DH40 Shipbuilding Steel Plate

CCS DH40 is a higher-strength hull structural steel certified by the China Classification Society (CCS). The "D" in the grade designation indicates impact testing at -20°C, which distinguishes it from AH40 (tested at 0°C). "H" denotes higher-strength steel, and "40" refers to the minimum yield strength of 40 kgf/mm² (approximately 390 MPa).

DH40 is produced using killed steel practices with fine grain treatment and microalloying elements (niobium, vanadium, titanium) to achieve the required mechanical properties. Normalizing heat treatment and low-temperature impact testing are mandatory requirements for CCS DH40 shipbuilding steel plates. For thicknesses under 40mm, plates may be accepted in controlled-rolled condition; for 40-100mm thickness, normalizing is required for each plate.

CCS DH40 offers the same 390 MPa yield strength as AH40 but with reliable impact toughness at -20°C, making it suitable for hull structures of vessels operating in colder marine environments.

Quality Assurance | Fully Certified & Traceable

 

One-stop steel procurement

Certifications: We supply ABS DH40, CCS DH40, LR DH40, DNV-GL DH40, and BV DH40.

Traceability: Each plate is stamped with grade, heat number, and dimensions.

Inspection: Third-party inspections (SGS, BV) are welcome at our loading port.

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Chemical Composition (Ladle Analysis)

Mechanical Properties

Available Dimensions

Condition of Supply

Applications | Where is DH40 Steel Used?

 

 

Ship Hulls

Ship Hull Construction: Shell plates, deck plates, longitudinal and transverse framing for vessels operating in cold marine environments.

 

Offshore Projects

Fixed platforms, semi-submersibles, FPSO units.

 

 

Container Ships: High-strength structural components requiring reduced plate thickness.

LNG Transport Ships: Cargo tank secondary barrier structures.

 

 

Bulk Carriers and VLCCs: Primary load-bearing structures.

Naval Vessels: High-performance marine craft with cold-water operational requirements.

For thickness up to 50mm, all four grades require minimum impact energy of 41 J (longitudinal) and 27 J (transverse). For thicknesses exceeding 50mm, DH40 and AH40 impact requirements differ from EH40 and FH40.

CCS DH40 plates can be certified by multiple international classification societies:

CCS (China Classification Society)

ABS (American Bureau of Shipping)

LR (Lloyd's Register)

DNV (Det Norske Veritas)

BV (Bureau Veritas)

NK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai)

KR (Korean Register)

RINA (Registro Italiano Navale)

Ultrasonic Testing (UT): ASTM A435, A577, A578.

Z-direction Testing: Z15, Z25, Z35.

Charpy V-Notch Impact Test: At -20°C as standard.

Third-Party Inspection: SGS, TUV, or other independent inspectors.

Mill Test Certificate: EN 10204 Format 3.1/3.2.

Surface Treatment: Shot blasting, painting, and coating available upon request.

Packaging: Standard export seaworthy packing or as per customer requirements.

Delivery Time: 7 days for stock items, 30–50 days for production orders.

Loading Ports: Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao.

why choose us?

 

Stock Availability: We maintain 5,000+ tons of DH40 shipbuilding plate in standard sizes (6m, 9m, 12m) ready for immediate dispatch.

Custom Cutting: We offer profile cutting, beveling, and services to save you fabrication time.

Fast Logistics: Efficient shipping via break bulk or container to major ports worldwide (Rotterdam, Houston, Singapore, Dubai).

Competitive Pricing: Direct mill cooperation means no middlemen markups.

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User Evaluation

We used CCS DH40 for the hull plating of two polar supply vessels. The -20°C impact test results were consistently above 50 J. The normalized plates arrived flat and within tolerance. No issues with cold cracking during winter fabrication.

Mr. Chen Wei

Singapore · Large Shipbuilding and Repairing Group

Our client's operating routes only required -20°C impact toughness, so DH40 was a cost-effective choice over EH40. Thicknesses from 15mm to 60mm all passed third-party UT without rejects. Weldability was comparable to AH36 with proper preheat.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong

Haiphong · Shipbuilding Group of Vietnam

We track ladle analysis for every coil and plate. Three shipments of CCS DH40 over 18 months showed minimal variation in carbon equivalent and microalloying elements. TMCP plates had uniform grain structure throughout.

Mr. Rajesh Kumar

Kochi, India · Ship Repair Yard

FAQ

 

 

01.What does "DH40" stand for in shipbuilding steel?

The "D" indicates impact testing at -20°C. "H" stands for higher-strength steel. "40" refers to the minimum yield strength of 40 kgf/mm², approximately 390 MPa in metric units.

02.What is the difference between DH40 and AH40?

Both have the same minimum yield strength (390 MPa) and tensile strength (510 – 650 MPa). The difference is the impact test temperature: AH40 is tested at 0°C, while DH40 is tested at -20°C. DH40 also generally has stricter control over chemical composition and deoxidation practices to achieve reliable toughness at the lower test temperature.

03.What heat treatment is required for CCS DH40 plates?

or thickness under 40mm, controlled-rolled or TMCP condition is generally acceptable. For thicknesses between 40mm and 100mm, classification rules require normalizing for each plate to ensure uniform mechanical properties through the full thickness. Always verify the specific requirement with the relevant classification society.

04.What preheating is required for welding CCS DH40?

DH40 has a higher carbon equivalent than normal-strength grades, so preheating is recommended. For thicknesses under 25mm, preheat around 50–75°C is typical. For thicker sections (above 40mm), preheat in the 100–150°C range is common. Low-hydrogen welding consumables (2Y40 or 3Y40 grades per CCS requirements) must be used. Always follow an approved welding procedure specification with controlled heat input.

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