Corus Construction & Industrial

Steel plates for offshore

structural applications

Primary structural steel plate

355, 420, 450 and 460 grades
Corus manufactures high quality offshore steel plates
satisfying a range of National, International and
individual oil company specifications.

Corus manufactures offshore structural steels to the This brochure describes primary structural steels with
following offshore standards: BS7191:1989 grades nominal minimum yield strengths of 355 MPa, 420 MPa,
355EM/EMZ and 450EM/EMZ, API 2H/2W/2Y grades 50 450 MPa and 460 MPa, with chemistries developed for
and 60, and to individual project specifications as offshore use. The brochure “A guide to fabrication of
required. Corus also manufactures offshore steels to the primary structural steel plate” is available and outlines
new European standard EN 10225. Shipbuilding plate procedures for welding and fabrication.
for floating solutions and FPSO’s are also supplied to all
major shipbuilding Classification Society standards.

Specifications and standards

The following summarises chemical and mechanical
property requirements from three typical offshore
steel specifications (BS7191, EN 10225, API
2H/2W/2Y) and are given as examples of conditions
to be achieved.

British Standard BS 7191:1989

BS 7191: Grade 355 Chemical Composition (ladle and product analysis / wt%) (1)

C Si Mn S P Cr Mo Nb V Ti Ni Cu Al(tot) N
max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max.

EM 0.15 0.25/0.55 1.00/1.65 0.015 0.025 0.25 0.08 0.04 0.015 0.02 0.45 0.3 0.055 0.01
EMZ 0.15 0.25/0.55 1.00/1.65 0.008 0.02 0.25 0.08 0.04 0.01 0.02 0.45 0.3 0.05 0.01

Minimum Yield Strength / MPa Tensile Strength / MPa Maximum CEV (wt%)
t ≤16 mm 355 460 - 620 t ≤40 mm 0.43
16 < t ≤40 mm 345 40 < t ≤75 mm 0.44
40 < t ≤63 mm 340 Minimum Average Charpy-V 75 < t ≤150 mm 0.45
63 < t ≤100 mm 325 Impact Energy /J @ -40°C
100 < ≤120 mm 315 50
120 < ≤150 mm 305
mid-thickness tests also
required for t >40 mm

(1) Other restrictions apply beyond those shown.

BS 7191: Grade 450 Chemical Composition (ladle and product analysis / wt%) (1)

C Si Mn S P Cr Mo Nb V Ti Ni Cu Al(tot) N
max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max.

EM 0.16 0.25/0.60 1.00/1.65 0.015 0.025 0.3 0.25 0.03 0.08 0.02 0.65 0.3 0.055 0.01
EMZ 0.16 0.25/0.60 1.00/1.65 0.008 0.025 0.3 0.25 0.03 0.08 0.02 0.65 0.3 0.055 0.01

Minimum Yield Strength / MPa Tensile Strength / MPa Maximum CEV (wt%)
t ≤16 mm 450 550 - 700 t ≤75 mm 0.43
16 < t ≤25 mm 430
25 < t ≤75 mm 415 Minimum Average Charpy-V
Impact Energy /J @ -40°C
60

mid-thickness tests also

required for t >40 mm

(1) Other restrictions apply beyond those shown.

 Corus Construction & Industrial

European Standard EN 10225

EN 10225: S355 Grades Chemical Composition (ladle and product analysis / wt%) (1)

C Si Mn S P Cr Mo Nb V Ti Ni Cu Al(tot) N
max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max.

S355G7+M 0.14 0.15/0.55 1.00/1.65 0.01 0.02 0.25 0.08 0.04 0.06 0.025 0.5 0.3 0.015/0.055 0.01
S355G7+N

S355G8+M 0.14 0.15/0.55 1.00/1.65 0.007 0.02 0.25 0.08 0.04 0.06 0.025 0.5 0.3 0.015/0.055 0.01
S355G8+N

S355G9+M 0.12 0.15/0.55 1.65 max. 0.01 0.02 0.2 0.08a 0.03 0.06 0.025 0.7b 0.3 0.015/0.055 0.01
S355G9+N

S355G10+M 0.12 0.15/0.55 1.65 max. 0.005 0.015 0.2 0.08a 0.03 0.06 0.025 0.7b 0.3 0.015/0.055 0.01
S355G10+N

a. For t> 75 mm maximum Mo of 0.20% shall apply for +M condition.

b. For t> 40 mm the minimum Ni content shall be 0.30%.

Minimum Yield Strength / MPa Tensile Strength / MPa Minimum Average Charpy-V
Impact Energy / J @ -40°C
t ≤16 mm 355 t ≤100 mm 470 - 630 50
16 < t ≤25 mm 355 t >100 mm 460 - 620
25 < t ≤40 mm 345 (+N only) mid-thickness tests also required for
40 < t ≤63 mm 335 t > 40 mm
63 < t ≤100 mm 325 Minimum Elongation (5.65 √so) / %
120 < t ≤150 mm 320 (+N only) 22

(1) Other restrictions apply beyond those shown.

EN 10225: S420 Grades Chemical Composition (ladle and product analysis / wt%) (1)

C Si Mn S P Cr Mo Nb V Ti Ni Cu Al(tot) N
max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max.

S420G1+Q 0.14a 0.15/0.55 1.65 0.01 0.02 0.25 0.25 0.04 0.08 0.02 0.7 0.3 0.015/0.055 0.01

S420G2+Q 0.14a 0.15/0.55 1.65 0.007 0.02 0.25 0.25 0.04 0.08 0.02 0.7 0.3 0.015/0.055 0.01

a. A maximum carbon value of 0.15% is permitted for thicknesses less than 15 mm.

Minimum Yield Strength / MPa Tensile Strength / MPa Minimum Average Charpy-V
Impact Energy / J @ -40°C
t ≤16 mm 420 t ≤40 mm 550 - 660 60
16 < t ≤40 mm 400 40 < t ≤100 mm 480 - 640
40 < t ≤63 mm 390 mid-thickness tests also required for
63 < t ≤80 mm 380 Minimum Elongation (5.65 √so) / % t > 40 mm
80 < t ≤100 mm 380 19

(1) Other restrictions apply beyond those shown.

EN 10225: S460 Grades Chemical Composition (ladle and product analysis / wt%) (1)

C Si Mn S P Cr Mo Nb V Ti Ni Cu Al(tot) N
max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max.

S460G1+Q 0.14a 0.15/0.55 1.65 0.01 0.02 0.25 0.25 0.04 0.08 0.02 0.7 0.3 0.015/0.055 0.01

S460G2+Q 0.14a 0.15/0.55 1.65 0.007 0.02 0.25 0.25 0.04 0.08 0.02 0.7 0.3 0.015/0.055 0.01

a. A maximum carbon value of 0.15% is permitted for thicknesses less than 15 mm.

Thickness Minimum Yield Strength / MPa Tensile Strength / MPa Minimum Elongation (5.65 √so) / %
t ≤16 mm 460 540 - 700 17
16 < t ≤25 mm 440 530 - 690
25 < t ≤40 mm 420 520 - 680 Minimum Average Charpy-V
40 < t ≤63 mm 415 515 - 675 Impact Energy / J @ -40ºC
63 < t ≤80 mm 405 505 - 665 60
80 < t ≤100 mm 400 500 - 660
mid-thickness tests also required for
t > 40 mm

(1) Other restrictions apply beyond those shown.

Primary structural steel plate, 355, 420, 450 and 460 grades 1
Corus Construction & Industrial

API specifications API 2H/2W/2Y: 1993

Grade 50 Chemical Composition (ladle analysis/wt%) (1)

C Si Mn S P Cr Mo Nb V Ti Ni Al(tot) N
max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max.

API 2H 50 0.18 0.05/0.40 1.15/1.60 0.01 0.03 0.2 0.01/0.04 nda 0.02max. 0.45 0.02/0.06 0.012

API 2W 50/50T 0.16 0.05/0.50 1.15/1.60 0.01 0.03 0.25 0.08 0.03max. nda 0.003/0.02 0.75 0.02/0.06 0.012

nda: no deliberate addition without the specific approval of the purchaser.

API 2H Minimum Yield Strength / MPa Tensile Strength / MPa Minimum Elongation (in 2") / % Minimum Average Charpy-V
Impact Energy / J @ -40ºC
t ≤63.5 mm 345 t ≤100 mm 483 - 620 23 41
t >63.5 mm 324

API 2W Yield Strength / MPa Minimum Tensile Strength / MPa Minimum Elongation (in 2") / % Minimum Average Charpy-V
Impact Energy / J @ -40ºC
Grade 50 t ≤25 mm 345 - 517 t ≤100 mm 448 23 41
t >25 mm 345 - 483

Grade 50T t ≤25 mm 345 - 552 t ≤100 mm 483 23 41

t >25 mm 345 - 517

(1) Other restrictions apply beyond those shown.

Grade 60 Chemical Composition (ladle analysis/wt%) (1)

C Si Mn S P Cr Mo Nb V Ti Ni Al(tot) N
max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max. max.

API 2Y 60 0.16 0.05/0.50 1.15/1.60 0.01 0.03 0.25 0.15 0.03 nda 0.003/0.02 1.0 0.02/0.06 0.012

nda: no deliberate addition without the specific approval of the purchaser.

API 2W Yield Strength / MPa Minimum Tensile Strength / MPa Minimum Elongation (in 2") / % Minimum Average Charpy-V
Impact Energy / J @ -40ºC
t ≤25 mm 414 - 621 t ≤100 mm 517 22 41
t >25 mm 414 - 586

(1) Other restrictions apply beyond those shown.

Comparison table
Nearest Equivalent Grade

BS 7191:1989 EN10225 API 1993

355D S355G2+N
S355G5+M

355E S355G3+N
S355G6+M

355EM S355G7+N
S355G7+M 2H Grade 50
2W Grade 50
355EMZ S355G8+N 2W Grade 50T
S355G8+M

S420G1+Q

S420G2+Q

450EM S460G1+Q
2Y Grade 60
450EMZ S460G2+Q

2 Primary structural steel plate, 355, 420, 450 and 460 grades
 Corus Construction & Industrial

Plate processing and, depending on thickness and/or weight, are rolled

Plates for offshore structural applications are either from continuously cast slab or from direct rolled
manufactured by Corus with three different delivery ingots. Plates whose properties are achieved by TMCR
conditions: are rolled from continuously cast slab and are available
1. normalised up to 65 mm thick. The target chemical compositions
2. thermomechanically controlled rolled (TMCR) for the two types are different as indicated in the
3. roller quenched & tempered (RQT) subsequent pages of this brochure.

Plates with a nominal yield strength of 355 MPa can be The thermal cycles through which both types of steel
supplied in either the normalised or TMCR condition. plate pass during processing are illustrated below.
Normalised plates are available up to 150 mm thick,

Schematic Illustrations of Process Routes

1500 1500

Rolling
Rolling

1000 1000
Temperature (ºC)

Temperature (ºC)

Rolling

500 500

0 0
Time Time
Normalised Plate TMCR Plate

Primary structural steel plate, 355, 420, 450 and 460 grades 3
 Corus Construction & Industrial

Higher strength plates motion, thus ensuring that each part of the plate is
Higher strength plates are delivered in the roller cooled at the same rate. The precise rate of cooling
quenched and tempered condition. RQT steel plates are during quenching is achieved by controlling the water
produced by heat treating high quality reversing mill pressure and the speed of passage of the plate through
plates of the required chemical composition and the unit, allowing consistent properties to be achieved
thickness rolled from continuously cast slabs or direct in the final product. The quenching efficiency of this
rolled ingots of low sulphur steel. process is extremely high, giving the desired properties
with very low levels of microalloying elements and low
The heat treatment of the plates takes place at Corus levels of CEV.
Clydebridge Works. The plates are heated to a
temperature, depending on grade, in the range 880°C to The final levels of strength and toughness are achieved
930°C and then water quenched using a Drever Roller by tempering heat treatments performed in furnaces
Pressure Quench unit. The plates are quenched at very with uniform temperature distribution and close
high cooling rates by large volumes of high pressure temperature control. Using this method, plates
water sprayed across the full width of the plate on to satisfying grades requiring nominal yields of 420 MPa,
both top and bottom surfaces. During the quenching 450 MPa and 460 MPa can all be produced from steel
operation the plates are held flat and are in continuous slab or ingots of similar target compositions.

Schematic Illustration of RQT Process Routes

1500

Plate Rolling

1000
Temperature (ºC)

Tempering
Quenching

500

0
Time

4 Primary structural steel plate, 355, 420, 450 and 460 grades
 Corus Construction & Industrial

Testing
A full range of testing facilities are available within
Corus at which the standard testing requirements of
each specification are undertaken. Further specialist
testing can be undertaken as necessary at one of the
Corus Technology Centres.

Non-destructive testing (NDT) facilities are available in-

house. When specified, testing is carried out by NDT
operators who are certified in accordance with EN473.
The NDT facility can be incorporated into the 100%
inspection process, an offline activity for checking the
product conformity to the standard applied. This
inspection service is operated in a dedicated bay by
teams of experienced steel inspectors ensuring a high
level of service and a quality product.

Certification
Corus certification is in accordance with EN10204.
Inspection certificates are normally supplied to Type
3.1.B although at the customer’s request other
certification can be supplied, e.g. Types 3.1.C, 3.2 and
3.1.A. Certificates are available in English, French and
German.

Properties data
The following pages show the typical chemical
composition and selected mechanical properties for
plates processed using each of the three routes
described.

In all three cases the typical chemical composition is

given for the full thickness range available. Mechanical
properties are presented as histograms showing the
distribution of properties achieved in practice when
rolling a large number of plates from several different
casts of steel. The histograms cover typical thickness
ranges used for offshore applications.

Corus will be pleased to discuss your specific

requirements and can provide a range of additional data
or testing as required. Please use the contact details on
the back cover.

Primary structural steel plate, 355, 420, 450 and 460 grades 5
Corus Construction & Industrial

Normalised Grade: BS7191:1989 Grade 355 EM/EMZ

Typical Chemical Analysis (product analysis / wt%)

thickness range t / mm C Si Mn S P Cr* Mo* Nb V* Ti* Ni Cu Al (tot) N CEV Pcm

t ≤ 150 0.11 0.4 1.5 0.004 0.015 0.01 0.005 0.03 0.003 0.005 0.15 0.15 0.03 0.005 0.385 0.21

* no deliberate addition

Typical Mechanical Properties.

20 ≤ t ≤ 50 mm 50 < t ≤ 100 mm
50 50

40 40
Frequency (%)

Frequency (%)
30 30

20 20

10 10

0 0
305 325 345 365 385 405 425 445 465 485 305 325 345 365 385 405 425 445 465 485
Yield Strength (MPa) Yield Strength (MPa)

20 ≤ t ≤ 100 mm 50 < t ≤ 100 mm

50 100

40 80
Frequency (%)

Frequency (%)

30 60

20 40

10 20

0 0
440 460 480 500 520 540 560 580 600 620 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Tensile Strength (MPa) Mid-thickness Charpy-V (J) @ -40ºC

6 Primary structural steel plate, 355, 420, 450 and 460 grades
 Corus Construction & Industrial

TMCR Grade: BS7191:1989 Grade 355 EM/EMZ

Typical Chemical Analysis (product analysis / wt%)

thickness range t / mm C Si Mn S P† Cr Mo Nb V Ti Ni Cu Al (tot) N CEV Pcm

t ≤ 20 0.075 0.3 1.4 0.003 0.015 0.03* 0.005* 0.023 0.003* 0.005* 0.03* 0.02* 0.035 0.006 0.32 0.16
20 < t ≤ 65 0.07 0.35 1.45 0.003 0.015 0.03* 0.005* 0.02 0.003* 0.008 0.5 0.02* 0.035 0.006 0.35 0.17
†
lower phosphorus levels can be supplied by agreement
* no deliberate addition

Typical Mechanical Properties.

20 < t ≤ 50 mm 50 < t ≤ 65 mm
40 50

40
30
Frequency (%)

Frequency (%)
30

20

20

10
10

0 0
305 325 345 365 385 405 425 445 465 485 305 325 345 365 385 405 425 445 465 485
Yield Strength (MPa) Yield Strength (MPa)

20 < t ≤ 65 mm 40 ≤ t ≤ 65 mm
60 60

50 50

40 40
Frequency (%)

Frequency (%)

30 30

20 20

10 10

0 0
420 440 460 480 500 520 540 560 580 600 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Tensile Strength (MPa) Mid-thickness Charpy-V (J) @ -40ºC

Primary structural steel plate, 355, 420, 450 and 460 grades 7
Corus Construction & Industrial

RQT Grade: BS7191:1989 Grade 450 EM/EMZ

Typical Chemical Analysis (product analysis / wt%)

thickness range t / mm C Si Mn S P Cr Mo Nb V Ti Ni Cu Al (tot) CEV Pcm

6 ≤ t < 16 0.12 0.3 1.45 0.003 0.011 0.02* 0.01* 0.003* 0.01* 0.004* 0.02* 0.02* 0.04 0.38 0.2
16 ≤ t < 30 0.08 0.3 1.3 0.003 0.011 0.02* 0.17 0.003* 0.05 0.004* 0.02* 0.02* 0.04 0.34 0.17
30 ≤ t < 40 0.1 0.3 1.3 0.003 0.011 0.02* 0.17 0.003* 0.05 0.004* 0.02* 0.02* 0.03 0.37 0.19
40 ≤ t < 60 0.85 0.3 1.3 0.002 0.011 0.02* 0.17 0.003* 0.05 0.004 0.5 0.02* 0.03 0.38 0.18
60 ≤ t ≤ 100 0.1 0.3 1.3 0.002 0.011 0.02* 0.17 0.003* 0.05 0.004 0.5 0.02* 0.03 0.4 0.2

* no deliberate addition

Typical mechanical properties

16 ≤ t < 30 mm 40 ≤ t < 100 mm

35 35

30 30

Frequency (%)
Frequency (%)

25 25

20 20

15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0
430 450 470 490 510 530 550 570 590 610 430 450 470 490 510 530 550 570 590 610

Yield Stress (MPa) Yield Stress (MPa)

16 ≤ t < 30 mm 40 ≤ t < 100 mm

35 35

30 30
Frequency (%)
Frequency (%)

25 25

20 20

15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0
530 550 570 590 610 630 650 670 690 710 530 550 570 590 610 630 650 670 690 710

Tensile Strength (MPa) Tensile Strength (MPa)

16 ≤ t < 30 mm 40 ≤ t < 100 mm

50 80

70
40
60
Frequency (%)
Frequency (%)

50
30
40
20 30

20
10
10

0 0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300

Average Charpy-V / (J) @ -40ºC Average mid-thickness Charpy-V / (J) @ -40ºC

8 Primary structural steel plate, 355, 420, 450 and 460 grades
Size availability
These tables show the plate sizes available for each delivery condition.

Maximum plate lengths (m), normalised plates

Plate thickness (mm)

120<t
6 8 10 12 12.5 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 63.5 65 70 75 80 85 90 100 110 120 ≤150

1500 12 13.5

By prior agreement at the enquiry stage

2000 12 13.5 14.3 13 11.9
Typical plate widths (mm)

2250 12 13.5 14.2 12.7 11.6 10.6

2500 12 13.5 14.3 13.5 12.7 11.5 10.4 9.5

2750 12 13.5 15m maximum length (†) 14.9 13.9 13 12.3 11.6 10.4 9.5 8.7

3050 12 13.5 14.8 14.4 13.4 12.5 11.7 11.1 10.4 9.4 8.5 7.8

3250* 12.5 12.5 14.7 13.9 13.5 12.6 11.7 11 10.4 9.8 8.8 8 7.3

3500* 12.5 12.5 14.9 13.6 12.9 12.6 11.7 10.9 10.2 9.6 9.1 8.2 7.4 6.8

3750* 12.5 12.5 13.9 12.7 12 11.8 10.9 10.2 9.5 9 8.5 7.6 6.9 6.4

>3750 By prior agreement at the enquiry stage

Maximum plate lengths (m), TMCR plates

Plate thickness (mm)

6 8 10 12 12.5 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 63.5 65

1500 12 13.5

2000 12 13.5 14.8 14.5

Typical plate widths (mm)

2250 12 13.5 13.9 13.1 12.9

2500 12 13.5 13.7 12.6 11.8 11.6

2750 13.5 15m maximum length (†) 13.7 12.4 11.4 10.8 10.5

3050 13.7 12.3 11.2 10.3 9.7 9.5

3250* 12.5 12.5 14.5 12.9 11.6 10.5 9.6 9.1 8.9

3500* 12.5 12.5 13.5 11.9 10.8 9.8 8.9 8.5 8.3

3750* 12.5 12.5 12.6 11.2 10 9.1 8.4 7.9 7.7

>3750 By prior agreement at the enquiry stage

Maximum plate lengths (m), RQT plates

Plate thickness (mm)

6 8 10 12 12.5 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 63.5 65 70 75 80 85 90 100 >100

Typical plate widths (mm)

1500 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0
By prior agreement at
the enquiry stage

2000 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 11.9 11.3 10.6 9.5

2250 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.5 12.5 15m maximum 12.5 12.5 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 11.3 10.6 10 9.4 8.5
length
2500 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 11.7 10.9 10.1 9.5 9 8.5 7.6

2750 12.0 12.0 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.0 12.0 12.0 11.5 10.9 10.6 9.9 9.2 8.7 8.2 7.7 6.9

3050 12.0 12.0 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.0 12.0 11.3 10.4 9.8 9.6 8.9 8.3 7.8 7.4 7 6.3

* By arrangement
† Plates longer than 15m can be produced by prior agreement at the enquiry stage.
www.corusgroup.com

Care has been taken to ensure that the

contents of this publication are accurate, but
Corus UK Limited and its subsidiary
companies do not accept responsibility for
errors or for information which is found to be
misleading. Suggestions for or descriptions of
the end use or application of products or
methods of working are for information only
and Corus UK Limited and its subsidiaries
accept no liability in respect thereof. Before
using products supplied or manufactured by
Corus UK Limited and its subsidiaries the
customer should satisfy himself of their
suitability.

Copyright 2001
Corus

Sales and general enquiries: Technical enquiries and customer Corus Construction & Industrial
support: literature hotline:

Sales Office and Headquarters Plates Technical Advisory Services T: +44 (0)1724 404400
Corus Construction & Industrial Corus Construction & Industrial F: +44 (0)1724 404433
PO Box 1 PO Box 1
Brigg Road Brigg Road
Scunthorpe Scunthorpe
North Lincolnshire North Lincolnshire
DN16 1BP DN16 1BP
United Kingdom United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1724 404040 T: +44 (0)1724 402106
F: +44 (0)1724 405600 F: +44 (0)1724 381949

English language version AMB08/01