1. Material Definition & Standard
- ASTM A36 is a widely used carbon structural steel specification standardized by ASTM International.
- Governed by ASTM A36/A36M, covering plates, bars, shapes, and structural components.
2. Key Characteristics
- Carbon Content: ≤0.29% (low-to-moderate carbon steel).
- Yield Strength (Min): 36 ksi (250 MPa).
- Tensile Strength: 58–80 ksi (400–550 MPa).
- Ductility: ≥20% elongation (in 8″/200mm gauge length).
- Weldability: Excellent (due to low carbon equivalent, CE≈0.40%).
- Machinability/Formability: Good for bending, cutting, and drilling.
3. Typical Chemical Composition (wt%)
| C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cu |
| ≤0.29% | 0.90−1.20% | ≤0.035% | ≤0.035% | ≥0.15% | ≥0.20% |
| (Note: Cu enhances corrosion resistance; P/S controlled for weldability) | |||||
4. Primary Applications
- Construction: Bridges, buildings, transmission towers.
- Infrastructure: Guardrails, grating, baseplates, brackets.
- Machinery: Frames, supports, general fabrication.
- Transportation: Trailers, railcar components (non-critical).
5. Processing & Fabrication Notes
- Welding: SMAW, GMAW, FCAW without preheat (≤1″ thickness).
- Cutting: Plasma/Oxy-fuel/Laser cutting compatible.
- Surface: Mill scale (hot-rolled) or blasted/painted (for corrosion protection).
6. Advantages vs. Limitations
| Advantages | Limitations |
| Cost-effective | Not suitable for sub-zero temperatures or high-stress dynamic loads |
| Readily available | Inferior corrosion resistance (vs. weathering steels) |
| Versatile for fabrication | Lower strength than HSLA steels (e.g., ASTM A572) |
Summary
ASTM A36 steel plate delivers economical strength, easy fabrication, and broad availability, making it the default choice for general structural applications. Its compliance with ASTM ensures consistent mechanical properties, though designers should assess requirements for corrosion resistance, low-temperature service, or high-strength needs.
A36 steel plate is a carbon structural steel manufactured in accordance with the professional standards of ASME American Society of Materials and Mechanical Engineers, and is widely used in the construction and industrial fields due to its excellent comprehensive performance.
The standards and characteristics of A36 steel plate are as follows: Manufacturing standards: follow the professional standards of ASME American Society of Materials and Mechanical Engineers. Material type: Fine grained killed steel, belonging to carbon structural steel.
The performance and application of A36 steel plate: high strength and toughness: A36 steel plate is known for its high strength and excellent toughness, and is suitable for the manufacturing of precision mechanical equipment and components, as well as the manufacturing of pipelines and drums with high toughness requirements. Wide thickness range: Its thickness varies from 8mm to 500mm, meeting the needs of different projects. Flexible delivery status: Under standard conditions, it is delivered in hot-rolled state, but various heat treatments can be carried out according to user needs.
Testing and processing of A36 steel plate: Non destructive testing: Testing is carried out through X-ray, ultrasonic and other methods to ensure that the metal material is not damaged during the production process. Heat treatment: including annealing, normalizing and tempering, or optimizing performance through rapid cooling and tempering.
Z-directional performance and chemical composition of A36 steel plate: Z-directional performance: designed specifically to solve the problem of layered tearing in steel structures, especially when the thickness exceeds 40mm and subjected to tension, Z-directional performance testing is crucial. Chemical composition: Strictly control elements such as carbon, silicon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and copper to ensure the stability and durability of the material.
A36 steel plate size and customization: Available in various sizes, ranging from 6mm to 55mm thickness, 1800mm to 2400mm width, and up to 8000mm to 12000mm length. Customization service: We provide futures bundling services, and only need to provide size specifications and quantities to enjoy professional customization.
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