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Overview

Gas cylinder steel, commonly referred to as pressure vessel steel, is a specialized type of steel designed to withstand high pressures in the storage and transportation of gases and liquids. Used extensively in the oil, chemical, petrochemical, and gas industries, pressure vessel steel ensures the safety and integrity of high-pressure containers. This category includes various grades such as carbon steel, carbon-manganese steel, micro-alloyed steel, low-alloy high-strength steel, and low-temperature steel, capable of operating at temperatures ranging from -20ยฐC to 500ยฐC, with some grades handling up to 560ยฐC.

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Characteristics

  • High Tensile Strength:Pressure vessel steel must exhibit superior tensile strength to resist deformation under high internal pressures. This ensures the structural integrity of storage tanks and containers.
  • Excellent Toughness:To prevent brittle fracture under stress, pressure vessel steel is designed with high toughness, allowing it to absorb significant energy during impact without failing.
  • Superior Weldability:The steel must have excellent weldability, as pressure vessels are often constructed from welded plates. This property ensures strong, durable joints essential for maintaining structural integrity.
  • Thermal Resistance:Pressure vessel steel is engineered to perform reliably under extreme temperature variations, ensuring safety in both cryogenic and high-temperature applications.

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Production Process

The production of pressure vessel steel involves stringent processes to meet the high standards required for its applications:

  • Steelmaking:Using basic oxygen or electric arc furnaces, the steel is produced with precise control over its chemical composition to achieve the desired properties.
  • Hot Rolling:The steel is hot-rolled into plates of various thicknesses, a process that imparts the necessary mechanical properties and surface finish.
  • Heat Treatment:The steel undergoes heat treatments such as annealing, normalizing, or quenching and tempering to enhance its grain structure and mechanical properties.
  • Stringent Testing:Comprehensive testing, including tensile, impact, and non-destructive testing, ensures the steel meets strict industry standards.

Applications

Pressure vessel steel is crucial in various high-risk and high-pressure environments:

Oil and Gas Industry:ย Used in the construction of storage tanks, separators, and reactors, pressure vessel steel ensures safe containment and processing of hydrocarbons. For example, it is used in LNG storage tanks, which require materials that can withstand extremely low temperatures and high pressures.

Chemical Processing:ย Essential for manufacturing reactors, heat exchangers, and storage tanks, this steel resists corrosive environments and maintains integrity under high pressures. An example is its use in ammonia storage tanks, which operate under high pressure and require materials with excellent toughness and resistance to cracking.

Petrochemical Plants:ย Employed in fabricating pressure vessels and heat exchangers, pressure vessel steel ensures the safe handling and processing of chemicals. Refineries often use pressure vessel steel in their hydrogenation units, where the steel must endure high pressures and temperatures while resisting hydrogen embrittlement.

Gas Storage and Transportation:ย Used in gas cylinders and other storage containers, pressure vessel steel maintains the integrity of high-pressure gases during storage and transport. For instance, steel cylinders used for storing industrial gases like oxygen and nitrogen rely on pressure vessel steel for safety and durability.

A notable case is the use of pressure vessel steel in the construction of cryogenic tanks for the storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG). These tanks operate at temperatures as low as -162ยฐC and must withstand significant pressure changes during the liquefaction and vaporization processes. Pressure vessel steel, with its high strength and excellent toughness, ensures the structural integrity and safety of these critical storage systems.

Common Sizes

  • Hot Rolled Sheet and Strip:

Thickness: 2.0mm – 14.0mm

Width: 200mm – 2500mm

Length: 2000mm – 12000mm

 

  • Cold Rolled Sheet and Strip:

Thickness: 1.5mm – 4.0mm

Width: 200mm – 2500mm

Length: 2000mm – 12000mm

Chemical Composition

Gas Cylinder Steel
Grade Chemical Compositiona,bย (Mass Fraction) /%
C Si Mn P S Nb V Ti Nb+V Als
โ‰ค โ‰ง
HP235 0.16 0.10c 0.80 0.025 0.012 0.05 0.10 0.06 0.12 0.015
HP265 0.18 0.10c 0.80 0.025 0.012 0.05 0.10 0.06 0.12 0.015
HP295 0.18 0.10c 1.00 0.025 0.012 0.05 0.10 0.06 0.12 0.015
HP325 0.20 0.35 1.50 0.025 0.012 0.05 0.10 0.06 0.12 0.015
HP345 0.20 0.35 1.50 0.025 0.012 0.05 0.10 0.06 0.12 0.015
a For grades HP265 and HP295, for every 0.01% decrease in carbon content below the specified maximum carbon content, the manganese content is allowed to increase by 0.05% above the specified maximum manganese content. However, for grade HP265, the maximum manganese content must not exceed 1.00%, and for HP295, the maximum manganese content must not exceed 1.20%.

 

bย The acid-soluble aluminum (Als) content can be replaced by determining the total aluminum (Al) content, in which case the total aluminum content should not be less than 0.020%.

 

c For steel plates or steel strips with a thickness of not less than 6 mm, silicon content is allowed up to 0.35%.

Comparison Table of Steel Grades by Country

Gas Cylinder Steel
NO. GB ISO ASTM/AISI DIN JIS
1 HP235 A285 Grade C P235GH (1.0345) SG255
2 HP265 A516 Grade 60 P265GH (1.0425) SG295
3 HP295 A516 Grade 65 P295GH (1.0481) SG325
4 HP325 A516 Grade 70 P355GH (1.0473) SG365
5 HP345 A537 Class 1 P355NH