The core differences between China GB 5842-2023 and the US DOT-4BA-240 for LPG cylinders
13 May 2026No.1 Basic Positioning and Scope of Application
GB 5842-2023 (Mandatory National Standard of China)
Application: Civil liquefied petroleum gas steel cylinders, volume ≤ 150 L, working pressure 2.1 MPa (304 psi).
Ambient temperature: −40 ℃ ~ 60 ℃.
Medium: Liquefied petroleum gas complying with GB 11174 (mainly propane / butane).
DOT-4BA-240 (US Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulation)
Application: Rechargeable welded steel cylinders, water capacity ≤ 454 kg (1000 lb), working pressure 240 psig (≈1.65 MPa).
Ambient temperature: Generally designed for −40 ℃ ~ 65 ℃ (not explicitly specified in 4BA, but adopted as industry practice).
Medium: Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), propane, butane, etc., for transportation and commercial use in North America.
No.2 Differences in Material Requirements
GB 5842
Only killed steel made by open hearth furnace / electric furnace / oxygen converter is allowed, with emphasis on ductility and weldability.
Main domestic grades: HP295, Q345R, SPV355, etc.
Original material certificate or electronic QR code shall be provided.
DOT-4BA-240
Adopt American standard carbon steel: ASTM A516 Gr 70, A285 Gr C, A106, etc.
Yield strength is determined by the 0.2% offset method, in accordance with ASTM E8.
No mandatory requirement for "killed steel", but fine grain structure and low sulfur & phosphorus content are required.
No.3 Differences in Design and Structure
Pressure System
GB: High-pressure design of 2.1 MPa with a higher safety factor.
DOT: 240 psi (1.65 MPa), the general low-pressure system adopted in the North American LPG industry.
No.4 Structural Type
GB: Main structure adopts two-piece die stamping plus circumferential seam welding; standard models include YSP15, YSP50.
DOT: Cylindrical type (circumferential welding) or spherical type (single circumferential seam) are permitted; spinning closing is prohibited.
No.5 Cylinder Valve and Connection Port
GB: PZ39 taper thread is commonly used; orifice diameter of liquid phase valve seat ≥ 55 mm.
DOT: Standard equipped with CGA 510 valve; OPD (Overfill Prevention Device) is mandatory; connection specifications are incompatible with Chinese standards.
No.6 Handguard / Base
GB: Integrated handguard and annular base are mandatory with standardized dimensions.
DOT: Handguard is optional; the base is mostly three-point type or annular type with lighter weight design.
No.7 Test and Inspection Requirements
Hydrostatic Test
GB: 3.2 MPa, pressure holding for 1 minute, no leakage and no visible deformation.
DOT: 480 psi (3.3 MPa), pressure holding for 30 seconds, no leakage and no permanent deformation.
No.8 Burst Test (Sampling Inspection)
GB: Sampling ratio of 1 per 1000 cylinders per batch; minimum burst pressure ≥ 5 times working pressure (10.5 MPa).
DOT: One cylinder sampled per 1000 units; minimum burst pressure ≥ 5 times working pressure (≈8.25 MPa).
No.9 Fatigue / Cycle Test
GB: 0～2.1 MPa, 1000 cycles, no cracks allowed.
DOT: 0～240 psi, 500 cycles, no leakage allowed, with lower requirement criteria.
No.10 Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
GB: 100% X-ray testing (RT) for circumferential welds, complying with NB/T 47013.2.
DOT: 100% radiographic or ultrasonic testing (UT) for circumferential welds, complying with CGA C-1.
No.11 Service Life and Periodic Inspection
GB 5842
Design service life: 8 years. Mandatory scrappage upon expiry with no extension permitted.
Periodic inspection: Hydrostatic test and visual inspection once every 4 years, conducted by domestic special equipment inspection institutions.
DOT-4BA-240
No mandatory design service life; service continuation is subject to passing periodic inspections.
Periodic inspection: Once every 12 years (US standard), including hydrostatic test, wall thickness measurement and valve inspection; cylinders can remain in service if qualified.
No.12 Marking, Traceability and Color Specification
GB 5842
Stamping marking: 12-digit unique cylinder number, hydrostatic test pressure, test date and manufacturer.
Traceability: Electronic identification marking (QR code / RFID) for full life-cycle traceability.
Color: Silver gray or white cylinder with red painted guard, complying with GB 7144.
DOT-4BA-240
Stamping marking: DOT-4BA-240 designation, working pressure, water capacity, tare weight, serial number and manufacturing date.
Traceability: Adopted by stamping plus paper records; no mandatory electronic identification required.
Color: Mainly gray / black; no unified mandatory color standard, determined by the manufacturer.
No.13 Summary of Core Differences
GB 5842: 2.1 MPa high-pressure design, 8-year mandatory scrappage, inspection every 4 years, domestic steel materials, oriented to civil safety application.
DOT-4BA-240: 1.65 MPa low-pressure design, no mandatory service life limit, inspection every 12 years, American standard materials, oriented to North American transportation and commercial application.
No.14 Application Scenario Recommendations
Domestic sales / usage: Full compliance with GB 5842 is mandatory.
Export to North America (USA / Canada): Must comply with DOT-4BA-240 and obtain third-party certification.
Materials and connection interfaces are non-interchangeable; cylinders of different standards shall not be mixed for use.
Subject
GB5842-2023
DOT-4BA-240
Norminal Work Pressure
2.1 MPa（304 psi）
1.65 MPa（240 psi）
Hydraulic Test Pressure
3.2 MPa（≈1.5×WP）
3.3 MPa（480 psi，≈2×WP）
Design Temperature
−40 ℃～60 ℃
−40 ℃～65 ℃
Maximum Volume
150 L
454 kg（water weight，≈454 L）
Common Materials
HP295、Q345R
ASTM A516 Gr 70、A285 Gr C
Wall Thickness Design
Calculated according to GB/T 150.3, 2.1 MPa
According to ASME VIII -1240 psi, the wall thickness is generally thinner
Filling Rate (Water Volume)
≤ 85% (LPG saturated liquid)
≤ 42% (by weight, ≈ 80% volume)