According to the technical requirements of international and industry standards, carbon steel plates and their machined components must be protected against corrosion during storage. Improper storage may lead to surface degradation, deterioration of mechanical properties, and even slow crack propagation, increasing the risk of structural failure.
To prevent corrosion, common protective measures include applying rust-preventive oil, grease, or protective coatings to the steel surface, effectively isolating the metal from air and moisture. This requirement is especially critical in industries such as engineering machinery, pressure vessels, and structural components, where material reliability is essential for safe operation. Therefore, scientific and standardized storage practices are a key factor in maintaining the quality and service life of carbon steel plates.
Storage Environment Requirements of Carbon Steel Plate
1. Site Selection
Carbon steel plates should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated warehouse. The storage floor must be flat, solid, and free from standing water or oil contamination.
Recommended environmental conditions include:
Temperature range: 5°C to 40°C
Relative humidity: 40% to 70%
Extreme temperatures and excessive humidity should be avoided, as they may adversely affect material performance.
2. Environmental Control
Warehouses should be equipped with humidity control and temperature monitoring systems to maintain stable storage conditions. Relative humidity should preferably be kept below 60%, with dehumidifiers used when necessary.
Corrosive materials such as acids, alkalis, salts, and cement must not be stored in the same area, as they can cause chemical corrosion and surface damage to carbon steel plates.
Stacking Specifications of Carbon Steel Plate
1. Stacking Principles
Carbon steel plates should be stacked according to thickness, material grade, and specification. Plates of different materials or dimensions must be stored separately to prevent confusion and contact corrosion.
The first-in, first-out (FIFO) principle should be followed to minimize excessive storage time.
2. Stacking Height Control
Stacking height should be determined based on plate thickness:
Thin plates (thickness < 10 mm): ≤ 1.5 m
Medium plates (10 mm ≤ thickness ≤ 50 mm): ≤ 2.0 m
Thick plates (thickness > 50 mm): ≤ 2.5 m
Rubber pads or thin steel separators should be placed between layers to prevent surface damage and adhesion.
3. Elevation Requirements
Carbon steel plates must be elevated from the ground during storage. The bottom layer should be supported by sleepers or steel pads at least 200 mm above ground level to prevent moisture exposure.
Support spacing should not exceed 1.5 m to ensure stacking stability.
Packaging and Protective Measures of Carbon Steel Plate
For ordinary carbon steel plates with clean surfaces, oiling is generally not required. However, for alloy steel plates, thin plates, thin-walled pipes, and alloy steel pipes, both internal and external surfaces should be coated with rust-preventive oil after rust removal and before storage.
Steel materials that are severely corroded should not be stored for extended periods after derusting and should be put into use as soon as possible.
Before storage, materials must be protected from rain exposure and contamination. Any steel affected by moisture or impurities should be cleaned using appropriate methods, such as steel wire brushes, soft cloths, or cotton wipes, depending on surface hardness.
Stored materials should be inspected regularly. If rust is detected, timely rust removal and re-protection measures must be applied.
Conclusion
Proper storage management of carbon steel plates plays a vital role in preserving material quality and ensuring long-term performance. By implementing controlled storage environments, standardized stacking practices, effective corrosion protection, and routine inspection, the service life of carbon steel plates can be significantly extended. In practical applications, enterprises should adapt these guidelines to site-specific conditions to continuously improve storage efficiency and reduce material loss caused by improper handling.
