Ministry of Defence

Defence Standard 02-791 (NES 791)

Issue 1 Publication Date 01 April 2000

Requirements For Weldable

Structural Steels
Part 1
Mild Steel-Plate, Sections And Bars

Incorporating NES 791 Category 2

Issue 2 Publication Date August 1987

AMENDMENT RECORD
Amd No

Date

Text Affected

REVISION NOTE
This standard is raised to Issue 1 to update its content.
HISTORICAL RECORD
This standard supersedes the following:
Naval Engineering Standard (NES) 791 Part 1 Issue 2 dated August 1987.

Signature and Date

Ministry of Defence

Naval Engineering Standard

NES 791

Part 1

Issue 2 (Reformatted)

August 1987

REQUIREMENTS FOR WELDABLE STRUCTURAL STEELS

PART 1
MILD STEELPLATE, SECTIONS AND BARS

This NES Supersedes

NES 791 PART 1 ISSUE 1

Record of Amendments
AMDT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

INSERTED BY

DATE

NAVAL ENGINEERING STANDARD 791

REQUIREMENTS FOR WELDABLE STRUCTURAL STEELS
PART 1
ISSUE 2 (REFORMATTED)
MILD STEELPLATE, SECTIONS AND BARS

The issue and use of this Standard

is authorized for use in MOD contracts
by MOD(PE) Sea Systems and
the Naval Support Command

ECROWN COPYRIGHT
Published by:
Director of Naval Architecture
Procurement Executive, Ministry of Defence
Sea Systems, Foxhill, Bath BA1 5AB
i

ii

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

SCOPE
1.

The requirements for a weldable steel for general structural and engineering purposes.

iii

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

iv

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

FOREWORD
Sponsorship
1.

This Naval Engineering Standard (NES) is sponsored by the Procurement Executive, Ministry
of Defence, Deputy Controller Warships, Section NA 132.

2.

It is to be applied as required to any Procurement Executive, Ministry of Defence contract for

a weldable steel for general structural and engineering purposes and is applicable to Surface
Ships and Submarines.

3.

This NES comprises:

Requirements for Weldable Structural Steels
Part 1

Mild SteelPlate, Sections and Bars

Part 2

Notch Tough Mild SteelPlate

Part 3

B Quality SteelPlates and Sections

Part 4

BX Quality SteelPlate

4.

If it is found to be technically unsuitable for any particular requirement the Sponsor is to be

informed in writing of the circumstances with a copy to Deputy Controller Warship
Equipment (DCWE), Section ME 241.

5.

Any user of this NES either within MOD or in outside industry may propose an amendment
to it. Proposals for amendments which are:
a.

not directly applicable to a particular contract are to be made to the Sponsor of the NES;

b.

directly applicable to a particular contract are to be dealt with using existing procedures
or as specified in the contract.

6.

No alteration is to be made to this NES except by the issue of a formal amendment.

7.

Unless otherwise stated, reference in this NES to approval, approved, authorized and similar
terms means by the Procurement Executive, Ministry of Defence.

8.

Any significant amendments that may be made to this NES at a later date will be indicated
by a vertical sideline. Deletions will be indicated by 000 appearing at the end of the line
interval.

9.

This NES has been reissued to update the Conditions of Issue, Introduction and Clauses 0202
and 0203, also to amend Clauses 1.b., 2.a. and 2.c. resulting from the 1986 edition of BS 4360.

Conditions of Release
General
10.

This Naval Engineering Standard (NES) has been prepared for the use of the Crown and of
its contractors in the execution of contracts for the Crown. The Crown hereby excludes all
liability (other than liability for death or personal injury) whatsoever and howsoever arising
(including but without limitation, negligence on the part of the Crown, its servants or agents)
for any loss or damage however caused where the NES is used for any other purpose.

11.

This document is Crown Copyright and the information herein may be subject to Crown or
third party rights. It is not to be released, reproduced or published without written permission
of the MOD.

12.

The Crown reserves the right to amend or modify the contents of this NES without consulting
or informing any holder.

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

MOD Tender or Contract Process

13.

This NES is the property of the Crown and unless otherwise authorized in writing by the MOD
must be returned on completion of the contract, or submission of the tender, in connection
with which it is issued.

14.

When this NES is used in connection with a MOD tender or contract, the user is to ensure that
he is in possession of the appropriate version of each document, including related documents,
relevant to each particular tender or contract. Enquiries in this connection may be made of
the local MOD(PE) Quality Assurance Representative or the Authority named in the tender
or contract.

15.

When NES are incorporated into MOD contracts, users are responsible for their correct
application and for complying with contracts and any other statutory requirements.
Compliance with an NES does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.

Related Documents
16.

In the tender and procurement processes the related documents listed in each section and
Annex A can be obtained as follows:
a.

British Standards

British Standards Institution,

389 Chiswick High Road,
London W4 4AL

b.

Defence Standards

Directorate of Standardization and Safety Policy,

Stan 1, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street,
Glasgow G2 8EX

c.

Naval Engineering Standards

CSE3a, CSE Llangennech, Llanelli,

Dyfed SA14 8YP

d.

Other documents

Tender or Contract Sponsor to advise.

Note: Tender or Contract Sponsor can advise in cases of difficulty.

17.

All applications to Ministry Establishments for related documents are to quote the relevant
MOD Invitation to Tender or Contract Number and date, together with the sponsoring
Directorate and the Tender or Contract Sponsor.

18.

Prime Contractors are responsible for supplying their subcontractors with relevant
documentation, including specifications, standards and drawings.

Health and Safety

Warning
19.

This NES may call for the use of processes, substances and/or procedures that may be injurious
to health if adequate precautions are not taken. It refers only to technical suitability and in
no way absolves either the supplier or the user from statutory obligations relating to health
and safety at any stage of manufacture or use. Where attention is drawn to hazards, those
quoted may not necessarily be exhaustive.

vi

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

CONTENTS
Page No

TITLE PAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

iii

FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sponsorship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conditions of Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MOD Tender or Contract Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Related Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Health and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

v
v
v
v
vi
vi
vi
vi

CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

vii

SECTION

1.
1.1

MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURE . . . . . . . . . .

Weight Rolling Margins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.1
1.1

SECTION

2.
2.1

QUALITY OF FINISHED STEEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Surface Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1
2.1

SECTION

3.

QUALITY ASSURANCE DOCUMENTATION . . .

3.1

SECTION

4.
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4

IDENTIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Painted Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Colour Coding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.1
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.1

ANNEX

A.

RELATED DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A.1

ANNEX

B.

DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . .

B.1

ANNEX

C.

C.1
C.2
C.3
C.3.1
C.3.2
C.3.3
C.3.4

SURFACE CONDITION OF HOT ROLLED

HEAVY PLATE, MEDIUM PLATE, AND WIDE
FLATS OR UNIVERSALS STANDARD FOR
REFERENCE IN CASES OF DISPUTE . . . . . . . . .
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surface Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surface Defect Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defect Depths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Significance of Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FIGURE C.1 PLATES <12mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FIGURE C.2 PLATES >12mm <20mm . . . . . . . .
FIGURE C.3 PLATES 20mm TO 50mm . . . . . . . .

C.1
C.1
C.1
C.1
C.1
C.1
C.1
C.2
C.3
C.3
C.3

D.

PROCUREMENT CHECK LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

D.1

ANNEX

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
vii

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

viii

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

1.

1.1

MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURE

a.

The steel is to comply with the requirements of BS 4360 except where stated
herein.

b.

The grades of steel are to comply with the requirements of BS 4360; Grade 43A
for plates, sections and bars.

Weight Rolling Margins

a.

The specified weight for plates and sections is the maximum, and the rolling
margins are to be wholly under the specified thickness.

1.1

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

1.2

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

2.

QUALITY OF FINISHED STEEL

a.

The quality of all finished steel is to be in accordance with BS 4360 Section 1

except that in the assessment of plates the reference standard at Annex C. of this
specification is to apply. For all products the correction of minor defects is to be
limited such that the thickness is not locally reduced by more than 4% below
the minimum thickness otherwise allowed. Corrections of defects by weld repair
is not permitted; options B11 and B12 of BS 4360 refer.

b.

In the assessment of fitness for purpose any defect of a type which could affect
this purpose in respect of possible stress raisers or sites of local corrosion, eg
sharp bottomed scars or pits (see Note), pitting with overhanging edges etc, the
purchaser is to report the product to the manufacturer for early agreement on
repair or replacement.

c.

Additionally for plates, when the foregoing requirements have been met and
there are surface blemishes such that it is considered unsatisfactory, because
the blemishes mar the appearance of the plate or would adversely affect the
adhesion of a protective paint system, then Annex C. is to be used as the basis
for arbitration between the purchaser and the manufacturer.

Note:

2.1

For the purpose of this NES a sharp bottomed scar or pit is defined as any
scar or pit which is greater than 0.2mm deep and the depth is greater than
the width. To assist in the assessment of borderline cases a reference block
is to be used as the datum. This block may be in the form of 50mm
50mm 2mm with machined slots 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7mm
wide. Other forms of approved assessment methods may be used as agreed
between the QAR and the manufacturer.

Surface Treatment
a.

All plates and sections are to be treated as follows:

(1)

Less than 5mm thick to be pickled; 5mm thick and over to be abrasively
blasted to a minimum of second quality finish in accordance with
NES 755.

(2)

Unless otherwise specified in the Contract Documents, immediately after

pickling or abrasive blasting an inspection in accordance with Clauses 2.a.
to 2.c. Steel less than 5mm thick is to be oiled, 5mm thick and over is to
be coated with priming paint in accordance with NES 757.

(3)

When plates and sections are to be galvanized the galvanizing is to be by

the hot dip process in accordance with BS 729. The spelter used is to
contain not less than 98.5% zinc and the weight of zinc deposited is to be
not less than 1.2kg/m 2.

2.1

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

2.2

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

3.

QUALITY ASSURANCE DOCUMENTATION

a.

Certification is to be provided to the consignee in accordance with BS 4360 and

is to include the chemical composition as determined by the ladle analysis. This
certification is required even when inspection has taken place. A copy of each
certificate is to be supplied to the MOD Quality Assurance Representative.

3.1

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

3.2

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

4.

IDENTIFICATION
a.

All finished products are to be correctly identified and are to be legibly marked
with the following information:
(1)

4.1

Specification Number

(b)

Cast Number

(c)

Test Certification Number

(d)

Manufacturers Works Code

These numbers are to be positioned at the top right and left hand corners, either
on the edge of the plate or on the surface of the plate within 16mm of the plate
edge.

Sections
a.

4.3

(a)

Plates
a.

4.2

Hard Stamped markings outlined by circling with paint of a contrasting

colour:

These markings are to be on both ends.

Painted Markings
a.

Markings are also to be located near one end of the plates and on both ends of
sections.
(1)

Contract Number

(2)

Destination

(3)

Dimensions

(4)

Customer Identification (last 7 digits of the NATO Stock Number (NSN)

For small sections and thin plate where the process route precludes individual
markings the products are to be supplied suitably bundled and the
identification marks painted on metal tags.

4.4

Colour Coding
a.

Colour coding on each plate is to be painted on diagonally opposite corners and

on the ends of sections with a distinctive yellow colour. The ends of bars are to
be painted with a distinctive blue colour.

4.1

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

4.2

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ANNEX A.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
A.1

Reference is made to:

Referred to in Clause
BS 729

BS 4360

Hot Dip Galvanized Coatings on Iron

and Steel Articles
Surface Finish of Blast-Cleaned Steel
for Painting
Weldable Structural Steels

NES 755

Abrasive Blasting of Steel

NES 757

Application and uses of Prefabrication

(Shop) Primers

BS 4232

A.1

2.1a.
Annex C.
1.a., 1.b., 2.a., 3.a.,
Annex C.
2.1a.
2.1a.

ANNEX A.

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ANNEX A.

A.2

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ANNEX B.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
B.1

There are no Definitions and Abbreviations for this NES.

B.1

ANNEX B.

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ANNEX B.

B.2

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ANNEX C.
SURFACE CONDITION OF HOT ROLLED HEAVY PLATE, MEDIUM PLATE, AND WIDE
FLATS OR UNIVERSALS STANDARD FOR REFERENCE IN CASES OF DISPUTE
C.1

SCOPE
a.

C.2

The surface conditions which supplement the quality requirements of BS 4360

for hot rolled heavy and medium plate, also hot rolled wide flats or universals
in thicknesses up to 50mm; for thickness over 50mm special agreements may
be made. The requirements for the surface condition of these steel products are
to be used as a basis for arbitration between the supplier and the customer
where the customer or his representative considers plate surface condition to
be unsatisfactory.

DEFINITION
a.

This NES relates solely to defects within the rolling margin, and is concerned
with those minor defects which arise in processing despite regular maintenance
of equipment and inspection controls, such as scale, pitting, scores, small
blisters and light surface laminations (slivers or shell). These are not readily
seen in the scaled condition and are revealed after descaling.

b.

Within the terms of this NES a surface defect is a surface blemish or group of
minor blemishes which do not affect fitness for purpose but mar the surface
appearance of the plate.

C.3

SURFACE ASSESSMENT

C.3.1

Method

C.3.2

C.3.3

a.

Both surfaces are to be inspected and assessed independently, bearing in mind

that the resulting thickness must not be less than the minimum permissible.
The inspection of plates is to be carried out in good lighting conditions
(preferably 400 lux) or with the use of a local light source, in a practical manner
by slowly walking the length of the plate.

b.

The depths of surface defects are measured with a surface depth gauge.
However, with a little experience it is possible to estimate surface defect depth
visually with a sufficient accuracy having taken the precaution of gauging some
surface defects in the light conditions prevailing.

Surface Defect Area

a.

The surface defect area is to be regarded as the area which is circumscribed by

a line drawn round the limit of the surface defect at a distance of 80mm. If the
surface defects are significant, ie outwith the standard indicated in
FIGURE C.1, FIGURE C.2 and FIGURE C.3, then it is this area that is likely
to be affected by grinding and fairing into the surrounding material.

b.

The defect area is expressed as a percentage of the total area of that surface
containing the defect.

Defect Depths
a.

In the case of clusters of surface defects, the average depth is to be used for
determining if rectification is warranted.

C.1

ANNEX C.

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

C.3.4

ANNEX C.

Significance of Defects (FIGURE C.1, FIGURE C.2 and FIGURE C.3)

a.

The maximum permissible depth and area of defect have been related to plate
thickness, considering three broad thickness ranges for the sake of
practicability viz: up to and including 12mm; over 12mm to less than 20mm;
20mm to 50mm and are given in FIGURE C.1, FIGURE C.2 and FIGURE C.3.
The smallest defect depth considered is 0.15mm, slightly above the maximum
surface roughness amplitude of 0.1mm for blast cleaned surfaces as defined in
BS 4232.

b.

Defects within the allowable range (Area A) are considered so insignificant that
rectification is not required. Defects outside this area are normally rectified to
within the permissible range. However, rectification need not be carried out if
the usefulness of the plate is not impaired by the defects present.

C.2

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

FIGURE C.1 PLATES <12mm

FIGURE C.2 PLATES >12mm <20mm

FIGURE C.3 PLATES 20mm TO 50mm

C.3

ANNEX C.

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ANNEX C.

C.4

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ANNEX D.
PROCUREMENT CHECK LIST
TITLE ........................
REFERENCE .................................

Notes:
1.

This Check List is to ensure that certain aspects of this Naval Engineering
Standard are consulted when preparing a Statement of Technical
Requirements for a particular application.
Clauses where a preference for an option is to be used or where specific data is
to be added are included in the Check List.
Each item is to be marked either

2.
3.

= included

NA

= not applicable

CHECK
CHECK
No
1
Assessment of Quality of steel
2

CLAUSE No

! or NA

2.a.2.c.

Surface treatment of plates

2.1a.

D.1

ANNEX D.

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ANNEX D.

D.2

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ALPHABETICAL INDEX

A
Assessment, defects, 2.1

B
Blemishes, 2.1

C
Certification, 3.1
Chemical composition, 3.1
Colour coding, 4.1

D
Defects, 2.1
Definitions, 2.1

G
Grades, 1.1

M
Markings
Hard stamped, 4.1
Painted, 4.1

P
Plates, 4.1

Q
Quality finished steel, 2.1

R
Reference block, 2.1

S
Sections, 4.1
Surface assessment, C.1
Surface treatment, 2.1

INDEX.1

INDEX

NES 791
Part 1
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

W
Weight rolling margins, 1.1

INDEX

INDEX.2

Inside Rear Cover

 Crown Copyright 2000

Copying Only as Agreed with DStan

Defence Standards are Published by and Obtainable from:

Defence Procurement Agency
An Executive Agency of The Ministry of Defence
Directorate of Standardization
Kentigern House
65 Brown Street
GLASGOW G2 8EX
DStan Helpdesk
Tel 0141 224 2531/2
Fax 0141 224 2503
Internet e-mail enquiries@dstan.mod.uk
File Reference
The DStan file reference relating to work on this standard is D/DStan/69/02/791.
Contract Requirements
When Defence Standards are incorporated into contracts users are responsible for their correct
application and for complying with contractual and statutory requirements. Compliance with
a Defence Standard does not in itself confer immunity from legal obligations.
Revision of Defence Standards
Defence Standards are revised as necessary by up issue or amendment. It is important that
users of Defence Standards should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest issue or
amendment. Information on all Defence Standards is contained in Def Stan 00-00 Standards
for Defence Part 3 , Index of Standards for Defence Procurement Section 4 Index of Defence
Standards and Defence Specifications published annually and supplemented regularly by
Standards in Defence News (SID News). Any person who, when making use of a Defence
Standard encounters an inaccuracy or ambiguity is requested to notify the Directorate of
Standardization (DStan) without delay in order that the matter may be investigated and
appropriate action taken.