Ministry of Defence

Defence Standard 02-791 (NES 791)

Issue 1 Publication Date 01 April 2000

Requirements For Weldable

Structural Steels

Part 4
'BX' Quality Steel-Plates

Incorporating NES 791 Category 2

Issue 2 Publication Date December 1988
 AMENDMENT RECORD

Amd No Date Text Affected Signature and Date

REVISION NOTE

This standard is raised to Issue 1 to update its content.

HISTORICAL RECORD

This standard supersedes the following:

Naval Engineering Standard (NES) 791 Part 4 Issue 2 dated December 1988.
 Ministry of Defence

Naval Engineering Standard

NES 791 Part 4 Issue 2 (Reformatted) December 1988

REQUIREMENTS FOR WELDABLE

STRUCTURAL STEELS

PART 4

‘BX’ QUALITY STEEL—PLATES

 This NES Supersedes

NES 791 PART 4 ISSUE 1

Record of Amendments

AMDT INSERTED BY DATE

10
 NAVAL ENGINEERING STANDARD 791

REQUIREMENTS FOR WELDABLE STRUCTURAL STEELS

PART 4
ISSUE 2 (REFORMATTED)

‘BX’ QUALITY STEEL—PLATE

The issue and use of this Standard

is authorized for use in MOD contracts

by MOD(PE) Sea Systems and

the Naval Support Command

ECROWN COPYRIGHT

Published by:

Director of Naval Architecture

Procurement Executive, Ministry of Defence
Sea Systems, Foxhill, Bath BA1 5AB
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 NES 791
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SCOPE

1. The requirements for ‘BX’ Quality Steel Plate in thickness above 18mm for special structural
purposes. Each plate is tested to ensure minimum susceptibility to lamellar tearing.

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NES 791
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FOREWORD
Sponsorship
1. This Naval Engineering Standard (NES) is sponsored by the Procurement Executive, Ministry
of Defence, Chief Naval Architect (CNA), Section NA 132.
2. It is to be applied as required by any Ministry of Defence contract for steel plate of ‘BX’ quality
for special structural purposes and is applicable to Surface Ships and Submarines.
3. This NES comprises:

Requirements for Weldable Structural Steels

Part 1 Mild Steel—Plate, Sections and Bars.

Part 2 Notch Tough Mild Steel—Plate.

Part 3 ‘B’ Quality Steel—Plates and Sections.

Part 4 ‘BX’ Quality Steel—Plate.

4. If it is found to be technically unsuitable for any particular requirement the Sponsor is to be

informed in writing of the circumstances with a copy to CNA, Section NA 145.
5. Any user of this NES either within MOD or in outside industry may propose an amendment
to it. Proposals for amendments which are:
a. not directly applicable to a particular contract are to be made to the Sponsor of the NES;
b. directly applicable to a particular contract are to be dealt with using existing procedures
or as specified in the contract.
6. No alteration is to be made to this NES except by the issue of a formal amendment.
7. Unless otherwise stated, reference in this NES to approval, approved, authorized and similar
terms means by the Ministry of Defence.
8. Any significant amendments that may be made to this NES at a later date will be indicated
by a vertical sideline. Deletions will be indicated by 000 appearing at the end of the line
intervals.
9. This NES has been reissued to update preliminary pages and because of the changes required
due to the revision of BS 4360.

Conditions of Release
General
10. This Naval Engineering Standard (NES) has been prepared for the use of the Crown and of
its contractors in the execution of contracts for the Crown. The Crown hereby excludes all
liability (other than liability for death or personal injury) whatsoever and howsoever arising
(including but without limitation, negligence on the part of the Crown, its servants or agents)
for any loss or damage however caused where the NES is used for any other purpose.

11. This document is Crown Copyright and the information herein may be subject to Crown or
third party rights. It is not to be released, reproduced or published without written permission
of the MOD.
12. The Crown reserves the right to amend or modify the contents of this NES without consulting
or informing any holder.

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MOD Tender or Contract Process

13. This NES is the property of the Crown and unless otherwise authorized in writing by the MOD
must be returned on completion of the contract, or submission of the tender, in connection
with which it is issued.

14. When this NES is used in connection with a MOD tender or contract, the user is to ensure that
he is in possession of the appropriate version of each document, including related documents,
relevant to each particular tender or contract. Enquiries in this connection may be made of
the local MOD(PE) Quality Assurance Representative or the Authority named in the tender
or contract.

15. When NES are incorporated into MOD contracts, users are responsible for their correct
application and for complying with contracts and any other statutory requirements.
Compliance with an NES does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.

Related Documents

16. In the tender and procurement processes the related documents listed in each section and
Annex A can be obtained as follows:

a. British Standards British Standards Institution,

389 Chiswick High Road,
London W4 4AL

b. Defence Standards Directorate of Standardization and Safety Policy,

Stan 1, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street,
Glasgow G2 8EX

c. Naval Engineering Standards CSE3a, CSE Llangennech, Llanelli,

Dyfed SA14 8YP

d. Other documents Tender or Contract Sponsor to advise.

Note: Tender or Contract Sponsor can advise in cases of difficulty.

17. All applications to Ministry Establishments for related documents are to quote the relevant
MOD Invitation to Tender or Contract Number and date, together with the sponsoring
Directorate and the Tender or Contract Sponsor.

18. Prime Contractors are responsible for supplying their subcontractors with relevant
documentation, including specifications, standards and drawings.

Health and Safety

Warning

19. This NES may call for the use of processes, substances and/or procedures that may be injurious
to health if adequate precautions are not taken. It refers only to technical suitability and in
no way absolves either the supplier or the user from statutory obligations relating to health
and safety at any stage of manufacture or use. Where attention is drawn to hazards, those
quoted may not necessarily be exhaustive.

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CONTENTS
Page No

TITLE PAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Sponsorship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Conditions of Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
MOD Tender or Contract Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Related Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Health and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
SECTION 1. MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURE . . . . . . . . . . 1.1
1.1 Chemical Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1
TABLE 1.1 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION . . . . . . 1.1
1.2 Weight Rolling Margins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1
1.3 Flatness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1
SECTION 2. TEST REQUIREMENTS AND MECHANICAL
PROPERTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1
TABLE 2.1 PLATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1
2.1 Ultrasonic Examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2
SECTION 3. QUALITY OF FINISHED STEEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1
3.1 Surface Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1
SECTION 4. QUALITY ASSURANCE DOCUMENTATION . . . 4.1
SECTION 5. IDENTIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1
ANNEX A. RELATED DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.1
ANNEX B. DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . B.1
ANNEX C. SURFACE CONDITION OF HOT ROLLED
HEAVY PLATE, MEDIUM PLATE, AND WIDE
FLATS/UNIVERSALS. STANDARD FOR
REFERENCE IN CASES OF DISPUTE . . . . . . . . . C.1
C.1 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.1
C.2 DEFINITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.1
C.3 SURFACE ASSESSMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.1
C.3.1 METHOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.1
C.3.2 SURFACE DEFECT AREA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.1
C.3.3 DEFECT DEPTHS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.1
C.3.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF DEFECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.2
FIGURE C.1 PLATES <12MM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.3
FIGURE C.2 PLATES >12MM <20MM . . . . . . . C.3
FIGURE C.3 PLATES 20MM TO 50MM . . . . . . . . C.3
ALPHABETICAL INDEX

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1. MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURE

a. The steel is to comply with the requirements of BS 4360 except where stated
herein.

b. The steelmaking process is to be in accordance with BS 4360. The steel is to be

fully killed, and is to have a grain size of 5 or finer determined by the
McQuaid−Ehn method in accordance with BS 4490. Plate is to be normalized.

1.1 Chemical Composition

a. The ladle analysis of the steel is to be as shown in TABLE 1.1:
C Si Mn S P
% max % min % max % min % max % max % max
0.19 0.10 0.35 1.20 1.70 0.025 0.025

TABLE 1.1 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

b. The carbon equivalent value when calculated in accordance with the formula
in option B7 of BS 4360 is not to exceed 0.45. The ladle analysis is to include
details of all elements in the carbon equivalent value (CEV) formula.

1.2 Weight Rolling Margins

a. The specified weight for plates is the maximum and the rolling margins are to
be wholly under the specified thickness. Option B16 and TABLE 37 of BS 4360
apply.

1.3 Flatness
a. Plates are to be flat within the tolerance limits specified in accordance with
BS 4360 Table 5.

1.1
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1.2
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2. TEST REQUIREMENTS AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

a. The steel plate is to be subjected to a tensile test from a sample test piece cut
in a crosswire direction in accordance with BS 4360 Section 3 Clause 21. Tensile
test samples are to be in accordance with BS 4360, Section 3 Clause 22 and the
test results are to be in accordance with mechanical properties shown in
TABLE 2.1.

Yield Elongation Charpy V Notch

Tensile strength min
i on
stress impact test
Thickness of gauge length
min max min of 5.65S o Temp Energy
plate
min av
N/mm 2 N/mm 2 N/mm 2 % °C
J
Above 18mm up
460 580 295 20 −30 40
to and inc 32mm
Above 32mm up
450 560 280 20 −30 40
to and inc 75mm

TABLE 2.1 PLATE

b. Three adjacent Charpy V-Notch specimens are to be taken from each plate. The
location, preparation and testing of the samples is to be in accordance with
BS 4360 Section 3.

c. Each broken Charpy test piece is to be examined for crystallinity in accordance

with BS 131 Part 5 and the crystallinity is not to be greater than 75%. For
general estimation of this area the visual method described in BS 131 Part 5
Clause 4a may be used. For critical cases approaching 75% crystallinity the more
direct methods described in Clauses 4b and 4c are to be used. If the method
described in Clause 4b is used, the crystalline area is to be estimated from the
mean values of at least three separate measurements of both width and length.

d. Through thickness tensile testing is to be undertaken on each test piece

removed from the six test blocks cut from each plate as shown in the sketch
below. Each test piece is to be of 6mm diam (minimum) and the gauge length
is to be the full plate thickness with friction welded extension pieces as required.

e. All samples tested from each plate are to have an average reduction of area not
less than 20%. If one or more samples fall below 15% reduction of area, two
further samples are to be taken from the same test block and provided no single
sample falls below 15% reduction of area the plate is acceptable.

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NES 791
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2.1 Ultrasonic Examination

a. Each plate is to be ultrasonically tested in accordance with NES 729. The
acceptance standard is to be L2−C2 to the requirements of BS 5996.

2.2
 NES 791
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3. QUALITY OF FINISHED STEEL

a. The quality of all finished steel is to be in accordance with BS 4360: Section 1,
except that the reference standard at ANNEX C. of this NES is to apply. The
correction of minor defects is to be limited such that the thickness is not locally
reduced by more than 4% below the minimum thickness otherwise allowed.
Correction of defects by weld repair is not permitted, options B11 and B12 of
BS 4360 apply.

b. In the assessment of ‘fitness for purpose’ any defect of a type which could affect
this purpose in respect of possible stress raisers or sites of local corrosion, eg
sharp bottomed scars or pits (see Notes 1 and 2 in Clause 3.c.), pitting with
overhanging edges etc, the purchaser is to report the product to the
manufacturer for early agreement on repair or replacement.

c. When the foregoing requirements have been met and there are surface
blemishes such that it is considered unsatisfactory, because the blemishes mar
the appearance of the plate or would adversely affect the adhesion of a protective
paint system, then Annex C. is to be used as the basis for arbitration between
the purchaser and the manufacturer.

Notes:

(1) For the purpose of this NES a sharp bottomed scar or pit is defined as any
scar or pit which is greater than 0.2mm deep and the depth is greater than
the width.

(2) To assist in the assessment of borderline cases a reference block is to be

used as the datum. This block may be in the form of 50mm ¢ 15mm
¢ 2mm with machined slots 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7mm wide. Other
forms of approved assessment methods may be used.

3.1 Surface Treatment

a. All plates are to be abrasively blasted in accordance with NES 755 and inspected
in accordance with Clauses 3.a. to 3.c. Immediately after blasting, the steel is
to be coated with priming paint in accordance with NES 757.

3.1
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3.2
 NES 791
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4. QUALITY ASSURANCE DOCUMENTATION

a. Certification is to be provided to the consignee in accordance with BS 4360 and
is to include ladle analysis, mechanical properties, with details of any reheat or
retest, and results of the non-destructive examination. This certification is
required even when inspection has taken place. A copy of each certificate is to
be provided to the MOD Quality Assurance Representative.

4.1
NES 791
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4.2
 NES 791
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5. IDENTIFICATION
a. All finished steel is to be legibly marked with the following:

(1) Hard Stamped—markings outlined by circling with paint of a

contrasting colour:

(a) specification number;

(b) cast number;

(c) test certificate number;

(d) manufacturer’s works code.

These numbers are to be positioned at the top right and left hand corners
either on the edge of the plate or on the plate within 16mm of the plate
edge.

(2) Painted Markings—located near the end of the plates:

(a) contract number;

(b) destination;

(c) dimensions;

(d) customer identification (last 7 digits of NS Cat No).

(3) Colour Coding—on each plate is to be painted with distinctive green,

yellow and white colour bands on diagonally opposite corners.

5.1
NES 791
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5.2
 NES 791
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ANNEX A.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
A.1 Reference is made to:
Referred to in Clause
BS 131 Part 5 Methods for Notched Bar 2.c.
Tests—Determination of
Crystallinity
BS 4232 Surface finish of blast-cleaned ANNEX C.
steel for painting
BS 4360 Specification for weldable 1.a., 1.b., 1.1b., 1.2a.,
structural steels 1.3a., 2.a., 2.b., 3.a.,
4.a., ANNEX C.
BS 4490 Methods for the determination of 1.b.
austenitic grain size of steel
BS 5996 Method of testing and quality 2.1a.
grading of ferritic steel plate by
ultrasonic methods
NES 729 Requirements for Non-destructive 2.1a.
Examination Methods
NES 755 Abrasive Blasting of Steel 3.1a.
NES 757 Application and Uses of 3.1a.
Prefabrication (Shop) Primers

A.1 ANNEX A.
NES 791
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ANNEX A. A.2
 NES 791
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ANNEX B.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
B.1 There are no Definitions and Abbreviations for this NES.

B.1 ANNEX B.
NES 791
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ANNEX B. B.2
 NES 791
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ANNEX C.

SURFACE CONDITION OF HOT ROLLED HEAVY PLATE, MEDIUM PLATE, AND WIDE
FLATS/UNIVERSALS. STANDARD FOR REFERENCE IN CASES OF DISPUTE

C.1 SCOPE
a. The surface conditions which supplement the quality requirements of BS 4360
for hot rolled heavy and medium plate, also hot rolled wide flats/universals in
thicknesses up to 50mm; for thickness over 50mm special agreements may be
made. The requirements for the surface condition of these steel products are to
be used as a basis for arbitration between the supplier and the customer where
the customer or his representative considers plate surface condition to be
unsatisfactory.

C.2 DEFINITION
a. This document relates solely to defects within the rolling margin, and is
concerned with those minor defects which arise in processing despite regular
maintenance of equipment and inspection controls, such as scale, pitting,
scores, small blisters and light surface laminations (slivers or shell). These are
not readily seen in the scaled condition and are revealed after descaling.

b. Within the terms of this standard a surface defect is a surface blemish or group
of minor blemishes which do not affect fitness for purpose but mar the surface
appearance of the plate.

C.3 SURFACE ASSESSMENT

C.3.1 METHOD

a. Both surfaces are to be inspected and assessed independently, bearing in mind

that the resulting thickness must be not less than the minimum permissible.
The inspection of plates is to be carried out in good lighting conditions
(preferably 400 lux) or with the use of a local light source, in a practical manner
by slowly walking the length of the plate.

b. The depths of surface defects are measured with a surface depth gauge.
However, with a little experience it is possible to estimate surface defect depth
visually with a sufficient accuracy, having taken the precaution of gauging some
surface defects in the light conditions prevailing.

C.3.2 SURFACE DEFECT AREA

a. The surface defect area is to be regarded as the area which is circumscribed by

a line drawn round the limit of the surface defect at a distance of 80mm. If the
surface defects are significant, ie outwith the standard indicated in
FIGURE C.1, FIGURE C.2 and FIGURE C.3, then it is this area that is likely
to be affected by grinding and fairing into the surrounding material.

b. The defect area is expressed as a percentage of the total area of that surface
containing the defect.

C.3.3 DEFECT DEPTHS

a. In the case of clusters of surface defects, the average depth is to be used for
determining if rectification is warranted.

C.1 ANNEX C.
NES 791
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C.3.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF DEFECTS (FIGURE C.1, FIGURE C.2 AND FIGURE C.3)

a. The maximum permissible depth and area of defect have been related to plate
thickness, considering three broad thickness ranges for the sake of
practicability viz: up to and including 12mm; over 12mm to less than 20mm;
20mm to 50mm, and are given in FIGURE C.1, FIGURE C.2 and FIGURE C.3.
The smallest defect depth considered is 0.15mm, slightly above the maximum
surface roughness amplitude of 0.1mm for blast cleaned surfaces as defined in
BS 4232.

b. Defects within the allowable range (Area A) are considered so insignificant that
rectification is not required. Defects outside this area are normally rectified to
within the permissible range. However, rectification need not be carried out if
the usefulness of the plate is not impaired by the defects present.

ANNEX C. C.2
 NES 791
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FIGURE C.1 PLATES <12MM

FIGURE C.2 PLATES >12MM <20MM

FIGURE C.3 PLATES 20MM TO 50MM

C.3 ANNEX C.
NES 791
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ANNEX C. C.4
 NES 791
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ALPHABETICAL INDEX

C
Chemical Composition, 1.1
Colour coding, 5.1

F
Flatness, 1.1

G
Grain size, 1.1

I
Identification, 5.1

L
Lamellar tearing, i

M
Marking, 5.1

P
Properties, 2.1

Q
Quality, 3.1, 4.1

S
Samples, 2.1
Steelmaking process, 1.1
Surface treatment, 3.1

T
Tests, 2.1

U
Ultrasonics, 2.1

INDEX.1 INDEX
NES 791
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W
Weight rolling margins, 1.1

INDEX INDEX.2
Inside Rear Cover
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File Reference

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Contract Requirements

When Defence Standards are incorporated into contracts users are responsible for their correct
application and for complying with contractual and statutory requirements. Compliance with
a Defence Standard does not in itself confer immunity from legal obligations.

Revision of Defence Standards

Defence Standards are revised as necessary by up issue or amendment. It is important that

users of Defence Standards should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest issue or
amendment. Information on all Defence Standards is contained in Def Stan 00-00 Standards
for Defence Part 3 , Index of Standards for Defence Procurement Section 4 ‘Index of Defence
Standards and Defence Specifications’ published annually and supplemented regularly by
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Standard encounters an inaccuracy or ambiguity is requested to notify the Directorate of
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appropriate action taken.