NK/K E56|NK E56 STEEL PLATE

NK E56 steel plate, also written as KE56, K E56, ClassNK E56, NK Grade E56 or market names such as EH55 / EQ56, is the extra-high-strength hull structural steel of ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships (IACS UR W16 extra-high-strength family) with 550 MPa minimum yield, 670-830 MPa tensile strength and Charpy V-notch toughness at -40°C [-40°F]. In the grade name, "E" is the toughness class, and "56" is the site strength label for about 550 MPa yield (ABS EQ56 family). Gangsteel, a steel plate exporter, supplies NK E56 / KE56 plates cut to size for shipbuilding, offshore platforms and marine structures.

Data source: Per IACS UR W16 (extra-high-strength hull structural steel) as adopted in ClassNK hull structural steel rules, cross-checked with LR EH55 / ABS EQ56 sibling pages on gangsteel.net. Official mill/certificate grade is typically KE56 (K E56); NK E56 names the same class on this site. Verify the current ClassNK edition before ordering.

NK E56 / KE56 Chemical Composition (Heat Analysis)

 

Element	C	Mn	Si	P	S	Al (acid sol.)
NK E56, %	0.20 max	1.70 max	0.10-0.55	0.030 max	0.030 max	0.015 min
Element	N	Nb	V	Ti	B	Notes
NK E56, %	0.020 max	0.02-0.05	0.04-0.10	0.02 max	0.005 max	Ni/Cu/Cr/Mo per delivery condition (N/TM/QT) in UR W16

Per IACS UR W16 / ClassNK extra-high-strength rules. Exact maxima for Ni, Cu, Cr and Mo depend on delivery condition (N/NR, TM or QT). Carbon equivalent / CET / Pcm limits apply by thickness and condition; confirm on the mill certificate and current rule edition.

Product Analysis (Check Analysis)

 

When product analysis is required, apply ASTM A6/A6M Table A permitted variations to the heat limits unless the element is min-only or not listed in Table A.

Element	Heat analysis limit	Product analysis (heat ± A6)
C	0.20 max	0.24 max
Mn	1.70 max	see A6 Table A vs heat upper limit
Si	0.10-0.55	0.05–0.61 (approx. A6)
P	0.030 max	0.040 max
S	0.030 max	0.040 max
Al (acid sol.)	0.015 min	no A6 Table A tolerance; product value not tabulated
N	0.020 max	0.025 max (typical A6 +0.005)
Nb	0.02-0.05	0.010–0.060
V	0.04-0.10	0.030–0.110
Ti	0.02 max	0.03 max
B	0.005 max	product analysis often not applicable

Product analysis applies only when specified; for a range, results may not vary both above and below it.

NK E56 / KE56 Mechanical Properties

 

Grade	Yield strength, min	Tensile strength	Elongation, min
NK E56 / KE56	550 MPa [80 ksi]	670-830 MPa [97-120 ksi]	16%

Per IACS UR W16 / ClassNK rules (common t≤50 mm values). Yield may step down for thicker plates per UR W16; confirm thickness-dependent values on the order.

Charpy V-Notch Impact Requirements (-40°C [-40°F])

 

Thickness	Test temperature	Longitudinal, avg min	Transverse, avg min
t≤50 mm	-40°C [-40°F]	55 J	37 J
50<t≤70 mm	-40°C [-40°F]	55 J	37 J
70<t≤100 mm	-40°C [-40°F]	55 J	37 J

Per IACS UR W16 / ClassNK extra-high-strength practice. Average of three full-size specimens; transverse values apply when required. Thicker plates by agreement.

Delivery Condition and Deoxidation

Deoxidation: Killed, fine-grain practice. Delivery condition: typically TMCP or QT for extra-high-strength plates; N/NR may apply at lower extra-high levels per rules. E-class (K E56 / EQ56) grades are supplied normalized or TMCP; as-rolled delivery is not permitted for the E toughness class. Optional extras: UT, Z15/Z25/Z35, ClassNK survey.

Thickness Coverage

Extra-high-strength NK A/D/E/F 43/47/51/56/63/70 plates (about 420-690 MPa family) are commonly supplied from about 6 mm to 100 mm thick (thicker by agreement under UR W16). Width 1500-4000 mm and length 6000-18000 mm are typical.

Equivalent Steel Grades of NK E56

 

Society / Standard	Equivalent grade
NK (ClassNK)	NK E56 / KE56 (LR EH55 / ABS EQ56)
LR (Lloyd's Register)	LR EH55 steel plate
ABS	ABS EQ56 steel plate
CCS	CCS E550 steel plate
GL	GL E550 steel plate
DNV	DNV E550 steel plate
BV	BV E550 steel plate
KR	KR E56 steel plate
RINA	RINA E550 steel plate

IACS societies align extra-high-strength hull grades under UR W16; naming differs (NK E56, LR EH55, ABS EQ56, DNV E550). Dual certification is common when ordered that way.

FAQ about NK E56 / KE56 Steel Plate

What is NK E56 (KE56) steel plate?

It is an extra-high-strength hull structural steel under ClassNK Rules (IACS UR W16 extra-high-strength family), with 550 MPa minimum yield, 670-830 MPa tensile strength and Charpy toughness at -40°C [-40°F].

What does NK E56 / KE56 stand for?

NK (ClassNK) is Nippon Kaiji Kyokai. The K prefix (KE56) is the ClassNK mill designation. The letter E is the toughness class (Charpy at -40°C [-40°F]), and 56 is the yield-strength level in MPa. Market/LR naming often uses EH55; ABS often uses EQ56. This site uses ABS-like numbers (A43…A70), corresponding to about 550 MPa (ABS EQ56 / LR EH55 / DNV E550 family); there are no A420 paths under /nk/.

What is the yield strength of NK E56?

Minimum 550 MPa (80 ksi), tensile 670-830 MPa (97-120 ksi), elongation about 16% min (for the common thickness range).

What is the impact test temperature for NK E56 / KE56?

Charpy V-notch at -40°C [-40°F]. Typical longitudinal average minimum is 55 J (transverse 37 J) for the tabulated thickness range on this grade page.

What is the difference between NK A56, D56, E56 and F56?

Same 550 MPa strength class. Toughness class differs: A at 0°C, D at -20°C, E at -40°C, F at -60°C. Chemistry (C, P, S, Mn) is tightened for colder classes.

How does NK E56 differ from higher-strength NK A40?

NK A40 is UR W11 higher-strength (390 MPa). NK E56 is UR W16 extra-high-strength (550 MPa) with different chemistry and delivery practice (often TM/QT).

Is NK E56 the same as LR EH55 or ABS EQ56?

They are IACS counterparts in the extra-high-strength family; exact chemistry/delivery options differ by society edition. Dual certification is available when surveys are arranged.

Is NK E56 weldable?

Weldable with approved procedures for extra-high-strength ship steel. Preheat, heat input and consumable matching are critical; follow the mill WPS and ClassNK welding requirements.

What heat treatment is required for NK E56?

Extra-high-strength grades are typically delivered TMCP or quenched and tempered (QT), sometimes normalized/normalized-rolled depending on strength level and thickness. E-class (K E56 / EQ56) grades are supplied normalized or TMCP; as-rolled delivery is not permitted for the E toughness class. Optional extras: UT, Z15/Z25/Z35, ClassNK survey.

What thickness is available for NK E56?

Common supply is about 6-100 mm (thicker by agreement under UR W16 / ClassNK rules), 1500-4000 mm wide and 6000-18000 mm long.

Other NK Steel Plate Grades

NK Grade A steel plate | NK Grade B steel plate | NK Grade D steel plate | NK Grade E steel plate | NK A32 steel plate | NK A36 steel plate | NK A40 steel plate | NK D32 steel plate | NK D36 steel plate | NK D40 steel plate | NK E32 steel plate | NK E36 steel plate | NK E40 steel plate | NK F32 steel plate | NK F36 steel plate | NK F40 steel plate | NK A43 steel plate | NK A47 steel plate | NK A51 steel plate | NK A56 steel plate | NK A63 steel plate | NK A70 steel plate | NK D43 steel plate | NK D47 steel plate | NK D51 steel plate | NK D56 steel plate | NK D63 steel plate | NK D70 steel plate | NK E43 steel plate | NK E47 steel plate | NK E51 steel plate | NK E63 steel plate | NK E70 steel plate | NK F43 steel plate | NK F47 steel plate | NK F51 steel plate | NK F56 steel plate | NK F63 steel plate | NK F70 steel plate

Equivalent Class Society Grades

NK E56 / KE56 corresponds to extra-high-strength counterparts under other IACS societies (LR EH55, ABS EQ56, etc.): LR EH55 steel plate, ABS EQ56 steel plate, CCS E550 steel plate, GL E550 steel plate, DNV E550 steel plate, BV E550 steel plate, KR E56 steel plate, RINA E550 steel plate.