Steel grades suitable for the manufacture of Spanish pressure vessels
The manufacture of pressure vessels in Spain is subject to legislation that ensures that the vessels produced meet strict safety standards. This legislation stipulates the steel grades suitable for the manufacture of pressure vessels in Spain.
The Spanish pressure vessel standards (UNE) have adopted the European Pressure Equipment Directive for the design and manufacture of pressure vessels. This directive is based upon the harmonised standards of the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). The design and fabrication of pressure vessels in Spain is regulated by commercial standards and by specific national regulations. These standards require that the material used in the manufacture of the vessels meet certain grade requirements.
The most common steel grade used in the manufacture of Spanish pressure vessels is ASTM A-283 grade C. This material meets the requirement for yield strength of 280MPa and a tensile strength of around 488MPa. It is a medium carbon steel, usually supplied in the as-rolled form. The chemical composition specified for this steel grade conforms to specifications laid out in the CEN standards. In addition to the strength requirements, ASTM A-283 grade C is also stipulated to have a minimum charpy V notched impact energy of 16J at -20°C.
In addition to ASTM A-283 grade C, the Spanish standards also allow for other materials to be used for the fabrication of pressure vessels. These include ASTM A-36 steel, ASTM A-572 grade 50 and ASTM A-500 grade B. All of these grades meet the requirements for minimum yield strength and tensile strength, as well as the required Charpy V-notched impact energy. In addition, steel plates made from all three materials are impact tested to determine their suitability for use in low temperature environments.
The Spanish pressure vessel standards also allow for the usage of other common grades of steel such as ASTM A-514 and ASTM A-516. The latter two are higher strength steels that are designed specifically for the manufacture of pressure vessels. ASTM A-514 exhibits a minimum yield strength of 690MPa, while ASTM A-516 has a minimum yield strength of 585MPa. Both of these grades also require special testing to determine their suitability for use in low temperature environments.
All steel grades used for the fabrication of Spanish pressure vessels must meet the requirements laid out in the CEN harmonised standards. In addition, local regulations can specify additional requirements for the use of particular steel grades. It is important for engineers and designers to ascertain the exact details for the chosen grade of steel in order to ensure compliance with the specified standards. Fabrica Energy Solutions can offer assistance in choosing the correct steel grade and size for a particular pressure vessel application.
