Designation: A736/A736M − 12

Standard Specification for

Pressure Vessel Plates, Low-Carbon Age-Hardening Nickel-
Copper-Chromium-Molybdenum-Columbium Alloy Steel1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A736/A736M; 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* A20/A20M Specification for General Requirements for Steel

2
1.1 This specification covers low-carbon age-hardening Plates for Pressure Vessels
alloy steel plates for welded pressure vessels and piping A435/A435M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
components. The specification covers nickel-copper- Examination of Steel Plates
chromium-molybdenum-columbium steel. A577/A577M Specification for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Ex-
amination of Steel Plates
1.2 Plates under this specification are available as follows: A578/A578M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
1.2.1 Available in Grade A, Class 3 only. Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applica-
1.2.1.1 Quenched and precipitation heat treated with a tions
minimum specified tensile strength of 85 ksi for thinner plates
and 75 and 70 ksi for thicker plates, with the minimum tensile 3. General Requirements and Ordering Information
strength dependent upon the plate thickness. The maximum
thickness of Grade A, Class 3 plates is limited only by the 3.1 Material supplied to this material specification shall
capacity of the chemical composition and heat treatment to conform to Specification A20/A20M. These requirements out-
meet the specified mechanical property requirements; however, line the testing and retesting methods and procedures, permit-
current practice usually limits the maximum thickness to 8 in. ted variations in dimensions, and mass, quality, and repair of
[200 mm]. defects, marking, loading, and ordering information.

1.3 This specification is expressed in both inch-pound units 3.2 In addition to the basic requirements of this
and in SI units. However, unless the order specifies the specification, certain supplementary requirements are available
applicable “M” specification designation (SI units), the mate- when additional control, testing, or examination is required to
rial shall be furnished in inch-pound units. meet end use requirements. The purchaser is referred to the
listed supplementary requirements in this specification and to
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units the detailed requirements in Specification A20/A20M.
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each 3.3 If the requirements of this specification are in conflict
system are not exact equivalents. Therefore, each system must with the requirements of Specification A20/A20M, the require-
be used independently of the other. Combining values from the ments of this specification shall prevail.
two systems may result in nonconformance with this specifi-
4. Materials and Manufacture
cation.
4.1 The steel shall be killed and shall conform to the fine
2. Referenced Documents austenitic grain size requirement of Specification A20/A20M.
2.1 ASTM Standards:3
5. Heat Treatment
5.1 The plates shall be quenched in a liquid medium from a
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, temperature in the range from 1600 to 1700°F [870 to 930°C]
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.11 on Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels. and then precipitation heat treated at a temperature in the range
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2012. Published January 2013. Originally from 1000 to 1300°F [540 to 705°C] for a time to be
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as A736/A736M – 03 determined by the manufacturer or processor.
(2007). DOI: 10.1520/A0736_A0736M-12.
2
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Specifi- 5.2 If the purchaser elects to perform the thermal treatment,
cation SA-736 in Section II of that Code.
3
the plates shall be accepted on the basis of mill tests made from
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
test coupons heat treated as specified in the purchase order. If
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the test coupon heat treatment requirements are not specified in
the ASTM website. the purchase order, the manufacturer or processor shall heat

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

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 A736/A736M − 12
treat the test coupons under conditions it considers appropriate. TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements
The manufacturer or processor shall inform the purchaser of Grade A
the procedure followed in thermally treating the test coupons at Class 3,
ksi [MPa]
the mill.
Yield strength, min
3⁄4 in. and under 75
6. Chemical Composition [20 mm and under] [515]
Over 3⁄4 to 1 in., incl 75
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as to [Over 20 to 25 mm, incl] [515]
chemical composition given in Table 1. Over 1 to 2 in., incl 75
[Over 25 to 50 mm, incl] [515]
Over 2 to 4 in., incl 65
7. Mechanical Properties [Over 50 to 100 mm, incl] [450]
7.1 Tension Test: Over 4 in. 60
[Over 100 mm] [415]
7.1.1 The plates, as represented by the test specimens, shall Tensile strength
conform to the requirements given in Table 2. 3⁄4 in. and under 85–105
[20 mm and under] [585–725]
Over 3⁄4 to 1 in., incl 85–105
[Over 20 to 25 mm, incl] [585–725]
Over 1 to 2 in., incl 85–105
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
[Over 25 to 50 mm, incl] [585–725]
Composition, % Over 2 to 4 in., incl 75–95
Element [Over 50 to 100 mm, incl] [515–655]
Grade A
Over 4 in. 70–90
Carbon, max [Over 100 mm] [485–620]
Heat analysis 0.07 Elongation
Product analysis 0.09 2 in. [50 mm], min, %A 20
Manganese
A
Heat analysis 0.40–0.70 See Specification A20/A20M for elongation adjustment.
Product analysis 0.35–0.78
Phosphorus, maxA 0.025
Sulfur, maxA 0.025 7.1.2 For nominal plate thicknesses of 3⁄4 in. [20 mm] and
Silicon, max
Heat analysis 0.40
under, the 11⁄2-in. [40-mm] wide rectangular test specimen may
Product analysis 0.45 be used for the tension test, and the elongation may be
Chromium determined in a 2-in. [50-mm] gage length that includes the
Heat analysis 0.60–0.90
Product analysis 0.56–0.94
fracture and shows the greatest elongation.
Nickel 7.2 Notch-Toughness Test:
Heat analysis 0.70–1.00
Product analysis 0.67–1.03
7.2.1 Charpy V-notch impact tests shall be made in accor-
Molybdenum dance with Specification A20/A20M.
Heat analysis 0.15–0.25 7.2.2 The test results of 10 by 10-mm specimens shall meet
Product analysis 0.12–0.28
Copper an average minimum value of 20 ft·lbf [27 J] at −50°F [−45°C].
Heat analysis 1.00–1.30
Product analysis 0.95–1.35 8. Keywords
Columbium, min
Heat analysis 0.02
8.1 alloy steel; alloy steel plate; pressure vessel plate; low
Product analysis 0.01 carbon; age hardening; pressure vessels; piping components;
A
Applies to both heat analysis and product analysis. precipitation heat treated; nickel-copper-chromium-
molybdenum-columbium

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

Supplementary requirements shall not apply unless specified in the purchase order.
A list of standardized supplementary requirements for use at the option of the purchaser is included
in Specification A20/A20M. Those that are considered suitable for use with this specification are listed
below by title.

S1. Vacuum Treatment, S8. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica-

S2. Product Analysis, tion A435/A435M,
S3. Simulated Post Weld Heat Treatment of Mechanical S9. Magnetic Particle Examination,
Test Coupons, S10. Charpy V-Notch Test Curve,
S4. Additional Tension Test, S11. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica-
S5. Charpy V-Notch Impact Test, 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,

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 A736/A736M − 12
S13. NDT Temperature Determination, S19. Restricted Chemical Requirements,
S15. Reduction of Area Measurement, S24. Strain Age Test, and
S17. Vacuum Carbon-Deoxidized Steel, S25. Weldability.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(A736/A736M – 03 (2007)) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Nov. 1, 2012.)

(1) Revised title for accuracy. (5) Added Section 8.

(2) Revised Section 1 to update grade and class information. (6) Revised Table 1 and Table 2 to refer solely to Grade A and
(3) Revised Section 3 to remove redundancy. Grade A, Class 3.
(4) Revised Section 5 to update class requirements.

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