Description

Technical Parameters

Grade D Shipbuilding Steel Plate | ABS Grade D Marine Steel Supplier

Grade D shipbuilding steel plate is a general-strength, high-quality structural steel certified under ASTM A131 / A131M by all major classification societies (ABS, BV, CCS, LR, DNV, etc.). It is specifically engineered for the construction of ship hulls, offshore platforms, and marine equipment that must maintain structural integrity in environments where temperatures drop to -20°C.

By offering an optimal balance of strength, weldability, and low-temperature toughness, Grade D provides shipbuilders with a reliable, cost-effective solution for ocean-going vessels, especially those navigating high-latitude or winter routes.

Why Grade D? The Low-Temperature Advantage

The defining characteristic of Grade D steel plate is its excellent impact toughness at -20°C . This distinguishes it significantly from lower grades

Charpy V-Notch Impact Test: Performed at -20°C (compared to 0°C for Grade B, and no requirement for standard Grade A). This ensures structural integrity in icy waters and high-latitude routes.

High Strength: Minimum yield strength of 235 MPa and tensile strength of 400 – 520 MPa, matching the strength of Grades A, B, and E.

Grade D shipbuilding steel plate in stock

Fine Grain Practice: Produced using fine grain practices (often with Aluminum, Als ≥ 0.015%) to enhance mechanical properties .

Weldability: Low carbon equivalent (CEV) ensures excellent welding performance, critical for large-scale shipbuilding projects.

Obtain quotations

Key Specifications & Tolerances

Product Highlights	Details
Standard	ASTM A131, Classification Societies (ABS, BV, CCS, LR, DNV, etc.)
Type	Ordinary Strength Hull Structural Steel
Thickness Range	4mm – 400mm
Width Range	1000mm – 4000mm
Delivery Condition	As-rolled (AR), Controlled Rolling (CR), Normalized (N), TMCP

Chemical Composition & Mechanical Properties

Grade	C (max)	Si	Mn	P (max)	S (max)	Als (min)
Grade D	≤ 0.21	0.10 – 0.35	≥ 0.60	≤ 0.035	≤ 0.035	≥ 0.015
Grade A	≤ 0.21	≤ 0.50	≥ 2.5C	≤ 0.035	≤ 0.035	-
Grade B	≤ 0.21	≤ 0.35	0.80 – 1.20	≤ 0.035	≤ 0.035	-
Grade E	≤ 0.18	≤ 0.35	0.70 – 1.20	≤ 0.035	≤ 0.035	≥ 0.015

Mechanical Properties

Grade	Yield Strength (MPa) min	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Elongation % min	Impact Test Temp
Grade D	≥ 235	400 – 520	21 – 22%	-20°C
Grade A	≥ 235	400 – 520	21 – 22%	No Requirement (Standard)
Grade B	≥ 235	400 – 520	21 – 22%	0°C
Grade E	≥ 235	400 – 520	21 – 22%	-40°C

A vs. B vs. D vs. E: Which Grade Do You Need?

While all four grades share the same yield and tensile strength (235 MPa / 400-520 MPa), the selection depends on the service temperature and design requirements of your vessel .

Grade	Impact Test Temp	Key Application
Grade A	No requirement (≤50mm)	General structural components, warm water routes. No low-temperature requirements .
Grade B	0°C	Coastal and inland river vessels. Moderate impact toughness required .
Grade D (Best Seller)	-20°C	Hull shells, decks, bulkheads, and oil platforms operating in colder waters (latitudes with temperatures down to -20°C) .
Grade E	-40°C	Icebreakers, Arctic vessels, and offshore structures subjected to extreme freezing conditions .

Why Grade D? It offers the best cost-to-performance ratio for most ocean-going vessels that must safely traverse cold-water zones without the higher cost associated with Grade E's extreme -40°C requirements.

Obtain technical parameters

Applications | Where is Grade D Steel Used?

ship-hull-construction-keel-bilge-strakes-marine-steel

Ship Hulls

Shell plates, decks, side shells, bulkheads, and keels.

Offshore Platforms

Jacket structures and support components.

offshore-platform-jack-up-rig-semi-submersible-fpso-steel-structure

marine-vessel-components-cargo-hold-hatch-cover-tanker-deck

Vessel Types

Bulk carriers, container ships, oil tankers, and vessels under 10,000 tons operating in coastal/river areas and cold seas.

Repair & Retrofit

Ideal for general repair work in shipyards.

Quality Assurance & Certification

Mill Test Certificate: Supplied with EN 10204 Type 3.2 certification, witnessed and approved by major classification societies.

Third-Party Inspection: We support inspections by independent bodies such as SGS, TÜV, ABS, BV, LR, and DNV at your request.

Additional Testing: Can include Ultrasonic Examination (UT), Z-direction (through-thickness) testing (Z15, Z25, Z35), and simulated Post-Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) to meet specific project requirements.

why choose us?

We offer Grade D shipbuilding steel plates with fast delivery, customized cutting, bending, and drilling services . Whether you need standard plates or specialized heat treatments (Normalized, TMCP), we have the inventory to meet your project specs.

Get the quotation within 24 hours

one-stop solution

professional team

high quality

our Partners

We trusted by

User Evaluation

We used Grade D plates for the shell plating of 3 bulk carriers operating on the Northern Sea Route. The -20°C impact test results were consistently excellent, and the delivery was right on schedule. Highly recommend this material for cold-water projects.

Ivan Petrov

Procurement Manager, Murmansk Shipyard, Russia

We compared Grade B and Grade D for our new offshore support vessels. Grade D gave us the extra safety margin for winter operations without the premium cost of Grade E. The welding performance was smooth, and we passed all classification society inspections without any rework.

Chen Wei

Technical Director, Fujian Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., China

We ordered 5,000 tons of Grade D steel plates for a series of tankers. The material certifications (EN 10204 3.2) were complete, and the third-party inspection went flawlessly. The plates arrived with precise dimensions, saving us significant cutting time.

Marco Rossi

Operations Director, Fincantieri Supplier Network, Italy

FAQ

01.What is the difference between Grade D and Grade B shipbuilding steel?

The main difference lies in the impact test temperature. Grade B is tested at 0°C, while Grade D is tested at -20°C. Both have the same yield strength (235 MPa) and tensile strength (400-520 MPa). If your vessel will navigate cold-water zones where temperatures can drop below freezing, Grade D is the safer and more reliable choice. Grade B is generally sufficient for coastal or inland routes with milder climates.

02.Can Grade D steel plate be used interchangeably with Grade A?

No, not if low-temperature toughness is required by your design or classification rules. Grade A does not require any Charpy V-notch impact test (for thicknesses ≤ 50mm), whereas Grade D's performance is verified at -20°C. While Grade D can generally replace Grade A as an upgrade, the reverse substitution is not permissible without re-engineering.

03.What thicknesses and delivery conditions do you offer for Grade D plates?

We supply Grade D plates in thicknesses ranging from 4mm to 400mm, with widths up to 4000mm. Delivery conditions include As-rolled (AR), Controlled Rolling (CR), Normalized (N), and TMCP. For thicker plates (typically > 50mm) or demanding applications, we recommend Normalized or TMCP to ensure finer grain structure and better toughness. Please specify your thickness and condition requirements when requesting a quote.

04.Do you provide mill certificates and third-party inspection?

Yes, absolutely. Every shipment comes with a Mill Test Certificate (EN 10204 Type 3.1 or 3.2) certified by the producing mill. We also support third-party inspections by classification societies such as ABS, BV, LR, DNV, CCS, and independent agencies like SGS or TÜV upon request. Additional tests (e.g., Ultrasonic Examination, Z-direction testing) can be arranged to meet your project specifications. We ensure full traceability from heat number to final delivery.

Hot Tags: grade d shipbuilding steel plate, China grade d shipbuilding steel plate suppliers, blasted shipbuilding steel plate, bolted shipbuilding steel plate, hexagonal shipbuilding steel plate, polygonal shipbuilding steel plate, retail shipbuilding steel plate, shipbuilding steel plate finish