What is EH32 steel plate?
EH32 completes the H32 series at −40 °C. The chemistry limits are those of AH32 and DH32, but the mill controls it more tightly — carbon typically 0.10–0.14 %, sulphur ≤ 0.010 % on most heats, niobium-titanium fine-grain practice — and the delivery condition is normalised or TM-rolled with accelerated cooling, because 31 J at −40 °C through 80 mm is only reached with a uniformly fine ferrite grain. The E grade appears in the class material tables wherever a brittle fracture would be catastrophic: sheer strake and deck stringer above about 25–30 mm, bilge strake above 30 mm, hatch coamings and ice-belt plating of ships with Polar or Baltic ice notations, and throughout hulls with a design temperature below −20 °C. It is also the shipbuilding grade that offshore fabricators use for jack-up legs, modules and quayside structures at −40 °C design temperature when a 315 MPa steel with class certification is preferred over a structural S355NL. Because these plates carry through-thickness loads at cruciform joints, EH32 is often ordered with Z35 (EN 10164) lamellar-tearing resistance and 100 % ultrasonic testing. Plates are rolled at society-approved mills, stamped and released by the surveyor.
Chemical composition
| Element | C | Si | Mn | P | S | Al | Nb | V | Ti | Cu | Cr | Ni | Mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| max. % (ladle) | ≤ 0.18 | ≤ 0.50 | 0.90–1.60 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 | ≥ 0.015 (total) | 0.02–0.05 | 0.05–0.10 | ≤ 0.02 | ≤ 0.35 | ≤ 0.20 | ≤ 0.40 | ≤ 0.08 |
As for the H32 series; for EH32 the mills typically run C 0.10–0.14 %, S ≤ 0.010 % and Nb + Ti fine-grain practice to reach the −40 °C toughness at thickness. CEV ≤ 0.36 (TM) / ≤ 0.40 (N).
Mechanical properties
| Property | Requirement | Typical value | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strength ReH | ≥ 315 MPa | 335–380 MPa | |
| Tensile strength Rm | 440–570 MPa | 460–520 MPa | |
| Elongation A5 | ≥ 22 % | 26–32 % | |
| Charpy V, longitudinal | ≥ 31 J at −40 °C | 60–120 J | t ≤ 50 mm; 22 J transverse |
| Charpy V, t 50–70 mm | ≥ 38 J at −40 °C | — | 50 J above 70 mm |
| Bend test | 180°, 3 t | passes | transverse |
Equivalent grades
| System | Grade | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM A131 | EH32 | identical |
| LR | EH32 | |
| DNV | NV E32 | |
| BV | EH32 | |
| ABS | EH32 | |
| GL (legacy) | GL-E32 | |
| EN 10025-3 (approx.) | S275NL | normalised structural, −50 °C; no class certificate |
| EN 10225 (offshore) | S355G-series | higher strength, offshore certified |
Through-thickness and ultrasonic options
| Option | Standard | What it guarantees | When to specify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z35 through-thickness | EN 10164 / society rules | reduction of area ≥ 35 % in the thickness direction | plates ≥ 20 mm loaded through thickness at cruciform and T joints |
| Ultrasonic testing | EN 10160 class S2/E3 or society UT | freedom from laminations and internal defects | all E-grade plates in primary structure; offshore |
| Extra Charpy at −60 °C | society / project | toughness margin below the grade minimum | Polar class, Arctic offshore |
| CTOD testing | BS 7910 / project spec | fracture toughness of plate and HAZ | offshore primary structure |
| Shop primer | class-approved zinc silicate | Sa 2½ + 15–20 µm | yard delivery, stamps preserved |
Thickness range and stock sizes
| Thickness | Widths × lengths | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 10–20 mm | 2 000 / 2 500 × 6 000–12 000 | mill order 5–7 weeks; some class stock |
| 25–40 mm | 2 500 / 3 000 × 6 000–12 000 | mill order, N or TM |
| 50–80 mm | 2 500 / 3 000 × 6 000–10 000 | mill order, normalised; UT recommended |
| Cut / bevelled | plasma to 80 mm; K / X bevels | from the nesting file |
Weight per m² and per plate
| Thickness | kg/m² | 1 500 × 6 000 (kg) | 2 000 × 6 000 (kg) | 2 500 × 12 000 (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mm | 78.5 | 707 | 942 | 2 355 |
| 12 mm | 94.2 | 848 | 1 130 | 2 826 |
| 15 mm | 117.8 | 1 060 | 1 413 | 3 533 |
| 20 mm | 157.0 | 1 413 | 1 884 | 4 710 |
| 25 mm | 196.3 | 1 766 | 2 355 | 5 888 |
| 30 mm | 235.5 | 2 120 | 2 826 | 7 065 |
| 40 mm | 314.0 | 2 826 | 3 768 | 9 420 |
| 50 mm | 392.5 | 3 533 | 4 710 | 11 775 |
| 60 mm | 471.0 | 4 239 | 5 652 | 14 130 |
| 80 mm | 628.0 | 5 652 | 7 536 | 18 840 |
Figures are nominal: thickness tolerance to EN 10029 class A can add 4 % on the thinnest plate. We invoice theoretical weight by default and actual weight on request.
Cutting, welding and shop primer
Plasma to 80 mm with bevels from the nesting file. Welding uses class-approved grade 4Y consumables (−40 °C) — SMAW low-hydrogen, FCAW rutile-basic or SAW basic flux — with preheat of 50–75 °C from 30 mm and interpass below 250 °C; heat input on TM plate limited (typically ≤ 3.0 kJ/mm) to keep HAZ toughness, and every procedure qualified with Charpy at −40 °C in weld and HAZ. Shop primer Sa 2½ plus class-approved zinc silicate 15–20 µm; stamps and heat numbers re-marked under survey.
Where it is used
- Sheer strake, deck stringer and bilge strake above 25–30 mm in H32 hulls
- Ice-belt plating for Baltic, Polar and Arctic notations
- Hatch coamings and heavy tank stringers
- Offshore modules, jack-up legs and quayside structures at −40 °C
- Cold-climate tugs, icebreaking supply craft and fishing vessels
EH32 vs DH32 vs EH36
DH32 is the same steel tested at −20 °C — sufficient for most hull members; EH32 is required only where the class table or a design temperature below −20 °C asks for it. EH36 delivers 355 MPa at the same −40 °C for H36 hulls and is the more usual offshore grade; where a structural code applies instead of class, S355NL covers −50 °C without a society certificate.
Price
EH32 is priced per certificate lot: typically 8–15 % above AH32 for the normalising / TM route, the −40 °C test and the smaller lot sizes, plus survey and any Z35 or UT supplements. Send the plate list with society and supplements for a firm price within a working day.
Bands from our weekly export list (September 2026), FOB Istanbul, full-container quantities, excluding freight and certificates. Firm price per project on RFQ within one working day.
Export and packing
Export packing of EH32 steel plate: plates on bearers, banded, stamped; primed plates with separators. Loading: 20' ≈ 20 t; 40' HC ≈ 24 t; 12 m and heavy plate breakbulk from Derince. HS code is assigned by surface and alloy: 7208 (hot-rolled), 7209 (cold-rolled), 7210 (coated), 7225 / 7226 (alloy).
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| MOQ | 10 t per size; 20 t per certificate lot |
| Incoterms | FOB Istanbul · CIF / CFR Gulf, Africa · DAP EU, Balkans, Iraq, Caucasus · DAP Aktau |
| Lead time | Mill order 5–7 weeks; limited class stock 12–30 mm |
| Packing | Plates on bearers, banded, stamped; primed plates with separators |
| Container / truck | 20' ≈ 20 t; 40' HC ≈ 24 t; 12 m and heavy plate breakbulk from Derince |
| Documents | Invoice, packing list, EN 10204 3.1 (3.2 on request), certificate of origin; SASO / SONCAP / PVoC on request |
| Payment | 30% advance, balance against B/L copy; L/C at sight for orders above 100 t |
Certificates and testing
Every lot of EH32 steel plate carries an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate listing heat, chemistry, mechanical and impact results. Third-party 3.2 certification by Lloyd's, BV, TÜV or SGS is ordered per lot. Ultrasonic examination to EN 10160 and additional low-temperature impact tests are quoted together with the plate.
How to order
Specify EH32, the society, thickness × width × length or the nesting list, delivery condition (N / TM), supplements (Z35, UT, extra Charpy), shop primer, quantity and port; give the design temperature if it is below −40 °C so the mill can offer a Polar-class heat.
Standards
- IACS UR W11
- LR / BV / DNV / ABS / RINA / TL rules
- ASTM A131 Grade EH32
- EN 10164 Z35 (through-thickness) on request
- Society certificate (3.2 equivalent)
Grades
Grade data sheets (chemistry, mechanicals, equivalents) are on our reference site: EH32 · DH32 · EH36
Frequently asked questions
What is EH32 steel?
A higher-strength shipbuilding steel with 315 MPa yield and 440–570 MPa tensile, impact-tested at −40 °C (31 J), normalised or TM-rolled and certified by a classification society — the E grade of the H32 series.
What is the difference between EH32 and EH36?
Strength: 315 against 355 MPa yield. Both are −40 °C grades; EH36 is the usual choice for H36 hulls and offshore, EH32 for H32-series designs and where a lower yield ratio is wanted.
When does the class require EH32?
For the most critical members (sheer strake, deck stringer, coamings) above about 25–30 mm, ice-belt plating with ice-class notations, and throughout hulls or structures with a design temperature below −20 °C.
Can EH32 be supplied with Z35 and UT?
Yes — EN 10164 Z35 through-thickness and EN 10160 or society ultrasonic testing are ordered with the plate; both are standard for offshore primary structure.
What is the lead time for EH32?
Mostly mill order, 5–7 weeks; some 12–30 mm class stock exists. Cutting and bevelling at Dilovası add 3–5 working days.