Shipbuilding steel plate
AH32
This higher-strength class carries impact testing at 0°C. Higher yield strength allows thinner sections for the same load-bearing capacity, commonly specified for larger bulk carriers, tankers and container ships.
Mechanical properties
- Grade class
- Higher strength
- Minimum yield ReH
- 315 MPa
- Tensile strength Rm
- 440–570 MPa
- Elongation A5
- 22%
- Impact test temperature
- 0 °C
Impact energy in joules is not listed here because it varies with plate thickness and specimen orientation. The value that governs your order is the one on the mill test certificate, issued per heat.
Impact toughness for AH32 is verified by Charpy V-notch testing at 0°C, per IACS UR W11.
Definitions of ReH, TMCP and other terms: see the glossaryChemical composition
Ladle analysis limits in weight per cent, as the WISCO mill publishes them for this grade to CCS. Als is acid-soluble aluminium.
| C | Mn | Si | P | S | Als | Nb | V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 0.18 | 0.90 – 1.60 | ≤ 0.50 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 | ≥ 0.015 | 0.02 – 0.05 | 0.05 – 0.10 |
These are the mill's published limits for ladle samples. The actual values for your plate are on the mill test certificate, and a classification society can ask for tighter limits.
Stock & dimensions
- Thickness
- 5–22 mm
- Widths
- 1,800 / 2,000 mm
- Lengths
- 8,000 / 10,000 mm
Mill rolling range
Sizes the WISCO mill rolls to order, beyond what is held in stock. Supplied to GB 712 and to the rules of BV, CCS, DNV, GL, LR, KR, NK and RINA, with dimensional tolerance to GB/T 709 and a lower thickness deviation of −0.30 mm. Send the requirement for availability and a lead time.
- Thickness
- 2–19 mm
- Widths
- 900–2,100 mm
- Lengths
- 2,000–12,000 mm
Also rolled as coil
- Original coil
- 2–19 mm × 900–2,100 mm
- Skin-pass coil
- 2–12.7 mm × 900–2,100 mm
Coil sizes are the ranges in the mill's own product table. Confirm coil availability before you plan around it.
Also supplied as bulb flat
AH32 is also held as bulb flat bar for hull framing.
View bulb flat availabilityClassification society approvals
Plate is produced at the WISCO mill, which holds works approval from the nine classification societies below. Plate is released with the mill test certificate for the relevant heat.
- CCS AH32
- ABS AH32
- DNV AH32
- GL AH32
- BV AH32
- LR AH32
- RINA AH32
- KR AH32
- NK AH32
Bulb flat bar in this grade is produced at the Hubei Lijin mill and at Jufeng. Hubei Lijin holds works approvals from eight classification societies for bulb flat steel and sections; the certificates and the scope of each are on the certifications page. Bulb flat is released with the mill test certificate for the relevant heat. See the Lijin approval certificates
How to read a mill test certificateStandards & cross-reference
This grade is also recognized under ASTM A131/A131M (the U.S. shipbuilding-steel specification) and GB/T 712 (the Chinese national shipbuilding-steel standard), both of which use the same AH32 designation as the IACS classification-society rules.
General structural-steel standards such as EN 10025 (Europe) and JIS G3106 (Japan) lack classification-society approval for ship hulls and cannot replace AH32 on a classed vessel. AH36 vs A36
Quick answers
What is the lead time for AH32 plate from ZCMetals?
Sizes already held in stock ship in 3–7 days. Sizes outside that range are rolled to order at the WISCO mill, typically 30–45 days.
What certificate ships with AH32 plate?
A mill test certificate (MTC) to EN 10204 3.1, issued per heat, plus a classification society certificate copy for whichever of our nine approved societies your project requires. Independent third-party witnessed inspection (EN 10204 3.2) can be arranged on request.
What is the minimum order quantity for AH32?
From 1 tonne on sizes already held in stock — bundles are broken to order.
Welding & cutting
Cutting
Both oxy-fuel (flame) and plasma cutting are suitable for this thickness range; cut to your drawing or DXF file.
Welding & preheat
Higher-strength grades (AH32/AH36 series) have a higher carbon equivalent than normal-strength grades, so thicker sections or restrained joints may call for preheat and low-hydrogen consumables to avoid hydrogen cracking. Exact preheat temperature depends on thickness, carbon equivalent and joint restraint — confirm against your yard's WPS and the classification society's requirements rather than a fixed rule of thumb.
Related grades
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