CCS AH36 Steel Plate – Properties, Chemistry & Equivalents

CCS AH36 (also written CCS/AH36, CCS Grade AH36, CCS A36 or AH36 steel plate) is a higher-strength hull structural steel plate certified by the China Classification Society (CCS) to CCS Rules for Materials and Welding (2024), Part 1, Chapter 3, Section 3. The figure 36 is the strength level (minimum yield 355 MPa, tensile 490–630 MPa) and the letter A sets the Charpy V-notch test temperature of 0°C. The steel is killed and fine-grain treated, and the grade corresponds to AH36 in IACS UR W11 and AH36 in ASTM A131.

Gangsteel, a steel plate exporter, supplies CCS AH36 plate with CCS class certificates; the requirements below are taken directly from the current CCS rules.

Related CCS grades: CCS DH36 steel plate, CCS EH36 steel plate, CCS FH36 steel plate, CCS AH32 steel plate, CCS AH40 steel plate.

CCS AH36 chemical composition

CCS AH36 chemical composition, heat (ladle) analysis, %

Element	Heat analysis
C	≤ 0.18
Mn	0.90–1.60 (≥ 0.70 for t ≤ 12.5 mm)
Si	≤ 0.50
P	≤ 0.035
S	≤ 0.035
Al (acid soluble)	≥ 0.015
Nb	0.02–0.05
V	0.05–0.10
Ti	≤ 0.02
Nb + V + Ti	≤ 0.12
Cu	≤ 0.35
Cr	≤ 0.20
Ni	≤ 0.40
Mo	≤ 0.08

 

Source: CCS Rules for Materials and Welding (2024), Part 1, Chapter 3, Table 3.3.2.1. Al, Nb and V are grain-refining elements: when used in combination, the individual minimum contents do not apply. Total Al ≥ 0.020% may be reported instead of acid-soluble Al. TMCP plates must also meet the Ceq limits below. CCS specifies the chemical composition as a heat (ladle) analysis only; the Rules give no product (check) analysis tolerances for these plates, so no product-analysis column is shown. If a product analysis is required, agree the tolerances in the order.

CCS AH36 mechanical properties and impact test

CCS AH36 tensile and Charpy V-notch requirements

Grade	Yield ReH min (MPa)	Tensile Rm (MPa)	Elongation A5 min (%)	Test temp.	KV avg min, t ≤ 50 mm, L / T (J)	50 < t ≤ 70 mm, L / T (J)	70 < t ≤ 150 mm, L / T (J)
CCS AH36	355	490–630	21	0°C	34 / 24	41 / 27	50 / 34

Source: CCS Rules for Materials and Welding (2024), Part 1, Chapter 3, Table 3.3.4.3. L = longitudinal, T = transverse. Impact tests are normally made longitudinally; transverse values must be guaranteed by the mill.

CCS AH36 maximum carbon equivalent for TMCP plates

Thickness	t ≤ 50 mm	50 < t ≤ 100 mm	100 < t ≤ 150 mm
Ceq max (%)	0.38	0.40	0.42

Ceq = C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15, from the ladle analysis (Table 3.3.2.3(1)). For non-TMCP plates a Ceq limit may be agreed.

CCS AH36 thickness range and delivery condition

The CCS rules for CCS AH36 cover plates and wide flats up to 150 mm thick (sections and bars up to 50 mm). The permitted supply condition (as-rolled, controlled rolled, normalized or TMCP) depends on thickness and on the grain-refining elements used; see Table 3.3.3.1. The required Charpy energy increases above 50 mm and again above 70 mm.

CCS AH36 equivalent grades

CCS AH36 equivalent grades of other classification societies

Standard / society	Equivalent grade
IACS UR W11	AH36
ABS	AB/AH36
DNV	VL A36
LR	LR AH36
BV	BV AH36
ASTM A131	AH36
China GB/T 712	AH36

The IACS member societies use the same unified requirements, so these grades match in chemistry and properties. A plate still needs the certificate of the vessel’s own class society; one plate can carry dual or multiple class certification only when each society’s surveyor witnesses the tests.

CCS AH36 FAQ

What does AH36 mean?

A sets the toughness grade (Charpy test at 0°C), H means higher strength, and 36 is the strength level: minimum yield 355 MPa.

What is the yield strength of CCS AH36?

Minimum 355 MPa, tensile strength 490–630 MPa and minimum elongation 21%.

What is the impact test temperature of CCS AH36?

0°C. Minimum average energy is 34 J longitudinal / 24 J transverse up to 50 mm, 41/27 J for 50–70 mm and 50/34 J for 70–150 mm.

What is CCS AH36 equivalent to?

AH36 of IACS UR W11, ABS AB/AH36, DNV VL A36, LR and BV AH36, ASTM A131 AH36 and GB/T 712 AH36.

What is the difference between AH36, DH36, EH36 and FH36?

They share the same chemistry limits (FH has tighter C, P and S limits, an N limit and a higher Ni allowance) and the same strength. Only the Charpy test temperature changes: 0°C (A), −20°C (D), −40°C (E) and −60°C (F).

What is the difference between CCS AH36 and ABS AH36?

Both are the same IACS UR W11 grade, so in practice they are interchangeable technically; the difference is the class certificate. Note: CCS gives tensile 490–630 MPa, while ABS lists 490–620 MPa.

What is the carbon equivalent (CEV) of CCS AH36?

For TMCP plates Ceq must not exceed 0.38% up to 50 mm, 0.40% for 50–100 mm and 0.42% for 100–150 mm. For other conditions a Ceq limit may be agreed with the buyer.

What thickness range does CCS cover for AH36?

Plates and wide flats up to 150 mm; sections and bars up to 50 mm.

Equivalent steel grade of CCS/AH36
DNV	GL	LR	BV	ABS	NK	KR	RINA
NV A36 (DNV A36 steel plate)	GL-A36	LR/AH36	BV/AH36	ABS/A36	K A36	R A36	RI/A36

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 Related steel grades: CCS/DH36, CCS/EH36, CCS/FH36, CCS/AH32

 

CCS Steel Plate Grade
General Strength	CCS/A	CCS/B	CCS/D	CCS/E
High Strength	CCS/A32	CCS/D32	CCS/E32	CCS/F32
	CCS/A36	CCS/D36	CCS/E36	CCS/F36
	CCS/A40	CCS/D40	CCS/E40	CCS/F40
Extra Strength	CCS/A420	CCS/D420	CCS/E420	CCS/F420
	CCS/A460	CCS/D460	CCS/E460	CCS/F460
	CCS/A500	CCS/D500	CCS/E500	CCS/F500
	CCS/A550	CCS/D550	CCS/E550	CCS/F550
	CCS/A620	CCS/D620	CCS/E620	CCS/F620
	CCS/A690	CCS/D690	CCS/E690	CCS/F690

 

ASTM equivalent: ASTM A131 AH36 steel plate

LR equivalent: LR AH36 steel plate