SPE-183286-MS

New Steel Plate for LNG Storage Tank

T. Kagaya, H. Furuya, T. Kamo, Y. Takahashi, H. Wakamatsu, and T. Nagao, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal
Corporation; H. Nishigami and S. Tomita, Osaka Gas Corporation; S. Hirai and M. Mitsumoto, TOYO KANETSU
K.K.

Copyright 2016, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 7-10 November 2016.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
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Abstract
Due to the demands for expanding liquefied natural gas (LNG), an increase in LNG storage tank
constructions is now expected. For over 50 years, 9%Ni steel with excellent mechanical properties at a
cryogenic temperature under -162°C has been used as inner-tank material for LNG storage tanks. As nickel
is an expensive and a rare metal, a reduction of the nickel content in steel can save construction costs of
LNG storage tanks.
A new steel plate for LNG storage tanks has been developed by optimizing the chemical composition and
applying the latest thermomechanical control process (TMCP) technology. TMCP is a production process
wherein the rolling temperature and cooling rate after rolling are controlled, thereby enabling the refining
of the microstructure. For the application of the new steel to LNG storage tanks, the brittle crack initiation
properties and propagation properties of the base plate and welded joint were analyzed.
The new steel has a finer microstructure and larger amount of retained austenite than conventional
9%Ni steel. It was demonstrated through various large-scale fracture tests that the new steel has excellent
performance equivalent to conventional 9%Ni steel. The new steel plate (7.0%–7.5%Ni) has already been
adopted in an aboveground LNG storage tank in Senboku Terminal 1 of Osaka Gas Corporation. This tank,
which has a capacity of 230,000 m3 and is the largest of its kind in the world, was constructed in November
2015. It was confirmed that weldability and formability of new steel in the construction of LNG storage
tanks are also equivalent to 9%Ni steel. The LNG storage tank has been safely operating till this day.
The newly developed steel (6.0%-7.5%Ni) was standardized in JIS, ASTM, ASME, and API.
Furthermore, in addition to Class 9 of ASTM, Class 10 having higher strength was specified. The new steel
can be used in LNG storage tanks all over the world.

Introduction
The demands for liquefied natural gas (LNG) are on an increase because it is a clean energy source from
an environment viewpoint. Construction of aboveground-type LNG storage tank is expected to ramp up.
9%Ni steel plate, which has excellent strength and cryogenic toughness, was developed by the International
Nickel Company and has been used for inner-tank material of an aboveground-type LNG storage tanks
2 SPE-183286-MS

over the last 50 years 1). For LNG storage tanks, a double-integrity structure has been proposed to prevent
peremptory destruction (figure 1) 2). Suppressing brittle crack initiation and arresting propagation of brittle
crack even if brittle crack initiated are required.

Figure 1—Prescribed properties of inner-tank material for LNG storage tanks

Although high safety is demanded for such steel plates, in terms of saving construction cost of LNG tank,
a reduction in the amount of nickel used (whose price often fluctuates) was expected. The new steel plate
equivalent to conventional 9%Ni steel has been developed by adopting a thermomechanical control process
(TMCP) to obtain the refined microstructure and a large amount of retained austenite.
In 2011, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan approved to apply the new steel with
7.0%–7.5%Ni to an aboveground-type LNG storage tank. The new steel was used in an LNG storage tank
in Senboku terminal 1 of Osaka Gas Corporation. The capacity of the LNG tank is 230,000 m3, which is
greater than the present capacity of 180,000 m3, which is the largest in Japan. The construction of the tank
started in September 2012 and was completed in November 2015. The facilities, including the tank, have
been safely operating.
This paper reports details regarding the development and mechanical properties of new steel plate,
situation of its practical application, standardization, and future prospect of new steel plate for LNG storage
tanks.

Development of new steel for LNG storage tank

Concept of new steel plate
In the development of the new steel for LNG storage tank, key technologies are application of TMCP and
optimization of chemical compositions. The properties of the base plate and welded joint of the new steel
are equivalent to those of 9%Ni steel and have excellent brittle crack initiation resistance and brittle-crack
propagation-arresting properties3),4),5),6).
TMCP is a production process wherein the rolling temperature and cooling rate after rolling are
controlled. TMCP, which improves strength, toughness, and weldability, was developed for use in
shipbuilding steel or line pipe steel. TMCP has been applied to plates for offshore structure, high-rise
buildings, bridges, and several other structural applications. Microstructures obtained via TCMP are finer
than that obtained via conventional processes.
The production process and typical microstructure of the new steel in comparison to those of conventional
9%Ni steel are shown in figure 2. The production process of the new steel is a combination of
controlled rolling, accelerated cooling, and appropriate heat treatment (intermediate heat treatment known
SPE-183286-MS 3

as lamellarizing 7)). A very fine martensitic microstructure is formed by controlling the prior austenite
grain size in the heating process and rolling conditions in the uncrystallized zone and quenching in the
accelerated cooling process after rolling. Retained austenite, which improves the toughness, is also formed
via lamellarizing and tempering after direct quenching. The amount of retained austenite of the new steel
is larger than that of RQ-T 9%Ni steel (figure 3).

Figure 2—Production process and microstructure

Figure 3—Retained austenite

The chemical compositions of the new steel and conventional 9%Ni steel are shown in Table 1. Simple
reduction of Ni also deteriorates toughness of the base plate and the heat-affected zone (HAZ). Improving
HAZ toughness via TMCP is ineffective because of reheating and retransformation due to the welding heat
cycle. The chemical composition of the new steel is reducing Si and adding Mn, Cr, and Mo. By decreasing
Si, precipitating cementite and auto-tempering during cooling at welding are promoted. The toughness
of HAZ is improved. Furthermore, contents of Mn, Cr, and Mo are controlled to ensure appropriate
hardenability of HAZ. According to the research about high-tensile-strength steel, the HAZ microstructure
should be a mixture of martensite and lower bainite for improving its toughness. The same trend is noticed
in the new steel. Namely, when hardenability is high, martensite is formed in HAZ and auto-tempering is
suppressed. In the case of low hardenability, upper bainite, which deteriorates the toughness of HAZ, is
formed.
4 SPE-183286-MS

Table 1—Chemical composition (mass %)

C Si Mn Ni Cr Mo Production process*

New steel for LNG tank 0.05 0.05 0.80 7.1 add add TMCP(DQ-I-T)

Conventional 9%Ni 0.05 0.22 0.65 9.2 - - RQ-T

*DQ; Direct quenching, RQ; Reheat quenching, I; Intermediate heat treatment, T; Tempering

Owing to the optimization of the production process and chemical composition described above, the new
steel for LNG storage tank has equivalent properties of the base plate and welded joint to those of 9%Ni steel.

Mechanical properties of base plate and welded joint

To evaluate the fitness of the new steel for the inner material of LNG storage tank, test plates were
manufactured in actual production equipment, reflecting the findings mentioned in the previous section.
The test plate thicknesses are 6, 10, 25, 40, and 50 mm, and the chemical composition is shown in Table
1. Table 2 shows the results of the tensile test and Charpy impact test of base plates. All test results met
the requirements of ASTM A553M-type1 of 9%Ni steel standard. The crack tip opening displacement
(CTOD) value at -165°C for the base plates and welded joint is shown in figures 4 and 5. The horizontal axis
represents the notch position. The CTOD test evaluates the resistance properties of brittle crack initiation.
The CTOD values of new steel are high level and equivalent to that of conventional 9%Ni steel.

Table 2—Test results of tensile test and Charpy test

Tensile properties Charpy impact properties

Thick. [mm] YS
Posi. Dir. TS [MPa] Posi. Dir. vE–196°C [J] BA [%]
[MPa]

6 Full T 630 720 1/4t* L 110* 0

10 Full T 681 741 1/4t** L 179** 0

25 1/4t T 648 713 1/4t L 259 0

40 1/4t T 635 715 1/4t L 255 0

50 1/4t T 655 733 1/4t L 237 0

≧21(6 mm)*
Requirements - - 585min. 690/825 - - ≧26(10 mm)** -
≧34(25~50 mm)

*1/2 sub-size specimen

**3/4 sub-size specimen

Figure 4—CTOD test results of base plates

SPE-183286-MS 5

Figure 5—CTOD test results of welded joint

Large-scale fracture test

To evaluate the safety of LNG storage tanks, large-scale fracture tests were conducted.
The resistance of brittle crack initiation was evaluated via a cross-weld notch-wide plate tensile test
simulating the T-cross welded part of an actual LNG storage tank. The specimen plate of a cross-weld notch-
wide plate tensile test is shown in figure 6. A through thickness machined notch is contained. This notch is
twice the thickness at the fusion line of the vertical weld. The test results are shown in Table 3 and figure
7. Brittle fracture was not observed in any specimen. All specimens yielded thoroughly and fractured over
maximum load. The fracture stress values of all specimens at -165°C exceeded 750 MPa and were at the
same level as that of 9%Ni steel. It was confirmed that the resistance of brittle crack initiation of the new
steel is high level and equivalent to that of conventional 9%Ni steel.

Figure 6—Configuration of cross-weld notch-wide plate tensile test

Table 3—Test results of cross-weld notch-wide plate tensile test

Notch Fracture
Aimed
Thickness Welding stress
Width [mm] Length Temperature
[mm] method Position (net)
[mm] [°C]
[MPa]

6 600 SMAW Fusion line 36 -165 822

25 600 GTAW Fusion line 50 -165 752

25 600 SMAW Fusion line 50 -165 756

40 460 GTAW Fusion line 80 -165 768

40 460 SMAW Fusion line 80 -165 812

50 460 GTAW Fusion line 100 -165 807

6 SPE-183286-MS

Figure 7—Fracture path and fracture surface of a cross-weld notch-wide plate tensile test (Thickness: 50 mm)

Brittle-crack propagation-arresting properties were evaluated via a duplex ESSO test. A schematic of the
duplex ESSO test is shown in figure 8. The brittle crack is initiated by impact load from the upper notch
and propagates toward the test plate. The test results are shown in Table 4 and figure 9. It was confirmed
that a brittle crack was immediately arrested after penetrating the test plate from an embrittled plate under
an applied stress of 393 MPa, which is equivalent to design stress. It was confirmed that the new steel had
excellent brittle-crack propagation-arresting properties, similar to those of 9%Ni steel.

Figure 8—Specimen of duplex ESSO test

Table 4—Test results of duplex ESSO test

Aimed
Material Thick. [mm] Applied stress [MPa] Judgment*
temp. [°C]

25 -196 393 No-Go

New steel for LNG tank 40 -196 393 No-Go

50 -196 393 No-Go

40 -196 393 No-Go

Conventional 9%Ni
50 -196 393 No-Go

*No-Go; Crack propagation was arrested at test plate within 2t (plate thickness)
SPE-183286-MS 7

Figure 9—Fracture surface of duplex ESSO test (thickness: 50 mm)

Approach to practical application of new steel

Through joint research with Osaka Gas, Toyo Kanetsu, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo metal and academic
experts and long-term deliberation of an external review committee, not only the abovementioned basic
properties of the new steel (thickness: 6–50 mm) but also numerous other items that need consideration
for construction of LNG storage tanks were evaluated. Referring to the test items used for evaluating the
applicability of a thick 9%Ni steel plate to LNG storage tanks, evaluation programs listed in Table 5 were
conducted.

Table 5—Evaluation program

Subject Thick. [mm] Basic mechanical test Fracture toughness test

Chemical compositions, Macrostructure, Microstructure, Sulfur CTOD test*, Dynamic

6,10,25,40,50 print, Side bend test, Non-metallic inclusions, Hardness, Tensile test, tear test***, Duplex
Base metal Low temp. tensile test,2 mmV Charpy test, Strain aged Charpy test ESSO test***

Physical constant (Young's modulus, poisson ratio, coefficient

10,40
of linear expansion), fatigue properties (S–N curve)

CTOD test*, Cross-

Macrostructure, Microstructure, Hardness,
Welded joint 6,10,25,40,50 weld notch-wide
Longitudinal bend test, Tensile test, 2 mmV Charpy test
plate tensile test**

Welded joint ofNew Macrostructure, Microstructure, Hardness, CTOD test Cross-weld

40
steel and 9%Ni Longitudinal bend test, Tensile test, 2 mmV Charpy test notch-wide plate tensile test

Repair welded joint 25 Macrostructure, Microstructure, Hardness, Tensile test, 2 mmV Charpy test CTOD test

*other than 6mm thickness,

**other than 10mm thickness,
***other than 6 and 10mm thickness

Assuming that the new steel and 9%Ni steel are welded together, properties of the welded joint of 7%Ni
steel and 9%Ni steel were also evaluated. It was confirmed that the welded joint properties of different
materials were equivalent to those of identical materials. Considering the actual construction work of a tank,
the influence of repair welding on welded joint toughness was evaluated and no faulty result was found.
Fatigue properties were also evaluated and were found to be equivalent to those of 9%Ni steel. Furthermore,
physical constants were required. Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and thermal expansion rate of new steel
have been evaluated and were found to be equivalent to those of 9%Ni steel.
In 2011, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry approved to apply the new steel with Ni
composition of 7.0%–7.5% to an LNG storage tank of Osaka Gas Corporation. The new steel plate and its
welded joint satisfy the legal requirement of LNG storage tank. The design stress of the new steel, which is
same as that of 9%Ni steel, is applicable to the base plate and welded joint. Osaka Gas decided to construct
8 SPE-183286-MS

a new LNG storage tank making use of the new steel in Senboku Terminal 1. The next section reports the
details regarding the first application of the new steel.

Construction and operation of LNG storage tank made of new steel

First application of new steel for LNG storage tank
For the first time in the world, the new steel with Ni composition of 7.0%–7.5%, was adopted by Osaka Gas
for the application to the aboveground-type LNG storage tank in Senboku Terminal 1, having a capacity
of 230,000 m3 and is the largest of its kind in the world (Figure 10). The LNG storage tank has a diameter
of 90 m and a height of 60 m.

Figure 10—LNG storage tank made of the new steel (Senboku Terminal 1 of Osaka Gas Co., Ltd)

Manufacturing of new steel for LNG storage tank

For the LNG tank of Senboku Terminal 1, approximately 3,700 tons of the new steel were required. Plates
having thicknesses of 6.0–45.8 mm were used for the roof, knuckle, shell, bottom, etc.
An example of the production result of the tensile test is shown in figure 11. Yield strength (YS) and
tensile strength (TS) are stable even for a wide thickness range. An example of the production results of
the Charpy impact test is shown in figure 12. Absorbed energy and lateral expansion (LE) values are high
enough compared with those of conventional 9%Ni steel.

Figure 11—Example of production results of tensile test (Round type; 1/4t, T-dir.)
SPE-183286-MS 9

Figure 12—Example of production results of Charpy impact test (Full size; 1/4t, T-dir.)

Construction of LNG storage tank made of new steel

The construction of the LNG storage tank started in September 2012. Regarding material workabilities such
as gas cutting, roll bending, and press bending, the new steel was equivalent to the conventional 9%Ni
steel plate. Mechanical properties for fabrication are shown in Table 6 and figure 13. No faulty result was
found with respect to the mechanical properties. In addition to this, weldability such as thermal deformation,
penetration, and effect of residual magnetism, the new steel was equivalent to the conventional 9%Ni steel
plate.

Table 6—Example of fabrication test results at welded joint

Tensile test Bend test Charpy impact test

Thick. Welding
[mm] Conditions TS Fracture
Cond. Result Posi. vE-196°C [J] LE-196°C [mm]
[MPa] position

WM
176,183,186 2.37,2.48,2.44
(surface)

Dir.;Long. WM (Back
GTAW(Vertical) 163,163,158 2.41,2.23,2.22
43.3 751 WM R;33.3mm No defect surface)
26.5~41.3kJ/cm
180deg
Center
of HAZ 276,320,283 2.42,2.46,2.53
(surface)

Figure 13—Example of fabrication test results at welded joint

10 SPE-183286-MS

Operation of LNG storage tank

The construction of the tank was completed in November 2015 as planned. The operation of the tank,
including other facilities, started successfully, and it has been smoothly operating.

Standardization of material and design of new steel plate for LNG storage
tank
Mechanical properties of the new steel
For the standardization of the new steel for LNG storage tanks, appropriate ranges of chemical composition,
especially the lower limit of Ni content of TMCP-type steel for LNG storage tanks, were studied. Safety
against fracture is estimated to be both 7.1%Ni (Heat A) and 6.3%Ni (Heat B) (Table 7). Table 8 shows
the mechanical properties of Heat A and Heat B. The CTOD test results of the base plate and welded joint
are shown in figure 14. For both Heat A and Heat B, resistance against brittle crack initiation is equivalent
to that of the 9%Ni steel. Table 9 shows the duplex ESSO test results. Both steels show excellent brittle-
crack propagation-arresting properties at LNG temperature (-165°C). From these studies, the new steel
applied TMCP was judged to have excellent fracture toughness at LNG temperature within the range of
Ni composition of 6.0%–7.5%.

Table 7—Chemical composition (mass%)

Steel C Si Mn Ni Cr Mo

Heat A (7.1%Ni) 0.05 0.05 0.8 7.1 add add

Heat B (6.3%Ni) 0.05 0.06 1.0 6.3 add add

Conventional 9%Ni 0.05 0.22 0.65 9.2 Tr. Tr.

Table 8—Mechanical properties

Thickness
Position YS [MPa] TS [MPa] vE-196°C [J]
[mm]

6 Full 630 720 110

10 Full 681 741 179

Heat
25 1/4t 648 713 259
A(7.1%Ni)
40 1/4t 635 715 255

50 1/4t 655 733 237

6 Full 746 799 94

12 Full 705 787 242

Heat 20 1/4t 718 792 243

B(6.3%Ni) 32 1/4t 688 787 233

40 1/4t 666 776 243

50 1/4t 647 768 239

SPE-183286-MS 11

Figure 14—CTOD test results

Table 9—Duplex ESSO test results

Manufacturing Thick. Applied

Material Aimed temp. [°C] Judgment*
process [mm] stress [MPa]

TMCP(DQ-I-T) 25 -165/-196 393 No-Go

Heat A (7.1%Ni) TMCP(DQ-I-T) 40 -165/-196 393 No-Go

TMCP(DQ-I-T) 50 -165/-196 393 No-Go

-165 408
TMCP(DQ-I-T) 32 No-Go
-196 393
Heat B (6.3%Ni)
TMCP(DQ-I-T) 40 -165** 393 No-Go

TMCP(DQ-I-T) 50 -165/-196 393 No-Go

RQ-T 40 -165/-196 393 No-Go

Conventional 9%Ni
RQ-I-T 50 -165/-196 393 No-Go

*No-Go ; Crack propagation was arrested at test plate within t (plate thickness)
**Test at -196°C is not carried out.

Situation of standardization of material and design

The new steel for the LNG tank was standardized as per JIS, ASTM, and ASME guidelines. The outline
of the material standard is shown in Table 10. The steel was registered by JIS as SL7N590 of JIS G 3127
(Ni steel plate for pressure vessels for low-temperature use). Ni composition is regulated to 6.0%–7.5%; all
other specifications, except chemical compositions and production process, remain same as those of 9%Ni
steel (SL9N590). Regarding standardization in the US, the new steel was certified by ASTM and ASME in
2013. In ASTM, the new steel is registered as Grade G of A841 (Standard Specification for Steel Plate for
Pressure Vessels, Produced by TMCP), and all specifications of the 9%Ni steel (A553), except for chemical
compositions and production process, are followed. In JIS, Ni composition is specified to be equal to 6.0%–
7.5%. As for Class 9, the new steel was registered in ASME as "Case of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel
Code" Code Case 2736 (Div.I) and 2737 (Div.II). In 2014, the new steel was also approved to be registered
in API (API 620 Appendix.Q) and published in 2015. As for these standardizations, the new steel can be
applied to LNG storage tanks across the globe.
12 SPE-183286-MS

Table 10—outline of material standard

Mechanical properties
Standard Designation Ni [mass%] Manufacturing process*
YS [MPa] TS [MPa] vE-196°C [J]

SL7N590 6.0-7.5 TMCP-T**(TMR-T,DQ-T)

JIS G3127 ≧590 690-830 ≧41
SL9N590 8.5-9.5 RQ-T

Class9 6.0-7.5 TMCP***(TMR- ≧585 690-825 ≧27

A841Gr.G
ASTM Class10 6.0-7.5 I-T,DQ(-I)-T) ≧620 750-885 ≧27

A553 Class1 8.5-9.5 RQ(-I)-T ≧585 690-825 ≧27

*TMR; Thermo mechanical rolling, DQ; Direct quenching, RQ;Reheat quenching, I; Intermediate heat treatment, T; Tempering
**Intermediate heat treatment can be applied.
***TMR-I-T and DQ(-I)-T are defined as TMCP.

Furthermore, in addition to Class 9 of ASTM, Class 10, which has higher strength, was specified. This
higher strength, as compared to that of conventional 9%Ni steel without deterioration of low-temperature
toughness, is owing to the TMCP technology. Efforts for registration of Class 10 in ASME and API will
be continued.

Summary
New steel with lower Ni content for LNG storage tanks, which enables replacement of 9%Ni steel, was
developed via TMCP and optimization of chemical composition. After approval of the Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry in 2011, a new steel plate having 7.0%–7.5% Ni content was applied to an LNG storage
tank of Osaka Gas Corporation. The construction of the tank was completed and operations started in
November 2015. Till this day, the LNG storage tank has been safely operating. The new steel has already
been applied to three LNG projects in Japan. The new steel having Ni composition of 6.0%–7.5% has
already been certified and registered by JIS, ASTM, ASME, and API. The new steel can now be applied
to LNG storage tanks all across the globe.

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