Designation: A 517/A 517M – 93 (Reapproved 1999)

Standard Specification for

Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, High-Strength,
Quenched and Tempered1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 517/A 517M; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope 3. General Requirements and Ordering Information

1.1 This specification2 covers high-strength quenched and 3.1 Material supplied to this material specification shall
tempered alloy steel plates intended for use in fusion welded conform to Specification A 20/A 20M. These requirements
boilers and other pressure vessels. outline the testing and retesting methods and procedures,
1.2 This specification includes a number of grades as permissible variations in dimensions, and mass, quality and
manufactured by different producers, but all having the same repair of defects, marking, loading, etc.
mechanical properties and general characteristics. 3.2 Specification A 20/A 20M also establishes the rules for
1.3 The maximum thickness of plates furnished under this the ordering information which should be complied with when
specification shall be as follows: purchasing material to this specification.
Grade Thickness 3.3 In addition to the basic requirements of this specifica-
A, B, C, J 1.25 in. [32 mm] tion, certain supplementary requirements are available when
H, K, M, S, T 2 in. [50 mm]
P 4 in. [100 mm]
additional control, testing, or examination is required to meet
F 2.50 in. [65 mm] end use requirements. These include:
E, Q 6 in. [150 mm] 3.3.1 Vacuum treatment,
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units 3.3.2 Additional or special tension testing,
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the 3.3.3 Impact testing, and
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each 3.3.4 Nondestructive examination.
system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must 3.4 The purchaser is referred to the listed supplementary
be used independently of the other. Combining values from the requirements in this specification and to the detailed require-
two systems may result in nonconformance with the specifi- ments in Specification A 20/A 20M.
cation. 3.5 If the requirements of this specification are in conflict
with the requirements of Specification A 20/A 20M, the re-
2. Referenced Documents quirements of this specification shall prevail.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Manufacture
A 20/A 20M Specification for General Requirements for
Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels3 4.1 Steelmaking Practice—The steel shall be killed and
A 435/A 435M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic shall conform to the fine austenitic grain size requirement of
Examination of Steel Plates3 Specification A 20/A 20M.
A 577/A 577M Specification for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam
5. Heat Treatment
Examination of Steel Plates3
A 578/A 578M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic 5.1 All plates shall be heat treated by the material manufac-
Examination of Plain and Clad Steel Plates for Special turer by heating to not less than 1650°F [900°C], quenching in
Applications3 water or oil and tempering at not less than 1150°F [620°C] for
not less than 1⁄2 h.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 on Steel, 6. Chemical Requirements
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.11 on Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels. 6.1 The steel shall conform to the chemical requirements
Current edition approved June 15, 1993. Published August 1993. Originally shown in Table 1 unless otherwise modified in accordance with
published as A 517 – 64. Last previous edition A 517/A 517M – 90.
2
Supplementary Requirement S17, Vacuum Carbon-Deoxidized
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Specifi-
Steel, in Specification A 20/A 20M for grades other than Grade
cation SA-517/SA-517M in Section II of that Code.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.04. A.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 A 517/A 517M – 93 (1999)
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
Elements Composition, %
Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade
A B C E F H J K M P Q S T
Carbon:
Heat analysis 0.15 0.15 0.10 0.12 0.10 0.12 0.12 0.10 0.12 0.12 0.14 0.10 0.08
–0.21 –0.21 –0.20 –0.20 –0.20 –0.21 –0.21 −0.20 –0.21 –0.21 –0.21 –0.20 –0.14
Product analysis 0.13 0.13 0.08 0.10 0.08 0.10 0.10 0.08 0.10 0.10 0.12 0.10 0.06
–0.23 –0.23 –0.22 –0.22 –0.22 –0.23 –0.23 −0.22 –0.23 –0.23 –0.23 –0.22 –0.16
Manganese:
Heat analysis 0.80 0.70 1.10 0.40 0.60 0.95 0.45 1.10 0.45 0.45 0.95 1.10 1.20
–1.10 –1.00 –1.50 –0.70 –1.00 –1.30 –0.70 −1.50 –0.70 –0.70 –1.30 –1.50 –1.50
Product analysis 0.74 0.64 1.02 0.35 0.55 0.87 0.40 1.02 0.40 0.40 0.87 1.02 1.12
–1.20 –1.10 –1.62 –0.78 –1.10 –1.41 –0.78 −1.62 –0.78 –0.78 –1.41 –1.62 –1.60
Phosphorus, maxA 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035
Sulfur, maxA 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.010
Silicon:
Heat analysis 0.40 0.15 0.15 0.10 0.15 0.15 0.20 0.15 0.20 0.20 0.15 0.15 0.40
–0.80 –0.35 –0.30 –0.40 –0.35 –0.35 –0.35 −0.30 –0.35 –0.35 –0.35 –0.40 –0.60
Product analysis 0.34 0.13 0.13 0.08 0.13 0.13 0.18 0.13 0.18 0.18 0.13 0.13 0.34
–0.86 –0.37 –0.32 –0.45 –0.37 –0.37 –0.37 −0.32 –0.37 –0.37 –0.37 –0.45 –0.66
Nickel:
Heat analysis ... ... ... ... 0.70 0.30 ... ... 1.20 1.20 1.20 ... ...
–1.00 –0.70 –1.50 –1.50 –1.50
Product analysis ... ... ... ... 0.67 0.27 ... ... 1.15 1.15 1.15 ... ...
–1.03 –0.73 –1.55 –1.55 –1.55
Chromium:
Heat analysis 0.50 0.40 ... 1.40 0.40 0.40 ... ... ... 0.85 1.00 ... ...
–0.80 –0.65 –2.00 –0.65 –0.65 –1.20 –1.50
Product analysis 0.46 0.36 ... 1.34 0.36 0.36 ... ... ... 0.79 0.94 ... ...
–0.84 –0.69 –2.06 –0.69 –0.69 –1.26 –1.56
Molybdenum:
Heat analysis 0.18 0.15 0.20 0.40 0.40 0.20 0.50 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.40 0.10 0.45
–0.28 –0.25 –0.30 –0.60 –0.60 –0.30 –0.65 −0.55 –0.60 –0.60 –0.60 –0.35 –0.60
Product analysis 0.15 0.12 0.17 0.36 0.36 0.17 0.46 0.42 0.41 0.41 0.36 0.10 0.41
–0.31 –0.28 –0.33 –0.64 –0.64 –0.33 –0.69 −0.50 –0.64 –0.64 –0.64 –0.38 –0.64
Boron 0.0025 0.0005 0.001 0.001 0.0005 0.0005 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 ... ... 0.001
max –0.005 –0.005 –0.005 –0.006 min –0.005 −0.005 –0.005 –0.005 –0.005
Vanadium:
B
Heat analysis ... 0.03 ... 0.03 0.03 ... ... ... ... 0.03 ... 0.03
–0.08 –0.08 –0.08 –0.08 –0.08
Product analysis ... 0.02 ... ... 0.02 0.02 ... ... ... ... 0.02 ... 0.02
–0.09 –0.09 –0.09 –0.09 –0.09
Titanium:
Heat analysis ... 0.01 ... 0.01 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0.06 ...
–0.03 –0.10
Product analysis ... 0.01 ... 0.005 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0.07 ...
–0.04 –0.11
Zirconium:
Heat analysis 0.05C ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
–0.15
Product analysis 0.04 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
–0.16
Copper:
Heat analysis ... ... ... ... 0.15 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
–0.50
Product analysis ... ... ... ... 0.12 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
–0.53
Columbium, max
Heat analysis ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0.06 ...
Product analysis ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0.07 ...
A
Applied to both heat and product analyses.
B
May be substituted for part or all of titanium content on a one for one basis.
C
Zirconium may be replaced by cerium. When cerium is added, the cerium/sulfur ration should be approximately 1.5 to 1, based on heat analysis.

7. Mechanical Requirements 7.1.2.1 The yield strength may be determined by the 0.2 %
7.1 Tension Tests: offset method or by the total extension under load of 0.5 %
7.1.1 Requirements—The material as represented by the method.
tension-test specimens shall conform to the requirements 7.1.2.2 For material 3⁄4 in. [20 mm] and under in thickness,
shown in Table 2. the test specimen shall be the 11⁄2 -in. [40-mm] wide
7.1.2 Test Methods: rectangular-test specimen.

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 A 517/A 517M – 93 (1999)
TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements

2.50 in. [65 mm] and Under Over 2.50 to 6 in. [65 to 150 mm]
Tensile strength, ksi [MPa] 115–135 [795–930] 105–135 [725 to 930]
Yield strength, min, ksi [MPa] 100 [690] 90 [620]
Elongation in 2 in. [50 mm], min, %A 16 14
Reduction of area, min, %:
Rectangular specimens 35 ...
Round specimens 45 45
A
See Specification A 20/A 20M for elongation adjustment.

7.1.2.3 For material over 3⁄4 in. [20 mm], either the full 7.2.1 Transverse Charpy V-notch impact test specimens
thickness rectangular-test specimen or the 1⁄2 -in. [12.5-mm] shall have a lateral expansion opposite the notch of not less
round-test specimen may be used. than 0.015 in. [0.38 mm].
7.1.2.4 When the 11⁄2 -in. [40-mm] wide rectangular-test 7.2.2 The test temperature shall be agreed upon between the
specimen is used, the elongation is measured in a 2-in. or manufacturer and the purchaser, but shall not be higher than
[50-mm] gage length which includes the fracture. 32°F [0°C].
7.2 Impact Properties Requirements:

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

Supplementary requirements shall not apply unless specified in the order.

A list of standardized supplementary requirements for use at the option of the purchaser are included
in Specification A 20/A 20M. Several of those considered suitable for use with this specification are
listed by title. Other tests may be performed by agreement between the supplier and the purchaser.

S1. Vacuum Treatment, S9. Magnetic Particle Examination,

S2. Product Analysis, S11. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica-
S3. Simulated Post-Weld Heat Treatment of Mechanical tion A 577/A 577M,
Test Coupons,
S12. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica-
S5. Charpy V-Notch Impact Test,
tion A 578/A 578M,
S6. Drop Weight Test,
S7. High-Temperature Tension Test, S14. Bend Test, and
S8. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica- S17. Vacuum Carbon-Deoxidized Steel.
tion A 435/A 435M,

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