CCS Grade A Steel Plate – Specs, Chemistry & Equivalents

CCS Grade A (also written CCS/A, CCS A or Grade A steel plate) is a normal-strength hull structural steel plate certified by the China Classification Society (CCS) to CCS Rules for Materials and Welding (2024), Part 1, Chapter 3, Section 2. It has a minimum yield strength of 235 MPa and a tensile strength of 400–520 MPa; the grade letter A fixes the Charpy V-notch test temperature at +20°C (impact testing for Grade A is only required above 50 mm). Grade A is equivalent to grade A of IACS UR W11, so it matches ABS, DNV, LR, BV and the other IACS societies’ grade A, as well as ASTM A131 Grade A.

Gangsteel, a steel plate exporter, supplies CCS Grade A plate with CCS class certificates; the requirements below are taken directly from the current CCS rules.

Related CCS grades: CCS Grade B steel plate, CCS Grade D steel plate, CCS Grade E steel plate, CCS AH32 steel plate.

CCS Grade A chemical composition

Source: CCS Rules for Materials and Welding (2024), Part 1, Chapter 3, Table 3.2.2.1. For Grade D over 25 mm and Grade E, total Al ≥ 0.020% may be reported instead of acid-soluble Al; other grain-refining elements need CCS approval. Deoxidation: any method except rimmed for t ≤ 50 mm, killed above 50 mm. CCS specifies the chemical composition as a heat (ladle) analysis only; the Rules give no product (check) analysis tolerances for these plates, so no product-analysis column is shown. If a product analysis is required, agree the tolerances in the order.

CCS Grade A mechanical properties and impact test

Source: CCS Rules for Materials and Welding (2024), Part 1, Chapter 3, Table 3.2.4.3. L = longitudinal, T = transverse specimen. Up to 50 mm only longitudinal tests are normally made, but transverse values must be guaranteed. Grade A needs no impact test up to 50 mm; above 50 mm it is not required when the plate is fine-grain treated and normalized, and TMCP plate may be exempted with CCS approval.

CCS Grade A thickness range and delivery condition

The CCS rules for CCS Grade A cover plates and wide flats up to 150 mm thick (sections and bars up to 50 mm). Grade A may be supplied in any condition up to 50 mm; above 50 mm it is normalized, TMCP, controlled rolled or (with special approval) as-rolled. Elongation for full-thickness 25 mm × 200 mm gauge specimens is graded by thickness (Table 3.2.4.4), from 14% (t ≤ 5 mm) to 22% (40–50 mm). Impact energy rises with thickness as shown above.

CCS Grade A equivalent grades

The IACS member societies use the same unified requirements, so these grades match in chemistry and properties. A plate still needs the certificate of the vessel’s own class society; one plate can carry dual or multiple class certification only when each society’s surveyor witnesses the tests.

CCS Grade A FAQ

What is CCS Grade A steel?

A normal-strength hull structural steel plate to the China Classification Society rules, with minimum yield 235 MPa and tensile strength 400–520 MPa. It is used for hull plating, decks and bulkheads of ships classed with CCS.

What is the yield strength of CCS Grade A?

Minimum 235 MPa (ReH), tensile strength 400–520 MPa and minimum elongation 22% (proportional specimen).

What is the impact test temperature of CCS Grade A?

+20°C, but only for plates over 50 mm; Grade A up to 50 mm needs no Charpy test.

What is CCS Grade A equivalent to?

Grade A of IACS UR W11, ABS AB/A, DNV VL A, LR and BV Grade A, ASTM A131 Grade A and GB/T 712 Grade A.

What is the difference between CCS Grade A, B, D and E?

All four have the same strength (235 MPa yield). They differ in toughness and steelmaking: Charpy test temperature is +20°C (A, above 50 mm only), 0°C (B), −20°C (D) and −40°C (E), and D and E must be killed and fine-grain treated.

What is the maximum thickness of CCS Grade A plate?

The CCS rules cover plates up to 150 mm thick; the delivery condition required depends on thickness.

Is CCS Grade A weldable?

Yes. The rules limit C + Mn/6 to 0.40%, which keeps the steel readily weldable with approved normal-strength consumables.

What is the difference between CCS Grade A and ABS Grade A?

The technical requirements are the same IACS UR W11 grade. The difference is the certifying society: CCS Grade A carries a CCS certificate, ABS Grade A an ABS certificate.

If you need more stock steel plates in shipbuilding steel plate, please click warehouse sizes.

 Related steel grades: CCS/B, CCS/D, CCS/E, CCS/AH32

ASTM equivalent: ASTM A131 Grade A steel plate

LR equivalent: LR Grade A steel plate