Designation: A645/A645M − 10

Standard Specification for

Pressure Vessel Plates, 5 % and 51⁄2 % Nickel Alloy Steels,
Specially Heat Treated1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A645/A645M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* A577/A577M Specification for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Ex-

2
1.1 This specification covers specially heat treated 5 % and amination of Steel Plates
5 1⁄2 % nickel alloy steel plates intended primarily for welded A578/A578M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
pressure vessels for service at low or cryogenic temperatures. Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applica-
tions
1.2 The maximum thickness of plates which can be supplied
under this specification is limited only by the capacity of the 3. General Requirements and Ordering Information
material to meet the specified requirements.
3.1 Plates supplied to this material specification shall con-
1.3 This material is susceptible to magnetization. Use of form to Specification A20/A20M. These requirements outline
magnets in handling after heat treatment should be avoided if the testing and retesting methods and procedures, permitted
residual magnetism would be detrimental to subsequent fabri- variations in dimensions and mass, quality and repair of
cation or service. defects, marking, loading, and ordering information.
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units 3.2 In addition to the basic requirements of this
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the specification, certain supplementary requirements are available
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each when additional control, testing, or examination is required to
system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must meet end use requirements. The purchaser is referred to the
be used independently of the other. Combining values from the listed supplementary requirements in this specification and to
two systems may result in nonconformance with the specifi- the detailed requirements in Specification A20/A20M.
cation.
3.3 If the requirements of this specification are in conflict
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the with the requirements of Specification A20/A20M, the require-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the ments of this specification shall prevail.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4. Materials and Manufacture
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 Steelmaking Practice—The steel shall be killed and
2. Referenced Documents shall conform to the fine austenitic grain size requirements of
Specification A20/A20M.
2.1 ASTM Standards:3
A20/A20M Specification for General Requirements for Steel
5. Heat Treatment
Plates for Pressure Vessels
A435/A435M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic 5.1 Grade A plates shall be heat treated in accordance with
Examination of Steel Plates 5.2. Grade B plates shall be heat treated in accordance with 5.3.
Shell plates and other parts, including heads and reinforcing
pads that are heated above 1125°F [605°C] for forming, shall
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, be heat treated after forming,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.11 on Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels. 5.2 Grade A, Procedure and Sequence:
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2010. Published November 2010. Originally 5.2.1 Hardening—The plates shall be heated to a tempera-
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as A645/A645M – 05.
DOI: 10.1520/A0645_A0645M-10. ture within the range from 1575 to 1675°F [855 to 915°C], held
2
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Specifi- within that temperature range for a minimum of 1 h/in. [2.4
cation SA-645 in Section II of that Code.
3
min/mm] of thickness, but in no case less than 15 min, and then
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
water-quenched to below 300°F [150°C].
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 5.2.2 Intermediate Heat Treatment—The plates shall be
the ASTM website. reheated to a temperature within the range from 1275 to

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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 A645/A645M − 10
1400°F [690 to 760°C], held within that temperature range for TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
a minimum of 1 h/in. [2.4 min/mm] of thickness, but in no case Composition, %
Element
less than 15 min, and then water-quenched to below 300°F Grade A Grade B
[150°C]. Carbon, max
5.2.3 Tempering—The plates shall be reheated to a tempera- Heat Analysis 0.13 0.13
Produce Analysis 0.15 0.15
ture within the range from 1150 to 1225°F [620 to 665°C], held Manganese
within that temperature range for a minimum of 1 h/in. [2.4 Heat Analysis 0.30–0.60 0.90–1.50
min/mm] of thickness, but in no case less than 15 min, and then Product Analysis 0.25–0.66 0.84–1.59
Phosphorus, max
water-quenched or air cooled to below 300°F [150°C]. Heat Analysis 0.025 0.020
Product Analysis 0.025 0.025
5.3 Grade B, Procedure and Sequence: Sulfur, max
5.3.1 Hardening—The plates shall be heated to a tempera- Heat Analysis 0.025 0.010
ture within the range from 1470 to 1600°F [800 to 870°C], held Product Analysis 0.025 0.015
Silicon
within that temperature range for a sufficient time to obtain Heat Analysis 0.20–0.40 0.15–0.30A
uniform temperature throughout the plate thickness, and then Product Analysis 0.18–0.45 0.13–0.33A
quenched in a liquid medium. Nickel
Heat Analysis 4.8–5.2 5.0–6.0
5.3.2 Intermediate Heat Treatment—The plates shall be Product Analysis 4.7–5.3 4.9–6.1
reheated to a temperature within the range from 1200 to Chromium
1330°F [650 to 720°C], held within that temperature range for Heat Analysis ... 0.10–1.00
Product Analysis ... 0.06–1.05
a minimum of 1 h/in. [2.4 min/mm] of thickness, but in no case Molybdenum
less than 15 min, and then water-quenched to below 300°F Heat Analysis 0.20–0.35 0.10–0.30
[150°C] for nominal plate thicknesses over 5⁄8 in. [16 mm], or Product Analysis 0.17–0.38 0.09–0.33
Aluminum, total
cooled in air or water-quenched to below 300°F [150°C] for Heat Analysis 0.02–0.12 0.02–0.05
nominal plate thicknesses of 5⁄8 in. [16 mm] and under. Product Analysis 0.01–0.16 0.015–0.06
5.3.3 Tempering—The plates shall be reheated to a tempera- Nitrogen, max
Heat Analysis 0.020 0.010
ture within the range from 1020 to 1150°F [550 to 620°C], held Product Analysis 0.025 0.010
within that temperature range for a minimum of 30 min/in. [1.2 A
The specified minimum limit does not apply if the total aluminum is 0.030 % or
min/mm] of thickness, but in no case less than 15 min, and then more, ore if the acid soluble aluminum content is 0.025 % or more.
water-quenched to below 300°F [150°C].
6. Chemical Requirements TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements
6.1 The steel shall conform to the chemical requirements Grade A Grade B
given in Table 1 unless otherwise modified in accordance with Yield strength, min, ksi [MPa]A 65 [450] 85 [590]
Supplementary Requirement S17, Vacuum Carbon-Deoxidized Tensile strength, ksi [MPa] 95–115 [655 to 100–120
795] [690–830]
Steel, in Specification A20/A20M. Elongation in 2 in. [50 mm], 20.0 20
min, %B
7. Mechanical Requirements
A
At 0.2 % offset, or, if agreed between the purchaser and the manufacturer, at 0.5
7.1 Tension Tests—The plates as represented by the tension % extension under load.
B
test specimens shall conform to the requirements given in See Specification A20/A20M for elongation adjustment.
Table 2.
7.1.1 For nominal plate thicknesses of 3⁄4 in. [20 mm] and 7.2.3.1 Grade A: –220°F [–140°C].
under, the 11⁄2 in. [40 mm] wide rectangular specimen may be 7.2.3.2 Grade B: –320°F [–195°C].
used for the tension test, and the elongation may be determined 7.2.4 Each specimen shall have a lateral expansion opposite
in a 2 in. [50 mm] gage length that includes the fracture and the notch of not less than 0.015 in. [0.38 mm].
that shows the greatest elongation. 7.2.5 The values of energy absorption in foot-pounds-force
7.2 Impact Tests: [joules] and the fracture appearance in percent shear shall be
7.2.1 Charpy V-notch tests shall be made in accordance with recorded and reported for information.
the general requirements of Specification A20/A20M.
7.2.2 The longitudinal axis of the test specimens shall be 8. Keywords
transverse to the final direction of rolling of the plate. 8.1 alloy steel; alloy steel plate; pressure containing parts;
7.2.3 Unless otherwise agreed, the plates shall be impact pressure vessel steels; steel plates; steel plates for pressure
tested at the following temperatures: vessel applications

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 A645/A645M − 10
SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

A list of standardized supplementary requirements for use at the option of the purchaser is included
in Specification A20/A20M. Supplementary requirements shall not apply unless specified in the order.
Those which are considered suitable for use with this specification are listed below by title. Others
enumerated in Specification A20/A20M may be used with this specification subject to agreement by
the supplier.

S1. Vacuum Treatment, S11. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica-

S2. Product Analysis, tion A577/A577M,
S6. Drop-Weight Test (for Material 0.625 in. [16 mm] and S12. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica-
over in Thickness), tion A578/A578M, and
S8. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica-
S17. Vacuum Carbon-Deoxidized Steel.
tion A435/A435M,

ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

Also listed below are additional supplementary requirements which are considered suitable
for use with this specification.

S64. Longitudinal Charpy Impact Energy Absorption Re- TABLE S1.1 Charpy Impact Requirements for Longitudinal
quirement Specimens
S64.1 When required, the purchaser may specify longitudi- Charpy V-notch Minimum
Impact Value Charpy V-notch
nal Charpy V-notch impact testing to energy-absorption accep- Required for Impact Value
tance criteria. Size of Specimen, Acceptance Without Requiring
mm (Average of Retest (One
S64.2 Tests shall be conducted in accordance with the Three Specimens), Specimen Only
general requirements of Specification A20/A20M. ft·lbf [J] of a Set),
S64.3 The longitudinal Charpy V-notch impact properties ft·lbf [J]
shall not be less than those shown in Table S1.1. 10 by 10 25 [34] 20 [27]
10 by 7.5 19 [26] 16 [22]
S64.4 The impact values obtained on subsize specimens 10 by 6.67 17 [23] 13 [18]
shall not be less than the values listed in Table S1.1. 10 by 5.0 13 [18] 10 [14]
10 by 3.33 8 [11] 7 [10]
S65. Transverse Charpy Impact Energy Absorption Re- 10 by 2.50 6 [8] 5 [7]
quirement
S65.1 When required, the purchaser may specify transverse
Charpy V-notch impact testing to energy-absorption accep- S65.3 The transverse Charpy V-notch impact properties
tance criteria. shall not be less than those shown in Table S2.1.
S65.2 Tests shall be conducted in accordance with the S65.4 The impact values obtained on subsize specimens
general requirements of Specification A20/A20M. shall not be less than the values listed in Table S2.1.

TABLE S2.1 Charpy Impact Requirements for Transverse

Specimens
Charpy V-notch Minimum
Impact Value Charpy V-notch
Required for Impact Value
Size of Specimen, Acceptance Without Requiring
mm (Average of Retest (One
Three Specimens), Specimen Only
ft·lbf [J] of a Set),
ft·lbf [J]
10 by 10 20 [27] 16 [22]
10 by 7.5 15 [20] 12 [16]
10 by 6.6 13 [18] 10 [14]
10 by 5.0 10 [14] 8 [11]
10 by 3.33 7 [10] 5 [7]
10 by 2.50 5 [7] 4 [5]

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 A645/A645M − 10

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(A645/A645M – 05) that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) Deleted 3.5 (4) Revised the maximum P and S contents for Grade A in
(2) Deleted 3.2 and renumbered the subsequent paragraphs. Table 1.
(3) Revised 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3.

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