The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards define specifications for steel materials based on their chemical composition, mechanical properties, and intended applications. ASTM A516, ASTM A387, and ASTM A36 are three distinct standards tailored for specific industrial uses. Below is a comprehensive comparison of these materials, focusing on their composition, mechanical behavior, heat treatment requirements, and typical applications.
Material Classification and Primary Applications
ASTM A36
Material Type: Carbon structural steel.
Key Applications
- Construction: Ideal for bolted, riveted, or welded structures, it is commonly used in bridges, buildings, and oil rigs.
- Fabrication: Used in manufacturing tanks, bins, bearing plates, fixtures, and base plates. It is also employed in ornamental works, frames, machinery parts, and brackets.
- Automotive and Agricultural Equipment: Serves as a key material in the production of frames, gears, cams, and machinery components.
- Flame-Cut Components: Suitable for creating parts like parking garage supports, walkways, boat ramps, and trenches.
ASTM A516
Material Type: Carbon steel plates for moderate and low-temperature service.
Key Applications:
- Petrochemical Industry:A516 steel is widely used in the petrochemical industry for storing and transporting various materials.
- Chemical Industry:It is also used in the chemical industry for the construction of reactors, storage tanks, and other equipment.
- Power Generation:A516 steel is used in boilers and other components of power plants.
- Naval Applications:The material's strength and weldability make it suitable for certain naval applications.
ASTM A387
Material Type: Chromium-molybdenum (Cr-Mo) alloy steel plates.
Key Applications:
- Pressure vessels.
- Heat exchangers.
- Power generation equipment.
- Piping systems in the oil and gas industry.
- Chemical processing facilities.
Chemical Composition
ASTM A36
- Composition:
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Carbon, C | 0.25 – 0.290 % |
| Copper, Cu | 0.20 % |
| Iron, Fe | 98.0 % |
| Manganese, Mn | 1.03 % |
| Phosphorous, P | 0.040 % |
| Silicon, Si | 0.280 % |
| Sulfur, S | 0.050 % |
- Alloying Elements: No intentional alloying additions (plain carbon steel).
- Key Limitation: Limited corrosion resistance and poor performance in extreme temperatures.
ASTM A516
- Composition:
| Grade | Maximum Carbon Content | Manganese Content Range | Maximum Phosphorus Content | Maximum Sulfur Content | Silicon Content Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | ≤1/2" thickness: 0.18% >1/2" & ≤2" thickness: 0.20% >2" & ≤4" thickness: 0.22% >4" & ≤8" thickness: 0.24% >8" thickness: 0.26% |
≤1/2" thickness: 0.60-0.90% >1/2" thickness: 0.60-1.20% |
0.025% | 0.025% | 0.15-0.40% |
| 60 | ≤1/2" thickness: 0.21% >1/2" & ≤2" thickness: 0.23% >2" & ≤4" thickness: 0.25% >4" thickness: 0.27% |
≤1/2" thickness: 0.60-0.90% >1/2" thickness: 0.85-1.20% |
0.025% | 0.025% | 0.15-0.40% |
| 65 | ≤1/2" thickness: 0.24% >1/2" & ≤2" thickness: 0.26% >2" & ≤4" thickness: 0.28% >4" thickness: 0.29% |
0.85-1.20% | 0.025% | 0.025% | 0.15-0.40% |
| 70 | ≤1/2" thickness: 0.27% >1/2" & ≤2" thickness: 0.28% >2" & ≤4" thickness: 0.30% >4" thickness: 0.31% |
0.85-1.20% | 0.025% | 0.025% | 0.15-0.40% |
- Grades: Available in Grades 55, 60, 65, and 70 (higher grades offer increased strength).
- Key Feature: Optimized for low-temperature impact toughness (e.g., Charpy V-notch testing at -45°C).
ASTM A387
- Composition:
| Chemical Requirements for ASTM A387 Pressure Vessel Plates | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elements | Gr.2 | Gr.12 | Gr.11 | Gr.22 | Gr.22L | Gr.21 | Gr.21L | Gr.5 | Gr.9 | Gr.91 |
| S50460 | K11757 | K11789 | K21590 | K21590 | K31545 | K31545 | S50200 | K90941 | K90901 | |
| Carbon, max | 0.04-0.21 | 0.04-0.17 | 0.04-0.17 | 0.04-0.15A | 0.12 max | 0.04-0.15A | 0.12 max | 0.15 max | 0.15 max | 0.06-0.15 |
| Manganese | 0.50-0.88 | 0.35-0.73 | 0.35-0.73 | 0.25-0.66 | 0.25-0.66 | 0.25-0.66 | 0.25-0.66 | 0.25-0.66 | 0.25-0.66 | 0.25-0.66 |
| Phosphorous, max | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 |
| Sulfur, max | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.012 |
| Silicon | 0.13-0.45 | 0.13-0.45 | 0.44-0.86 | 0.50 max | 0.50 max | 0.50 max | 0.50 max | 0.55 max | 1.05 max | 0.18-0.56 |
| Chromium | 0.46-0.85 | 0.74-1.21 | 0.94-1.56 | 1.88-2.62 | 1.88-2.62 | 2.63-3.37 | 2.63-3.37 | 3.90-6.10 | 7.90-10.10 | 7.90-9.60 |
| Molybdenum | 0.40-0.65 | 0.40-0.65 | 0.40-0.70 | 0.85-1.15 | 0.85-1.15 | 0.85-1.15 | 0.85-1.15 | 0.40-0.70 | 0.85-1.15 | 0.80-1.10 |
| Nickel, max | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.43 |
| Vanadium | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.05 max | 0.16-0.27 |
| Columbium | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.05-0.11 |
| Nitrogen | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.025-0.080 |
| Aluminum, max | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.02 |
| Titanium, max | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.01 |
| Zirconium, max | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.01 |
- Grades: Divided into multiple classes (e.g., Gr. 11, Gr. 12, Gr. 22) based on Cr-Mo content.
- Key Feature: Chromium provides oxidation resistance, while molybdenum stabilizes microstructure at elevated temperatures.
Mechanical Properties
ASTM A36
Yield Strength: ≥250 MPa.
Tensile Strength: 400–550 MPa.
Elongation: ≈20% (moderate ductility).
Key Limitation: Loses strength rapidly above 200°C; unsuitable for pressure applications.
ASTM A516
Yield Strength: Ranges from 220 MPa (Grade 55) to 380 MPa (Grade 70).
Tensile Strength: 380–620 MPa (varies by grade).
Impact Toughness: Mandatory Charpy V-notch testing at -45°C for low-temperature grades.
Advantage: Maintains ductility and fracture resistance in sub-zero conditions.
ASTM A387
Yield Strength: 310–515 MPa (dependent on grade).
Tensile Strength: 515–690 MPa.
Creep Resistance: Retains strength under prolonged exposure to high temperatures (e.g., 500–600°C).
Oxidation Resistance: Chromium forms a protective oxide layer, preventing scaling.
Heat Treatment and Fabrication
ASTM A36
Heat Treatment: Typically supplied in hot-rolled condition; no post-processing required.
Welding: Easy to weld using common methods (SMAW, GMAW) without preheating.
Machinability: Good due to moderate carbon content.
ASTM A516
Heat Treatment: Normalizing (for Grades 60 and above) to refine grain structure and improve toughness.
Welding: Requires controlled parameters (e.g., low hydrogen electrodes) to prevent cold cracking.
Post-Weld Treatment: Stress relieving may be necessary for thick sections.
ASTM A387
Heat Treatment:
Grade 5 (Normalized): Heated to 900-950°C for enhanced strength and uniformity in moderate to high-temperature applications.- Grade 11 & Grade 12 (Normalized and Tempered): Heated to 900-960°C and tempered between 600-720°C. These grades are ideal for high-pressure environments, offering improved toughness and thermal stability.
- Grade 22 (Normalized and Tempered): Heated to 900-960°C, tempered between 620-760°C, providing excellent creep resistance in elevated temperatures.
- Grade 9 (Normalized): Heated to 900-950°C, delivering strength with moderate corrosion resistance at high temperatures.
- Grade 91 (Quenched and Tempered): Heated to 1000-1050°C, followed by quenching and tempering, designed for high-stress applications with long-term heat resistance.
Conclusion
ASTM A36, A516, and A387 cater to vastly different operational demands. A36 is a versatile structural steel for ambient conditions, A516 ensures safety in low-temperature pressure systems, and A387 excels in extreme heat environments. Understanding their chemical, mechanical, and thermal limitations is critical for selecting the right material, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and optimizing lifecycle costs in engineering projects.
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| Other steel plate | ||||
| Name | Material | Specification (mm) | Tons | Remark |
| Low Alloy | Q345A, Q345B, Q345C, Q345D, Q345E, Q390, Q420, Q460C, ST52-3, S355J2+N, SS400, SA302GrC, S275NL, 35CrMo | 6 - 350 | 5788.56 | Normalizing, tempered ,controlled rolling, hot rolling , Hot rolling,1st inspection, 2nd inspection, 3rd inspection |
| Pressure Vessel Plate | Q245R, Q345R, Q370R, 16MnDR, 09MnNiDR, 15CrMoR, 14Cr1MoR, 12Cr2Mo1R, SA516Gr60, SA516Gr70, SA516Gr485, SA285, SA387Gr11, SA387Gr12, SA387Gr22, P265,P295,P355GH,Q245R(R-HIC),Q345R(R-HIC) | 3 - 300 | 8650 | Normalizing, tempered ,controlled rolling, hot rolling , Hot rolling,1st inspection, 2nd inspection, 3rd inspection |
| High-Strength Plate | WH785D/E,Q960D/E, Q890D/E,WH60D/E,WH70B,Q550D,Q590D,Q690D/E | 8 - 120 | 3086.352 | Quenched and tempered |
| Wear-Resistant Plate | NM360, NM400, NM450, NM500 | 6 - 150 | 3866.297 | Quenched and tempered |
| Bridge Plate | Q235qC, Q345qC, Q370qC, Q420qC, Q345qDNH, Q370qDNH, A709 - 50F - 2, A709 - 50T - 2 | 8 - 200 | 2853.621 | Hot rolling, normalized ,hot rolling controlled rolling, quenched and tempered + toughness and brittleness |
