Blog Layout

The Various Types Of Steel Used In The Shipbuilding Industry

May 03, 2023
Types Of Steel Used In The Shipbuilding Industry

Shipbuilding is among the oldest industries. It began with the construction of maritime vessels and has continued ever since. 


Due to ongoing inventions and developments, ships have improved in durability, strength, and speed. Additionally, they have grown considerably in size. There are many kinds of ships, from the traditional wooden ships that were originally built to the contemporary big steel ships.


Modern ships can navigate the oceans much more efficiently with passengers and goods on board. Besides that, the travel time has also been significantly shortened. This has resulted in the establishment of one of the world's major industries, the shipbuilding industry.


So, let's take a closer look at the various types of steel used to build modern ships these days. 


What Are The Kinds Of Steel Utilised In Shipbuilding?

The Kinds Of Steel Utilised In Shipbuilding

The need for more durable materials has grown as ships get bigger. This resulted in the creation of shipbuilding steel, a material that offers the best attributes of steel plates while being strong enough to survive the choppy and salty seas.


Like steel production for other industries, shipbuilding steel is produced to meet maritime safety requirements. Here are some of the steels that are being used in shipbuilding.


AH36

One of the key factors in the construction of ships is the thickness of each steel plate. Due to the fact that it is a natural occurrence that cannot be avoided, stormy seas are highly prevalent. As a result, the ship is constantly exposed to powerful currents and waves.


If a ship doesn't have the required thickness for safety reasons, there may be holes and cracks that might seriously harm it or, in the worst-case scenario, cause it to sink. This poses a threat to the ship's crew, passengers, and cargo as well.


With these considerations in mind, stronger steel is used to build ships. Compared to the typical steel varieties used in various other industries, this steel, designated as AH36, is highly regarded for its durability, high tensile strength, and high yield strength. The 220mm thickness of AH36 gives many seafaring vessels a very durable surface.


EH36

Manufacturers in the shipbuilding industry are not only worried about the risks associated with sea travel. Shipbuilding steel needs to be able to endure a range of temperatures. As such, EH36 was created to address this situation.


Known for its capacity to endure extremely high temperatures, this steel is used to construct ships. Due to their extensive sea travel, ships must be designed to withstand a wide range of temperatures. Using ordinary steel will result in greater wear and tear due to the intense temperature causing the steel to expand and shrink.


When EH36 steel is utilised in the construction of ships, the shifting temperatures are well managed. Moreover, these steel plates are simple to weld together due to this material's temperature resilience. Hence, the ship's hulls and primary structure are built more effectively.


DH36

The major portions of the ship are constructed with this type of steel because it has incredible quality and outstanding durability. Ship hulls and main structures are another application for this type of steel. 


It is also utilised for refitting, a procedure that must be followed in order to improve various ship structural components. The DH36 steel type is frequently used to construct large container ships and opulent cruise ships.



The Different Grades Of Steel In Shipbuilding

Different Grades Of Steel In Shipbuilding

Steel continues to be the material of choice for shipbuilding despite many other materials being used. So, here are the five different grades of steel that have been categorised in the industry. 


Grade A 

Bulkheads and other ship constructions with less than 20 mm thickness are made of this mild steel.


Grade B

Structures measuring 20 to 25 mm incorporate this slightly stronger steel.


Grade D

For structures that are thicker than 25 mm, grade D steel is recommended since it has the strength to withstand cracking.


Grade E

This grade of steel is utilised for constructions of 50 mm or larger and is heat treated for maximum strength, making it the perfect material for high-stress areas of the ship, such as the keel.


Arctic D

Icebreakers frequently employ this unique grade, which is designed to remain firm even at very low temperatures.


The Advancement Of Shipbuilding Relies On Steel Fabrication And Various Technology

When you consider the various types of steel used in shipbuilding, as well as the various forms and sizes of steel required, powerful technology is essential to give the proper fabrication.


Looking for a quality steel fabrication company in Malaysia? Choose Choong Ngai Engineering! 

So, if you're looking for a steel fabricator in Malaysia, visit us at Choong Ngai Engineering today to speak to our experts. We at Choong Ngai Engineering have years of experience and knowledge to answer your doubts or concerns, and we ensure to provide you with the quality solution you're looking for. Call us now!

Industries That Benefit From Metal Stamping
18 Jan, 2024
Explore the various industries that benefit from the metal stamping technique and find out how metal bending services in Malaysia aid and progress these fields.
Round Metal Fabrication Malaysia
15 Jan, 2024
Discover the differences between liquid and powder coating with this informative article. Find out which method is best for you based on the needs of your project.
12 Jan, 2024
Welding, the modern industrial world's "alchemy," joins metals and other substances with the skill of a surgeon and the durability of a titan. However, flaws can occur in this complex combination of heat and metal. Welding flaws are sneaky rivals that can weaken structures and jeopardise integrity. In this piece, we'll take a tour of the welding world and look for the most common mistakes. We'll examine every imperfection, from porosity to cracks, identifying their causes and exploring methods to stop them from recurring. So, whether you're an expert welder or a newbie enthusiast, come along with us as we strive to perfect our craft and make every weld a shining example of our expertise. Overlap Overlap happens when the weld's face goes past its toe. As the filler material spreads over the entire weld joint and cools, fusing to the foundation material is difficult. Proper welding is the best way to avoid the overlap welding defect. The operator may avoid overlap by keeping the welding rod held at the proper angle and moving at a moderate pace. Welding too slowly can also result in an overlap. Craters Craters are a frequent welding flaw that develops during aluminium welding. They form at the weld bead's tip. Ignoring craters will create stress points, which will ultimately cause the weld to crack. Craters can be avoided by properly terminating the weld bead. They occur when the welding is halted before a pass is completed. Additionally, craters can be avoided by filling the space between the tack welds and the weld bead. Even in the unlikely event that craters form, they can usually be repaired, provided the weld bead is intact. Simply fill in the crater by creating an arc from a point immediately beyond the hole and going back over it. Porosity
11 Jan, 2024
Metal stamping is an advanced and widely utilised manufacturing process that has come a long way since its beginnings in coin-making during the 7th century. It’s used to create components for various industries such as automotive, electronics, etc., while also being able to save time and money through efficiency while ensuring precision parts of high quality are delivered. In this blog post, we’ll cover all aspects of metal stamping, including its many methods and machines involved in the process, and discuss its advantages when employed. What Is Metal Stamping? Metal stamping is a process that has been around since the seventh century when it was originally used to make coins. Today, metal stamping dies are employed to create shapes and patterns on sheet metal with high accuracy and efficiency for various industries. The advantages of this manufacturing method include: Low cost Versatility Rapid production cycles Precision results in its formation Unfortunately, certain types of metals cannot be effectively shaped using this technique, which should be taken into account by users considering such an approach. Die-stamping techniques include progressive die stamping (for mass-producing parts) and transfer punching, where punches remove material from one area at once while transferring them simultaneously onto another piece. Four-slide equipment or multi-slide presses allow complex geometries and intricate designs, among other applications. At the same time, fine blanking can deliver precise cutting dimensions due to specialised tool designs especially suited for softer materials like aluminium alloys. These technologies bring unique benefits depending on requirements and/or industry needs, making them ideal choices based on those parameters. The Various Types Of Metal Stamping Process
Sheet Metals In Architecture
08 Nov, 2023
Discover architecture's elegant union of art and engineering with sheet metal fabrication. Find out the benefits that are altering the way modern buildings are built.
Metal Fabrication Safety Measures
02 Nov, 2023
Discover the most crucial safety measures for metal fabrication in Malaysia. Learn how these precautions are vital for protecting artists in this dynamic industry.
Exploring 6 Techniques To Cut Sheet Metal
31 Oct, 2023
Discover the fundamentals of sheet metal fabrication. Find out how these cutting techniques can help you become a better sheet metal fabricator.
Ball Screw And How Are They Used
27 Oct, 2023
Learn about the importance of ball screws in heavy machinery spare parts in Malaysia. Discover how these vital parts improve machinery precision and efficiency.
Sheet Metal Fabrication Used In The Automobile Industry
04 Oct, 2023
Metal fabrication in Malaysia is vital for the creation of automobiles. Read to find out more about how metal fabrication contributes to the automobile industry.
Metal Spinning And What Are Their Advantages
02 Oct, 2023
Metal spinning is the shaping of metal while using pressure to mould it into the desired shape. Discover the benefits of metal bending services in Malaysia.
More Posts
Share by: