Used in USDOE-NE Standards
Designation: A 533/A 533M – 93 (Reapproved 1999)
Standard Specification for
Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Quenched and
Tempered, Manganese-Molybdenum and Manganese-
Molybdenum-Nickel1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 533/A 533M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.7 Plates covered by this specification are often used in the
1.1 This specification2 covers manganese-molybdenum and beltline region of nuclear reactor vessels where the material
manganese-molybdenum-nickel alloy steel plates for use in the properties may be affected by high levels of radiation. Appen-
quenched and tempered condition for the construction of dix X1 provides some information pertinent to this usage.
welded pressure vessels. 1.8 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
1.2 This specification includes four types of chemical analy- are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
sis and three classes of strength levels as follows: SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each
Nominal Nominal
system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must
Molybdenum Nickel be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
Content, Content, two systems may result in nonconformance with the specifi-
Type % %
cation.
A 0.50 ...
B 0.50 0.55 2. Referenced Documents
C 0.50 0.85
D 0.50 0.30
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A 20/A 20M Specification for General Requirements for
Tensile Strength, Steel Plates for Pressure Vessels3
Class ksi [MPa]
A 435/A 435M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
1 80–100 [550 to 690] Examination of Steel Plates3
2 90–115 [620 to 795] A 577/A 577M Specification for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam
3 100–125 [690 to 860]
Examination of Steel Plates3
1.3 The maximum thickness of Class 1 and Class 2 plates is A 578/A 578M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
limited only by the capacity of the composition to meet the Examination of Plain and Clad Steel Plates for Special
specified mechanical property requirements; however, current Applications3
practice normally limits the maximum thickness to 12 in. [300
mm]. 3. General Requirements and Ordering Information
1.4 The maximum thickness of Class 3 plates is 21⁄2 in. [65 3.1 Material supplied to this material specification shall
mm]. conform to Specification A 20/A 20M. These requirements
1.5 The minimum nominal thickness of plates of all classes outline the testing and retesting methods and procedures,
is 0.25 in. [6.5 mm]. permissible variations in dimensions, and mass, quality and
1.6 These alloy steel plates in the as-rolled condition are repair of defects, marking, loading, etc.
sensitive to cracking during transit and handling, particularly in 3.2 Specification A 20/A 20M also establishes the rules for
thicknesses over about 1 or 2 in. [25 or 50 mm]. They should the ordering information which should be complied with when
be shipped in the as-rolled conditions only with the mutual purchasing material to this specification.
agreement of manufacturer and fabricator. 3.3 In addition to the basic requirements of this specifica-
tion, certain supplementary requirements are available when
additional control, testing, or examination is required to meet
end use requirements. These include:
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A-1 on Steel, 3.3.1 Vacuum treatment,
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.11 on Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels. 3.3.2 Additional or special tension testing,
Current edition approved June 15, 1993. Published August 1993. Originally
published as A 533 – 65. Last previous edition A 533/A 533M – 90.
2
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Specifi-
3
cation SA-533/SA-533M in Section II of that Code. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.04.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
A 533/A 533M – 93 (1999)
3.3.3 Impact testing, and than 1100°F [595°C] with a minimum holding time of 1⁄2 h/in.
3.3.4 Nondestructive examination. [1.2 min/mm] of thickness, but not less than 1⁄2 h.
3.4 The purchaser is referred to the listed supplementary 5.2 When the plates are heat treated by the fabricator, it
requirements in this specification and to the detailed require- shall be his responsibility to apply the proper heat treatment
ments in Specification A 20/A 20M. and to conduct tests he deems necessary to assure that the
3.5 If the requirements of this specification are in conflict specified properties are attained.
with the requirements of Specification A 20/A 20M, the re-
6. Chemical Requirements
quirements of this specification shall prevail.
6.1 The steel shall conform to the chemical requirements
4. Manufacture shown in Table 1 unless otherwise modified in accordance with
Supplementary Requirement S17, Vacuum Carbon-Deoxidized
4.1 Steelmaking Practice—The steel shall be killed and Steel, in Specification A 20/A 20M.
shall conform to the fine austenitic grain requirement of
Specification A 20/A 20M. 7. Mechanical Requirements
7.1 Tension Test Requirements:
5. Heat Treatment 7.1.1 The material as represented by the tension-test speci-
5.1 All plates shall be heat treated by heating to a suitable mens shall conform to the requirements shown in Table 2.
temperature within the range from 1550 to 1800°F [845 to 7.1.2 For nominal plate thicknesses of 3⁄4 in. [20 mm] and
980°C], holding for a sufficient time to obtain uniform tem- under, the 11⁄2 -in. [40 mm] wide rectangular specimen may be
perature throughout the plate thickness and then quenching, in used, and the elongation may be determined in a 2-in. [50-mm]
water. Subsequently the plates shall be tempered at a suitable gage length that include the fracture and that shows the greatest
temperature to produce the specified properties, but not less elongation.
2
A 533/A 533M – 93 (1999)
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
Composition, %
Type A Type B Type C Type D
Carbon, maxA 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
ManganeseB:
Heat analysis 1.15–1.50 1.15–1.50 1.15–1.50 1.15–1.50
Product analysis 1.07–1.62 1.07–1.62 1.07–1.62 1.07–1.62
Phosphorus, maxA 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035
Sulfur, maxA 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035
Silicon:
Heat analysis 0.15–0.40 0.15–0.40 0.15–0.40 0.15–0.40
Product analysis 0.13–0.45 0.13–0.45 0.13–0.45 0.13–0.45
Molybdenum:
Heat analysis 0.45–0.60 0.45–0.60 0.45–0.60 0.45–0.60
Product analysis 0.41–0.64 0.41–0.64 0.41–0.64 0.41–0.64
Nickel:
Heat analysis ... 0.40–0.70 0.70–1.00 0.20–0.40
Product analysis ... 0.37–0.73 0.67–1.03 0.17–0.43
A
Applies to both heat and product analyses.
B
The maximum manganese content may be increased to 1.60 % on heat
analysis and 1.65 % on product analysis when Class 2 or Class 3 properties are
specified and when Supplementary Requirement S3 (see Specification A 20/
A 20M) is specified with a total holding time of more than 1 h/in. [2.4 min/mm] of
thickness.
TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements
Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
ksi [MPa] ksi [MPa] ksi [MPa]
Tensile strength 80–100 [550–690] 90–115 [620–795] 100–125 [690–860]
Yield strength, min 50 [345] 70 [485] 83 [570]
Elongation in 2 in. 18 16 16
[50 mm], min, %A
A
See Specification A 20/A 20M for elongation adjustment.
SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
Supplementary requirements shall not apply unless specified in the order.
A list of standardized supplementary requirements for use at the option of the purchaser are included
in Specification A 20/A 20M. Several of those considered suitable for use with this specification are
listed below by title. Other tests may be performed by agreement between the supplier and the
purchaser.
S1. Vacuum Treatment, S9. Magnetic Particle Examination,
S2. Product Analysis, S11. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica-
S3. Simulated Post-Weld Heat Treatment of Mechanical tion A 577/A 577M,
Test Coupons,
S12. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica-
S4.2 Additional Tension Test,
tion A 578/A 578M,
S5. Charpy V-Notch Impact Test,
S6. Drop Weight Test, S14. Bend Test, and
S7. High-Temperature Tension Test, S17. Vacuum Carbon-Deoxidized Steel.
S8. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica- S19. Restricted Chemical Requirements
tion A 435/A 435M,
3
A 533/A 533M – 93 (1999)
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. NUCLEAR REACTOR BELTLINE CONSIDERATIONS—RESIDUAL ELEMENTS
X1.1 Reactor design requires review and control of residual currently available commercial limits for the referenced ele-
elements that affect the material properties. Copper and phos- ments:
phorus are limited to levels determined by the total fluence to Element Heat Analysis, Product Analysis,
be encountered during plant life. Vanadium and sulfur can % %
Copper 0.10 0.12
affect the upper energy shelf level. In the case of sulfur, control Phosphorus 0.012 0.015
of this element or its morphology in the plate, or both, may Sulfur 0.015 0.018
offer alternative means of control. The limits required shall be Vanadium 0.05 0.06
specified in the ordering data. The following table itemizes
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