As the flagship of the modern navy, the aircraft carrier has a complex and sturdy structure, especially in the protection of the hull and deck, using a variety of steel plates of thickness and material to ensure its survivability and long-lasting combat effectiveness in the combat environment. Regarding the specific thickness of the steel plate of the aircraft carrier, different parts vary greatly depending on the function they carry and the degree of threat they face.
First of all, the flight deck of an aircraft carrier is a critical area for the take-off and landing of carrier-based aircraft, which bears the high temperature of the aircraft engine vent and the huge impact force of the landing of heavy-duty carrier-based aircraft. Although decks are not the thickest steel plates required, they are still quite thick, generally between 5 and 80 mm. For example, some reports point out that the thickness of the steel used in the main area of the flight deck of aircraft carriers such as China, the United States and Russia is about 80 millimeters, which is enough to withstand the impact of heavy fighters when they land on the ship and maintain good durability and stability.
Second, the hull structure of aircraft carriers is more complex, especially the underwater part, and the protection design is particularly critical in order to defend against torpedoes, anti-ship missiles launched by submarines, and other means of underwater attack. According to the data, the thickness of the steel plates used below the waterline of the hull is generally between 150 and 203 mm, and even in some new or reinforced protection designs, the double or triple hull structure is reached, and a thicker backup protective layer is still retained inside to maintain the buoyancy and integrity of the hull in case the external hull is damaged.
In addition, certain important areas on the aircraft carrier, such as the command center and the power compartment and other core parts, due to their high strategic value, are strengthened by higher-level armor steel plates. The thickness of such armor plates can reach a staggering 300 to 330 mm and is designed to effectively protect against direct fire attacks and fragment penetration.
In addition, the steel plates required for the construction of aircraft carriers must not only have sufficient thickness, but also have extremely high mechanical properties, such as high strength, good toughness, corrosion resistance, and excellent welding properties. Given the carrier's long-term exposure to the marine environment, the material must resist seawater corrosion and maintain stable performance under extreme temperature changes and shock loads.