What Is the Standard Thickness Range of Pressure Vessel Plates?
Pressure vessel plates are manufactured in a wide thickness range to accommodate low, medium, and high-pressure applications. The most commonly stocked thicknesses range from 6 mm to 150 mm, but customized options may go up to 300 mm depending on steel grade and client requirements.
Why Thickness Matters in Pressure Vessels?
The thickness of a boiler or pressure vessel plate directly impacts:
- Internal pressure handling capacity
- Fatigue resistance during thermal cycling
- Safety margin for corrosion and hydrogen exposure
- Welding and forming behavior
Example: A 12 mm thick A516 Gr 70 plate may be suitable for a 20-bar vessel, while a 50 mm plate may be needed for >60-bar operations.
Mechanical Behavior Based on Thickness
- Thin plates (6–12 mm): Used in atmospheric or low-pressure tanks
- Mid-range (16–40 mm): Suitable for boilers, columns, reactors
- Heavy plates (50–150 mm): For high-pressure and thick-wall vessels
- All plates undergo UT testing, lamination checks, and sometimes PWHT suitability analysis in thicker sections.
Grades Commonly Supplied in Varying Thicknesses
- ASTM A516 Gr 60 / 70 – 6 mm to 150 mm
- ASTM A387 Gr 11 / 22 – 8 mm to 120 mm
- EN 10028 P355GH / P265GH – 6 mm to 100 mm
- SAILMA / HIC / DSQ Plates – Custom profiles up to 250 mm
Available Sizes & Plate Configurations
- Thickness: 6 mm to 150 mm (up to 300 mm for projects)
- Width: 1250 mm to 3000 mm
- Length: Up to 12 meters or cut-to-length
- Edges: Mill Edge, Sheared, Bevel Cut
- Supply Forms: Hot Rolled, Normalized, Quenched & Tempered
Thickness Selection by Industry Use
- Refineries & Boilers: 10–40 mm
- Chemical Reactors: 20–80 mm
- Power Plants: 25–100 mm
- Offshore & HIC service: 30–150 mm
- Acid Storage: 12–50 mm (with HIC or SS cladding)
Plate Processing Capabilities
- CNC Plasma/Oxy-fuel cutting for thick plates
- Stress relieving and flattening for >50 mm plates
- Ultrasonic (UT) and lamination testing for critical thickness
- Heat treatment as per ASME SA20 or EN 10204
Why Choose Hindustan Steel Corporation?
- We stock all thicknesses from 6 mm to 150 mm
- Custom-cut plates for fabrication-ready supply
- IBR Form-III, EN 10204 3.1/3.2, CE Marked plates
- Thickness tolerance as per ASME SA20, EN 10029 Class B
Related Plate Types by Thickness
- Thin: DSQ Plates, IS 2062 E250
- Medium: SA 516 Gr 60/70, EN 10028 P355NH
- Heavy: A387 Alloy Plates, HIC-Resistant, Chrome Moly
Export Projects Supplied With Custom Thicknesses
We supply cut-to-size pressure vessel plates in:
- UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, South Africa, Oman, Egypt
- Used in heat exchangers, digesters, H₂S towers, LPG bullets
Certifications & Compliance by Thickness
- All thicknesses >12 mm tested as per NACE, EN 10160, ASME SA20
- Supplied with:
✅ IBR Form-III
✅ UT Level B / C
✅ 3.1 / 3.2 MTC
✅ CE & PED certification
Buyer Tips for Choosing the Right Plate Thickness
- Check design pressure & operating temperature
- Match with allowable stress of the plate material
- Ask for minimum wall thickness after corrosion allowance
- Request UT testing and flatness report for >40 mm plates
Cut-to-Size & Profiled Plate Options
- Thickness: 6 mm to 150 mm
- Cut shapes: Circular, Elliptical, Dish End blanks
- Delivered in ready-to-weld format for project savings
FAQs for Thickness Range in Pressure Vessel Plates
Can thick plates above 100 mm be ultrasonically tested?
Yes. UT Level B or C is done even up to 200 mm thickness.
. Are all thicknesses IBR approved?
Yes, provided they pass mechanical testing and are certified by an IBR-recognized body.
How do I choose thickness for HIC service?
Select based on stress calculations + corrosion allowance. Ask for HIC test compliance and TM0284 report.
Can I order plates in exact thickness cut?
Yes. We offer cut-to-thickness and width as per your fabrication drawings.
Need cut-to-size, certified HIC-tested boiler plates?
Get in touch with Hindustan Steel Corporation for ready stock, MTC-backed, project-grade steel plates in custom sizes