CCS EH32 Steel Plate – Properties, Chemistry & Equivalents

CCS EH32 (also written CCS/EH32, CCS Grade EH32, CCS E32 or EH32 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 E sets the Charpy V-notch test temperature of −40°C. The steel is killed and fine-grain treated, and the grade corresponds to EH32 in IACS UR W11 and EH32 in ASTM A131.

Gangsteel, a steel plate exporter, supplies CCS EH32 plate with CCS class certificates; the requirements below are taken directly from the current CCS rules.

Related CCS grades: CCS AH32 steel plate, CCS DH32 steel plate, CCS FH32 steel plate, CCS EH36 steel plate, CCS EH40 steel plate.

CCS EH32 chemical composition

CCS EH32 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 EH32 mechanical properties and impact test

CCS EH32 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 EH32	315	440–570	22	−40°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 EH32 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 EH32 thickness range and delivery condition

The CCS rules for CCS EH32 cover plates and wide flats up to 150 mm thick (sections and bars up to 50 mm). EH32 plates must be normalized or TMCP, with an impact test on each piece. The required Charpy energy increases above 50 mm and again above 70 mm.

CCS EH32 equivalent grades

CCS EH32 equivalent grades of other classification societies

Standard / society	Equivalent grade
IACS UR W11	EH32
ABS	AB/EH32
DNV	VL E32
LR	LR EH32
BV	BV EH32
ASTM A131	EH32
China GB/T 712	EH32

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 EH32 FAQ

What does EH32 mean?

E sets the toughness grade (Charpy test at −40°C), H means higher strength, and 32 is the strength level: minimum yield 315 MPa.

What is the yield strength of CCS EH32?

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

What is the impact test temperature of CCS EH32?

−40°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 EH32 equivalent to?

EH32 of IACS UR W11, ABS AB/EH32, DNV VL E32, LR and BV EH32, ASTM A131 EH32 and GB/T 712 EH32.

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 EH32 and ABS EH32?

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 EH32?

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 EH32?

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

Equivalent steel grade of CCS/EH32
DNV	GL	LR	BV	RINA	NK	KR	ABS
NV E32	GL-E32	LR/EH32	BV/EH32	RI/E32	K E32	R E32	AB/E32

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

 Related steel grades: CCS/AH32, CCS/DH32, CCS/FH36, CCS/EH40

 

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 EH32 steel plate

LR equivalent: LR EH32 steel plate