Ship plate grade AQ5 is a high-performance structural steel specifically designed for marine applications, adhering to strict international shipping standards.
A defining characteristic of AQ5 is its excellent low-temperature toughness. It maintains stable mechanical properties even in moderately cold environments, with a minimum impact energy value that meets the requirements for withstanding dynamic loads at temperatures around 0°C. This grade also boasts good weldability—its chemical composition, with controlled carbon and alloy content, minimizes the risk of weld cracking during fabrication, a critical factor for assembling large ship hulls. Additionally, AQ5 has reliable strength, including a minimum yield strength that ensures structural integrity under the weight of ship components and external forces like waves.
In terms of its role, AQ5 primarily serves as a foundational material for constructing ship hulls, decks, and bulkheads. It provides the necessary structural support to keep vessels stable during navigation, especially in coastal or near-sea waters where temperature fluctuations are moderate.
The advantages of AQ5 lie in its balance of performance and cost-effectiveness. Compared to higher-grade ship plates designed for extreme conditions, it offers sufficient toughness and strength for non-polar or temperate marine environments at a more economical price. Its good formability also allows manufacturers to bend and shape the plates into complex hull structures without compromising durability.
Regarding application scope, AQ5 is widely used in building coastal cargo ships, fishing vessels, and small to medium-sized passenger ships that operate in regions with mild climates, such as the Mediterranean Sea, East Asian coastal waters, and the Caribbean. It is also suitable for offshore platforms and marine auxiliary equipment that do not face extreme low temperatures or harsh corrosive conditions.
