Shipbuilding Steel Plates

EH36 / DH36 High-Strength Marine Steel Plate

Product Overview & Manufacturing Standard

EH36 / DH36 are high-strength hull structural steel plates manufactured to GB/T 712-2011 and ASTM A131/A131M. The grade designation is read as: E = Charpy impact test at -40°C, D = -20°C, H = high strength, 36 = minimum yield strength 355 MPa. Plates are supplied normalized (N) or thermomechanically rolled (TMCP), with heat-treatment condition and class endorsement stated on the mill certificate.

Typical thickness 6 mm – 150 mm (heavy plate), width up to 3,200 mm, length up to 12,000 mm. Z-direction quality (Z25 / Z35) and ultrasonic testing to class rules are available on request.

Class Society Approvals – 9 Societies

Society Classification Society Grades Endorsed Certificate Reference
CCS China Classification Society EH36 / DH36 / EH32 / AH36 CCS 材料与焊接规范
DNV DNV (Det Norske Veritas) EH36 / DH36 / AH36 DNV Rules for Classification of Ships
ABS American Bureau of Shipping EH36 / DH36 / AH36 ABS Rules Part 2 Materials
LR Lloyd’s Register EH36 / DH36 / AH36 LR Rules for Ships
BV Bureau Veritas EH36 / DH36 / AH36 BV Rules NR216
NK ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) EH36 / DH36 / AH36 NK Rules Part K
KR Korean Register EH36 / DH36 / AH36 KR Guidance for Steel Plates
RINA Registro Italiano Navale EH36 / DH36 / AH36 RINA Rules Pt.2 Ch.4
RS Russian Maritime Register of Shipping EH36 / DH36 / AH36 RS Rules Part XIII

International Equivalent Grades

Standard / Source Equivalent Grade Impact Test Temperature Minimum Yield
GB/T 712-2011 (China) EH36 / DH36 (EH36-Z35, DH36-Z35) -40°C / -20°C 355 MPa
ASTM A131/A131M (USA) Grade EH36 / Grade DH36 -40°C / -20°C 355 MPa
IACS UR W11 / class rules EH36 / DH36 -40°C / -20°C 355 MPa
TMCP variant EH36-TM / DH36-TM -40°C / -20°C 355 MPa
EN 10025-2 (structural reference) S355J2 / S355K2 Not a marine grade 355 MPa

Chemical Composition (Ladle Analysis, % max)

Grade C Si Mn P S Al (soluble) Cu Ni Cr Mo N CEV
EH36 (≤ 50 mm) ≤ 0.18 ≤ 0.50 0.90 – 1.60 ≤ 0.035 ≤ 0.035 ≥ 0.015 ≤ 0.35 ≤ 0.40 ≤ 0.20 ≤ 0.08 ≤ 0.0090 ≤ 0.36
DH36 (≤ 50 mm) ≤ 0.18 ≤ 0.50 0.90 – 1.60 ≤ 0.035 ≤ 0.035 ≥ 0.015 ≤ 0.35 ≤ 0.40 ≤ 0.20 ≤ 0.08 ≤ 0.0090 ≤ 0.36
EH36 / DH36 (50 – 100 mm) ≤ 0.18 ≤ 0.50 0.90 – 1.60 ≤ 0.030 ≤ 0.030 ≥ 0.015 ≤ 0.35 ≤ 0.40 ≤ 0.20 ≤ 0.08 ≤ 0.0090 ≤ 0.38

CEV formula: C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15. TMCP-delivered material is supplied with Pcm ≤ 0.21. Ni + Cu + Cr additions are agreed with the class society when the steel is intended for low-temperature service or heavy gauge.

Mechanical Properties

Grade Thickness Yield ReH Tensile Rm Elongation A Charpy V Longitudinal Charpy V Transverse
EH36 6 – 50 mm ≥ 355 MPa 490 – 620 MPa ≥ 21 % ≥ 34 J at -40°C ≥ 24 J at -40°C
EH36 > 50 – 100 mm ≥ 355 MPa 490 – 620 MPa ≥ 21 % ≥ 34 J at -40°C ≥ 24 J at -40°C
DH36 6 – 50 mm ≥ 355 MPa 490 – 620 MPa ≥ 21 % ≥ 34 J at -20°C ≥ 24 J at -20°C
DH36 > 50 – 100 mm ≥ 355 MPa 490 – 620 MPa ≥ 21 % ≥ 34 J at -20°C ≥ 24 J at -20°C

Charpy specimens are taken in the rolling direction (longitudinal) and transverse to the rolling direction, 10 × 10 mm where thickness permits; sub-size specimens are used below 12 mm with the acceptance values defined by the applicable class rule. Yield ratio, strain-ageing and through-thickness (Z35) tests are available as supplementary requirements.

Processing & Fabrication Guidance

  • Thermal cutting: CNC flame cutting (multi-torch, up to 150 mm) or high-definition plasma. Contour accuracy ±1 mm, edge squareness controlled by cutting speed and kerf compensation.
  • Preheating: 50°C – 100°C for thickness above 30 mm or when CEV is at the upper limit; measure 75 mm from the cut/ weld edge.
  • Welding: SAW, FCAW, GMAW and SMAW with hydrogen-controlled consumables (H5 / H10 grade). Suggested heat input 10 – 35 kJ/cm, interpass temperature ≤ 250°C, no preheat above 100°C unless the class rule requires otherwise.
  • Post-weld heat treatment: not normally required. Where specified, stress relief at 580°C – 620°C with controlled heating and cooling rates.
  • Forming: cold forming permitted to a minimum inside radius of 3t (t ≤ 20 mm); hot forming above 900°C followed by normalizing when the class society requires it.
  • Surface preparation: shot blasting to Sa2.5 with 40 – 75 µm profile, then zinc-silicate shop primer 15 – 25 µm DFT.
  • Traceability: heat number, society stamp and plate identification retained to the end of fabrication.

Typical Applications

  • Hull shell plating, deck and bottom plating of bulk carriers, tankers, container ships and offshore support vessels
  • Hatch covers, coamings, bulkheads and superstructure blocks
  • Offshore platform structures, crane pedestals and heavy deck panels
  • Ship repair, jumboisation and block replacement projects

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