What Is PVQ?

By Jeff Weigang

There are a lot of options when it comes to purchasing steel. Steel plate is something that can be formed easily, allowing you to create cylinders, closed vessels, and much more. Understanding the differences and what you need to meet the standards for what you are creating is of the utmost importance.

PVQ stands for pressure vessel quality. It is a form of steel plate that is used in the marine and offshore industries. Knowing what it can be used for will make it easier to determine if it is the right material for you to use for a specific project.

PVQ steel plate falls under the category of being a medium carbon alloy. It is filled with various elements to include manganese, phosphorus, silicon, and sulfur. It is what helps to give it the strength so that it is capable of withstanding higher levels of pressure.

This alloy is commonly used in the production of all sorts of different pressure vessels, including closed containers designed to hold liquids and gases. Anything that is held under pressure will need to have PVQ so that it doesn't encounter a blowout.

When you hear about a container leaking or exploding, it is often because the metal used was not pressure vessel quality. The alloy is a lot stronger than other alloys, which is why it's a medium level instead of light. Further, it is because it has all of the elements as explained above.

It's important to know that there are different grades of PVQ, too. This includes such ones as:

A285

TC128

A516

A537

A612

Each grade is going to have characteristics that you should be aware of. One might be able to withstand lower temperatures while another will be less likely to corrode when exposed to a specific chemical. This is when it pays to work with someone who knows about the different alloys and grades. You can speak to a steel supplier or a regulating organization about what your best option is.

The steel plates within each grade will vary in terms of their mechanical properties. The tensile load, the yield, and even the elongation will vary. This means you have to decide what is needed before you make a decision.

It's important for you to do your research when it comes to PDQ. You want to get the grade that is going to work best for the kind of project you are taking on. You need to look at the pressure level, the temperature, as well as the gas or liquid type that is going to be stored inside.

You can depend heavily on a supplier or a regulating organization to provide you with more insight as to what PDQ is and how it's going to make an impact on the steel plate that you purchase. It is the only type of alloy you should be considering when you are producing any kind of pressure vessel.

Ranger Steel has always strived to form personal relationships with customers in a wide variety of industries. The industries we serve are as follows: ship building, oil and gas, mining, light and heavy commercial and industrial construction; service centers; as well as fabricators for heavy plate, vessel and heat exchangers, storage tanks, bridges, electrical transmission, and railcars.