CCS DH32 Steel Plate – Properties, Chemistry & Equivalents

CCS DH32 (also written CCS/DH32, CCS Grade DH32, CCS D32 or DH32 steel plate) is a higher-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 3. The figure 32 is the strength level (minimum yield 315 MPa, tensile 440–570 MPa) and the letter D sets the Charpy V-notch test temperature of −20°C. The steel is killed and fine-grain treated, and the grade corresponds to DH32 in IACS UR W11 and DH32 in ASTM A131.

Gangsteel, a steel plate exporter, supplies CCS DH32 plate with CCS class certificates; the requirements below are taken directly from the current CCS rules.

Related CCS grades: CCS AH32 steel plate, CCS EH32 steel plate, CCS FH32 steel plate, CCS DH36 steel plate, CCS DH40 steel plate.

CCS DH32 chemical composition

CCS DH32 chemical composition, heat (ladle) analysis, %

Element	Heat analysis
C	≤ 0.18
Mn	0.90–1.60 (≥ 0.70 for t ≤ 12.5 mm)
Si	≤ 0.50
P	≤ 0.035
S	≤ 0.035
Al (acid soluble)	≥ 0.015
Nb	0.02–0.05
V	0.05–0.10
Ti	≤ 0.02
Nb + V + Ti	≤ 0.12
Cu	≤ 0.35
Cr	≤ 0.20
Ni	≤ 0.40
Mo	≤ 0.08

 

Source: CCS Rules for Materials and Welding (2024), Part 1, Chapter 3, Table 3.3.2.1. Al, Nb and V are grain-refining elements: when used in combination, the individual minimum contents do not apply. Total Al ≥ 0.020% may be reported instead of acid-soluble Al. TMCP plates must also meet the Ceq limits below. 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 DH32 mechanical properties and impact test

CCS DH32 tensile and Charpy V-notch requirements

Grade	Yield ReH min (MPa)	Tensile Rm (MPa)	Elongation A5 min (%)	Test temp.	KV avg min, t ≤ 50 mm, L / T (J)	50 < t ≤ 70 mm, L / T (J)	70 < t ≤ 150 mm, L / T (J)
CCS DH32	315	440–570	22	−20°C	31 / 22	38 / 26	46 / 31

Source: CCS Rules for Materials and Welding (2024), Part 1, Chapter 3, Table 3.3.4.3. L = longitudinal, T = transverse. Impact tests are normally made longitudinally; transverse values must be guaranteed by the mill.

CCS DH32 maximum carbon equivalent for TMCP plates

Thickness	t ≤ 50 mm	50 < t ≤ 100 mm	100 < t ≤ 150 mm
Ceq max (%)	0.36	0.38	0.40

Ceq = C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15, from the ladle analysis (Table 3.3.2.3(1)). For non-TMCP plates a Ceq limit may be agreed.

CCS DH32 thickness range and delivery condition

The CCS rules for CCS DH32 cover plates and wide flats up to 150 mm thick (sections and bars up to 50 mm). The permitted supply condition (as-rolled, controlled rolled, normalized or TMCP) depends on thickness and on the grain-refining elements used; see Table 3.3.3.1. The required Charpy energy increases above 50 mm and again above 70 mm.

CCS DH32 equivalent grades

CCS DH32 equivalent grades of other classification societies

Standard / society	Equivalent grade
IACS UR W11	DH32
ABS	AB/DH32
DNV	VL D32
LR	LR DH32
BV	BV DH32
ASTM A131	DH32
China GB/T 712	DH32

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 DH32 FAQ

What does DH32 mean?

D sets the toughness grade (Charpy test at −20°C), H means higher strength, and 32 is the strength level: minimum yield 315 MPa.

What is the yield strength of CCS DH32?

Minimum 315 MPa, tensile strength 440–570 MPa and minimum elongation 22%.

What is the impact test temperature of CCS DH32?

−20°C. Minimum average energy is 31 J longitudinal / 22 J transverse up to 50 mm, 38/26 J for 50–70 mm and 46/31 J for 70–150 mm.

What is CCS DH32 equivalent to?

DH32 of IACS UR W11, ABS AB/DH32, DNV VL D32, LR and BV DH32, ASTM A131 DH32 and GB/T 712 DH32.

What is the difference between AH32, DH32, EH32 and FH32?

They share the same chemistry limits (FH has tighter C, P and S limits, an N limit and a higher Ni allowance) and the same strength. Only the Charpy test temperature changes: 0°C (A), −20°C (D), −40°C (E) and −60°C (F).

What is the difference between CCS DH32 and ABS DH32?

Both are the same IACS UR W11 grade, so in practice they are interchangeable technically; the difference is the class certificate.

What is the carbon equivalent (CEV) of CCS DH32?

For TMCP plates Ceq must not exceed 0.36% up to 50 mm, 0.38% for 50–100 mm and 0.40% for 100–150 mm. For other conditions a Ceq limit may be agreed with the buyer.

What thickness range does CCS cover for DH32?

Plates and wide flats up to 150 mm; sections and bars up to 50 mm.

Equivalent steel grade of CCS/DH32
DNV	GL	LR	BV	RINA	NK	KR	ABS
NV D32	GL-D32	LR/DH32	BV/DH32	RI/D32	K D32	R D32	AB/D32

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 Related steel plates: CCS/AH32, CCS/EH32, CCS/FH32, CCS/DH36

 

CCS Steel Plate Grade
General Strength	CCS/A	CCS/B	CCS/D	CCS/E
High Strength	CCS/A32	CCS/D32	CCS/E32	CCS/F32
	CCS/A36	CCS/D36	CCS/E36	CCS/F36
	CCS/A40	CCS/D40	CCS/E40	CCS/F40
Extra Strength	CCS/A420	CCS/D420	CCS/E420	CCS/F420
	CCS/A460	CCS/D460	CCS/E460	CCS/F460
	CCS/A500	CCS/D500	CCS/E500	CCS/F500
	CCS/A550	CCS/D550	CCS/E550	CCS/F550
	CCS/A620	CCS/D620	CCS/E620	CCS/F620
	CCS/A690	CCS/D690	CCS/E690	CCS/F690

 

ASTM equivalent: ASTM A131 DH32 steel plate

LR equivalent: LR DH32 steel plate