PLATE & COIL · BUYER QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Frequently Asked
Questions
Grade selection, thickness tolerance, cut-to-size accuracy, mill test certificates and heavy cargo shipping -- the answers our fabricator, shipyard and trader clients ask for most, in one place.
Answer desk
- Quotation turnaround
- 12hrs
- Questions answered
- 24
- Topics covered
- 5
Jump straight to your topic
Five question groups cover almost every enquiry we receive before an order is placed. Select a card to move to that section of the answer list.
The five questions buyers ask first
Pinned answers taken from thousands of plate and coil enquiries -- read these before sending your drawing and your quotation will come back faster.
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Pinned · 01
What is your minimum order quantity?
25 tonnes for common stock grades such as Q235B, Q355B and SS400. Mixed-grade containers are accepted from 25 t total; mill-rolled specialty plate starts at 50 t.
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Pinned · 02
Can you match my grade to another standard?
Yes. Send a drawing written to GB, EN, ASTM or JIS and we confirm the equivalent grade, then verify chemistry and mechanicals against the mill certificate before quoting.
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Pinned · 03
How accurate is your cut-to-size service?
Typical tolerance is ±2 mm on plasma and flame cut parts. Tighter tolerances can be agreed in advance for machined edges or CNC-nested blanks.
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Pinned · 04
Do you supply original mill test certificates?
Every piece ships with an original EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate, heat-number traceable and matched to the marking painted on the plate.
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Pinned · 05
How long is delivery after order confirmation?
Ready stock ships in 7-15 days. Mill-rolled plate takes 25-40 days depending on grade, gauge and rolling schedule. Cutting adds 3-7 working days.
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Full answer library
Twenty-four answers grouped by topic. Multiple panels can stay open at once, so you can compare related specifications side by side.
Grade Selection
5 questionsQ1 Which grade should I choose for a welded structural frame?
Q355B (GB/T 1591) is the most common choice, with a minimum yield of 355 MPa and good weldability at moderate carbon equivalent. Its direct equivalents are S355JR to EN 10025-2, ASTM A572 Gr.50 and JIS SM490A. If your project is in a cold climate, move up to S355J2 or Q355D for impact testing at −20 °C.
Q2 Can you match my grade to another national standard?
Yes. Send a drawing or specification written to GB, EN, ASTM or JIS and our engineers propose the equivalent grade, then check chemistry and mechanical values on the mill certificate before we quote. Equivalence is confirmed in writing on the offer so your inspector sees the reasoning.
- Q355B
- S355JR
- A572 Gr50
- SM490A
Q3 Which plate do you recommend for pressure vessels and boilers?
Q245R and Q345R cover most Chinese-code vessels, while ASME SA-516 Gr.70 is standard for ASME VIII Div.1 work. We hold 6-150 mm in stock, normalised on request, with impact testing at the temperature stated in your data sheet.
Q4 Do you supply class-approved shipbuilding plate?
AH36, DH36 and EH36 are available from 6 to 100 mm with CCS, ABS or LR approval. Class society attendance during rolling and stamping can be arranged if your yard requires witnessed testing.
Q5 What is the difference between NM400 and HB450 wear plate?
Both are quenched and tempered abrasion-resistant plate. NM400 targets about 360-440 HBW and is easier to cut and bend; HB450 sits around 425-475 HBW for higher wear life but needs larger bending radii and controlled pre-heat when welding. We stock 6-80 mm in both.
Thickness Tolerance
4 questionsQ1 What thickness tolerance applies to hot-rolled plate?
Standard supply follows GB/T 709 Class B or EN 10029 Class A unless you state otherwise. As a guide, 8-15 mm plate runs ±0.55 mm, 15-25 mm ±0.65 mm and 25-40 mm ±0.80 mm. Ask for Class C if you need a tighter minus limit.
Q2 Can I order plate with zero negative tolerance?
Yes. Zero-minus or "nominal and above" rolling is available on mill orders and carries a small price premium plus a longer lead time, because the mill must roll to the upper half of the tolerance band. State the requirement at enquiry stage so it is written into the rolling instruction.
Q3 How flat is your plate after levelling?
Levelled plate typically holds within 3-5 mm per metre for gauges above 8 mm, which suits CNC nesting and automated welding lines. Thin plate below 6 mm and high-strength grades spring back more, so we agree a flatness figure case by case.
Q4 Is weight calculated theoretically or actually?
We quote either way. Theoretical weight uses 7.85 g/cm³ and nominal thickness; actual weight is taken from the weighbridge ticket at loading. The chosen basis is printed on the contract and the packing list so there is no dispute at destination.
Cut To Size
5 questionsQ1 What cutting tolerance can I expect?
Typical tolerance is ±2 mm on plasma and flame cut parts up to 3,000 mm long. Tighter figures are possible on CNC plasma for thinner gauges, and machined or milled edges can be arranged where the drawing calls for ±0.5 mm.
Q2 Which file formats do you accept for cutting?
DWG, DXF and PDF drawings are all accepted, as is a simple size list in Excel. We return a nesting plan showing yield and offcut before cutting starts, so you can approve the layout and the final billed tonnage.
Q3 Do you charge for offcut and scrap?
Billing is normally on net part weight where nesting yield exceeds 85%. Below that, the offer states whether the balance is charged or the offcut is shipped with your cargo -- the choice is agreed before production, never after.
Q4 Can you slit and level coil to my strip width?
Yes. Slitting runs from 30 mm strip width upward on 0.2-4.0 mm coil, and cut-to-length blanking is available on the same line. Edge condition, burr limit and coil ID are all confirmed on the order sheet.
Q5 How much extra time does processing add?
Cutting, levelling or slitting normally adds 3-7 working days to a stock order. Large nested jobs above 200 tonnes are scheduled in batches so the first container can leave while the balance is still on the table.
Mill Certificates & Inspection
5 questionsQ1 What exactly is included in the mill test certificate?
An EN 10204 3.1 certificate covering heat number, full chemical analysis, yield and tensile strength, elongation, impact values where specified, plus the delivery condition and the standard the plate was rolled to.
Q2 Can I trace a single plate back to its heat number?
Yes -- every plate is hard-stamped or paint-marked with grade, heat number and thickness. Cut parts carry transferred markings so the link to the certificate survives processing, which is essential for vessel and marine audits.
Q3 Do you accept third-party inspection by SGS or BV?
We work with SGS, BV, TUV and Intertek regularly and can also host your own inspector. Dimensional check, marking verification, UT and loading supervision can all be witnessed before the container doors close.
Q4 Is ultrasonic testing available on heavy plate?
Yes. UT to GB/T 2970, EN 10160 or ASTM A435 / A578 can be specified at enquiry stage, including the acceptance class. Z15, Z25 and Z35 through-thickness plate is also available where lamellar tearing is a design concern.
Q5 Which company certifications do you hold?
ISO 9001:2015 quality management and Lloyd's CE certification for construction products. Copies are issued with the shipping documents, and class approvals for marine plate are supplied per heat as required.
Logistics & Delivery
5 questionsQ1 What is your minimum order quantity?
25 tonnes for common stock grades, which fills one 20 ft container efficiently. Mixed grades and sizes can be combined to reach the same total. Mill-rolled specialty plate and non-standard widths start at 50 tonnes per item.
Q2 How do you ship plate that is longer than a container?
Oversized plate travels by flat rack, open top or break bulk. We prepare the lashing plan, timber dunnage and lifting points, and provide the stowage drawing your forwarder needs for a heavy cargo booking.
Q3 What are your standard lead times?
Ready stock loads within 7-15 days of a confirmed order and deposit. Mill rolling takes 25-40 days depending on grade, gauge and the rolling schedule for that width. Processing adds a further 3-7 working days.
Q4 How is plate protected against rust in transit?
Standard export packing uses anti-rust oil, waterproof paper and steel strapping on timber bearers. For long sea legs or humid destinations we add VCI film or a shop primer coat on request.
Q5 Which trade terms and payment methods do you accept?
FOB, CFR, CIF and DAP are all quoted. Payment is by T/T with 30% deposit and balance against copy documents, or by irrevocable L/C at sight from a workable bank. Full export documentation including CO and Form E is provided.
Question still unanswered? Talk to a plate engineer.
Send the grade, thickness, size, tonnage and destination port -- or just the drawing. You receive an equivalent-grade proposal, cutting plan and freight option within 12 working hours.
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12 hrs
Quotation response
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30+
Grades held in stock
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40+
Export markets served
Direct contact
- Sales email
- sales@xjyplate.com
- Technical desk
- +86 130 0000 0000
- Office hours
- Mon-Sat 08:30-18:00