Australian Steelwork Evolution

(ABN)/ACN (94) 000 973 839

STEEL CONSTRUCTIONJOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN STEEL INSTITUTE

ISBN 0049-2205Print Post Approvedpp 255003/01614

The Evolution of AustralianMaterial Standards for -

Structural SteelPressure Vessel Steel Plate

Steel Stocked in AustraliaA Summary for Designers of Heavy Steelwork

Reproduction of V33N2 June 1999 Printing

AUSTRALIAN STEEL INSTITUTE

VOLUME 33 NUMBER 2 JUNE 1999

2STEEL CONSTRUCTION VOLUME 33 NUMBER 2, JUNE 1999

AISC Steel Construction Journal

June 1999, Vol 33 No 2

EDITORIALAs with any aspect of procurement, a suitabledescription of the product or item being obtainedis crucial to ensuring that you get what you wantand it performs to the requirements that you mayneed of it. Material Standards and specificationsprovide this means of “suitable” descriptionwithin the construction industry and areconsidered to be important references for theprocurement process. Currently, typical materialStandards for steel construction includeAS/NZS3678 (Hot--rolled plates, floorplates and slabs),AS/NZS 3679.1 (Hot--rolled bars and sections)and AS/NZS 3679.2 (Welded I sections).

Entitled “The Evolution of Material Standardsfor Structural Steel”, the first paper in this issueof Steel Construction documents the changesthat have occurred for Australian materialStandards for structural steel. With a generalemphasis on plate product -- sections and bars arealso considered -- the paper describes the changesthat have occurred to structural steel materialStandards since the early 1920’s and provides thereasons behind these changes. Part of the reasonfor these changes was also due to the ongoingdevelopment of BHP’s impressive Port Kemblasteelworks in terms of products and capability. Abrief mention of the steelwork’s development isalso considered in the paper.

The first paper’s author, Mr Sharad Kotwal, haslong been associated with BHP and StandardsAustralia and is in a good position to write aboutthe changes to structural steel materialStandards. Mr Kotwal’s role at BHP also sawsubstantial involvement with steel plates forpressure vessels which is the subject of thesecond paper. Entitled “The Evolution ofAustralian Material Standards for PressureVessel Steel Plate”, the second paper is publishedas complementary text to the first paper. MrKotwal retires fromBHP inmid--1999 andAISCwishes him well for the future.

On the subject of material Standards, a thirdpaper is presented in this issue which providessome guidance to overseas designers on localsteel products. Entitled “Steel Stocked in

Australia – A Summary for Designers of HeavySteelwork”, the paper is written as a brief note onAustralian structural materials and componentswhich are readily available for Australianfabrication. The paper’s author, Dr RussellKeays, has had a long and substantial trackrecord with steel construction and has beeninvolved in various high--profile projects aroundAustralia.

Lastly, readers should note that a list of papersconsidered in more recent journal issues isprovided after the third paper.

3 STEEL CONSTRUCTION VOLUME 33 NUMBER 2, JUNE 1999

THE EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN MATERIALSTANDARDS FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL

S Kotwal1

1. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this paper is to document the history of changes that have taken place in AustralianStandards for Structural Steel with specific reference to plate product. All the significant changeshave been listed and, wherever possible, reasons for such changes are given. As most of thesechanges are as a result of the development of steelmaking facilities in Australia, majordevelopments/plant commissioning in this area are also listed.

For the benefit of readers and steel users the following attachments are also included:

Attachment 1: Summary

With an emphasis on plate product, this attachment lists in chronological order:

(A) Australian Standards for Structural Steel, and

(B) Development of the Port Kembla Steelworks

Attachment 2: Evolution of Australian Standards for Structural Steel

This attachment shows the relationship and evolution of Australian Structural Steel Standards intwo time periods -- (A) 1928 to 1986 and (B) <1989 to 1997.

The table has been split in this manner as 1989/1990 saw a major revision (ie change in direction)and two other Standards (AS1446 and AS 1594) were also involved in this rework along with allthe other Structural Steel Standards.

Attachment 3: Australian Structural Steel Plate – Grade Equivalence of Obsolete Grades

This table shows the Structural Steel grades that replaced old grades or grades that were added ordeleted in the new Standard and their equivalence.

Attachment 4: Australian Weather Resistant Structural Steel Plate – Grade Equivalence ofObsolete Grades

This table shows the Weather--resistant Structural steel grades that replaced old grades or gradesthat were added or deleted in the new Standard and their equivalence.

Attachment 5: Structural Steel Plate -- International Standards Comparison

This attachment gives a table of the grades from four (ISO, EN, ASTM & JIS) internationalStandards which are equivalent to current Australia/New Zealand Structural steel plate grades.

2. MATERIAL STANDARDS PROGRESSION

The first Australian Standard Specification for Structural Steel was published in 1920 by theCommonwealth Institute of Science and Industry.

1 Standards Metallurgist, BHP Flat Products, Port Kembla, NSW, Australia.


In 1922, the newly--founded Australian Commonwealth Engineering Standards Association(ACESA) was invited to consider the revision of the above specification and its publication underthe name of the Association.

The result was the publication of a new National Standard A.S. No. A.1--1928.

A.S. No. A.1--1928: StructuralSteel and Australian Standard Rolled Steel Sections forStruc-tural purposes

This is the first known Australian Standard for Structural Steel which covered plates and structuralsections. The Standard had two parts, Part 1 was for material specification and Part 2 gaveDimensions and Properties of Australian Standard Rolled Steel Sections.

Part 1 had two steel--making options. Option A allowed the steel to be made by the Open HearthProcess, in which case Phosphorus and Sulphur content must not be more than 0.06%. Option B, inaddition to the Open Hearth process, allowed steel to be made by the Bessemer Process. Becauseof this, Option B had a Phosphorus limit of 0.08% and a Sulphur limit of 0.06%. This steel was notallowed to be used in Bridges or for plates ¼” thickness and over or Rivet Bars.

The Standard had only one grade (A1) with a specified tensile Strength range of 28--33 tons persquare inch and the yield point was only to be recorded on test reports.

A.S. No. A.1--1931: StructuralSteel and Australian Standard Rolled Steel Sections forStruc-tural purposes

This was the revision of A.S. No. A.1--1928 Standard but was printed as an amendment notice tosave the cost of reprinting. By this time, the Australian Commonwealth Engineering StandardsAssociation (ACESA) was superseded by the Standards Association of Australia (SAA) and thiswas the first product Standard published by SAA.

The major change in this revision was the addition of tolerances to Cross Sectional dimensions ofBeams and Channels.

Also in 1931, No. 1 Open Hearth, BloomMill and 36” Mill were commissioned at Australian Ironand Steel Proprietary Limited’s Port Kembla plant.

A.S. No. A.33--1937: Plates for General Engineering purposes

This Standard was published in 1937 to cover plates for General Engineering purposes. In doingso, it also replaced the plates portion of A.S. No. A.1--1931.

The grades (classes) in this Standard were designated “D”, “E” and “F” so as not to clash withBoiler grades “A”, “B” and “C” from A.S. No.B. 58--1937 (Carbon Steel Plates for Boilers, UnfiredPressure Vessels and their Appurtenances) which was also being prepared at the same time.

The only Chemical composition limits on these grades were maximum Phosphorus and Sulphur of0.06%. Three grades (classes) had the Yield and Tensile strength properties as noted in Table 1.

Table 1: A.S. No. A.33--1937

Class Thickness Yield Strength (min.) Ultimate Tensile Strength(inch) Tons/Sq. inch (MPa) Tons/Sq. inch (MPa)

D All 50% actual UTS 28--33 (432--510)E All 50% actual UTS 25--30 (386--463)F All 50% actual UTS 21--26 (324--401)


A.S. No. A.33--1955: Carbon Steel Plates for General Structural Engineering Purposes

In 1955, this Australian Standard was revised to replace A.S. No. A.33--1937.

The major change in this revision was that the actual minimum Yield strength requirement wasspecified for all Classes. The revised Yield and Tensile properties are noted in Table 2.

In 1954 the first Flat products were produced in Australia and in 1955 the Slab Mill and Hot StripMill were commissioned at the Port Kembla steelworks.

Table 2: A.S. No. A.33--1955

Class Thickness(inch) Yield Strength (min.) Tensile Strength

Tons/Sq. inch (MPa) Tons/Sq. inch (MPa)D ≤3/4 15.25 (236) 28--33 (432--510)

>3/4 14.75 (228) 28--33 (432--510)E All 12.5 (193) 25--30 (386--463)F All 10.5 (162) 21--26 (324--401)

A.S. No. A.1--1956: StructuralSteel (Excluding Plates) and Australian Standard Rolled SteelSections for Structural Purposes

The 1931 edition of this Standard was revised in 1940 and amended in 1955. The 1956 editionincluded the 1940 revision and the 1955 amendment.

The only Chemical composition limits in this Standard were maximum Phosphorus and Sulphur of0.06% for Open Hearth process and maximum Phosphorus of 0.08% and Sulphur of 0.06% forAcid Bessemer Process. The Standard had only one grade (A1) with the Yield and Tensile strengthproperties shown in Table 3.

The No. 2 Open Hearth was commissioned at Port Kembla plant in 1956 and in 1963 the Wide(140”) Plate Mill was commissioned.

Table 3: A.S. No. A.1--1956

Thickness(inch) Yield Strength (min.) Tensile StrengthTons/Sq. inch (MPa) Tons/Sq. inch (MPa)

≤3/4 15.25 (236) 28--33 (432--510)>3/4 14.75 (228) 28--33 (432--510)

AS A1--1965: Dimensions of Hot--rolled Steel Shapes and Sections for Structural Purposes

This Standard was prepared as a revision of Part 2 of A.S. A.1--1956. Part 1 of A.S. A.1--1956 wassuperseded by AS A147--1965 (see below) and AS A149--1965 (see below).

AS A147--1965: General requirements for supply ofHot--rolled SteelPlates, Sections, Pilingsand Bars for Structural Purposes

This Standard was prepared as a part--revision of Part 1 of A.S. A.1--1956. It was based on ASTMA6 (General requirements for Delivery of Rolled Steel Plates, Shapes, Sheet Piling and Bars forStructural Use) with appropriate amendments to suit Australian conditions.

AS A149--1965: Mild Steel for General Structural purposes


This Standard was prepared as a part--revision of Part 1 of A.S. A.1--1956. The scope was widenedto include both ordinary plates formerly covered by A.S. A.33 and hot--formed hollow sections. Inaddition to Phosphorus and Sulphur, limits were set on Carbon and Carbon equivalent (C + Mn/6).The Standard made reference to AS A147 for general delivery requirements.

The Standard included only one grade (A149 -- replacing grade D from A.S. A.33--1955) of 27--34Tonf/in2 tensile strength and Chemical composition and Tensile properties specified in Table 4.

Table 4: AS A149--1965

Chemical Composition: Carbon ≤0.25%,(Ladle analysis) C + Mn/6 ≤0.42%, and

Phosphorus and Sulphur ≤ 0.05%Yield and Tensile Properties:

Thickness(inch) Yield Strength(min ) Tons/Sq

Tensile StrengthTons/Sq inch (MPa)(min.) Tons/Sq.

inch (MPa)Tons/Sq. inch (MPa)

Plates, -------- ≤1/4 Bend Test Only Bend Test OnlySections >1/4 ≤3/4 16.00 (247) 27--34 (417--525)

& Flat bars >3/4 ≤1 1/2 15.00 (232) 27--34 (417--525)>1 1/2 -------- 14.75 (228) 27--34 (417--525)

Bars (other -------- ≤1/4 Bend Test Only Bend Test Onlythan flat >1/4 ≤3/4 16.00 (247) 27--34 (417--525)

bars) >3/4 ≤1 1/2 15.00 (232) 27--34 (417--525)

AS A135--1965: Notch Ductile Steel for General Structural purposes

This Standard was prepared in recognition of the demand for steels with a better “resistance tobrittle fracture” than conventional AS A149 steels. The Standard was based on British Standard BS2762. The preface of the Standard recognised that there was no general agreement on the correcttests to measure notch ductility, however, the Charpy V--notch impact test, especially atsub--atmospheric temperatures, provides some guidance in this respect. It also cautioned that theproperties of steels may be affected by cold--forming, welding and stress--relieving.

This Standard only covered Plates and Bars up to a maximum thickness of 2 inches. The Standardcovered two steel classes (Class A and Class B) which were based on Tensile Strength and 4 levelsof notch ductility. Impact test temperatures for four levels of notch ductile (ND) grades were0_C,--15_C, --30_C, and --50_C. The ND IV (--50_C) grade also allowed Impact testing at highertemperatures (up to --10_C) but with a higher acceptable absorbed Impact energy requirement. Theminimum Absorbed Impact Energy requirement was 20ft lbf (27 joules) average of 3 tests and 15ftlbf (20 joules) for an individual test. These are the same requirements as used in today’s Standards.Grades of Notch toughness levels ND III and ND IV were to be made from a fully killed steel -- asindicated by the 0.10% minimum Silicon requirement on these grades.

The Chemical composition and Tensile properties specified are noted in Table 5.

In September 1970, by Amendment No. 2, the upper limit on Tensile Strength was removed leavingonly the minimum Tensile Strength requirement. The logic behind this change being that as long asminimum elongation requirements were met, material with higher tensile strength would be suitablefor most of the general structural applications.


Table 5: A 135--1965GRADES ND I, ND II ND III, ND IVChemical Composition (Ladle analysis)Carbon 0.20 % max 0.17 % maxManganese 1.50 % max 1.50 % maxSilicon -- 0.10/0.35 %maxPhosphorus and Sulphur 0.05 % max 0.05 % max

Yield and Tensile Properties:

Class Thickness(inch) Yield Strength (min.) Tensile StrengthTons/Sq. inch (MPa) Tons/Sq. inch (MPa)

A -- -- -- -- ≤3/4 15.00 (232) 25.5--31.5 (394--486)>3/4 -- -- -- -- 14.25 (220) 25.5--31.5 (394--486)

B -- -- -- -- ≤3/4 16.00 (247) 27.5--33.5 (425--517)>3/4 -- -- -- -- 15.25 (236) 27.5--33.5 (425--517)

AS A157--1966: Low and Intermediate Strength Carbon Steel Plates of Structural Quality

This Standard was prepared as a part revision of A.S. A.33--1955 Standard replacing the Class E(Grade 24) and Class F (Grade 20) steels. The grade designation in this Standard was based onminimum tensile strength requirement in tons per square inch.


Table 6: AS A157--1966Grade 20 Grade 24

Chemical Composition: Carbon ≤0.15% ≤0.20%(Ladle analysis) C + Mn/6 ≤0.36% ≤0.40%

Phosphorus and Sulphur≤0.05% ≤0.05%


Grade Thickness(inch) Yield Strength (min.) Tensile StrengthTons/Sq. inch (MPa) Tons/Sq. inch (MPa)

20 -- -- -- -- ≤1/4 Bend Test Only Bend Test Only>1/4 -- -- -- -- 11.50 (178) 20--26 (309--402)

24 -- -- -- -- ≤1/4 Bend Test Only Bend Test Only>1/4 -- -- -- -- 13.50 (208) 24--30 (371--463)

AS A151--1966: Structural Steel of High Yield Stress (Welding Quality)

This Standard was prepared following recognition of the demand for an Australian Standard forstructural steels whose yield point is higher than that of AS A135 and A149 steels. The Standardwas based on the corresponding British Standard BS 968. The Standard covered one grade basedon Tensile Strength and four levels (A to D) of notch ductility. Impact test temperatures for 4 levelsof notch ductile grades were +20_C, 0_C, --15_C, and --30_C. Grade D had a minimum AbsorbedImpact Energy requirement of 30 ft lbf (41 joules) for average of 3 tests and 22 ft lbf (30 joules) fora single test.

For all other grades (A to C), the minimum Absorbed Impact Energy requirement was 20ft lbf (27joules) for average of 3 tests and 15ft lbf (20 joules) for an individual test. A lower Phosphorousand Sulphur limit of 0.040% (maximum) was specified on this grade and a maximum limit forGrain refining elements (e.g. Aluminium, Titanium, Niobium and Vanadium) was included in theChemical composition table.

Grade D was specified as a fully--killed fine grained steel and plates ≥1/2” thickness for Grades Cand D were to be supplied in normalized condition.



In September 1970, by Amendment 3, the upper limit on Tensile Strength was removed leavingonly the minimum Tensile Strength requirement.

Table 7: AS A151--1966% Maximum

Chemical Composition: Carbon 0.20(Ladle analysis) Manganese 1.50

Silicon 0.50Phosphorus and Sulphur 0.04Chromium 0.50Manganese + Chromium 1.60Grain refining elements 0.15


Thickness(inch) Yield Strength (min.) Tensile StrengthTons/Sq. inch (MPa) Tons/Sq. inch (MPa)

<3/8 23.00 (355) 31--39 (478--603)≥3/4 <5/8 23.00 (355) 31--39 (478--603)>5/8 ≤1 1/4 22.50 (348) 31--39 (478--603)>1 1/4 ≤2 22.00 (339) 31--39 (478--603)>2 BY AGREEMENT

AS A147--1971: General requirements for supply ofHot--rolled SteelPlates, Sections, Pilingsand Bars for Structural Purposes

This Standard was prepared as a revision of AS A147--1965 concurrently with the preparation oftwo new Structural Steel Standards: AS A186--1971 (see below) and AS A187--1971 (see below).

AS A186--1971: Structural Steels -- Ordinary Weldable Grades

This Standard was prepared as an omnibus specification for ordinary weldable structural steels andsuperseded Australian Standards A135, A149 and A151. Additionally, in this revision, the range ofstructural steels available was increased to cover thin plate of higher yield strength (70 kip/in2). Inpreparing this Standard, account was taken of the ISO/R630, BS4360, DIN 17100, AFNOR 35--501and ASTM A36 standards.

For the first time, the grade designation used in the Australian Standard was based on the minimumyield stress in MPa (rounded to 50 MPa) and a letter suffix L was introduced followed by 0 or 15depending on the temperature at which the Charpy V notch impact tests were to be carried out (i.e.at 0_C or --15_C as appropriate). For plate, five grades based on yield stress were specified withthree levels of impact test requirements. For sections and bars, two grades of yield stress werespecified with two levels of impact test requirements. Tensile properties were specified in kip/in2

units rather than tonf/ in2. Phosphorous and Sulphur levels on all grades were lowered to 0.040%maximum.

The bend tests were omitted from the mechanical test requirements and included as an appendixgiving recommended minimum bending radii for fabrication. Hollow sections were not included inthis standard as they were covered in AS A177--1969.



Table 8: AS A186--1971

Chemical Composition (Ladle analysis): % Maximums

Grade C Mn Si P S G R elements C + Mn/6250 0.25 -- -- -- -- 0.40 0.040 0.040 -- -- -- -- 0.42250L0, L15 0.20 1.50 0.40 0.040 0.040 -- -- -- -- 0.42300 0.25 -- -- -- -- 0.40 0.040 0.040 0.15 0.42300L0, L15 0.20 1.50 0.50 0.040 0.040 0.15 0.42350, 350L0, L15 0.22 1.50 0.50 0.040 0.040 0.15 0.45400, 400L0, L15 0.23 1.50 0.50 0.040 0.040 0.15 0.47500, 500L0, L15 0.23 1.60 0.50 0.040 0.040 0.15 0.49

Yield and Tensile Properties: kip/in2

Plate Minimum Yield Stress, for thickness of, inch Tensile StrengthGrades ≤0.375 >0.375 ≤0.5 >0.5 ≤0.75 >0.75 ≤1.5 >1.5 ≤2.0 >2.0 ≤6.0 Min250 40.0 38.0 36.0 33.6 33.0 33.0 60.0250L0, L15 40.0 38.0 36.0 36.0 34.5 34.5 60.0300, L0, L15 45.0 43.0 41.0 41.0 41.0 41.0 65.0350, L0, L15 53.0 53.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 48.0 70.0400, L0, L15 60.0 60.0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 75.0500, L0, L15 70.0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 80.0

Sections and Flat bars Minimum Yield Stress, for thickness of, inch Tensile Strength

Grades ≤0.50 >0.50 ≤1.50 >1.50 ≤2.50250, 250L0 38.0 36.0 34.0 60.0350, 350L0 52.0 50.0 49.0 70.0

Round and Square bars Minimum Yield Stress, for thickness of, inch Tensile Strength

Grades ≤2.0 >2.0 ≤4.0 >4.0250 36.0 34.0 33.0 60.0250L0 36.0 60.0350 50.0 48.0 46.0 70.0350L0 50.0 70.0

AS A187--1971: Structural Steels -- Weather--Resistant Weldable Grades

This Standard was prepared to cover low--alloy weather--resistant structural steel of high yieldstrength. At the time of preparing this Standard these steels were supplied by AIS/BHP asAUS--TEN 50, 60 and 70 steels. In preparing this Standard, account was taken of the ASTM A242and A588 Standards, Canadian Standard C40.11 and a draft addendum to BS4360.

Being similar to AS A186 Standard, the grade designation used in this Standard was based on theminimum yield stress in MPa (rounded to 50 MPa) and a letter suffix L was introduced followed by0 or 15 depending on the temperature at which the Charpy V notch impact tests were to be carriedout (i.e. at 0_C or --15_C as appropriate). A prefix of WR was used to indicate weather--resistantsteel and a suffix number 1 or 2 was used to differentiate Carbon and Phosphorus levels. TheStandard covered plate in three levels of yield strength, whereas sections and bars were coveredonly by a 350 MPa yield strength grade.


The Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) was commissioned at Port Kembla in 1972.


Table 9: AS A187--1971

Chemical Composition (Ladle analysis): % Maximum or range

Grade C Mn Si P S Cr Cu NiWR 350/1WR 400/1 0.12 1.00 0.20/0.70 0.06/0.15 0.040 0.40/1.00 0.15/0.45 0.50WR 500/1

WR 350/2WR 400/2 0.19 1.35 0.20/0.60 0.040 0.040 0.25/0.70 0.20/0.45 0.50WR 500/2


Plate Grades Minimum Yield Stress Minimum Tensile Strength(kip/in2) (kip/in2)

WR350* 50.0 70.0WR400* 60.0 75.0WR500* 70.0 80.0

Sections and Bars:

WR350* 50.0 70.0* and Derivatives.

AS 1204--1972: Structural Steels -- Ordinary Weldable Grades; andAS 1205--1972: Structural Steels -- Weather--Resistant Weldable Grades

In 1972, AS 1204 and AS 1205 Standards were prepared as a metric version of the AS A186--1971and AS A187--1971 Standards respectively. Thickness units used were millimetres and the stressunits used were expressed in Megapascals (MPa).

AS 1405--1973: Carbon Steel Plates of Structural Quality

This Standard was prepared as a metric version of AS A157--1966. In line with AS 1204 and AS1205 Standards, grade designation was changed to be based on minimum yield stress inMegapascals (MPa) (from minimum tensile strength in tons per square inch in AS A157). Thismeant the new grade designations were 180 and 210.

The new yield and tensile property requirements are noted in Table 10.

Table 10: AS 1405--1973

Grade Thickness(mm) Minimum Yield Strength Tensile StrengthMPa MPa

180 < 6 Bend Test Only Bend Test Only≥ 6 180 310--400

210 < 6 Bend Test Only Bend Test Only≥ 6 210 370--460

AS 1131--1973: Dimensions of Hot--rolled Structural Steel Sections

This Standard was prepared as a metric version of AS A1--1965. Some of the sections from ASA1--1965 were eliminated in this revision as a result of comprehensive investigations carried out bythe Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and BHP. Both of


these studies showed that a number of sections could be eliminated without significantly decreasingthe design efficiency.

AS 1365--1973: Tolerances for Hot--rolled and Cold--rolled Unalloyed Low Carbon Steels

This Standard was prepared to cover metric tolerances for steel plate, sheet and strip. It wasintended to serve as a basis for hot--rolled or cold--rolled unalloyed low carbon steel supplied as coilor cut lengths, particularly for steels with a maximum carbon content of 0.25 percent. The specifiedtolerances gave a smoother rationalized tolerance system than the former system.

AS 1227--1974: General requirements for the supply of Hot--rolled SteelPlates, Sections, Pil-ings and Bars for Structural Purposes

This Standard was prepared as a metric version of AS A147--1971 Standard, concurrently with thepreparation of metric standards for structural steels.

In 1977, No. 1 Open Hearth at Port Kembla works ceased operation and in 1978 the No. 1Slabcaster was commissioned.

AS 1131--1979: Dimensions of Hot--rolled Structural Steel Sections

This was a revision of AS 1131--1973. A number of sections, especially tapered--flange beams,which were no longer in production were deleted and new universal column sections were added.

AS 1204--1980: Structural Steels -- Ordinary Weldable Grades

This Standard was prepared as a revision of AS 1204--1972 and AS 1405--1973. The number ofgrades of steel covered by this Standard were reduced to include only those grades which werereadily available i.e. grades 300, 400 and 500 were deleted. At the same time, the product rangewas extended to cover strip and floorplate. For the first time in Australian Standards, a distinctionwas made between grain refining elements and micro--alloying elements. Grades 180 and 210 fromAS 1405--1973 were replaced by a new grade 200 which had the Chemical and Tensile properties asnoted in Table 11.

Table 11: AS 1204--1980

Chemical Composition (Ladle analysis): % MaximumsGrade C P S C + Mn/6200 0.15 0.030 0.030 0.25

Yield and Tensile Properties:Minimum Yield Strength (MPa) Minimum Tensile Strength (MPa)

200 300

AS 1205--1980: Structural Steels -- Weather--Resistant Weldable Grades

This Standard was prepared as a revision of AS 1205--1972. The number of grades of steel coveredby this Standard were reduced to include only those grades which were readily available i.e. gradesWR400 and WR500 and their derivatives were deleted.

AS 1227--1980:GeneralRequirements for theSupply ofHot--Rolled SteelPlates, Sections Pil-ing and Bars for Structural Purposes

This Standard was prepared as a revision of AS 1227--1974 and was intended to be used inconjunction with the Structural Steel Standards AS 1204 and AS 1205 as well as AS 1446 (Platesfor General Engineering Purposes) and AS 1548 (Steel Plates for Boilers and Unfired Pressure


Vessels). The major changes in this revision were tighter tolerances on flatness of plate andout--of--square of I-- sections. This Standard now made provision for the supply of floorplate, stripand products supplied in coil form but zeds, tees and bulb angles were no longer included.

In 1982, No. 2 Open Hearth ceased operation. This meant all steel--making at Port Kembla nowwas by Basic Oxygen Steel--making (BOS) process.

AS 2624--1983: Steel plate and strip for the construction of Welded steel tanks for oil storage

This standard was prepared to cover oil storage tanks requirements to suit Australian conditions, onrequest from Australian Institute of Petroleum Ltd. (AIP). The reason for a separate Standard forthis purpose was that AS 1204--1980 did not comply with the API 650 requirements of (i) Carbonand Carbon Equivalent limits, (ii) some grade/thickness combinations being fully--killed,normalised, and (iii) API 650 impact testing frequency. In addition, the intention of this Standardwas to rationalise the Australian tank fabricators’ and users’ requirements into one Standard and tokeep the costs of the material as low as possible and make the material readily available.

For various reasons, this Standard was rarely used and was eventually withdrawn in 1996 when100% of Australian plates were produced from the Slab--caster (fully--killed steel) and some of theabove requirements were incorporated in AS 3678--1990.

In 1986, the No. 2 Slab--caster was commissioned at the Port Kembla plant. This now meant that100% of steel plate production in Australia was now via the slab--caster route. Consequently, thetypical Carbon levels on Structural steels came down from 0.21% to 0.15% and all steel made bythis process was made to a fully--killed fine grain steel--making practice. This resulted insignificant improvement in weldability, formability, notch toughness characteristic and quality ofsteel.

AS 1365--1986: Tolerances for Flat--rolled Steel Products

This Standard was prepared as a revision of AS 1365--1973 and the scope of the Standard wasextended to cover slabs, plates and floorplates. The intention was that this Standard would cover allwide flat--rolled steel products. Thickness and flatness tolerances specified here were for unalloyedcarbon steels with a carbon content of less than or equal to 0.25%. A standard multiplication factorof 1.5 was used for low alloy steels and unalloyed steels with carbon greater than 0.25%. ThisStandard, for the first time, recognized the steepness ratio as an alternative means of expressingflatness and this was included only as a guide in Appendix A.

In July 1987, AS 1204, 1205 and 1227 Standards were amended. By this amendment, all FlatProducts (ie Plate, Floor--plate & Strip) tolerance tables from AS 1227 were deleted and AS 1204and AS 1205 referred to AS 1365 for these tolerances.

During 1989/1990, a major revision of Australian Structural Steel standards took place. A changein philosophy meant that Australian Structural Steel Standards now were process oriented ratherthan end use and subject oriented. The reason for this philosophy change was that control ofproperties and tolerances were very much dependent upon process (or Mill) characteristics and itmade sense that product coming from the same Mill be combined together. This philosophy wasalso in line with the AS 1365--1986 revision in which tolerances were specified on a process (Mill)basis.

As a result, six existing Standards were consolidated into three new Standards. AS 3678 Standardwas based on a Plate (reversing) mill product. AS 3679 covered Hot--rolled bars and sections andAS 1594 covered Hot Strip (continuous) Mill flat products. The six existing Standards which wereconsolidated in these new Standards were AS 1204, AS 1205, AS 1227, AS 1446, AS 1131 and AS1594.


AS 3678--1990: Hot--rolled structural steel plates, floorplates and slabs

This Standard brought together the Plate Mill product requirements from parts of AS 1204, AS1205, AS 1227 and AS 1446 Standards. In doing so, the opportunity was taken to drasticallyrationalise AS 1446 grades (supplied to Chemical composition only) used in Australia. A newgrade XK1016 was added as a replacement for the Ingot route grade K1022.

The other major changes were:

Two grades 300 and 400 (maximum thickness = 50 mm) were re--introduced.The maximum thickness on WR350/1 was increased to 50mm allowing for the elimination ofWR350/2 grades.One set of limits were specified for both, ladle and product analysis and limits on Carbon,Phopshorous and Sulphur were significantly reduced. Limits were set on IIW (weldability)Carbon equivalent rather than (C+ Mn/6).A further distinction between grain refining and micro--alloying elements was made byspecifying limits on Niobium, Vanadium and Titanium.The minimum Tensile strength requirement on 350 and WR 350 grades was reduced to 450 MPa(from 480MPa) to allow for the supply of better weldable Thermo--Mechanical Control Rolledsteels.The impact tested derivatives were rationalized into one L15 grade. (L0 in case of WR350/1).Due to the uniformity of the slab--cast product, testing frequency was reduced from a minimumof up to 4 tests per heat to up to 2 tests per heat.For thick plate (>32 mm) quarter--thickness position testing was introduced so as to obtainconsistent results and to eliminate controversy about the testing position through the thickness.Provision was made for a base through thickness tested grade with minimum reduction of areaof 20%.In line with Standards Australia policy, a new appendix B “Determination of compliance”requirements was added and Sampling, Testing frequency and re--tests requirements weremoved to this Appendix.As 100% of the steel produced in Australia to this Standard was made from the slab--caster routeand to a fully--killed fine--grain steel--making practice, the recommendations in the Appendixspecifying Cold--bending and Hot--forming performance of plate during fabrication weresignificantly improved.The term ‘Trimmed edge’ replaced the terms ‘Sheared edge’ & ‘Gas--cut edge’ and the term‘Untrimmed edge’ replaced the terms ‘Mill edge’ & ‘Universal edge’.

AS 3679--1990: Hot--rolled structural steel bars and sections

This Standard brought together AS 1131 and the Bars and Sections part of AS 1204, AS 1205 andAS 1227. In line with Standards Australia policy, “Determination of compliance” requirements(including those on Sampling, Testing frequency and re--tests) were moved to Appendix B.

When AS 3679.2 was published in 1991 (see below), this Standard became AS 3679.1 byAmendment No. 1.

AS 3679.2--1991: Structural steel Part 2: Welded sections

This Standard was prepared as an extension of AS 3679 Part 1 to cover the range of weldedsections produced at BHP’s Welded Products plant at Unanderra. The Standard was based on partsof AS 1554.1 and AS 3679.1 Standards. The plate feed for these sections was obtained from AS3678 Standard.

AS/NZS 3678--1996: Hot--rolled structural steel plates, floorplates and slabs


This Standard was prepared as a joint Australia / New Zealand Standard to supersede AS3678--1990. The major changes of this revision were:

In line with the Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement, this was now a jointAustralia--New Zealand Standard.A new grade 450 was added to a maximum thickness of 50 mm.A Freedom from defects clause was revised to align with the two International Standards, ISO7788: 1985 and EN 10163: 1991.The suffix number 1 on WR350 grades was eliminated as the Standard now covered only onevariation of carbon and phosphorus level.The chemical composition grades were further rationalized by eliminating grades XK1026,K10B55 and K1073.

AS/NZS 3679.1:1996 -- Structural steel Part 1: Hot--rolled bars and sections

This Standard was prepared as a joint Australia / New Zealand Standard to supersede AS3679.1--1990. The major changes of this revision were:

Weather--resistant (WR) grades were deleted as there was no demand for these grades in thisproduct.Universal Bearing Piles and 690 & 760 Universal Beams were deleted.Geometrical properties of sections were deleted as they were not considered to be part of thisStandard – ie such data was considered as proprietary information rather than being part of aStandard.

AS/NZS 3679.2:1996 -- Structural steel Part 2: Welded I sections

This Standard was prepared as a joint Australia / New Zealand Standard to supersede AS3679.2--1991. The major changes of this revision were:

Weather--resistant (WR) grades were deleted as there was no demand for these grades in thisproduct.Geometrical properties of sections were deleted as they were not considered part of thisStandard. Since plate feed for these sections is obtained from AS/NZS 3678, the materialspecification part from this Standard was deleted. The materials portion of this Standard nowrefers to AS/NZS 3678.


ATTACHMENT 1: SUMMARY

(A) Australian Standards for Structural SteelA.S. No. A.1--1928 (1931)

Structural Steel and Australian Standard Rolled Steel Sections for Structural purposes.A.S. No. A.33--1937Carbon Steel PlatesA.S. No. A.33--1955Carbon Steel Plates for General Structural Engineering PurposesA.S. No. A.1--1956Structural Steel (Excluding Plates) and Rolled Steel Sections for Structural PurposesAS A.1--1965 Dimensions of Hot-- rolled Steel shapes and Sections for Structural PurposesAS A147--1965 General requirements for supply of Hot-- rolled Steel Plates, Sections, Pilings and Bars

for Structural PurposesAS A149--1965 Mild Steel for General Structural purposesAS A135--1965 Notch Ductile Steel for General Structural purposesAS A151--1966 Structural Steel of High Yield Stress (Welding Quality)AS A157--1966 Low and Intermediate Strength Carbon Steel Plates of Structural QualityAS A186--1971 Structural Steels -- Ordinary Weldable GradesAS A187--1971 Structural Steels -- Weather--Resistant Weldable GradesAS 1204--1972 Structural Steels -- Ordinary Weldable GradesAS 1205--1972 Structural Steels -- Weather--Resistant Weldable GradesAS 1405--1973 Carbon Steel Plates of Structural QualityAS 1131--1973 Dimensions of Hot-- rolled Structural Steel SectionsAS 1365--1973 Tolerances for Hot-- rolled and Cold-- rolled Unalloyed Low Carbon SteelsAS 1227--1974 General requirements for supply of Hot-- rolled Steel Plates, Sections, Pilings and Bars

for Structural PurposesAS 1204--1980 Structural Steels -- Ordinary Weldable GradesAS 1205--1980 Structural Steels -- Weather--Resistant Weldable GradesAS 1131--1979 Dimensions of Hot-- rolled Structural Steel SectionsAS 1227--1980 General Requirements for the Supply of Hot--Rolled Steel plates, Sections Piling and

Bars for Structural PurposesAS 2624--1983 Steel plate and strip for the construction of Welded steel tanks for oil storageAS 1365--1986 Tolerances for Flat-- rolled Steel ProductsAS 3678--1990 Hot-- rolled structural steel plates, floorplates and slabsAS 3679--1990 Structural steel Part 1: Hot-- rolled bars and sectionsAS 3679.2--1991 Structural steel Part 2: Welded sectionsAS/NZS 3678:1996Hot-- rolled structural steel plates, floorplates and slabsAS/NZS 3679.1:1996 Structural steel Part 1: Hot-- rolled bars and sectionsAS/NZS 3679.2:1996 Structural steel Part 2: Welded I sections

(B) Development of the Port Kembla Steelworks1931 No. 1 Open Hearth, Bloom Mill and 36” Mill commissioned -- First Steel made.1954 First Flat products produced1955 Slab Mill and Hot Strip Mill commissioned1956 No. 2 Open Hearth commissioned1963 Wide Plate Mill commissioned1972 BOS commissioned1977 No. 1 Open Hearth ceased operation1978 No. 1 Slab-- caster commissioned1982 No. 2 Open Hearth ceased operation1986 No. 2 Slab caster commissioned


ATTACHMENT 2: EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS FORSTRUCTURAL STEEL

(Standards in Bold indicate when the original Standard was introduced)

(A) 1928 to 1986

1928/31 1937 1955 1956 1965 1966 1971 1972 1973 1974 1979 1980 1986AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS

A1(plt)A33 A33 A157 1405 1204

A1(Other) A1:Pt. 1 A147 A147 1227 1227A149

A135 A186 1204 1204

A151

A187 1205 1205A1:Pt. 2 A1 1131 1131

1365 1365

(B) <1989 to 1997

<1989 1989 1990 1991 1992 1996 1997AS AS AS AS AS AS/NZS AS/NZS

3679.2 3679.2

1131 3679 3679.1 3679.1

1227

1204

1205 3678 3678

1446 1594 1594 1594 15941365 1365


ATTACHMENT 3: AUSTRALIAN STRUCTURAL STEEL PLATE

-- Grade Equivalence of Obsolete Grades

A1 A33 A33 A149 A135 A151 A157 A186 1204 1405 1204 3678 36781928 1937 1955 1965 1965 1966 1966 1971 1972 1973 1980 1990 1996/1931

F F 20 180 200 200 200E E 24 210 250 250 250

A1 D D A149 250 250 250 250 250NDIA 250L0 250L0 250L0 250L15 250L15NDIIA 250L15 250L15 250L15 250L15 250L15NDIIIANDIVANDIB 250L0 250L0 250L0 250L15 250L15NDIIB 250L15 250L15 250L15 250L15 250L15NDIIIBNDIVB

300 300 300 300300L0 300L0 300L15 300L15300L15 300L15 300L15 300L15

A 350 350 350 350 350B 350L0 350L0 350L0 350L15 350L15C 350L15 350L15 350L15 350L15 350L15D

400 400 400 400400L0 400L0 400L15 400L15400L15 400L15 400L15 400L15

450450L15

500 500500L0 500L0500L15 500L15


ATTACHMENT 4: AUSTRALIAN WEATHER--RESISTANT STRUCTURALSTEEL PLATE


BHP GRADES A187--1971 1205--1972 1205--1980 3678--1990 3678--1996

AUS--TEN 50/1 WR350/1 WR350/1 WR350/1 WR350/1 WR350AUS--TEN 50/1L0 WR350/1L0 WR350/1L0 WR350/1L0 WR350/1L0WR350L0

AUS--TEN 50/2 WR350/2 WR350/2 WR350/2AUS--TEN 50/2L0 WR350/2L0 WR350/2L0 WR350/2L0AUS--TEN 50/2L15 WR350/2L15 WR350/2L15 WR350/2L15

AUS--TEN 60/1 WR400/1 WR400/1AUS--TEN 60/1L0 WR400/1L0 WR400/1L0

AUS--TEN 60/2 WR400/2 WR400/2AUS--TEN 60/2L0 WR400/2L0 WR400/2L0AUS--TEN 60/2L15 WR400/2L15 WR400/2L15

AUS--TEN 70/1 WR500/1 WR500/1AUS--TEN 70/1L0 WR500/1L0 WR500/1L0

AUS--TEN 70/2 WR500/2 WR500/2AUS--TEN 70/2L0 WR500/2L0 WR500/2L0AUS--TEN 70/2L15 WR500/2L15 WR500/2L15


ATTACHMENT 5: STRUCTURAL STEEL PLATE -- INTERNATIONAL STANDARDSCOMPARISON

Tensile Australian International European American JapaneseStrength AS/NZS ISO 630 EN 10025-- ASTM JIS--G(MPa) 3678

290 S185300 200 E185--0310 A283--A330 3101--SS330340 E235A, B S235JRG2 A283--B

E235C, D S235J0S235J2G3, G4

380 A283--C400 A36 3101--SS400

A573--400 3101--SM400A3101--SM400B,C

410 250 E275A, B S275JR A283--DA572--290

250L15 E275C, D S275J0S275J2G3, G4

430 300300L15

450 350 A572--345A573--450

350L15WR350 A242 3125--SPA--HWR350L0 A242

480 400 A573--485400L15

490 S355JR 3101--SS4903106--SM490A3106--SM490YA

E355C, D S355J0 3106--SM490B, CS355J2G3, G4 3106--SM490YB

520 450 A572--415450L15 3106--SM520B, C

540 3101--SS540550 A572--450


THE EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN MATERIAL STANDARDS FOR PRESSURE VES-SEL STEEL PLATE

by

S Kotwal1

1. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this paper is to document the history of changes that have taken place in the AustralianStandard for Pressure Vessel Steel Plate. Only the significant changes have been listed and, whereverpossible, reasons for such changes are given. As most of these changes are as a result of the developmentof the steel industry in Australia, major developments/plant commissioning in the steel industry are alsolisted.

The evolutionary process reveals the Standard expanded until the 1968 revision such that, from the1968 Edition, as many as 264 combinations of steel types, grades and delivery conditions could besupplied. This was obviously too much for the tonnage supplied to the Australian industry to gain anyeconomy of scale and, from the1974 revision onwards, the emphasis was on rationalisation. As a result,two steel types (3 and 4) and some strength levels from other steel types were deleted from the revision.Additionally, due to the commissioning of the Slab--caster at the Port Kembla steelworks, furtherrationalisation and other major changes to the Standard were made in the1981 and 1988 revisions. Themajor change in the 1981 revision was the elimination of Coarse--Grained steels (types 1, 2 and 6) andthe introduction of suffixes R, N and A to indicate plate delivery and test piece heat--treatmentcondition. The major change in the 1988 revision was the introduction of an interchangeable 7--460Rgrade whereby plates from this grade could be used for both -- hot--forming as well as cold--formingapplications.

For the benefit of the readers and steel users the following attachments are included:

Attachment 1: Summary

This includes:

(A) Australian Standards for Pressure Vessel steel plate, and

(B) Developments of Australian Steel industry.

Attachment 2: Australian Pressure Vessel Steel Plate – Grade Equivalence of Obsolete Grades

This attachment lists the Pressure Vessel steel grades that replaced old grades or grades that were addedor deleted in the new Standard and their equivalence.

Attachment 3: Australian Boiler & Pressure Vessel Plate -- Equivalent International Grades

This attachment gives a table of the grades from four (ISO, EN, ASTM & JIS) international Standardswhich are equivalent to current Australian Pressure vessel steel plate grades.

2. MATERIAL STANDARDS PROGRESSION

A.S. No. B.58--1937: Carbon Steel Plates for Boilers, Unfired Pressure Vessels and theirAp-purtenances

This is the first Australian Standard for Carbon Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels preparedby the Standards Association of Australia (SAA). It was prepared to assist the stabilization of thequality and dimensions of various types of plate rolled in Australia. The Standard included 3 classes,

1 Standards Metallurgist, BHP Flat Products, Port Kembla, NSW, Australia.


Class A for Shell plates, Class B for Flanging plates and Class C for Pressing plates some properties ofwhich are noted in Table 1.

Theonly chemical analysis limits specifiedwere Phosphorus and Sulphur contents not to exceed 0.05%each.

Table 1: A.S. No.B.58--1937

Yield Strength Ultimate Tensile Strength Minimum ElongationTons per sq. in Tons per sq. in. (MPa) Percent

Class A 50% of UTS 28--32 (432--493) 20Class B 50% of UTS 26--30 (400--462) 23Class C 50% of UTS 24--28 (370--432) 23

A.S. No. B.58--1958: Carbon Steel Plates for Boilers, Unfired Pressure Vessels and theirAp-purtenances

This was the revision of A.S. No. B.58--1937 and was initiated so that the range of tensile strengthscould be increased up to a maximumof 36 tons per sq. in. to meet the needs of industry, which wanted touse higher tensile plates to reduce the weight of boilers and pressure vessels. New grades H, G and Jwere added in this revision. Theseplates were not to be used at temperatures exceeding 900_F (482_C).

The chemical analysis limits specified were the same as in the previous edition, i.e. Phosphorus andSulphur not to exceed 0.05%. However, the following provisos were added:

When plates were intended for use above 700_F (371_C), Silicon shall be 0.10% minimum andmust be ordered to one of the (high strength) classes H, G or A.If the steel plates covered by this specification were to be welded, Carbon on heat or castanalysis shall not exceed 0.30%. Further, if the carbon exceeds 0.26% and thickness exceeds1.5”, special precautions in welding may need to be taken.

The Standard now included 6 classes (grades) of steel as noted in Table 2.

Typical uses for these plates were:

Class H and G Boiler & Unfired Pressure vessel shells, buttstraps and gussets.Class A and B Boiler & Unfired Pressure vessel shells and ends, where the plates may be flanged or

dished fire worked or fire welded and furnaces exposed to flame.Class C Plates Deep pressing, cross--boxes, mud--drums, manhole doors, combustion chambers and

furnaces exposed to flame.Class J Plates Fireboxes of locomotive boilers.

Table 2: A.S. No.58--1958

Yield Strength Ultimate Tensile Strength Minimum ElongationTons per sq. in (MPa) Tons per sq. in. (MPa) Percent

Class H 50% of UTS 32--36 (493--555) 20Class G 50% of UTS 30--34 (462--524) 20Class A 50% of UTS 28--32 (432--493) 20Class B 50% of UTS 26--30 (400--462) 23Class C 50% of UTS 24--28 (370--432) 23Class J 13 (201) 24--28 (370--432) 25

AS B250--1968: Steel Plates for Boilers and Unfired Pressure Vessels


This Standard was a revision of A.S. B.58--1958 and was based on BS1501:1964. Accordingly, ASB250 covered plate product and AS B251--1970 covered Sections and Bars (AS B251was replaced byAS 1750 in 1975 which was eventually withdrawn in September 1988 due to lack of demand in thisproduct range). In line with the ISO TC11 agreement, in this revision, elevated temperature proof stressproperties were specified where appropriate, and provision was made to supply these steels either withthe elevated temperature proof stress properties by (i) certified on a statistical basis, or (ii) on the basisof actual representative hot tensile tests on samples taken from the plates. Creep rupture properties forsome of the materials covered in this Standard were given in Appendix A, and Appendix B providedinformation on the influence of fabrication and heat treatment on mechanical properties. The Britishnumbering system was not used principally because BS 1501 material was normally supplied in thenormalized condition whereas AS B250 material was normally supplied in the as--rolled condition.

This Standard had eight sections. Section 0 listed the general requirements for sections 1 to 7 whichcovered seven different steel types. Thegrade designationwas madeup of the StandardNumber (AS B250), Type of Steel (1 to 7), Grade of steel (tensile strength minimum in tonf/in2), a letter indicatingwhether an elevated temperature properties were required (H), the letter L together with temperature A(ambient) or X (at or below 0_C) indicating whether a low temperature impact test is required -- eg ASB250:1--28, AS B250:7--28L20, AS B250:7--32H.

The steel types and grades covered in sections 1 to 7 are noted in Table 3.

Table 3: AS B250--1968

Steel type Grades

Section 1 Carbon steel (semi--killed) 26, 28Section 2 Carbon steel (silicon--killed) 26, 28Section 3 Carbon--Manganese steel (semi--killed) 26, 28Section 4 Carbon--Manganese steel (semi--killed niobium--treated) 28, 32Section 5 Carbon--Manganese steel (fully--killed niobium--treated) 32, 32R, 36RSection 6 Carbon--Manganese steel (silicon--killed) 28, 32Section 7 Carbon--Manganese steel (silicon--killed aluminium--treated) 28, 32

AS 1548--1974: Steel Plates for Boilers and Unfired Pressure Vessels

This Standard was prepared as a revision and a metric version of AS B250--1968. In this revision anopportunity was taken to rationalize the various grades of steel. Semi--killed steels of types 3 and 4 andsome grades from other types of steels were deleted mainly due to lack of demand by industry. Thegrade of steel represented the minimum tensile strength in MPa (N/mm2).

The steel types and grades covered in this revised Standard are noted in Table 4.

Table 4: AS 1548--1974

Steel type Grades

Section 1 Carbon steel (semi--killed) 400, 430Section 2 Carbon steel (silicon--killed) 430Section 5 Carbon--Manganese steel (fully--killed niobium--treated) 490, 490RSection 6 Carbon--Manganese steel (silicon--killed) 490Section 7 Carbon--Manganese steel (silicon--killed aluminium--treated) 430

AS 1548--1981: Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels

This Standardwas prepared as a revision of AS 1548--1974. In preparation of this edition, considerationwas given to BHP’s No. 1 Slabcaster which was commissioned in 1978 and all the steels produced


through this process were made to a fully--killed fine--grained steel--making practice. Since this methodproduced a better quality steel and was seen as a preferred method of pressure vessel plate production,the coarse--grained steel types 1, 2 and 6 were deleted from the Standard. This rationalisation wasachieved through negotiations with the Boiler and Pressure vessel Manufacturer’s Association ofAustralia (BPVMAA). Because of the deletion of grade 6--490 and 5--490R, a new grade 8--490 wasadded to the Standard. The 8--490 grade was really the same as AS B250--7--32 grade (this grade wasdeleted in the previous revision), except that it was thought that to achieve 490 MPa tensile strength itwould be necessary to add small quantities of Copper and Nickel to the type 7 steel. As a result thecommittee decided to call this steel, a type 8 steel and introduced the grade 8--490.

The deletion of steel types 1, 2 and 6meant that the only grades and steel types left in the Standardwere5--490, 7--430 and 8--490. This opportunity was taken to simplify the format of the Standard whichmeant that a section number (1, 2, 3 etc. ) was no longer associated with the steel type.

The other changes that were introduced in this revision were:

The deletion of a bend test requirement. As all steels now were produced from the slab--caster,to a fully--killed fine--grain steel--making practice this test was of deemed to be of less relevanceas the test always passed.The reduction in the tensile and impact testing frequency (from an additional test per asproduced plate above a mass of 2.5 tonnes to above a mass of 5 tonnes) because of the greaterproduct consistency of the slab--caster product.The mandatory stress--relieving of all test pieces was introduced. This was supposed to reducethe steel--making variations and help in heat building and sequence casting.The addition of suffix R, N or A to the grade designation indicating the condition of thesupplied plate and that of the test piece as noted in Table 5.

The A designation plates are also used where the vessel is to be hot--formed after fabrication, thusavoiding the additional costs of normalized plate.

In addition, the Standard also made provision for the supply of plates in the normalized (N) conditionfor R and A designations, as normalizing was seen as producing better properties than as--rolled plate inall respects. Hence, if a customer has N designation plate in stock, there was no technical reason whythey could not use that plate in place of R or A designation plate.

Table 5: AS 1548--1981

Suffix Plate condition Test piece condition Typical uses

R As Rolled Stress--Relieved Cold forming (vessel shells)N Normalized Stress--Relieved Low temp. applicationsA As Rolled Normalized + Stress--Relieved Hot forming (dished ends)

AS 1548--1988: Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels

This Standard was prepared as a revision of AS 1548--1981. As a result of discussion with theBoilerand Pressure Vessel Manufacturers Association of Australia (BPVMAA) and Standards AustraliaME/1 Committee members a number of major changes were made in this revision. These included:

One set of limits were specified for both cast and product Chemical Analysis.Steel type 8 was deleted and two new grades 460 and 490 were added to the steel type 7. Thenew grade 7--460 was based on ISO 2604 part IV grade P15 and BS 1501: Part 1 Grade224--460. BHP Steel had developed this grade as a weldable carbon--manganese steel with thepossibility of rationalizing the whole Boiler and Pressure Vessel market into this grade. As theweldability of this grade was expected to be the same as the 7--430 grade, it would enable 430grade users to “down--gauge” their vessel thickness and bring benefits to 490 grade users in


terms of reduction in material preheating and fabrication costs which, to some extent, wouldoutweigh the estimated 6% reduction in strength.-- As a result of extensive data analysis and discussion between BHP and Committee ME/1members, an appendix was added to the Standard which gave procedures for establishing the“interchangeability” of grade designations R and A for type 7 (Carbon--manganese) steels. Thismeant that, provided the plate manufacturer by presentation of data establishes that their Rdesignation plate (stress--relieved tests) can also meet the properties in the A condition(normalized and Stress--relieved tests), they can then supply these plates as interchangeable. Therolling procedure used for this interchangeability is also known as “Normalize--rolled” and isnow also covered by clause 8.2.2 of EN 10028 Part 2, the European Standard for steel forpressure purposes. BHP was acknowledged as a supplier of Interchangeable 7--460R gradeplate under this appendix.In addition to R, N and A, a designation T was introduced for Thermo--mechanically ControlledRolled (TMCR) Plate. The intention was that some of the impact tested plate (L20 and below)which could only be supplied in the normalized condition in the past, may be supplied in theTMCR condition thus eliminating the cost of normalizing a plate to achieve these properties.Provision was made for grades 7--430R and 7--460R to be impact tested at 0_C. Impact tests at0_C were excluded from N (Normalized) and A (Normalized and Stress--relieved ) designatedgrades, as it was considered that in these heat treatment conditions, fully--killed fine--grain steelsfrom the slab--caster will always meet a minimum of L20 requirement. Hence, L0 specificationwas superfluous for this type of steel. Impact tests at --50_C were included for 7--460 and 7--490grades for N and A designations. Impact tests in the transverse direction were not included inthis Standard but provision was made for such tests , subject to agreement between thepurchaser and the manufacturer. The Standard now allowed impact tests for less than 7mm thickplate by agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer. The subsurface impact testposition for plates >32mm thick was amended to specify tests in the quarter thickness position.This was in line with BS 1501: Part 1--1980 and would help in achieving consistent results andavoid controversy of different parties testing from different through--thickness positions as couldhappen when specified only as 3 mm below surface.For patterns (as-- produced plates) greater than 5 tonnes, produced from the slab--caster, thetesting frequency for tensile and impact tests was reduced from two tests (front and back end) toone test (either end). This was possible because of the uniformity of Slab--caster product.At the request of BPVMAA, a NIL thickness under--tolerance was specified. This brought thethickness under--tolerance of AS 1548 in line with BS 1501 and was expected to assist in theacceptance of Australian pressure vessel plate and pressure vessels in New Zealand.

AS 1548--1995: Steel Plates for Pressure Equipment

This Standard was prepared as a revision of AS 1548--1988. In this revision, the concept ofinterchangeability was extended to 7--490 grade.

The ME/1 Committee recognized that it was difficult to achieve good impact properties (especially atand below --40_C) in normalized Carbon--Manganese steels without small amounts of Niobiumaddition and therefore a Niobium addition of up to 0.025% was permitted to type 7 steels (attemperatures --20_C and below). However, this addition was not permitted to R, RH andA, AH gradesof this steel type, thus not affecting its interchangeability. The impact energy values onRL0 grades wereincreased to bring them in linewith thoseof the pressure equipment code AS 1210. Additional revisionsincluded:

The verification option for elevated temperature properties and the former Appendix C, whichgave charts for verification of elevated temperature proof tests were deleted. This approachaligns with that of ISO 9328--2--1991 and EN 10028--2--1992, both of which do not allow averification option.A provision was made to supply through thickness tested grades, with three levels of reductionof area requirements.


A new clause A6 was added so that distributors and users can carry out additional testing (e.g.elevated temperature test or impact test) on base grade plate in stock (e.g. 7--460R), without thestress relieving treatment, if the vessels are not to be stress--relieved.Appendix D, Creep Rupture Properties, was updated and aligned with ISO 9328--2--1991 andEN 10028--2--1992. In doing so, additional creep values for 10,000 hours and 250,000 hourswere added. These two Standards do not give creep values for Type 5 (Niobium bearing) steels.The creep values for 5--490 grade were based on either historical data or calculated as 95% of7--430/460 grades. As a result, these values are lower than those for 7--430/460 grades in somecases.


ATTACHMENT 1: SUMMARY

(A) Australian Standards for Pressure Vessel Steel PlateA. S. No. B.58--1937 Carbon Steel Plates for Boilers, Unfired Pressure Vessels and their AppurtenancesA. S. No. B.58--1958 Carbon Steel Plates for Boilers, Unfired Pressure Vessels and their AppurtenancesAS B250--1968 Steel Plates for Boilers and Unfired Pressure VesselsAS 1548--1974 Steel Plates for Boilers and Unfired Pressure VesselsAS 1548--1981 Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure VesselsAS 1548--1988 Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure VesselsAS 1548--1995 Steel Plates for Pressure Equipment

(B) Development of Port Kembla Steelworks1931 No. 1 Open Hearth, Bloom Mill and 36” Mill commissioned -- First Steel made.1954 First Flat products produced1955 Slab Mill and Hot Strip Mill commissioned1956 No. 2 Open Hearth commissioned1963 Wide Plate Mill commissioned1972 BOS commissioned1977 No. 1 Open Hearth ceased operation1978 No. 1 Slab-- caster commissioned1982 No. 2 Open Hearth ceased operation1986 No. 2 Slab caster commissioned


ATTACHMENT 2: AUSTRALIAN PRESSURE VESSEL STEEL PLATE


Minimum Tensile B58 B58 B250 1548 1548 1548 1548Strength (MPa) 1937 1958 1968 1974 1981 1988 1995

370 C, J C, J -------- -------- -------- -------- --------400 B B 1--26 1--400 -------- -------- --------

2--26 -------- -------- -------- --------3--26 -------- -------- -------- --------

430 A A 1--28 1--430 -------- -------- --------2--28 2--430 -------- -------- --------3--28 -------- -------- -------- --------4--28 -------- -------- -------- --------6--28 -------- -------- -------- --------7--28 7--430 7--430 7--430 7--430

460 G G -------- -------- -------- 7--460 7--460490 H H 4--32 -------- -------- -------- --------

5--32 5--490 5--490 5--490 5--4905--32R 5--490R -------- -------- --------6--32 6--490 -------- -------- --------7--32 -------- 8--490 7--490 7--490

550 ------ ------ 5--36R -------- -------- -------- --------


ATTACHMENT 3: AUSTRAIAN BOILER & PRESSURE VESSEL PLATE -- EquivalentInternational Grades

Tensile Australian International European American JapaneseStrength AS 1548 ISO 9328.2 EN 10028 ASTM JIS -- G(MPa)

310 A285--A340 A285--B360 P235 .2--P235GH380 A285--C

A516--380400 P265 .2--P265GH A662--A 3103--SB410

.3--P275N 3115--SPV2353118--SGV4103126--SLA235

430 7--430 A515--415 3126--SLA325A516--415

460 7--460 P290 .2--P295GH A662--B 3103--SB450A515--450 3118--SGV450A516--450

490 7--490 P315 A662--C 3103--SB480A515--485 3115--SPV315A516--485 3118--SGV480A537--CL1

5--490 .3--P355N A737--B 3126--SLA360520 P355 .2--P355GH A299 3115--SPV355


STEEL STOCKED IN AUSTRALIA-- A SUMMARY FOR DESIGNERS OF HEAVY STEEWLORK

by

R H Keays1

1. INTRODUCTION

Thepurposeof this note is to provide a brief summary that can begiven to overseas designers at the startof a project for Australian fabrication.

The sizes and grades of steel outlined here are readily available ex--stock from steel merchantsthroughout Australia. Other sizes and grades are available or could be imported, but (a) delivery timesmay be months, (b) a minimum purchase quantity may be demanded, and (c) cost is likely to behigher.

2. PLATE

The common variety of structural plate is Grade250 (yield 250MPa). This is roughly equivalent to ISOFe--360. Also available in reasonable quantities is Grade 350, which is roughly equivalent to Fe--510.

Thicknesses stocked inGrade250 are 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120,140 and 150. Grade350 is stocked in the same standard thicknesses from 5 to 50. Plates 28, 36, 45, and55 thick in Grade 250 and 350, and 60, 70 and 80 thick in Grade 350 are available to order. Note thatcommon European thicknesses 14, 15, 18, 22, 30, and 75mm are not produced or stocked.

Heavy plate to XK1016 chemistry (no guarantee of mechanical properties, but roughly equal to Grade250) is stocked in thicknesses 160, 180, 200, 225, 250.

There is a range of quenched and tempered plates (called “Bisalloy”) available. The standard structuralvariety has 690MPa yield and 790MPa ultimate.

Floor plate (with a checker--board surfacepattern) is available in 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12mmthickness inGrade250 only.

3. HOT--ROLLED SECTIONS

These are produced in a BHP Proprietary material called “300PLUS”, which has a nominal yield of300MPa. The range is limited, but supplemented on the heavy side by 3--plate girders and on the lightside by cold--rolled angles and channels.

Universal Beams are produced in standard depths and several weights from 150UB14.0 to 610UB125(610 deep and 125kg/m), and Universal Columns from 310UC158 down to 100UC14.8. Standardlengths from 9m to 18m in 1.5m increments are stocked.

Parallel flange channels are available in depths 75, 100, 125, 150, 180, 200, 230, 250, 300, 380. EqualAngles from 25x25x3 to 200x200x26 and Unequal Angles from65x50x5 to 150x100x12 are stocked.Taper flange beams are available at 100 and 125 deep only.

If there is extensive use of rolled sections, obtain a copy of the BHP “Hot Rolled and Structural SteelProducts” catalogue.

1 Keays Engineering, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.


4. THREE--PLATE GIRDERS

Fabricators can make3--plate girders to suit particular applications, but there is a range of sizes made forstock by BHP. These are generally cheaper than special fabrications.

The sections are denoted WB and WC (for Welded Beam andWelded Column) and are stocked in sizesfrom 700WB115 to 900WB282 and 350WC197 to 400WC361. Larger sizes up to 1200WB455 and500WC440 are produced with a 6 week lead time.

Girders are fabricated from platewith 300MPanominal yield. Plate with 400MPa yield is also availableto special order.

Further information and full dimensions are in theBHP catalogue. If thewelded sections are to interfacedirectly to other sections, obtain details of the tolerances on section dimensions, web alignment, andstraightness (from AS3679.2), as these are higher than one might expect.

5. FLAT BARS

Flat bars are available in an extensive range of width/thickness combinations, with Grade 300PLUSregularly stocked. Detail draftsmen will select from that range for connection cleats to minimisefabrication effort.

Wherever possible, designers should assume connection plates and flats are Grade 250, not Grade300PLUS, as fabricators are liable to substitute plate where flat bar is not readily available. If Grade300or 350 material is essential, individual parts should be annotated.

6. ROUND BARS

Round bars for pins, shafts etc. are stocked in sizes up to 360 diameter in a variety of alloys. Commongrades are CS1020, K1045, 4140, 4340, En25, En26, En36.

Weldable round and square bars up to 60 diameter are readily available in Grade 300PLUS. Take carenot to specify Grade 350 for welded round bar unless this is absolutely essential, as it is not readilyavailable, and K1045 may be supplied in an attempt to achieve the strength properties.

7. RECTANGULAR HOLLOWSECTIONS

These are supplied as Grade C350. Yield of 350MPa is achieved by cold--forming a steel with anultimate strength of 430MPa. A wide range of hard metric sizes are available. Square hollow sectionsare available in depths 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 65, 75, 89, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250. Rectangular hollowsections are 250x150, 200x100, 150x100, 150x50, 125x75, 100x50, 75x50, 75x25, 65x35, 50x25,50x20. Wall thicknesses are 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 (but not all for all sizes). Stock lengths are 8mup to 89x89,and 12m above that.

A limited rangeof Imperial 12” to 20”RHS and SHS sections to ASTMA500 GradeC (345MPayield)are imported from the USA, and held in stock at merchants. Some 250x16 square hollow section isimported from the UK.

8. PIPE (CIRCULAR HOLLOWSECTIONS)

Generally, pipe should be specified on drawings by “Outside diameter x Wall thickness CHS”, withdimensions in mm. Structural pipe is cold--formed and welded, with a yield strength of 350MPa, andultimate of 430MPa, in the along--pipe direction.


Outside diameters are the common Imperial diameters used in pressure piping (60.3, 76.1, 88.9, 114.3,139, 168, 219, 273, 324, 356, 406, 457mm). A reasonable range of wall thicknesses up to API XS indiameters up to 457mm is widely stocked.

There are specialist suppliers who hold limited quantities of heavier wall pipe (generally XXS andSchedules 60, 80, 120) in diameters up to 813mm. From 600OD and over, pipe can be fabricated for thejob from standard plate.

9. ROOF PURLINS AND CLADDING

Roof purlins are normally cold--rolled sheet metal sections, and are normally sized from tablesproduced by themanufacturers. It is suggested that overseas designers delegate responsibility for purlinand cladding design to a local consultant familiar with Australian loading codes and available purlinand cladding sections.

10. SECTIONS FOR LIGHT--WEIGHT STRUCTURES

There are a number of thin--wall and cold--rolled sections available on the Australian market forapplication to light--weight structures. Thesehave yield strengths in the range350 to 550MPa. Someareprepainted or galvanized to give medium--term corrosion protection without further treatment.

Platforms and walkways are usually floor plate (see earlier), or welded mesh grating. With the latter, thecommon size is 25x3 load bars at 40mmcentres, with cross bars at 100 centres. This is suitable for spansup to 1000mm with 10kPa loading.

Access stairs and ladders and maintenance platforms must comply with Australian Standard AS.1657“Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways, and Ladders”. Designers should specify arrangements, butcan leave component design to the fabricator’s shop detail draftsmen.

11. BOLTS

Nuts, bolts, andwashers are readily available in Grade4.6 and 8.8. It is also possible to find Grade10.9and 12.9 bolts, but not in large quantities. The Gradenaming follows European conventions -- Grade8.8is 800MPa ultimate, with yield at 80% of that. For structural bolts use M16, M20, M24, M30, M36Grade 8.8 to AS.1252, which is similar to ASTM A325, with an actual ultimate of 830MPa.

12. WELDING

Fillet welds are measured by leg length, not throat thickness. For ordinary structural welding specifyE48xx electrodes (ultimate tensile of weld metal is 480MPa), and nominate welds as “StructuralPurpose” (SP). Lightly--loaded welds can be nominated as “General Purpose” (GP), which has arelaxed inspection standard, and a design strength of 75% of the normal SP welds.

13. LATEST INFORMATION

This list has been prepared to provide initial guidance to designers without experience of Australiansteel stock and fabrication practices. Naturally, the steel industry is dynamic, and changes will occurfrom time to time. Depart from these guidelines if there are significant economies in special sections.Seek advice from the Australian Institute of Steel Construction or a local steelmerchant before freezingthe design.

Australian Steelwork Evolution

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