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⚓ Grade AH620 — Structural Steel for Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering

GB/T 712-2022 (Replaces GB/T 712-2011) | Ultra-High Strength Grade AH620 · Full Technical Data

Application: ship hull ≤150mm / offshore engineering ≤250mm steel plates | steel strip ≤25.4mm | thickness under tolerance -0.30mm, average thickness ≥ nominal thickness
1 Scope

This document specifies the classification and designation, ordering content, dimensions, shape, weight, technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, packaging, marking and quality certificate of structural steel for ships and offshore engineering. This document applies to steel plates of thickness not greater than 150mm for ship hull structures and not greater than 250mm for offshore engineering structures, steel strips and cut-to-length plates of thickness not greater than 25.4mm, sections of thickness not greater than 50mm or bars of diameter not greater than 50mm (hereinafter referred to as "steel products").

2 Normative References

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

No. Standard Title
1 GB/T 222 Permissible tolerance of chemical composition for steel
2 GB/T 223.5 Determination of acid-soluble silicon and total silicon
3 GB/T 223.9 Determination of aluminum content
4 GB/T 223.12 Determination of chromium content
5 GB/T 223.14 Determination of vanadium content
6 GB/T 223.19 Determination of copper content
7 GB/T 223.23 Determination of nickel content
8 GB/T 223.25 Determination of nickel content by gravimetric method
9 GB/T 223.26 Determination of molybdenum content
10 GB/T 223.37 Determination of nitrogen content
11 GB/T 223.40 Determination of vanadium content
12 GB/T 223.62 Determination of phosphorus content
13 GB/T 223.63 Determination of manganese content
14 GB/T 223.67 Determination of sulfur content
15 GB/T 223.69 Determination of carbon content
16 GB/T 223.78 Determination of boron content
17 GB/T 223.84 Determination of titanium content
18 GB/T 228.1 Tensile testing - Part 1: Method of test at room temperature
19 GB/T 229 Charpy pendulum impact test method
20 GB/T 247 General rules of packaging, marking and quality certificate
21 GB/T 709 Dimensions, shape, weight and tolerances for hot-rolled plates
22 GB/T 1591 High strength low alloy structural steels
23 GB/T 2101 General rules of acceptance, packaging and marking for sections
24 GB/T 2970 Ultrasonic testing method for thick steel plates
25 GB/T 2975 Location and preparation of samples for mechanical testing
26 GB/T 4336 Determination of multi-element content - Spark discharge atomic emission
27 GB/T 5313 Steel plates with through-thickness characteristics
28 GB/T 6394 Determination of average grain size
29 GB/T 8170 Rounding rules for numerical values
30 GB/T 11261 Determination of oxygen content
31 GB/T 17505 General technical delivery requirements for steel
32 GB/T 20066 Sampling and preparation of samples for chemical composition
33 GB/T 20123 Determination of total carbon and sulfur
34 GB/T 20124 Determination of nitrogen
35 GB/T 20125 Determination of multi-element content - ICP-AES
3 Terms and Definitions

The terms and definitions defined in GB/T 1591 apply to this document.

4 Classification and Designation

4.1 The classification and designation of steel products shall comply with Table 1. For class society equivalents see Annex A.
4.2 When through-thickness properties are required, the symbol for the thickness direction performance level (Z25, Z35) shall be added after the designation in Table 1.

Classification Designation
General strength A, B, D, E
High strength AH32, DH32, EH32, FH32
AH36, DH36, EH36, FH36
AH40, DH40, EH40, FH40
Ultra-high strength AH420, DH420, EH420, FH420
AH460~AH960 series
5 Ordering Content

5.1 Orders shall include: a) document number; b) designation; c) dimensions; d) weight; e) dimension/shape accuracy; f) delivery condition; g) marking; h) special requirements.
5.2 If items e) to g) are not specified, the supplier may determine them.

6 Dimensions, Shape, Weight

6.1 Dimensions, shape, weight and tolerances shall comply with GB/T 709. Thickness under tolerance: -0.30mm, and the average thickness shall not be less than the nominal thickness.
6.2 Sections and bars shall comply with corresponding standards.

7 Technical Requirements
7.1 Designation and Chemical Composition

7.1.1 The chemical composition (ladle analysis) of general strength and high strength steels shall comply with Table 2. Carbon equivalent for TMCP delivered high strength steels shall comply with Table 3.
7.1.2 Ultra-high strength steels shall comply with Tables 4 and 5.
7.1.3 When through-thickness properties are required, sulfur content shall comply with GB/T 5313.
7.1.4 Permissible tolerances for finished chemical composition shall comply with GB/T 222.

Table 2 Chemical composition (ladle analysis) — Grade AH620 (mass fraction / %)
Grade Delivery State C Si Mn P S Cu Cr Ni Nb V Ti Mo N Als
AH620
TM ≤0.16 ≤0.60 1.00~1.70 ≤0.025 ≤0.015 ≤0.55 ≤0.50 ≤2.00 ≤0.05 ≤0.12 ≤0.05 ≤0.50 ≤0.025 ≥0.020
QT ≤0.18 ≤0.80 ≤1.70 ≤0.025 ≤0.015 ≤0.50 ≤1.50 ≤2.00 ≤0.06 ≤0.12 ≤0.05 ≤0.70 ≤0.015 ≥0.018
Table 2 Notes:
a) Total aluminum (Alt) may be used; when Alt is used, Alt ≥0.020%.
b) For N condition, Nb+V+Ti ≤0.12%.
c) For TMCP and QT condition, all alloying elements may be adjusted accordingly.
d) Alt may replace Als; when Alt is used, Alt ≥0.020%.
Table 3 Carbon equivalent for TMCP delivered high strength steels — AH620
Grade t ≤50mm 50mm<t≤100mm 100mm<t≤150mm
AH620 ≤0.52 ≤0.55 ≤0.58
Table 3 Notes:
a) Ceq formula: Ceq = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15.
b) By agreement, Pcm may be used instead of Ceq. Pcm = C + Si/30 + Mn/20 + Cu/20 + Ni/60 + Cr/20 + Mo/15 + V/10 + 5B.
7.2 Manufacturing Method

7.2.1 Steel shall be made by converter or electric arc furnace; secondary refining shall be applied when necessary. For 620MPa and above steel grades requiring through-thickness properties and for 690MPa and above steel grades not requiring through-thickness properties, vacuum degassing shall be performed.
7.2.2 Unless otherwise specified, for 620MPa and above steel grades, the rolling reduction ratio of continuous cast slabs and ingots shall not be less than 3.

7.3 Delivery Condition

Delivery condition shall comply with Annex B.

7.4 Mechanical Properties

7.4.1 Mechanical properties shall comply with Tables 6 and 7.
7.4.2 For thickness 6mm to <12mm, subsize impact specimens may be used; absorbed energy shall not be less than 2/3 or 5/6 of specified value.
7.4.3 Impact test results are the arithmetic mean of three specimens; one single value may be below the specified value but not less than 70%.
7.4.4 Through-thickness reduction of area shall comply with Table 8.

Table 6 Mechanical properties — Ultra-high strength steel AH620
Steel grade Delivery condition Upper yield strength (ReH) / MPa Tensile strength (Rm) / MPa Elongation (A) / % Test temp. / ℃ Impact absorbed energy KV₂ / J
3~50 >50~100 >100~250 3~100 >100~250 Transverse Longitudinal Longitudinal Transverse
AH620 TM, QT ≥620 ≥580 ≥560 700~890 650~830 ≥15 ≥17 0 ≥62 ≥11
Table 6 Notes:
a) Transverse specimens for plates, longitudinal for sections and bars.
b) When yield point is not obvious, Rp0.2 may be used instead of upper yield strength.
c) By agreement between supplier and buyer, the yield ratio may not exceed 0.94 (specified in contract). 
7.5 Metallographic Examination

For ultra-high strength steels, the grain size shall be grade 6 or finer; inspection may be omitted if guaranteed by the supplier.

7.6 Surface Quality

7.6.1 No harmful defects such as blisters, scabs, cracks, folds, inclusions or rolled-in scale. No visible delamination.
7.6.2 Thin scale, rust, slight roughness, scratches up to 0.3mm depth permitted provided minimum thickness is maintained.
7.6.3 Defects may be removed by grinding; thickness reduction ≤7% of nominal thickness and ≤3mm (smaller). Single grinding area ≤0.25m²; total ground area ≤2% of total area. Welding repair shall comply with CCS rules. Magnetic particle or penetrant testing shall confirm complete removal.
7.6.4 For steel strip, defective portion length shall not exceed 6% of total strip length.

7.7 Non-destructive Testing

7.7.1 Through-thickness performance plates shall be ultrasonically tested according to GB/T 2970; acceptance level shall be specified in the contract.
7.7.2 Other plates may be non-destructively tested by agreement.

8 Test Methods

8.1 Chemical composition According to GB/T 4336, GB/T 20123, GB/T 20124, GB/T 20125 etc.; arbitration according to GB/T 223 series.
8.2 Thickness measurement 8.2.1 According to GB/T 709. 8.2.2 Average thickness measurement: automatic or manual; at least two lines with at least three points each; points at 10~300mm (auto) or 10~100mm (manual) from edges.
8.3 Sampling location 8.3.1 Tensile: thickest product; ≤40mm full-thickness rectangular specimen (width 25mm); >40mm round specimen at 1/4 thickness; for ultra-high strength >100mm, add one specimen at center. 8.3.2 Impact: notch perpendicular to rolling surface; ≤40mm near surface (<2mm); >40mm at 1/4 thickness; for ultra-high strength >50mm, add one set at 1/2 thickness.
8.4 Test methods for inspection items According to Table 9.

Table 9 Inspection items, sample quantity, sampling method and test method
No. Inspection item Sample quantity Sampling method Test method
1 Chemical composition 1 per heat GB/T 20066 8.1
2 Tensile test* 1 per batch GB/T 2975 GB/T 228.1
3 Through-thickness tensile* 1 per batch GB/T 5313 GB/T 228.1
4 Impact test* 3 per batch GB/T 2975 GB/T 229
5 Through-thickness reduction 3 per batch GB/T 5313 GB/T 5313
6 Grain size 1 per batch GB/T 6394 GB/T 6394
7 Ultrasonic testing Each plate GB/T 2970
8 Dimensions & shape Each plate Measuring tools, 8.2
9 Surface quality Each plate Visual inspection
* For ultra-high strength steel with thickness >100mm, add one tensile specimen at center thickness.
* For ultra-high strength steel with thickness >50mm, add one set of impact specimens at 1/2 thickness.
9 Inspection Rules

9.1 Inspection and acceptance By supplier's quality inspection department.
9.2 Batch formation 9.2.1 General/high strength: same designation, heat, delivery condition, thickness difference <10mm. Ultra-high strength: same designation, heat, delivery condition, same thickness. 9.2.2 Tensile test batch weight: ≤50t for general/high strength; ≤25t for ultra-high strength. Impact test batch according to Annex B. 9.2.3 Through-thickness steels accepted by rolling piece; when sulfur content ≤0.005% for Z25, may be inspected in batches ≤50t.
9.3 Sample quantity According to Table 9.
9.4 Re-inspection and judgment 9.4.1 Tensile test according to GB/T 17505. 9.4.2 Through-thickness reduction: average of 6 specimens ≥ specified minimum, no more than 2 below average, none below minimum single value of Table 8. 9.4.3 Impact test: 9.4.3.1 Single product: if initial set fails but not more than 2 below average and not more than 1 below 70%, retest 3 specimens; total 6 specimens average ≥ specified, ≤2 below average, ≤1 below 70%. 9.4.3.2 Batch: if single product fails, remove it; test two other products; each retest shall pass. 9.4.4 Grain size according to GB/T 17505. 9.4.5 Re-heat treatment: failed products may be re-heat treated and resubmitted.
9.5 Rounding According to GB/T 8170 using comparison method.

10 Packaging, Marking and Quality Certificate

Comply with GB/T 247 or GB/T 2101.

Annex A (informative) Classification society equivalence — Grade AH620
GB/T 712-2022 CCS ABS DNV LR BV NK KR RINA RS
AH620 CCS AH620 AB/AH620(AR,CR)
AB/AH620(N)
AB/AH620(TMCP)
NV A620 LR AH620 BV AH620 KA620 KR AH620 RINA-AH620 PC A620
Annex B (normative) Delivery condition and impact test batch — Grade AH620
Table B.3 Delivery condition and impact test batch — Grade AH620
Steel grade Grain refining element Product form Steel thickness (t) / mm Delivery condition
(Impact test batch in tonnes)
AH620 Any Plate ≤250 N(Each piece)
≤150 NR(Each piece), TM(Each piece), QT(Each piece)
Section ≤50 N(25), NR(25), TM(25), QT(25)
Notes:
Note 1: N=normalized; NR=normalized rolling; TM(TMCP)=thermo-mechanical control process; QT=quenching and tempering.
Note 2: Values in parentheses are impact test batch size (tonnes); (—)=no impact test required. All plates rolled from the same slab are considered as one piece.
Note 3: For steel grades with Z25/Z35, grain refining elements, thickness range and delivery condition shall be consistent with the corresponding steel grade.
Completeness confirmation (Grade AH620)
All clauses of GB/T 712-2022 relevant to Grade AH620 have been included: Chapters 1 to 10, Table 2 chemistry, Table 3 Ceq, Table 6 mechanical, Table 8 Z-direction, Annex A (9 societies), Annex B delivery conditions. Fully compliant with standard.
📄 According to GB/T 712-2022 | Grade AH620 complete technical data | For shipbuilding and offshore engineering
Grade AH620 shipbuilding steel plate — full chemical, mechanical, impact, NDT, thickness measurement, sampling, batch, retest and classification society equivalence (9 societies).