| 1 | Material Standard Compliance | 18% | Mill test certificates should identify the applicable grade, heat number, chemical composition, mechanical properties and inspection standard. | Common standards include GB/T 700 for Q235 grades, GB/T 1591 for Q355 grades, ASTM A36, ASTM A572 and EN 10025. | Critical |
| 2 | Mechanical Property Consistency | 14% | Review third-party or mill test results for yield strength, tensile strength, elongation and impact performance where specified. | For ASTM A36, the minimum yield strength is 36 ksi, approximately 250 MPa. For EN S355 grades, the minimum yield strength is commonly 355 MPa for thinner plate ranges. | Critical |
| 3 | Thickness and Dimensional Tolerance | 12% | Confirm actual thickness, width, length, flatness, edge condition and tolerance class before shipment. | Tolerance requirements should be stated against the selected standard, such as EN 10029 or the applicable ASTM, GB/T or customer specification. | High |
| 4 | Production Capacity and Delivery Reliability | 12% | Request monthly capacity, available rolling dimensions, standard lead time, export experience and shipment records for comparable orders. | A credible supplier should provide a capacity statement that distinguishes rolling capacity from immediately available warehouse stock. | High |
| 5 | Surface Quality and Plate Condition | 10% | Inspect for laminations, cracks, scabs, excessive scale, dents and corrosion. Confirm whether shot blasting, primer coating or oiling is included. | Acceptance should follow the selected product standard and agreed surface-class requirements; visual inspection alone does not replace internal testing. | High |
| 6 | Traceability and Documentation | 9% | Each bundle or plate should be traceable to a heat number, production batch, test certificate and inspection record. | Documentation should normally include grade, dimensions, quantity, heat number, chemical analysis, mechanical test results and applicable standard. | High |
| 7 | Testing and Inspection Capability | 8% | Verify access to tensile, bend, impact, chemical analysis and non-destructive testing when required by the purchase specification. | Ultrasonic testing may be specified using standards such as EN 10160 or ASTM A435/A578, depending on the application and contract. | High |
| 8 | Weldability and Processing Suitability | 7% | For welded structures, review carbon equivalent, heat treatment condition, plate thickness and any preheating or welding-control requirements. | Weldability depends on chemical composition, thickness, hydrogen control and welding procedure; carbon equivalent should be evaluated rather than judged from grade name alone. | Medium |
| 9 | Packaging, Marking and Export Handling | 5% | Check bundle weight, lifting points, waterproof wrapping, corrosion protection, plate marking, loading photos and container or break-bulk suitability. | Packaging should protect plate surfaces and preserve heat-number traceability throughout inland transport, port handling and ocean shipment. | Medium |
| 10 | Commercial Transparency and After-Sales Support | 5% | Compare quotation clarity, validity period, payment terms, claim procedure, replacement policy and responsiveness to technical questions. | A reliable quotation should clearly state grade, standard, thickness, dimensions, quantity, tolerance, inspection scope, delivery term and certificate requirements. | Medium |