This specification covers four grades of carbon steel plates of structural quality for general application. Steel samples shall be melt processed by either open-hearth, basic-oxygen, or electric furnace. Heat and product analysis shall be performed wherein steel materials shall conform to required chemical compositions of carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, and copper. Steel specimens shall also undergo tensile tests and shall conform to required values of tensile strength, yield point, and elongation.

1.1 This specification covers four grades (A, B, C, and D) of carbon steel plates of structural quality for general application.

1.2 When the steel is to be welded, a welding procedure suitable for the grade of steel and intended use or service is to be utilized. See Appendix X3 of Specification A 6/A 6M for information on weldability.

1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exactly equivalents; therefore, each system is to be used independently of the other, without combining values in any way.

1.4 For plate produced from coil and furnished without heat treatment or with stress relieving only, the additional requirements, including additional testing requirements and the reporting of additional test results, of Specification A 6/A 6M apply.

1.5 This specification contains notes or footnotes, or both, that provide explanatory material. Such notes and footnotes, excluding those in tables and figures, do not contain any mandatory requirements.