NK steel grade KA32

KA32 is the ClassNK designation for normal-toughness higher-strength hull steel at the 32 strength level: 315 MPa minimum yield, 440 to 570 MPa tensile, with Charpy impact verified at 0 C. The NK letter prefix K identifies Nippon Kaiji Kyokai certification, the A sets the 0 C impact grade, and 32 denotes the 315 MPa yield. It is the ClassNK equivalent of grade AH32 in the harmonized IACS UR W11 system shared across DNV, Lloyd’s Register, ABS, and Bureau Veritas, so KA32, AH32, and NV A32 plates carry equal mechanical requirements. Used for hull plating where 235 MPa grade A steel would force thicker scantlings.