This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: A264 − 12 (Reapproved 2019)

Standard Specification for

Stainless Chromium-Nickel Steel-Clad Plate1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A264; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope A578/A578M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic

2
1.1 This specification covers plate of a carbon steel or Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applica-
low-alloy steel base to which is integrally and continuously tions
bonded on one or both sides a layer of stainless chromium- A751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemi-
nickel steel. The material is generally intended for pressure cal Analysis of Steel Products
vessel use. 2.2 Other Standards:
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IX4
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only 3. Terminology
and are not considered standard. 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor- 3.1.1 This material is considered as single-clad or double-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- clad corrosion-resisting chromium-nickel steel plate, depend-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the ing on whether one or both sides are covered.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 3.1.2 alloy cladding, n—the stainless chromium-nickel steel
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical component of the composite plate.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 3.1.3 base metal (backing steel), n—component to which
the alloy cladding is applied, usually the greater percentage of
2. Referenced Documents
the composite plate and usually consisting of carbon or
2.1 ASTM Standards:3 low-alloy steel.
A6/A6M Specification for General Requirements for Rolled 3.1.4 integrally and continuously bonded, n—the process by
Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet Piling which the alloy cladding and base metal are brought together to
A20/A20M Specification for General Requirements for Steel form a metallurgical bond at essentially the entire interface of
Plates for Pressure Vessels the two metals by means other than those processes that do not
A240/A240M Specification for Chromium and Chromium- produce a homogeneous composite plate.
Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure
Vessels and for General Applications
4. Ordering Information
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
of Steel Products 4.1 It is the responsibility of the purchaser to specify all
A480/A480M Specification for General Requirements for requirements that are necessary for material ordered under this
Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate, specification. Such requirements may include, but are not
Sheet, and Strip limited to, the following:
4.1.1 Quantity (weight or number of pieces).
1
4.1.2 Cladding alloy specification, (UNS or ASTM Specifi-
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee cation A240/A240M and whether cladding is for corrosion
A01.11 on Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels. allowance only),
Current edition approved March 1, 2019. Published April 2019. Originally 4.1.3 Base metal specification.
approved in 1943. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as A264 – 12. DOI:
10.1520/A0264-12R19. 4.1.4 Bond integrity Class (1, 3, or 5).
2
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications see related Specifi-
cation SA-264 in Section II of that Code.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on International Headquarters, Two Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990, http://
the ASTM website. www.asme.org.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 A264 − 12 (2019)
4.1.5 Dimensions including the minimum or nominal thick- case of clad plate manufactured without hot rolling, the base
ness of the cladding alloy, and the backing steel, or of the total metal and alloy cladding components may be heat treated
composite plate and if more or less restrictive thickness separately as appropriate prior to bonding.
tolerances apply. 5.2.2 Duplex stainless steel clad plates shall be provided in
4.1.6 Product analysis, if required (see Section 10). Specify a heat treated condition as agreed upon between the purchaser
whether applicable to the cladding alloy, backing steel or both. and the manufacturer.
4.1.7 Mechanical properties, including shear test if required. 5.2.3 When plates are to be cold formed, or when otherwise
4.1.8 Finish (see Section 12). required by the base metal specification, the purchaser may
4.1.9 Restrictions, if required, on repair by welding (see specify that such plates, following solution annealing, be heat
Section 14). treated for grain refinement of the base metal by normalizing
4.1.10 Additions to the specification or special requirements and either air cooled or water quenched as appropriate.
such as any applicable construction code rules.
4.1.11 Corrosion testing if applicable. 6. Chemical Composition
4.1.12 Notification when the cladding alloy is to be used for
6.1 The composite plate may conform to any desired com-
inclusion in the design strength calculations for an applicable
bination of alloy-cladding metal and base metal as described in
construction code.
6.2 and 6.3 and as agreed upon between the purchaser and the
NOTE 1—Construction codes may dictate certain fabrication require- manufacturer.
ments when the cladding is used in the design calculations that may be
different than if the cladding is used for corrosion resistance only. This 6.2 Alloy Cladding Metal—The alloy-cladding metal speci-
may be particularly important when the alloy cladding involves the use of fied shall conform to the requirements as to chemical compo-
welded components in the explosion bonded clad manufacturing process. sition prescribed for the respective chromium-nickel or duplex
It is incumbent on the purchaser to make the clad manufacturer aware of steel in Specification A240/A240M.
any such restrictions or applications at time of order.
4.2 In addition to the basic requirements of this specification 6.3 Base Metal—The base metal shall be carbon steel or
and the backing steel specification, certain supplementary low-alloy steel conforming to the ASTM specifications for
requirements are available when additional control, testing, or steel for pressure vessels, or other, as agreed by the purchaser
examination is required to meet end use requirements. The and the manufacturer. The base metal shall conform to the
purchaser is referred to the listed supplementary requirements chemical requirements of the specification to which it is
in this specification and to the detailed requirements in ordered.
Specification A20/A20M.
7. Mechanical Properties
4.3 If the requirements of this specification are in conflict
with the requirements of Specification A20/A20M, the require- 7.1 Tensile Requirements:
ments of this specification shall prevail. 7.1.1 The tensile properties shall be determined by a
tension test of the composite plate for clad plates that meet all
4.4 Special tests. of the following conditions.
5. Materials and Manufacture (1) The composite gage is less than or equal to 11⁄2 in. (38
mm).
5.1 Process: (2) The specified minimum tensile strength of the base
5.1.1 The steel shall be made by the open-hearth, electric- steel is less than or equal to 70 000 psi (485 MPa)
furnace, or basic-oxygen processes, or by secondary processes (3) The specified minimum yield strength of the base steel
whereby steel made from these primary processes is remelted is less than or equal to 40 000 psi (275 MPa).
using, but not limited to electroslag remelting or vacuum-arc (4) The tensile properties thus determined shall be not less
remelting processes. than the minimum and not more than 5000 psi (35 MPa) over
5.1.2 The alloy-cladding metal may be metallurgically the maximum prescribed in the specification for the base steel
bonded to the base metal by any method that will produce a used. All other tensile test requirements of the specification for
clad steel that will conform to the requirements of this the base steel shall be met.
specification. 7.1.2 The tensile properties shall be determined by a
5.1.3 For explosively bonded products, the alloy cladding tension test of the base steel only for clad plates that meet one
metal may be comprised of two or more separate alloy plates of the following conditions. The properties thus determined
or sheets completely welded together to form a single fabri- shall meet all of the tensile test requirements for the base steel.
cated component. (1) The composite gage is greater than 11⁄2 in. (38 mm).
5.2 Heat Treatment: (2) The specified minimum tensile strength of the base
5.2.1 Unless otherwise specified or agreed upon between steel is greater than 70 000 psi (485 MPa).
the purchaser and the manufacturer, all austenitic stainless steel (3) The specified minimum yield strength of the base steel
clad plates shall be given a heat treatment consisting of heating is greater than 40 000 psi (275 MPa).
to the proper temperature for the solution of the chromium 7.1.3 If the cladding is for corrosion allowance only, the
carbides in the cladding followed by individual air cooling. For cladding need not be included in the tensile test. The tensile
base metals of air-hardening low-alloy steels the above heat properties thus determined shall meet the base steel require-
treatment shall be followed by a tempering treatment. In the ments.

2
 A264 − 12 (2019)

Metric Equivalents
in. mm in. mm
0.01 0.254 11⁄2 38.1
1 ⁄8 3.17 2 50.8
1 ⁄4 6.35 3 76.2
1 25.4 8 203.2

NOTE 1—When necessary, it is permissible to use a narrower specimen,

Metric Equivalents but in such a case the reduced portion shall be not less than 1 in. in width.
in. mm in. mm NOTE 2—Punch marks for measuring elongation after fracture shall be
0.005 0.127 1 25.4 made on the flat or on the edge of the specimen and within the parallel
1 ⁄8 3.18 21⁄2 64.5 section; either a set of nine punch marks 1 in. apart, or one or more sets
3 ⁄4 19.1 3 76.2 of 8-in. punch marks may be used.
NOTE 3—The dimension t is the thickness of the test specimen as
FIG. 1 Test Specimen and Method of Making Shear Test of Clad provided for in the applicable material specifications.
Plate FIG. 2 Standard Rectangular Tension Test Specimen with 8-in.
Gage Length

7.2 Tests for strength of the bond, when required, must be

specified by the purchaser and shall consist of one of the 8.2 If any test specimen shows defective machining or
following. develops flaws, it may be discarded and another specimen
7.2.1 Shear Strength—When required by the purchaser, the substituted.
minimum shear strength of the alloy cladding and base metals
9. Test Specimens
shall be 20 000 psi (140 MPa). The shear test, when specified,
shall be made in the manner indicated in Fig. 1. The minimum 9.1 The tension test specimens from plate shall conform to
cladding thickness for shear testing shall be 0.075 in. (1.9 mm), the requirements prescribed in the specifications for the base
exclusive as ordered. Testing for shear strength for clad plates metal.
with minimum cladding thickness of 0.075 in. (1.9 mm) or less 9.2 Bend test specimens for the alternative bond strength
shall be permitted upon agreement between the purchaser and tests, shall be taken at right angles to its longitudinal axis.
the manufacturer.
9.3 When required by the purchaser, the shear test specimen
7.2.2 Bond Strength—As an alternative to the shear strength
should be taken near a top or bottom corner of the plate as
test provided in 7.2.1, or when agreed upon by the purchaser
rolled, parallel to its longitudinal axis, or other location that is
and the manufacturer, or both, three bend tests shall be made
representative of the final product.
with the alloy cladding in compression to determine the quality
of the bond. These bend tests shall be made in the manner of 9.4 For plates 11⁄2 in. (38 mm) and under in thickness,
the tension tests indicated in Fig. 2 and shall be bent through an tension test specimens shall be the full thickness of the
angle of 180° to the bend diameters provided for in either material, except as specified in 7.1.2 and 7.1.3.
Specification A6/A6M or Specification A20/A20M, Appendix 9.5 For plates over 11⁄2 in. (38 mm) in thickness, tension
X4 or equivalent, as applicable. At least two of the three tests tests shall be of the form shown in Fig. 3 and shall be of all
shall show not more than 50 % separation on both edges of the base steel conforming to the requirements of the specification
bent portion. Greater separation shall be cause for rejection. for the base steel.
7.3 Methods and practices relating to mechanical testing 9.6 The bend test specimen used for bond strength determi-
required by this specification shall be in accordance with the nation shall be 11⁄2 in. (38 mm) wide by not more than 3⁄4 in.
Test Methods and Definitions of A370. (19 mm) in thickness and shall be machined to the form and
dimensions shown in Fig. 2, or may be machined with both
8. Number of Tests and Retests edges parallel. In reducing the thickness of the specimen, both
8.1 One or more tension tests, as required by the specifica- the alloy cladding and the base steel shall be machined so as to
tions for the base metal and when specified, one shear test or maintain the same ratio of clad metal to base steel as is
three bond bend tests shall be made, representing each plate as maintained in the plate, except that the thickness of the clad
rolled. Each specimen shall be in the final condition of heat metal need not be reduced below 1⁄8 in. (3.1 mm). The sides of
treatment required for the plate, including any SPWHT if the bend test specimen used for bond strength determination
required. may have the corners rounded to a radius not over 1⁄16 in. (1.6

3
 A264 − 12 (2019)
11. Permissible Variations
11.1 Permissible variations except for thickness shall be in
accordance with Specification A20/A20M.
11.2 Minimum thickness of the alloy cladding metal and of
the backing steel, or of the total composite plate shall be as
required by purchase order documents when ordered to mini-
mum thicknesses.
11.3 Permissible variation in thickness when ordered to
nominal thicknesses shall be 0.01 in. (0.3 mm) under each for
Metric Equivalents backing steel or total composite, and 0.03 in. (0.8 mm) under
in. mm in. mm for the alloy cladding.
0.003 0.076 ⁄ 38 9.53
0.005 0.127 0.50 12.7 11.4 Permissible variations for excess thickness of the total
0.01 0.254 2 50.8 composite shall be the greater of 0.125 in. (3 mm) or 10 % of
1 ⁄8 3.18 21⁄4 64.5
the total composite thickness ordered and may occur in either
NOTE 1—The gage length and fillets shall be as shown, but the ends backing steel, cladding, or both, provided the minimum for
may be of any shape to fit the holders of the testing machine in such a way each is met.
that the load shall be axial. The reduced section shall be a gradual taper
11.5 More restrictive or less restrictive permissible varia-
from the ends toward the center, with the ends 0.003 to 0.005 in. larger in
diameter than the center. tions may be agreed upon by the purchaser and the manufac-
FIG. 3 Standard Round Tension Test Specimen with 2-in. Gage turer.
Length
12. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
mm) for plates, 2 in. (50 mm) and under in thickness, and not 12.1 The material shall be free of injurious defects, shall
over 1⁄8 in. (3.1 mm) for plates over 2 in. (50 mm) in thickness. have a workmanlike appearance, and shall conform to the
10. Product Analysis designated finish.
10.1 Product analysis may be required for the cladding alloy 12.2 Plate alloy surfaces shall be blasted (descaled by
on finished product. Chemical analysis may be accomplished means of sand or stainless grit, shot, or wire), pickled,
by wet chemical or instrumental procedures. If wet chemical blast-cleaned and pickled, or 100 % conditioned.
procedures are used, millings may be taken only when the
composite plate thickness is sufficient to permit obtaining 13. Bond Quality
millings without danger of contamination from the adjacent 13.1 The cladding metal shall be integrally and continu-
layer. If spectrometric procedures are used, the sample shall be ously bonded to the base metal.
exposed on the center line of the cladding when there is 13.2 Inspection:
sufficient cladding thickness available so that there is no 13.2.1 Clad plates less than 3⁄8 in. (10 mm) total minimum
contamination from the adjacent base metal. composite thickness shall be visually inspected for bond
10.2 If product analysis is specified by the purchaser for the integrity prior to shipment.
cladding alloy, it shall be made on a sample taken from the 13.2.2 Clad plates 3⁄8 in. (10 mm) and thicker total minimum
finished product or a broken test specimen. For wet chemical composite thickness, and when specified by the purchaser, clad
analysis, in order to avoid contamination by the base plate plates less than 3⁄8 in. (10 mm) total minimum composite
metal, millings of cladding samples shall be taken from the test thickness, shall be ultrasonically inspected for bond integrity
coupon by removal and discard of all the base metal plus 40 % prior to shipment in accordance with the Procedures and
of the cladding thickness from the bonded side, not to exceed Methods of Specification A578/A578M.
1⁄16 in. (1.6 mm). The material shall be cleaned and sufficient
13.2.3 Areas of non-bond detected visually shall be ex-
millings taken to represent the full cross-section of the remain- plored ultrasonically to determine the extent of the condition in
der. If there is insufficient cladding thickness available to accordance with 13.2.2. For purposes of defining non-bond, the
spectrographically expose on the center line of the cladding cladding shall be interpreted to be unbonded when there is
without contamination, 50 % of the cladding shall be removed complete loss of back reflection accompanied by an echo
and the sample exposed on this surface. indication from the plane of the interface of the clad and
10.3 The results of the product analysis shall conform to the backing steel. Areas within 1 in. (25 mm) of a cut edge on the
requirements of Section 7 of Specification A480/A480M. plate that contain indications exceeding 50 % of the back
reflection at the bond interface shall be considered to be
10.4 Methods and practices relating to chemical analysis unbonded.
required by this specification shall be in accordance with the 13.2.4 Extent of ultrasonic examination shall be at the
Test Methods, Practices, and Definitions of A751. discretion of the manufacturer and sufficient enough to provide
10.5 Results of the product analysis for the backing steel the quality level required by the purchaser. Plates may be
when required shall conform to the requirements of Section 7 ordered with 100 % coverage (Supplementary Requirement
of Specification A20/A20M. S12).

4
 A264 − 12 (2019)
13.3 Quality Levels: 14.2.5 The location and extent of the weld repairs together
13.3.1 Class 1—No single unbonded area exceeding 1 in. with the repair procedure and examination results shall be
(25 mm) in its longest dimension with total unbonded area not transmitted as a part of the certification.
to exceed 1 % of the total cladded surface area. 15. General Requirements for Delivery
13.3.2 Class 3—No single unbonded area exceeding 3 in.
15.1 Material furnished under this specification shall con-
(75 mm) in its longest dimension with total unbonded area not
form to the applicable requirements of Specification A20/
to exceed 3 % of the total cladded surface area.
A20M.
13.3.3 Class 5—No single unbonded area exceeding 9 in.2
(58 cm2) with total unbonded area not to exceed 5 % of the 16. Certification
total cladded surface area. 16.1 The chemical analysis of the base metal and the alloy
13.3.4 The class to be supplied should be listed on the cladding shall be certified to the purchaser by the clad plate
purchase order. When none has been specified, plates shall be manufacturer.
furnished as Class 5 at the option of the manufacturer. 16.2 The results of the tests in Section 7 and any other tests
required by the purchase order shall be reported to the
14. Welding purchaser.
14.1 All welding which is part of the delivered product, 16.3 Compliance with the clad quality level of 13.3 shall be
including any made in the fabrication of the cladding alloy certified. Reports shall include the results of ultrasonic inspec-
component, shall be performed with a procedure and welders tion when Supplementary Requirement S12 is specified.
or welding operators that are qualified in accordance with 16.4 Compliance with any applicable construction code
Section IX of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. shall be certified and the appropriate documentation provided
14.2 The material manufacturer may repair defects in clad- when appropriate in the case of explosively bonded clad
ding by welding provided the following requirements are met: produced using welded alloy cladding components (see 4.1.10
and 4.1.12).
14.2.1 When specified in the purchase order, prior approval
shall be obtained from the purchaser. 17. Product Marking
14.2.2 The defective area shall be removed and the area 17.1 Except as specified in 17.2, plates shall be marked in
prepared for repair shall be examined by a liquid penetrant accordance with the requirements of Specification A20/A20M
method to ensure that all of the defective area has been for the backing steel and the type number of the alloy cladding
removed. Method of test and acceptance standard shall be as metal and this specification number.
agreed upon between the purchaser and the manufacturer.
17.2 For double-clad material or for material under 1⁄4 in.
14.2.3 The repair weld shall be deposited in accordance (6.35 mm) in thickness, the marking specified in 17.1 shall be
with a welding procedure and welding materials suitable for legibly stenciled instead of stamped.
the cladding material. The surface condition of the repaired
area shall be restored to a condition similar to the rest of the 18. Keywords
cladding. 18.1 alloy cladding; backing steel; bond strength; carbon
14.2.4 The repaired area shall be examined by a liquid steel; clad steel plate; low-alloy steel; pressure vessel; shear
penetrant method. strength; stainless chromium-nickel steel

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

Supplementary requirements shall not apply unless specified on the order. A list of standardized
supplementary requirements for use at the option of the purchaser are included in Specification
A20/A20M. Several of those considered suitable for use with this specification are listed below by
title. Other tests may be performed by agreement between the supplier and the purchaser.

S2. Product Analysis S5. Charpy V-Notch Impact Test

S3. Simulated Post-Weld Heat Treatment of Mechanical S12. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specifi-
Test Coupons cation A578/A578M

5
 A264 − 12 (2019)
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the Copyright Clearance Center, 222
Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 646-2600; http://www.copyright.com/