ASME BPVC.II.

A-2023 SA-736/SA-736M

SPECIFICATION FOR PRESSURE VESSEL PLATES,

LOW-CARBON AGE-HARDENING NICKEL-COPPER-
CHROMIUM-MOLYBDENUM-COLUMBIUM (NIOBIUM)
ALLOY STEEL

SA-736/SA-736M

(Identical with ASTM Specification A736/A736M-17.)

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 SA-736/SA-736M ASME BPVC.II.A-2023

Standard Specification for

Pressure Vessel Plates, Low-Carbon Age-Hardening Nickel-
Copper-Chromium-Molybdenum-Columbium (Niobium) Alloy
Steel

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This specification covers low-carbon age-hardening 2.1 ASTM Standards:
alloy steel plates for welded pressure vessels and piping A20/A20M Specification for General Requirements for Steel
components. The specification covers nickel-copper- Plates for Pressure Vessels
chromium-molybdenum-columbium (niobium) steel. A435/A435M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
1.2 Plates under this specification are available as follows: Examination of Steel Plates
1.2.1 Available in Grade A, Class 3 only. A577/A577M Specification for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Ex-
1.2.1.1 Quenched and precipitation heat treated with a amination of Steel Plates
minimum specified tensile strength of 85 ksi for thinner plates A578/A578M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
and 75 and 70 ksi for thicker plates, with the minimum tensile Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applica-
strength dependent upon the plate thickness. The maximum tions
thickness of Grade A, Class 3 plates is limited only by the
3. General Requirements and Ordering Information
capacity of the chemical composition and heat treatment to
meet the specified mechanical property requirements. 3.1 Material supplied to this material specification shall
conform to Specification A20/A20M. These requirements out-
1.3 This specification is expressed in both inch-pound units
line the testing and retesting methods and procedures, permit-
and in SI units. However, unless the order specifies the
ted variations in dimensions, and mass, quality, and repair of
applicable “M” specification designation (SI units), the mate-
defects, marking, loading, and ordering information.
rial shall be furnished in inch-pound units.
3.2 In addition to the basic requirements of this
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units specification, certain supplementary requirements are available
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the when additional control, testing, or examination is required to
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each meet end use requirements. The purchaser is referred to the
system are not exact equivalents. Therefore, each system must
listed supplementary requirements in this specification and to
be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
the detailed requirements in Specification A20/A20M.
two systems may result in nonconformance with this specifi-
cation. 3.3 If the requirements of this specification are in conflict
with the requirements of Specification A20/A20M, the require-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
ments of this specification shall prevail.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 4. Materials and Manufacture
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 4.1 The steel shall be killed and shall conform to the fine
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. austenitic grain size requirement of Specification A20/A20M.

5. Heat Treatment
5.1 The plates shall be quenched in a liquid medium from a
temperature in the range from 1600 to 1700°F [870 to 930°C]

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 ASME BPVC.II.A-2023 SA-736/SA-736M

TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements

Composition, % Grade A
Element Class 3,
Grade A
ksi [MPa]
Carbon, max
Heat analysis 0.07 Yield strength, min
3⁄4 in. and under 75
Product analysis 0.09
Manganese [20 mm and under] [515]
Heat analysis 0.40–0.70 Over 3⁄4 to 1 in., incl 75
Product analysis 0.35–0.78 [Over 20 to 25 mm, incl] [515]
Phosphorus, maxA 0.025 Over 1 to 2 in., incl 75
Sulfur, maxA 0.025 [Over 25 to 50 mm, incl] [515]
Silicon, max Over 2 to 4 in., incl 65
Heat analysis 0.40 [Over 50 to 100 mm, incl] [450]
Product analysis 0.45 Over 4 in. 60
Chromium [Over 100 mm] [415]
Heat analysis 0.60–0.90 Tensile strength
3⁄4 in. and under 85–105
Product analysis 0.56–0.94
Nickel [20 mm and under] [585–725]
Heat analysis 0.70–1.00 Over 3⁄4 to 1 in., incl 85–105
Product analysis 0.67–1.03 [Over 20 to 25 mm, incl] [585–725]
Molybdenum Over 1 to 2 in., incl 85–105
Heat analysis 0.15–0.25 [Over 25 to 50 mm, incl] [585–725]
Product analysis 0.12–0.28 Over 2 to 4 in., incl 75–95
Copper [Over 50 to 100 mm, incl] [515–655]
Heat analysis 1.00–1.30 Over 4 in. 70–90
Product analysis 0.95–1.35 [Over 100 mm] [485–620]
Columbium (Niobium),B min Elongation
Heat analysis 0.02 2 in. [50 mm], min, %A 20
Product analysis 0.01 A
See Specification A20/A20M for elongation adjustment.
A
Applies to both heat analysis and product analysis.
B
Columbium and niobium are interchangeable names for the same element and
both names are acceptable in A01 specifications. 7. Mechanical Properties
7.1 Tension Test:
7.1.1 The plates, as represented by the test specimens, shall
conform to the requirements given in Table 2.
and then precipitation heat treated at a temperature in the range 7.1.2 For nominal plate thicknesses of 3⁄4 in. [20 mm] and
from 1000 to 1300°F [540 to 705°C] for a time to be under, the 11⁄2-in. [40-mm] wide rectangular test specimen may
determined by the manufacturer or processor. be used for the tension test, and the elongation may be
5.2 If the purchaser elects to perform the thermal treatment, determined in a 2-in. [50-mm] gage length that includes the
the plates shall be accepted on the basis of mill tests made from fracture and shows the greatest elongation.
test coupons heat treated as specified in the purchase order. If 7.2 Notch-Toughness Test:
the test coupon heat treatment requirements are not specified in 7.2.1 Charpy V-notch impact tests shall be made in accor-
the purchase order, the manufacturer or processor shall heat dance with Specification A20/A20M.
treat the test coupons under conditions it considers appropriate. 7.2.2 The test results of 10 by 10-mm specimens shall meet
The manufacturer or processor shall inform the purchaser of an average minimum value of 20 ft·lbf [27 J] at −50°F [−45°C].
the procedure followed in thermally treating the test coupons at
the mill. 8. Keywords
8.1 alloy steel; alloy steel plate; pressure vessel plate; low
6. Chemical Composition carbon; age hardening; pressure vessels; piping components;
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as to precipitation heat treated; nickel-copper-chromium-
chemical composition given in Table 1. molybdenum-columbium (niobium)

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 SA-736/SA-736M ASME BPVC.II.A-2023

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

Supplementary requirements shall not apply unless specified in the purchase order.
A list of standardized supplementary requirements for use at the option of the purchaser is included
in Specification A20/A20M. Those that are considered suitable for use with this specification are listed
below by title.

S1. Vacuum Treatment, S10. Charpy V-Notch Test Curve,

S2. Product Analysis, S11. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica-
S3. Simulated Post Weld Heat Treatment of Mechanical tion A577/A577M,
Test Coupons, S12. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica-
S4. Additional Tension Test, tion A578/A578M,
S5. Charpy V-Notch Impact Test, S13. NDT Temperature Determination,
S6. Drop-Weight Test (for Material 0.625 in. [16 mm] and S15. Reduction of Area Measurement,
Over in Thickness), S17. Vacuum Carbon-Deoxidized Steel,
S8. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifica- S19. Restricted Chemical Requirements,
tion A435/A435M, S24. Strain Age Test, and
S9. Magnetic Particle Examination, S25. Weldability.

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