Shipbuilding Steel Plates
As-rolled plate stack
AH36 plate in the as-rolled condition, mill marking intact.
Shipbuilding Steel Plates
AH36 Shipbuilding Steel Plate
Product Overview
AH36 is a high-strength structural steel plate for shipbuilding and marine structures, supplied in the as-rolled or normalized state and produced to the requirements of the major classification societies. With a minimum specified yield strength of 355 MPa and a tensile range of 490–620 MPa, AH36 sits in the 36 kgf/mm² strength class and is the most widely specified high-strength grade in commercial ship construction.
Typical designation as an ABS-approved grade is written AB/AH36. The letter denotes the Charpy impact test temperature class and the number denotes the strength class — so AH36 is impact-tested at 0 °C, DH36 at −20 °C and EH36 at −40 °C, all in the same 355 MPa strength class.
How we supply it differently: plate is sourced from first-tier Chinese mills and can be delivered as pre-treated (shot blasted to Sa 2.5 and shop-primed) and cut to size before it leaves China — so your yard receives fabrication-ready plate instead of raw mill plate that still has to be blasted, primed and cut locally.
Grade Framework & Size Availability
| Strength Class | Typical Grades | Impact Test Class | Min. Yield Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| General strength | A / B / D / E | Progressive toughness classes | 235 MPa class |
| High strength | AH32 / AH36 / DH32 / DH36 / EH32 / EH36 / FH36 | 0 °C / −20 °C / −40 °C classes | 315 MPa class (32) / 355 MPa class (36) |
| Extra high strength | AQ / DQ / EQ / FQ 43–70 series | Per class society rule | 420 MPa and above |
Available from 6 mm to 120 mm thickness, with widths up to 5,200 mm and lengths up to 12,000 mm or cut to your nesting plan. Thinner and heavier sections outside this range can be quoted on request.
Chemical Composition
| Element | C | Mn | Si | P | S | Cu | Ni | V | Cr | Mo | Al | Ti |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AH36 | 0.18 % | 0.90–1.60 % | 0.10–0.50 % | 0.035 % | 0.035 % | 0.35 % | 0.30 % | 0.02–0.05 % | 0.20 % | 0.08 % | 0.20 % | 0.02 % |
Figures above are the commonly published limits for the grade and are indicative only. The governing limits are those of the classification society specified on your order; the actual ladle analysis for each heat is stated on the mill certificate supplied with the plates.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Standard / Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum yield strength (ReH) | 355 MPa | Grade 36 strength class |
| Tensile strength (Rm) | 490–620 MPa | Grade 36 strength class |
| Charpy V-notch impact | 0 °C | AH36 impact test class |
| Delivery condition | As-rolled / normalized | Per order |
| Standard | GB/T 712-2022 / ASTM A131 / class society rules | Ship and ocean engineering structural steel |
Why AH36 Is Specified
- Strength with toughness. The 355 MPa yield class allows thinner plates for the same load case, reducing topside weight in hull and deck structures.
- Weldability. Formulated for the high-heat-input welding used in shipyard block assembly, with carbon equivalent kept within rule limits.
- Marine corrosion resistance. Suited to continuous salt-water exposure and to protective coating systems.
- Impact and low-temperature toughness. Impact-tested at 0 °C for the AH class, with D and E classes available where colder service conditions apply.
- Formability. Bends, forms and rolls without loss of strength or integrity, which is essential for curved hull plating and tank structures.
Pre-Treatment & Fabrication Services
| Service | Capability | Effect on Your Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Shot blasting | Centrifugal roller-conveyor line, 5.2 m × 24 m, plate 5–120 mm, cleanliness to Sa 2.5 | Removes 100 % of mill scale and rust before shipment |
| Shop priming | Automatic airless spray, weldable zinc-silicate or epoxy primer, 15–25 µm dry film | Plate arrives protected; no blasting shed occupancy at your site |
| Laser cutting & nesting | 20,000 W fibre laser, 16,000 mm × 4,000 mm table, 50–200 t/day | Nested parts delivered instead of full plates |
| Edge beveling | Double-sided edge milling, up to 16,000 mm length, stepless bevel angle | Weld-ready edges, no manual grinding |
| Plate rolling | W11S universal rolling machine, 42 mm × 4,000 mm, crowned top roll | Shell and tank courses formed to drawing |
| Marking recovery | Automatic inkjet restoration of heat number, grade, size and class mark | Full traceability retained after blasting |
| Seaworthy packing | Steel strapping, wooden skids and separators, container or break-bulk loading | Reduces transit damage and port handling rework |
Typical Applications
- Hull structure — main deck plating, bottom shell plating and strength deck strakes
- Superstructure and bulkheads — accommodation blocks and internal subdivision
- Offshore structures — platforms, oil rigs and marine infrastructure
- Marine equipment — ship cranes, propeller shafts and deck machinery
- Ship repair and conversion — replacement plating and insert panels
- Type-C and LNG tank structures — where high-strength plate is specified
Ordering & Documentation
To quote accurately we need: grade, required classification society, thickness × width × length (or a nesting drawing), quantity, surface condition (bare, blasted, or blasted and shop-primed), destination port and required delivery date.
Every shipment is supplied with the mill test certificate traceable to heat number and plate identification, and plates keep their original marking after pre-treatment so your incoming inspection stays simple.
Classification Society Note
AH36 is produced to the requirements of the major classification societies. State the society required for your project and we will supply against the corresponding works approval and certificate. Sizes, tolerances and impact test temperatures are as specified by the applicable society rule and confirmed on the mill certificate.
Product Images
Shipbuilding Steel Plates
Staged for dispatch
Bundles on timber bearers in the processing bay, ready for surface preparation.
Shipbuilding Steel Plates
Warehouse storage
Plates stored on timber bearers to protect the underside and allow safe lifting.
Shipbuilding Steel Plates
Mill marking
Plate identification and dimensions written on the plate surface before processing.
Shipbuilding Steel Plates
Plate edge and layers
Edge condition and consistent thickness across a stacked bundle.
Shipbuilding Steel Plates
Plate line
Plate handling bay, levelling line and hot plate transfer at the rolling mill.
Loading, Packing & Applications
Plate is unitised and secured before it leaves China, and ships as containerised or break-bulk cargo depending on plate length, bundle weight and destination port.
Shipbuilding Steel Plates
Strapping and unitising
Plates unitised into a strapped bundle with steel banding and timber separators.
Shipbuilding Steel Plates
Skid support
Bundles landed on timber skids so the plate faces stay clear of the container floor.
Shipbuilding Steel Plates
Dunnage and securing
Timber dunnage, cross bracing and strapping hold the load in place for ocean transit.
Shipbuilding Steel Plates
Shipbuilding applications
Hull and superstructure construction for cargo vessels, passenger ships and fishing boats.
Note on the classification society statement above: the list of societies we hold works approval for is being confirmed and will be published together with certificate numbers. Until then, please tell us the society required for your project and we will confirm availability before you order.
Request AH36 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Quotation & Mill Certificate
Send required thickness, dimensions, quantity and destination port. Inquiries answered within 24 hours.