SPECIFICATION FOR NICKEL AND NICKEL-BASE
ALLOY-CLAD STEEL PLATE
SA-265
(Identical with ASTM Specification A 265-94a)
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers plate of a carbon steel
or low-alloy steel base to which is integrally and
continuously bonded on one or both sides a layer of
nickel or nickel-base alloy. The material is generally
intended for pressure vessel use.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
regarded as the standard. SI units are provided for
information only.
2. Referenced Documents
98 2.1 ASTM Standards:
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Test-
ing of Steel Products
A 480 /A 480M Specification for General Requirements
for Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel
Plate, Sheet, and Strip
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
B 127 Specification for Nickel-Copper Alloy (UNS
N04400) Plate, Sheet, and Strip
B 162 Specification for Nickel Plate, Sheet, and Strip
B 168 Specification for Nickel-Chromium-Iron Alloy
(UNS N06600, N06601, and N06690) and Nickel-
Chromium-Cobalt-Molybdenum Alloy (UNS N06617)
Plate, Sheet, and Strip
B 333 Specification for Nickel-Molybdenum Alloy Plate,
Sheet, and Strip
B 409 Specification for Nickel-Iron-Chromium Alloy
Plate, Sheet, and Strip
B 424 Specification for Ni-Fe-Cr-Mo-Cu Alloy (UNS
N08825 and N08221) Plate, Sheet, and Strip
409
98
B 443 Specification for Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum-
Columbium Alloy (UNS N06625) Plate, Sheet, and
Strip
B 463 Specification for UNS N08020, UNS N08026, and
UNS N08024 Alloy Plate, Sheet, and Strip
B 575 Specification for Low-Carbon Nickel-Molybde-
num-Chromium and Low-Carbon Nickel-Chromium
Molybdenum Alloy Plate, Sheet, and Strip
B 582 Specification for Nickel-Chromium-Iron-Molyb-
denum-Copper Alloy Plate, Sheet, and Strip
B 625 Specification for UNS N08904, UNS N08925,
UNS N08931, UNS N08932, and UNS N08926 Plate,
Sheet, and Strip
2.2 ASME Code:
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IX, Welding
Qualifications
3. Terminology
3.1 Descriptions of Terms:
3.1.1 This material is considered as single-clad or
double-clad nickel or nickel-base alloy clad steel plate,
depending on whether one or both sides are covered.
3.1.2 The term plate as used in this specification
applies to material 3 / 16 in. (2.73 mm) and over in
thickness, and over 10 in. (254 mm) in width.
4. Ordering Information
4.1 It is the responsibility of the purchaser to specify 98
all requirements that are necessary for material ordered
under this specification. Such requirements may include,
but are not limited to the following:
SA-265 1998 SECTION II
4.1.1 Quantity (mass or number of pieces),
4.1.2 Name of material (Nickel or Nickel-Base
Alloy-Clad Steel Plate),
4.1.3 Heat treatment, if required,
4.1.4 Dimensions including the thickness of the
cladding alloy,
4.1.5 Cladding metal (see Section 6),
4.1.6 Base metal (see Section 6),
4.1.7 Product analysis, if required (see Section 8),
4.1.8 Mechanical Properties (see Sections 7, 13
and 14),
4.1.9 Restrictions, if required, on repair by welding
(see Section 12), and
4.1.10 Additions to the specification or special
requirements.
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 Process:
5.1.1 The steel shall be made by the open-hearth,
electric-furnace (with separate degassing and refining
optional), or basic-oxygen processes, or by secondary
processes whereby steel made from these primary pro-
cesses is remelted using electroslag remelting or vacuum
arc remelting processes.
5.1.2 The cladding metal may be metallurgically
bonded to the base metal by any method that will
produce a clad steel that will conform to the require-
ments of this specification.
5.2 Heat Treatment—Unless heat treatment is re-
quired by the cladding material or base steel specifica-
tion, the clad plate shall be furnished in the as-rolled
condition. The purchaser and the manufacturer may
agree on any other heat treatment within the base steel
specification that is mutually agreeable.
6. Chemical Composition
6.1 The composite plate may conform to any desired
combination cladding metal and base metal as described
in 6.2 and 6.3, and as agreed upon between the purchaser
and the manufacturer.
6.2 Cladding Metal—The nickel or nickel-base alloy
cladding metal specified shall conform to the require-
ments as to chemical composition prescribed for the
410
respective metal in Specifications B 127, B 162, B
168, B 333, B 409, B 424, B 443, B 463, B 575, B
582, and B 625.
6.3 Base Metal—The base metal may be carbon
steel or low-alloy steel conforming to the ASTM speci-
fications for steels for pressure vessels. The base metal
shall conform to the chemical requirements of the
specification to which it is ordered.
7. Mechanical Properties
7.1 Tensile Requirements:
7.1.1 The tensile properties shall be determined
by a tension test of the composite plate for clad plates
that meet all of the following conditions. However, if
the cladding is for corrosion allowance only, the clad-
ding may be removed before tensile testing. The tensile
properties thus determined shall be not less than the
minimum and not more than 5000 psi (35 MPa) over
the maximum prescribed in the specification for the
base steel used. All other tensile test requirements of
the specification for the base steel shall be met.
7.1.1.1 The composite gage is less than or equal
to 11⁄2 in.
7.1.1.2 The specified minimum tensile strength
of the base steel is less than or equal to 70,000 psi
(485 MPa).
7.1.1.3 The specified minimum yield strength
of the base steel is less than or equal to 40,000 psi
(275 MPa).
7.1.2 The tensile properties shall be determined
by a tension test of the base steel only for clad plates
that meet one of the following conditions. The properties
thus determined shall meet all of the tensile test require-
ments for the base steel.
7.1.2.1 The composite gage is greater than 11⁄2 in.
7.1.2.2 The specified minimum tensile strength
of the base steel is greater than 70,000 psi (485 MPa).
7.1.2.3 The specified minimum yield strength
of the base steel is greater than 40,000 psi (275 MPa).
7.2 Ductility — Two bend tests of the composite
plate shall be made, one with the cladding metal
in tension and the other with the cladding metal in
compression, to determine the ductility of the materials.
On double-clad plates, the bend tests shall be made
so that one specimen represents the cladding metal in
 PART A — FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS SA-265

tension on one side while the other specimen represents 8.3 The results of the product analysis shall conform
the cladding metal in tension on the opposite side. Bend to the requirements of standards referenced in Section 2.
tests shall be made in accordance with the requirements
8.4 Methods and practices relating to chemical analy-
prescribed in the specifications for the base metal.
sis required by this specification shall be in accordance
7.3 Bond Strength — When required by the purchaser, with Test Methods, Practices, and Definitions A 751.
three bend tests shall be made with the cladding metal
8.5 Results of the product analysis shall conform to
in compression to determine the quality of the bond.
the requirements of Section 7 of Specification A 480 /A
Bends shall be made in accordance with the specifica-
480M.
tions for the base metal. At least two out of the three
tests shall show not more than 50% separation on both
edges of the bent portion. Greater separation shall be
9. Dimensions, Mass, and Permissible
cause for rejection.
Variations
7.4 Shear Strength — As an alternative to the bend 9.1 Composite plates shall conform to the thickness
test provided in 7.3 and when required by the purchaser, and weight requirements prescribed in Table 1.
the minimum shear strength of the cladding and base
metals shall be 20,000 psi (140 MPa). The shear test 9.2 The weight and limit tolerances shall be as
when specified, shall be made in the manner indicated prescribed in Specification A 480 /A 480M.
in Fig. 1.
7.5 Methods and practices relating to mechanical 10. Thickness of Cladding Metal
testing required by this specification shall be in accord-
ance with Test Methods and Definitions A 370. 10.1 The minimum thickness and tolerances on the
thickness of the cladding metal shall be agreed upon
between the purchaser and the manufacturer.
8. Product Analysis
8.1 Product analysis may be required on finished 11. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
product. Chemical analysis may be accomplished by wet
11.1 The material shall be free of injurious defects
chemical or instrumental procedures. If wet chemical
and shall have a workmanlike appearance.
procedures are used, millings may be taken only when
the composite plate thickness is sufficient to permit 11.2 Clad plates shall be furnished in the as-rolled
obtaining millings without danger of contamination condition, unless otherwise specified.
from the adjacent layer. If spectrometric procedures
11.3 The clad surface may be supplied as-rolled, or
are used, the sample shall be exposed on the center
as-rolled and sand blasted as specified.
line of the cladding when there is sufficient cladding
thickness available so that there is no contamination
from the adjacent base metal.
12. Repair of Cladding by Welding 98
8.2 If product analysis is specified by the purchaser,
12.1 The material manufacturer may repair defects
it shall be made on a sample taken from the finished
in cladding by welding provided the following require-
product or a broken test specimen. For wet chemical
ments are met:
analysis, in order to avoid contamination by the base
plate metal, millings of cladding samples shall be taken 12.1.1 Prior approval shall be obtained from the
from the test coupon by removal and discard of all purchaser if the repaired area exceeds 3% of the cladding
the base metal plus 40% of the cladding thickness surface.
from the bonded side, not to exceed 1 / 16 in. (1.598
12.1.2 The welding procedure and the welders or
mm). The material shall be cleaned and sufficient
welding operators are qualified in accordance with
millings taken to represent the full cross-section of the
Section IX of the ASME Code.
remainder. If there is insufficient cladding thickness
available to spectrographically expose on the center 12.1.3 The defective area shall be removed and
line of the cladding without contamination, 50% of the the area prepared for repair shall be examined by a
cladding shall be removed and the sample exposed on magnetic particle method or a liquid penetrant method
this surface. to ensure all defective area has been removed. Method

411
SA-265 1998 SECTION II
of test and acceptance standard shall be as agreed upon
between the purchaser and the manufacturer.
12.1.4 The repair weld shall be deposited in accord-
ance with a welding procedure and welding materials
suitable for the cladding material. The surface condition
of the repaired area shall be restored to a condition
similar to the rest of the cladding.
12.1.5 The repaired area shall be examined by a
liquid penetrant method in accordance with 12.1.3.
12.1.6 The location and extent of the weld repairs
together with the repair procedure and examination
results shall be transmitted as a part of the certification.
13. Number of Tests and Retests
13.1 One or more tension tests, as required by the
specifications for the base metal, one face bend test
(cladding metal in tension), one reverse bend test
(cladding metal in compression), and, when specified,
one shear test or three bond bend tests shall be made
representing each plate as rolled. Each specimen shall
be in the final condition of heat treatment required for
the plate.
13.2 If any test specimen shows defective machining
or develops flaws, it may be discarded and another
specimen substituted.
13.3 If any part of the fracture takes place outside
of the middle half of the gage length or in a punched
or scribed mark within the reduced section, the elonga-
tion value obtained may not be representative of the
material. If the elongation so measured meets the
minimum requirements specified, no further testing is
indicated, but if the elongation is less than the minimum
requirements the test shall be discarded and a retest
made.
14. Test Specimens
14.1 The tension test specimens from plate shall
conform to the requirements prescribed in the specifica-
tions for the base metal.
14.2 Bend test specimens shall be taken from the
middle of the top of the plate as rolled, at right angles
to its longitudinal axis.
14.3 When required by the purchaser, the shear test
specimen shall be taken from a top or bottom corner
of the plate as rolled, parallel to its longitudinal axis.
412
14.4 All tests shall be made on specimens in the
same condition of heat treatment to which the composite
plate is furnished.
14.5 When specified in the purchase order, additional
test specimens representing the as-furnished composite
plate shall be thermally treated to simulate a post-weld
heat treatment. The temperature range, time, and cooling
rates shall be specified in the purchase order. Mechanical
properties in the simulated post-weld heat-treated condi-
tion shall meet the minimum requirements of the as-
furnished composite plate.
14.6 For plates 11⁄2 in. (38.1 mm) and under in
thickness tension test specimens shall be the full thick-
ness of the material except as specified in 7.1.1 and
7.1.2, and the bend test specimen shall be full thickness
of the material and shall be machined to the form and
dimensions shown in Fig. 2, or may be machined with
both edges parallel.
14.7 For plates over 11⁄2 in. in thickness tension
tests shall be of the form shown in Fig. 3 and shall
be of all base steel conforming to the requirements of
the specification for the base steel.
14.8 For plates over 11⁄2 in. in thickness the bend
test specimens need not be greater in thickness than
11⁄2 in. but shall not be less than 11⁄2 in. Specimens
shall be of the form and dimensions shown in Fig. 2.
In reducing the thickness of the specimen, both the
alloy cladding and the base steel shall be machined
so as to maintain the same ratio of clad metal to base
steel as is maintained in the plate, except that the
thickness of the clad metal need not be reduced below
1⁄ in. (3.17 mm).
8
14.9 The sides of the bend test specimen may have
the corners rounded to a radius not over 1 / 16 in. (1.58
mm) for plates 11⁄2 in. and under in thickness, and not
over 1⁄8 in. for plates over 11⁄2 in. in thickness.
14.10 Any test specimen used for the determination
of the minimum thickness of cladding metal shall have
distorted metal, due to burning or shearing, completely
removed.
15. Inspection
15.1 The manufacturer shall afford the inspector,
without charge, all reasonable facilities to satisfy him
that the material is being furnished in accordance with
this specification. All tests (except product analysis)
and inspection shall be made at the place of manufacture
 PART A — FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS
prior to shipment, unless otherwise specified, and shall
be so conducted as not to interfere unnecessarily with
the operation of the works.
16. Rejection and Rehearing
16.1 Unless otherwise specified, any rejection based
on tests made in accordance with Section 8, shall be
reported to the manufacturer within 5 working days
from the receipt of samples by the purchaser.
16.2 Material which shows injurious defects subse-
quent to its acceptance at the manufacturer’s work will
be rejected, and the manufacturer shall be notified.
16.3 Samples tested in accordance with Section 8,
that represent rejected material shall be preserved for
3 weeks from the date of the test report. In case
of dissatisfaction with the results of the tests, the
manufacturer may make claim for a rehearing within
that time.
413
SA-265
17. Certification
17.1 The chemical analysis of the base metal shall
be certified to the purchaser by the manufacturer.
17.2 The results of the tests in Section 7, shall be
reported to the purchaser or his representative.
18. Product Marking
18.1 Except as specified in 18.2, the name or brand of
the manufacturer, the manufacturer’s test identification
number, the class of the base steel, the designation of
the cladding metal, and the specified minimum tensile
strength shall be legibly stamped on each finished
single-clad plate in two places on the base steel side
not less than 12 in. (304.8 mm) from the edges. The
manufacturer’s test identification number shall be legibly
stamped on each test specimen.
18.2 For double-clad material or for material under
1⁄ in. (6.35 mm) in thickness, the marking specified
4
in 18.1 shall be legibly stenciled instead of stamped.
SA-265 1998 SECTION II

FIG. 1 TEST SPECIMEN AND METHOD OF MAKING FIG. 2 STANDARD RECTANGULAR TEST
SHEAR TEST OF CLAD PLATE SPECIMENS WITH 8 IN. GAGE LENGTH

FIG. 3 STANDARD ROUND TENSION TESTS

SPECIMEN WITH 2 IN. GAGE LENGTH

414
 TABLE 1
PERMISSIBLE VARIATIONS IN THICKNESS AND OVERWEIGHTS OF PLATES THICKNESSA

Permissible Excess in Average Weight per Square Foot Plates for Widths Given in inches (mm), Expressed in Percentage of Nominal Weight D

48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132 144

(1219.2) (1524.0) (1828.8) (2133.6) (2438.4) (2743.2) (3048.0) (3352.8) (3657.6)
Under to 60 to 72 to 84 to 96 to 108 to 120 to 132 to 144 to 152
48 (1524.0) (1828.8) (2133.6) (2438.4) (2743.2) (3048.0) (3352.8) (3675.6) (3860.8)
Specified Thickness, in. (mm) (1219.2) excl excl excl excl excl excl excl excl incl
3⁄ 5.25 6.00 6.75 7.50 9.00 11.50 ... ... ... ...
16
to 1⁄4 (4.76 to 6.35), excl
1⁄ 4.50 5.25 6.00 6.75 7.50 10.50 12.00 13.00 14.25 ...
4
to 5⁄16 (6.35 to 7.94), excl
5⁄ 3 3.75 4.50 5.25 6.00 6.75 7.50 9.00 10.00 12.75 16.00
16 to ⁄8 (7.94 to 9.52), excl
3⁄ to 7⁄ 3.50 3.75 4.50 5.25 6.00 6.75 7.50 8.50 11.25 15.00
8 16 (9.52 to 11.11), excl
7⁄ 1 3.00 3.50 3.75 4.50 5.25 6.00 6.75 7.50 9.75 12.75
16 to ⁄2 (11.11 to 12.7), excl
1⁄ to 5⁄ (12.7 to 15.88), excl 2.75 3.00 3.50 3.75 4.50 5.25 6.00 6.75 8.25 10.50
2 8
5⁄ to 3⁄ (15.88 to 19.05), excl 2.25 2.75 3.00 3.50 3.75 4.50 5.00 5.50 6.25 6.75
8 4

415
3⁄ to 1 (19.05 to 25.4), excl 2.00 2.25 2.75 3.00 3.50 3.75 4.25 4.75 5.25 6.00
4
1 or Over (25.4 or Over) 2.00 2.00 2.25 2.75 3.50 3.50 3.75 4.25 4.75 5.25
GENERAL NOTE: All plates shall be ordered to thickness and not to weight per square foot. No plates shall vary more than 0.01 in. (0.254 mm) under the thickness ordered, and the
overweight of each lot B shall not exceed the amount given in the table below.C

NOTES:
A Spot grinding is permitted to remove surface imperfections not to exceed 0.01 in. (0.254 mm) under the specified thickness.
B The term “lot” means all of the plates of each group width and each group thickness.
C The weight of individual plates shall not exceed the nominal weight by more than one and one-third times the amount prescribed in the above table.
D Nominal weights for the composite plates shall be calculated using the following weights for the component materials:
PART A — FERROUS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS

Density Weight per Square Foot

for Material 1 in. (25.4 mm)
lb /in.3 g /cm3 in Thickness, lb
Steel 0.283 7.83 40.80
Nickel 0.321 8.88 46.22
Nickel-copper alloy 0.319 8.83 45.94
Nickel-chromium-iron alloy 0.307 8.49 44.21
SA-265