China’s Pressure Vessel Materials Reach World-Class Standards: Comprehensive Development from 2000-2020
The rapid development of petrochemical and coal chemical industries from 2000 to 2020 has driven pressure vessel products toward larger scale and higher parameter specifications. This period has witnessed remarkable achievements in the research, development, and application of high-temperature, high-pressure, and corrosion-resistant materials. Key domestic materials including CrMo steel thick plates, large thick-walled forgings, nickel-based alloy NS1402, duplex steel, and 9%Ni low-temperature steel have been successfully developed and applied in engineering projects.
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| Key Achievement: China’s comprehensive technical level of pressure vessel materials has reached world-class standards, marking a significant milestone in the country’s industrial development. |
Five Major Technological Breakthroughs
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Low P and S Content with High Purity
Pressure vessel materials require low phosphorus and sulfur content with high purity. Most domestic steel mills now possess external refining and vacuum degassing processes, with some equipped with electroslag remelting technology. Through electromagnetic stirring, light reduction, and full argon protection during steel pouring, actual sulfur content can reach 0.001% and phosphorus content below 0.005%.
≤0.005%
Phosphorus Content |
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Excellent Comprehensive Mechanical Properties
Petrochemical equipment steel has high technical requirements. For certain process applications, design units propose additional material and manufacturing requirements, such as post-weld heat treatment simulation and providing 100,000-hour creep strength data. These requirements demand strict control throughout smelting, rolling, and heat treatment processes.
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Adaptation to Low and High Temperature Performance Requirements
With the implementation of clean energy policies, domestic LNG low-temperature storage technology has developed rapidly. China now produces a complete series of nickel-based low-temperature steels and high manganese steels, with some products reaching international leading levels.
Low-Temperature Steel Series:
Nickel content variations: 0.5%Ni, 3.5%Ni, 5%Ni, 7%Ni, 9%Ni
Additional materials: 400-series high manganese steel
Forging capacity: Maximum outer diameter 6800-7500mm, maximum single weight ~250 tons, wall thickness up to 400mm
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Meeting Diverse Petrochemical Steel Variety and Specification Demands
Petrochemical energy steels require diverse varieties and specifications. Plates, forgings, and pipes must be coordinated to meet engineering design requirements. Recent standards updates demonstrate China’s comprehensive pressure vessel steel capabilities.
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89
Heat Exchanger Tube Grades |
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Broader Application Range with Enhanced Safety
Petrochemical equipment steels must withstand high temperature, high pressure, and corrosive media. Comprehensive research on high-temperature performance, creep properties, low-temperature brittle fracture, and corrosion resistance ensures equipment safety during operation.
Research Highlights:
• 2.25Cr-1Mo-0.25V forgings tested for over 30,000 hours at 454°C
• Q345R steel plate thickness and heat treatment relationship studies
• Super austenitic stainless steel critical cracking temperature research
• 9%Ni steel reversed austenite and low-temperature toughness correlation
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Strategic Impact and Future Outlook
These technological advances demonstrate China’s commitment to fundamental research in petrochemical energy steels. The comprehensive understanding of material behavior under various conditions enables more accurate prediction of potential issues and appropriate preventive measures. This knowledge base allows for more precise determination of material application ranges and operating conditions.
The development represents not only technical achievement but also strategic importance for China’s energy security and industrial independence. The ability to produce world-class pressure vessel materials domestically reduces reliance on imports and strengthens the country’s position in global petrochemical equipment manufacturing.
Conclusion
China’s pressure vessel materials industry has achieved remarkable progress from 2000-2020, reaching world-class standards across multiple technical dimensions. The comprehensive capabilities in material design, production, testing, and application position China as a global leader in petrochemical equipment materials, supporting the country’s growing energy infrastructure and industrial development needs.
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