Why is Grade E carbon lower than Grade D?

Dropping the cap to 0.18% C (from 0.21%) is one of the levers — with Al grain refinement — that lets the same 235 MPa steel pass Charpy tests at −40 °C instead of −20 °C.

Grades · Structural & HSLA Steel · Grade E (ship)

Grade E (ship)

Data under review

Grade E is the −40 °C member of the ordinary-strength ship steels: 235 MPa yield with Charpy toughness guaranteed at −40 °C under classification-society rules. It serves ice-going and cold-climate vessels whose scantlings do not justify higher-tensile EH grades.

AISIA131 E

JISKE (near)

GBE (GB/T 712)

CategoryStructural & HSLA Steel

Chemical composition

Element	Content (%)
C	≤0.18
Si	≤0.35
Mn	0.70–1.20
P	≤0.035
S	≤0.035
Note	Al-treated fine-grain practice; chemistry per class rules (IACS UR W11)

Weight percent, per the governing standard ranges. Actual values per heat are on the mill certificate.

Properties

Yield strength	≥235 MPa
Tensile strength	400–520 MPa
Impact	−40 °C, ≥27 J longitudinal (≤50 mm)
Density	7.85 g/cm³

Heat treatment

Supplied normalized or TMCP under class survey; carbon is capped lower (0.18%) to protect the −40 °C toughness.

Equivalent grades

Standard	Designation
aisi	A131 E
jis	KE (near)
gb	E (GB/T 712)

Compare side by side: Grade E (ship) vs Grade D (ship)

Equivalents overlap in chemistry and use but are not always identical — see our equivalents guide before substituting in certified designs.

Applications & Processing

Applications: Ice-going vessels, Arctic service craft, cold-climate marine and port structures.

Processing: Match welding consumables to the −40 °C class; class certificates accompany the plates.

FAQ

Why is Grade E carbon lower than Grade D?: Dropping the cap to 0.18% C (from 0.21%) is one of the levers — with Al grain refinement — that lets the same 235 MPa steel pass Charpy tests at −40 °C instead of −20 °C.

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Source: Classification-society rules (IACS UR W11) published ranges · Last updated 2026-11-03. Data is indicative — verify critical values against the governing standard and mill certificate before use.