This specification deals with the standard structural quality of high-strength low-alloy nickel, copper, phosphorus steel H-piles and sheet piling for use in the construction of dock walls, bulkheads, excavations, and like applications in marine environments. The steel shall be semi-killed or killed and shall be exposed to the washing action of rain and the drying action of wind or sun, or both to determine its atmospheric corrosion resistance. Material specimens shall undergo product analysis, heat analysis, and tension testing and shall conform to the required chemical composition, tolerance, tensile strength, yield point, and elongation specifications.

1.1 This specification covers high-strength low-alloy nickel, copper, phosphorus steel H-piles and sheet piling of structural quality for use in the construction of dock walls, sea walls, bulkheads, excavations, and like applications in marine environments.

1.2 The atmospheric corrosion resistance of this steel is substantially better than that of ordinary carbon steels with or without copper addition (see Note 1). The steel has also shown to have substantially greater resistance to seawater “Splash Zone” corrosion than ordinary carbon steel (Specifications A36/A36M and A328/A328M) where exposed to the washing action of rain and the drying action of the wind or sun, or both. Where the steel is not boldly exposed, the usual provisions for the protection of ordinary carbon steel should be considered.

Note 1—For methods of estimating atmospheric corrosion resistance of low-alloy steels, see Guide G101.

1.3 When the steel is to be welded, it is presupposed that a welding procedure suitable for the grade of steel and intended use or service will be utilized. See Appendix X 3 of Specification A6/A6M for information on weldability.

1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.