ASTM A572 steel plate is a popular grade of high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel that is typically used in structural applications. A572 steel contains chemical alloys that enhance the material's hardness and ability to bear weight, and this material is lightweight relative to steel grades with similar compositions.
There are five different grades of A572 steel plate: Grade 42, Grade 50, Grade 55, Grade 60 and Grade 65. Each of these grades have slight differences in their mechanical properties and chemical compositions, which may make them more fitting for certain applications. A572-50, however, is the most common A572 grade.
Material Properties
Grade | Yield Point (ksi) | Tensile Strength (ksi) | Min. 8" Elongation % |
42 | 42 | 60 | 20 |
50 | 50 | 65 | 18 |
55 | 55 | 70 | 17 |
60 | 60 | 75 | 16 |
65 | 65 | 80 | 15 |
Chemical Composition
| Grade 42 | + |
Grade 42 | |
Carbon max | 0.21% |
Manganese max | 1.35% |
Phosphorus max | 0.030% |
Sulfur max | 0.030% |
Silicon to 1 1/2" thick, max | 0.40% |
Silicon over 1 1/2" thick | 0.15-0.40% |
| Grade 50 | + |
Grade 50 | |
Carbon max | 0.23% |
Manganese max | 1.35% |
Phosphorus max | 0.030% |
Sulfur max | 0.030% |
Silicon to 1 1/2" thick. max | 0.40% |
Silicon over 1 1/2" thick | 0.15-0.40% |
| Grade 55 | + |
Grade 55 | |
Carbon max | 0.25% |
Manganese max | 1.35% |
Phosphorus max | 0.030% |
Sulfur max | 0.030% |
Silicon to 1 1/2" thick, max | 0.40% |
Silicon over 1 1/2" thick | 0.15-0.40% |
| Grade 60 | + |
Grade 60 | |
Carbon max | 0.26% |
Manganese max | 1.35% |
Phosphorus max | 0.030% |
Sulfur max | 0.030% |
Silicon max | 0.40% |
| Grade 65 ≤1/2" Thick | + |
Grade 65 ≤1/2" Thick | |
Carbon max | 0.26% |
Manganese max | 1.35% |
Phosphorus max | 0.030% |
Sulfur max | 0.030% |
Silicon max | 0.40% |
| Grade 65 Over 1/2" to 1 1/4" Thick | + |
Grade 65 Over 1/2" to 1 1/4" Thick | |
Carbon max | 0.23% |
Manganese max | 1.65% |
Phosphorus max | 0.030% |
Sulfur max | 0.030% |
Silicon max | 0.40% |
Industries & Applications
A572 steel plate is typically used in various structural applications due to its ability to bear heavy weight while still being relatively light and machinable. Some of the most common infrastructure applications for A572 plate include bridge construction and building construction.
While most commonly used in the infrastructure sector, A572 plate is also widely used in other industries, including:
Energy, for use in constructing transmission towers and wind turbine structures and components
Construction, for use in producing construction equipment
Industrial manufacturing, for use in producing machinery and truck parts
Road plate applications
