In the energy and chemical industry, especially in liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and transportation projects, material selection under ultra-low temperature conditions has always been a core concern for engineers and procurement personnel.
ASME SA353 steel plate is a 9% nickel alloy steel plate for cryogenic pressure vessels specifically developed to address this challenge. Manufactured in accordance with ASME SA-353/SA-353M standard, the steel plate is required to undergo impact testing at -195°C, serving as a critical structural material that maintains excellent toughness even at the liquid nitrogen temperature of -196°C.
Applicable Standard of ASME SA-353/SA-353M
SA353 steel plate complies with ASME SA-353/SA-353M, which is fully equivalent to ASTM A353/A353M.
The main difference between SA353 and ASTM A553 (both 9% nickel steels) lies in the heat treatment process:
SA353: Double-Normalized and Tempered (N+N+T)
ASTM A553: Quenched and Tempered (Q+T)
SA353 steel Heat Treatment Process
SA353 steel plate is supplied in Double-Normalized and Tempered (N+N+T) or Normalized and Tempered (N+T) condition. The standard heat treatment procedure is as follows:
First Normalizing
Heat the steel plate uniformly to 900℃±15℃. The holding time shall be no less than 1 hour per inch (2.4 min/mm) of plate thickness, with a minimum holding time of 15 minutes, followed by air cooling.
Second Normalizing
Reheat the steel plate uniformly to 790℃±15℃ with the same holding time requirement, then air cool.
Tempering
Reheat the steel plate uniformly to 565～605℃ with the same holding requirement, followed by air cooling or water quenching at a cooling rate of no less than 165℃/h.
Important Notes
If hot forming is performed within the temperature range of 900～955℃, the first normalizing step may be omitted.In addition, SA353 material is easily magnetized. If residual magnetism is harmful to subsequent fabrication or service, magnetic tools should be avoided during post-heat-treatment handling.
Chemical Composition of SA353 steel plate
By adding 8.5%~9.5% nickel (Ni), SA353 steel plate significantly improves the cryogenic impact toughness of ferritic steel under ultra-low temperature conditions.The steel plate must be fully killed steel and meet the requirement of fine austenite grain size.
SA353 Chemical Composition (Heat Analysis, wt%)
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.13 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.90 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.015 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.015 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.15～0.40 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.50～9.50 |
Mechanical Properties of SA353 steel plate
The tensile property requirements of SA353 steel plate reflect its core value as a cryogenic pressure vessel material.The conventional maximum supply thickness is generally limited to 2 in. (50 mm), mainly determined by the material's capability to meet specified mechanical performance.
SA353 Tensile Properties
| Property | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (Rm) | 690～825 MPa |
| Yield Strength (Rp0.2) | ≥ 515 MPa |
| Elongation (A) | ≥ 18% (per A20/A20M) |
Global Equivalent Grade Chart
SA353 has equivalent grades in major global standard systems. Understanding these equivalents facilitates material substitution and international procurement across different project codes.
| Standard System | Equivalent Grade | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| ASME (USA) | SA-353 | Double normalized & tempered, identical to ASTM A353 |
| ASTM (USA) | A353 | Fully equivalent to SA353 |
| China GB 24510 | 06Ni9DR, 9Ni490, 9Ni590A, 9Ni590B | Produced by Wuyang, TISCO, Nansteel, etc. |
| Europe EN 10028-4 | X7Ni9, X8Ni9+NT640, X8Ni9+QT680 | European standard for cryogenic pressure vessel steel |
| Japan JIS G3127 | SL9N520, SL9N590 | Japanese cryogenic pressure vessel steel |
| Germany DIN 17280 | X8Ni9 / 1.5662 | German standard grade |
Main Applications of SA353 steel plate
Specially designed for low-temperature welded pressure vessels, SA353 steel plate can be used at a minimum temperature of -196°C and ranks among the best ferritic steels for toughness under cryogenic service conditions.
Main application scenarios:
LNG Storage Tanks & Carrier Ships
LNG temperature is around -162°C. The inner tank liner made of SA353 is the core structure of LNG receiving terminals and carrier vessels. With the continuous growth of global LNG trade, market demand for SA353 steel keeps rising steadily.
Cryogenic Gas Storage & Transportation Vessels
For liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, liquid argon and other cryogenic gases with storage temperature below -196°C, extremely high low-temperature toughness is required.
Ethylene Plants & Petrochemical Low-Temperature Equipment
Cryogenic separation and storage processes in petrochemical projects also require this grade of low-temperature steel plate.
Other Ultra-Low Temperature Structural Components
Such as cryogenic pipelines, valves and supporting parts.
SA353 steel features high nickel content, high purity, high strength, outstanding cryogenic impact toughness and good weldability, making it an irreplaceable key material for extreme cryogenic working conditions.
Looking for reliable SA353 steel plates for your cryogenic project?
Whether for LNG tank inner shells, liquid oxygen storage tanks, or cryogenic pipelines, choosing the right material is the first step to project safety.
We provide one-stop supply and full technical documentation for ASME SA353 (06Ni9DR) steel plates:
✅ Complete -196℃ impact test reports and original mill certificates
✅ Delivered in Double Normalized + Tempered condition, fully compliant with SA-353/SA-353M standards
✅ Custom cutting, rolling and processing solutions available; fast delivery for thickness up to 50mm
👇 Click Contact Us below to get the latest stock availability and real-time prices for your required specifications. Our engineers offer free professional material selection support for your project.
FAQ
What is the relationship between SA353 and ASTM A353?
They are completely identical. ASME SA-353/SA-353M and ASTM A353/A353M share identical technical requirements, belonging respectively to the standard systems of ASME and ASTM. They are fully interchangeable in procurement and practical application.
What is the difference between SA353 and ASTM A553? How to select?
Both are 9% nickel cryogenic steels but differ in heat treatment:SA353 adopts double normalizing and tempered process, while ASTM A553 uses quenched and tempered process.A553 can achieve higher strength levels via faster cooling rates.In engineering selection, comprehensive consideration shall be given to design strength grade, plate thickness, manufacturing capacity and project specification requirements.
Can SA353 replace stainless steel for LNG storage tanks?
Absolutely yes. Since the 1960s, 9%Ni steel has been the primary material for large-scale LNG tanks.Compared with austenitic stainless steel and aluminum alloy, 9%Ni steel features lower thermal expansion coefficient, higher strength and better cost performance, and has become the mainstream choice in the industry.
What is the thickness limit of SA353 steel plate?
Theoretically, the maximum thickness is only restricted by the material's ability to meet mechanical property requirements. In actual production, most steel mills limit the maximum thickness to 2 in. (50 mm). Thickness over this range requires separate negotiation and confirmation with the manufacturer.
