing and third-party Bureau Veritas survey.

Thickness Coverage

Higher-strength BV AH/DH/EH/FH 32/36/40 plates are commonly supplied from about 6 mm to 100 mm thick (up to 150 mm by agreement). Width 1500-4000 mm and length 6000-18000 mm are typical.

Equivalent Steel Grades of BV AH32

 

Society / Standard	Equivalent grade
BV (Bureau Veritas)	BV AH32 steel plate (BV/AH32)
LR (Lloyd's Register)	LR AH32 steel plate
ABS	ABS AH32 steel plate
CCS	CCS AH32 steel plate
ASTM A131/A131M	ASTM A131 AH32 steel plate
GL	GL AH32 steel plate
DNV	DNV A32 steel plate
NK	NK A32 steel plate
KR	KR A32 steel plate
RINA	RINA AH32 steel plate

IACS member societies harmonize ordinary and higher-strength hull grades under UR W11; dual certification (for example BV + ABS, or BV + ASTM A131) is common when ordered that way.

FAQ about BV AH32 Steel Plate

What is BV AH32 steel plate?

It is a higher-strength hull structural steel under Bureau Veritas Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships (IACS UR W11), with 315 MPa minimum yield, 440-590 MPa tensile strength and Charpy toughness at 0°C [32°F]. The mill certificate grade is BV AH32 (BV Grade AH32).

What does BV AH32 / Grade AH32 stand for?

BV is Bureau Veritas. The letter A is the toughness class (Charpy at 0°C [32°F]), H means higher strength, and 32 is the strength level (historically about 32 kgf/mm², now 315 MPa min yield).

What is the yield strength of BV AH32?

Minimum 315 MPa (46 ksi), tensile 440-590 MPa (64-85 ksi), elongation about 22% min.

What is the impact test temperature for BV AH32?

Charpy V-notch at 0°C [32°F]. Longitudinal average minima are 31 J up to 50 mm, 38 J for 50-70 mm and 46 J for 70-100 mm.

What is the difference between BV AH32 and other 32-class grades?

Same 315 MPa strength class. BV AH32 at 0°C [32°F]; BV DH32 at -20°C [-4°F]; BV EH32 at -40°C [-40°F]; BV FH32 at -60°C [-76°F]. Delivery condition follows the toughness letter rules.

What is the difference between BV AH32 and BV AH36?

Same A-class toughness (Charpy at 0°C [32°F]). BV AH32 is strength class 32 (315 MPa min yield); BV AH36 is strength class 36 (355 MPa min yield).

Is BV AH32 the same as ABS AH32 or LR AH32?

Requirements are essentially harmonized under IACS UR W11. ABS AH32, LR AH32, DNV A32 and ASTM A131 AH32 (where listed) are counterparts; dual certification is common when ordered with the required surveys.

Is BV AH32 weldable?

Yes. Controlled carbon and Ceq give good weldability; preheat may be required for thick sections depending on Ceq and restraint.

What heat treatment is required for BV AH32?

A-class (AH32) grades may be as-rolled, controlled rolled, normalized or TMCP depending on thickness; thicker plates usually N or TMCP.

What thickness is available for BV AH32?

Typical supply is about 6-100 mm thick (up to 150 mm by agreement), 1500-4000 mm wide and 6000-18000 mm long.

Other BV Steel Plate Grades

BV Grade A steel plate | BV Grade B steel plate | BV Grade D steel plate | BV Grade E steel plate | BV AH36 steel plate | BV AH40 steel plate | BV DH32 steel plate | BV DH36 steel plate | BV DH40 steel plate | BV EH32 steel plate | BV EH36 steel plate | BV EH40 steel plate | BV FH32 steel plate | BV FH36 steel plate | BV FH40 steel plate

Equivalent Class Society Grades

BV AH32 corresponds to the same grade under the other IACS member classification societies and ASTM A131: LR AH32 steel plate, ABS AH32 steel plate, CCS AH32 steel plate, ASTM A131 AH32 steel plate, GL AH32 steel plate, DNV A32 steel plate, NK A32 steel plate, KR A32 steel plate, RINA AH32 steel plate.