scope:

The Pressure Vessel Research Committee selected six high-strength steels representing three strength levels for extensive mechanical tests in order to determine their suitability for use in pressure vessels with increased design stresses. This paper reviews the results of investigations at Lehigh University, Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, University of Illinois, and Ecole Polytechnique. These six steels have been compared on the basis of room- and elevated-temperature tension tests, notch-toughness unwelded and welded, plastic fatigue, and standard weld qualification tests. In general, the properties of these steels compare favorably with those of carbon steels.