Description: BBN steel is a well-known steel manufacturer and service provider in China, ASTM A131 EH40 shipbuilding steel plate is our superior product, we are favored by customers with high quality, competitive price and excellent service
Payment Terms: L/C, T/T, D/P, Western Union, Paypal, Money Gram
ASTM A131 EH40 Shipbuilding Steel Plate | Grade E High-Strength Hull Steel, 390 MPa Min Yield, Charpy Tested at −40 °C
ASTM A131 / A131M | Grade E — Charpy V-Notch Tested at −40 °C | Yield 390 MPa Min, Tensile 510–650 MPa, Elongation 22% Min | Thickness 2–350 mm, Width 1200–4200 mm, Length 3000–18000 mm | For Decks, Ships, Vessels & Shipyard Repair
390 MPa Min Yield, 510–650 MPa TensileGrade 40 of the ASTM A131 higher-strength family — a minimum yield point of 390 MPa (40 kgf/mm²) with tensile strength held within 510–650 MPa.
Grade E — −40 °C ToughnessThe E designation requires the Charpy V-notch impact test at −40 °C: 27 J transverse and 41 J longitudinal on plate up to 50 mm thick.
Wide Size ProgrammeThickness 2–350 mm, width 1200–4200 mm, length 3000–18000 mm — shot blasted and painted or coated, and cut to your drawings.
01Product Overview
ASTM A131 Grade EH40 is a grade E high-strength hull structural steel plate with a minimum yield point of 390 MPa and a tensile strength within 510–650 MPa. The 40 in the grade name is the yield point in kgf/mm², which puts EH40 at the top of the A131 higher-strength strength range — the same 390 MPa level as the grade F plate of the family, qualified to the grade E toughness class instead.
That combination is what EH40 is bought for: 390 MPa minimum yield together with a −40 °C Charpy V-notch requirement. It is the practical choice for decks of ships, vessels and boats and for the normal repairing work carried out in shipyards, where the design temperature sits at −40 °C or milder. Because grade E is qualified one temperature step above grade F, EH40 normally comes in as the more economical way to buy 390 MPa hull plate without giving up the impact class the specification asks for.
390 MPaYield Strength (Min)ASTM A131 EH40
510–650 MPaTensile StrengthASTM A131 EH40
−40 °CImpact Test TemperatureGrade E designation
22 %Elongation (Min)A131 EH40
02Technical Specifications
ASTM A131 Grade EH40 plate across the full mill size programme, with cutting, shot blasting, coating and marine certification handled on the same order.
Item
Specification Details
Steel Grade
ASTM A131 EH40 (A131 Grade EH40)
Executive Standard
ASTM A131 / A131M International Standard
Product Type
Grade E High-Strength Hull Structural Steel Plate
Thickness
2 mm – 350 mm
Width
1200 mm – 4200 mm
Length
3000 mm – 18000 mm
Surface Treatment
Shot blasting and painting or coated Shot BlastedPrimer CoatedPainted
Surface Condition
Smooth surface, uniform texture, no cracks, no rust spots
Delivery Condition
Confirmed per order and stated on the MTC As RolledTMCPNormalizedOther as agreed
Custom Production
Available — custom sizes, cutting and shaping to your drawings
MOQ
1 Ton / Negotiable
Delivery Time
Stock availability and rolling schedule confirmed on enquiry
Certification
MTC / EN 10204 3.1 / Classification society certificate (ABS, CCS, DNV, LR)
Payment Terms
T/T, L/C, Western Union, Trade Assurance
Note: The thickness, width and length above are the mill programme for A131 EH40 — not every combination inside those limits rolls in every thickness, and the delivery condition is agreed between buyer and mill for each order. Send us your required thickness, width, length, surface treatment and classification society and we will confirm stock status and the exact delivery condition against the item before you order.
03Grade Designation
Each segment of the grade name carries a defined meaning in ASTM A131 / A131M — and grade E is what separates EH40 from the AH, DH and FH grades.
Designation Segment
Meaning in ASTM A131 / A131M
E
Grade E — the quality / toughness level tested at −40 °C (the four levels are A = 0 °C, D = −20 °C, E = −40 °C, F = −60 °C)
Specified minimum yield point in kgf/mm² — 40 kgf/mm² ≈ 390 MPa
Note: The E tells you the Charpy V-notch test temperature (−40 °C) and the 40 is the yield point expressed in kgf/mm² (40 kgf/mm² ≈ 390 MPa), which is exactly the minimum yield value given in the mechanical table — a useful cross-check when you read a mill certificate. The designation breakdown above is standard background for this grade family.
04Equivalent & Classification Society Grades
For global shipbuilding and ship repair projects, ASTM A131 EH40 has matching grade-E equivalents under the major classification societies, so the same grade level can be procured across standards.
Standard System
Equivalent Grade
Note
ABS Standard
ABS EH40
American Bureau of Shipping approval for hull structures
CCS Standard
CCS EH40
China Classification Society approval
DNV Standard
DNV EH40
Det Norske Veritas approval
LR Standard
LR EH40
Lloyd’s Register approval
Other IACS societies
BVKRNKRINA
EH40 approvals of the remaining IACS members are available on request
Note: Equivalent grade-E grades differ slightly in chemical composition and production process. Verify welding parameters and inspection standards against your actual ship classification requirements before substituting one for another.
05Chemical Composition
Chemical composition for A131 EH40 ship steel — heat analysis, % max unless a range is given.
Grade
C
Si
Mn
P
S
Al (acid) min
Nb
V
Ti
Cu
Cr
Ni
Mo
N
A131 EH40
0.18
0.10–0.50
0.90–1.60
0.035
0.035
>0.015
0.02–0.05
0.05–0.10
0.02
0.35
0.20
0.40
0.08
—
Note: EH40 caps carbon at 0.18% and phosphorus and sulphur at 0.035% each, keeps silicon in the 0.10–0.50% range, carries nickel at 0.40% and specifies aluminium as a minimum of 0.015% as the grain refiner. Niobium (0.02–0.05%) and vanadium (0.05–0.10%) are the micro-alloying ranges that develop the 390 MPa yield without sacrificing weldability, while the capped P and S keep the weld heat-affected zone tough at −40 °C. The data sheet for this grade does not set a nitrogen limit, so the N cell is left blank here — where a project or a classification society sets a nitrogen cap, it is stated on the mill certificate. Contents of any other intentionally added element are determined and reported.
06Welding Performance Parameters
Two indices are used to evaluate welding crack sensitivity and carbon equivalent for production and welding process guidance.
Note: Lower Pcm and Ceq mean better weldability and lower preheat demand. Both are calculated from the actual heat analysis of each plate, so we quote the values together with the MTC rather than as fixed numbers. Because EH40 carries a 390 MPa minimum yield, its carbon equivalent normally sits above the grade 32 and grade 36 plates of the same family — confirm preheat and interpass requirements against your welding procedure specification before fabrication.
07Mechanical Properties
Mechanical property for A131 EH40 shipbuilding structural steel, given by plate thickness bracket together with the Charpy V-notch impact values.
Grade
Thickness
Yield Strength Min
Tensile Strength
Elongation Min
Impact Test Temperature
Energy 1 (Transverse)
Energy 2 (Longitudinal)
A131 EH40
t ≤ 50 mm
390 MPa
510–650 MPa
22 %
−40 °C
27 J
41 J
A131 EH40
50 < t ≤ 70 mm
390 MPa
510–650 MPa
22 %
−40 °C
—
—
A131 EH40
70 < t ≤ 100 mm
390 MPa
510–650 MPa
22 %
−40 °C
—
—
Note:Energy 1 is the transverse impact test and Energy 2 is the longitudinal impact test. The data sheet for this grade gives the Charpy V-notch values for the t ≤ 50 mm bracket (27 J transverse, 41 J longitudinal at −40 °C); for the 50–70 mm and 70–100 mm brackets the applicable requirement follows the thickness bracket and the classification society rule in force. We therefore confirm it from the mill certificate for your specific plate instead of printing one number that would not hold for every size — tell us the thickness and the society and we will supply the exact value.
08Applications & Typical Components
Main application of A131 Grade EH40 shipbuilding steel plate is building decks of ships, vessels and boats, and other normal repairing works in shipyards.
1
Decks of Ships & Vessels
Deck plating and deck structures of ships, vessels and boats, where a 390 MPa yield grade with a −40 °C impact class is called up by the design.
2
Boats & Smaller Craft
Hull and deck plate for boats and smaller craft built from grade E high-strength hull steel.
3
Shipyard Repair Works
Normal repairing works in shipyards — replacement plate, deck patches and structural renewals in grade E steel.
Application Field
Typical Application & Components
Shipbuilding
Decks of ships, vessels and boats
Ship Repair & Maintenance
Normal repairing works in shipyards
High-Strength Hull Structures
Grade E hull structural plate for structures designed with a −40 °C impact requirement
Note: EH40 and the grade F plate share the same 390 MPa minimum yield and the same 510–650 MPa tensile range — the difference is the toughness class: grade E is tested at −40 °C and grade F at −60 °C. Where your specification calls up −40 °C or a milder temperature, EH40 normally gives the same strength at a lower cost. Send us the design temperature and the required strength and we will confirm which grade your project actually needs.
09Processing & Fabrication Services
Every order can be cut, formed, blast cleaned and coated to your drawings, so material arrives at the yard ready to fit.
1
Cutting
Custom sizes and shapes cut to your drawings, plate and profile.
2
Bending & Forming
Plate bending and shaping for deck curvature and structural components.
3
Shot Blasting & Coating
Shot blasting with painting or protective coating applied before shipment.
4
Certified Delivery
MTC, EN 10204 3.1 and third-party marine inspection included with every shipment.
We supply high-quality ASTM A131 EH40 shipbuilding steel plates with strict marine standard inspection and full traceability. We provide one-stop customized processing services including cutting, bending and forming, plus shot blasting and painting or coating to your surface specification. All products are equipped with official MTC test reports and marine certification documents. Welcome to contact us for professional quotations and technical support!
10Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the questions we are asked most often about ASTM A131 EH40. For anything not covered here, send us your drawings and specification.
Q1What does EH40 mean in ASTM A131?
E is the quality / toughness level — grade E requires the Charpy V-notch impact test at −40 °C. H means higher-strength hull structural steel. 40 is the specified minimum yield point in kgf/mm² (40 kgf/mm² ≈ 390 MPa). EH40 therefore gives you the top strength level of the A131 higher-strength family in the grade E toughness class.
Q2What is the difference between A131 EH40 and the grade F plate?
Both carry the same 390 MPa minimum yield and the same 510–650 MPa tensile range. The only difference is the toughness class: grade E is tested at −40 °C, while the grade F plate (A131 FH40) is tested at −60 °C. Choose EH40 when the design temperature is −40 °C or milder — you get the same strength at a lower cost. Move up to the grade F plate only when the specification genuinely demands −60 °C impact testing. Tell us the design temperature and we will confirm which one your project needs.
Q3What sizes, surface treatments and commercial terms do you offer?
A131 EH40 plate is supplied at thickness 2–350 mm, width 1200–4200 mm and length 3000–18000 mm, with shot blasting and painting or coating to your surface specification, and cut and formed to your drawings. The delivery condition is stated on the MTC. MOQ is 1 ton and payment is by T/T, L/C, Western Union or Trade Assurance. Send your dimensions, quantity, surface treatment and classification society requirement and we will confirm stock availability and lead time for that exact item.
Q4What impact toughness does A131 EH40 guarantee?
Grade E fixes the test temperature at −40 °C, tested as a Charpy V-notch specimen: 27 J transverse and 41 J longitudinal for plate up to 50 mm thick. Energy 1 is the transverse test and Energy 2 is the longitudinal test. For the 50–70 mm and 70–100 mm thickness brackets the applicable energy follows the thickness bracket and the classification society rule, so we confirm it from the mill certificate for your specific plate rather than quoting one number for every size.
Q5How is the chemical composition controlled, and how good is the weldability?
Heat analysis is capped at C 0.18, Si 0.10–0.50, Mn 0.90–1.60, P 0.035, S 0.035, Ni 0.40, Cu 0.35, Cr 0.20, Mo 0.08, with Nb 0.02–0.05 and V 0.05–0.10 as micro-alloying ranges and Al 0.015 min as grain refiner. Weldability is assessed with Pcm = (C + Si/30 + Mn/20 + Cu/20 + Ni/60 + Cr/20 + Mo/15 + V/10 + 5B)% and Ceq = [C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15]%; both depend on the actual heat, so we quote them from the MTC for your plate.
Q6Can A131 EH40 be substituted by ABS EH40 / CCS EH40 / DNV EH40 / LR EH40?
These are the grade-E equivalents of the same strength and toughness level and are commonly accepted for cross-standard procurement and bidding. There are slight differences in chemical composition and production process, so verify welding parameters and inspection standards against your actual ship classification requirements before material replacement. Tell us which classification society your project is surveyed under and we will supply the plate with the matching certificate.
Get Your ASTM A131 EH40 Shipbuilding Steel Plate Quotation
Send us your plate dimensions (thickness / width / length), quantity, surface treatment and classification society requirement. We will reply with the latest stock status, competitive wholesale price and complete marine certification documents within 24 hours.
BBN Steel has established a complete set of production and supplier management system processes to ensure the improvement of product quality and better service to users.
Production Control
BBN Steel has established a complete production quality control process to ensure every link from research and development to mass production.
Supplier management
Our supplier selection will consider factors such as health and safety, ethics, environmental protection, price and quality to better serve customers.
Certification & Patent
We have successively won various international authoritative certifications, GB /T19001-ISO9001: 2000 quality management system was implemented.
After sales service
We provide booking space, shipping tracking service and after-sales service, we will always be first-class products and perfect pre-sale and after-sales service.
Get in Touch
Welcome to contact us through online consulting, emails and hotline if you are interested in our company or products. Our staff will reply you within 24 hours.
Address: HIGH-TECH DEVELOPMENT ZONE, ZHENGZHOU, CHINA
