An A36 plain plate is a low-carbon steel plate that meets the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) A36 standard, making it a common choice for structural applications like bridges and buildings.

A36 plain CS plate is known for its good strength, ductility, formability, and machinability, allowing it to be easily shaped and used in a variety of industrial, automotive, and agricultural products.

A36 Structural Steel Plate

What is A36 Structural Steel Plate?

ASTM A36 steel plate is a common grade of hot-rolled low carbon steel with good strength, rigidity, ductility, and formability. Easy to machine, form, drill, machine, punch, and shear, it's perfect for use in many load-bearing or structural applications for various industries.

GNEE Steel stocks A36 structural steel plate in a range of sizes, wall thicknesses, and finishes. Our in-house processing department can supply this steel plate grade in semi-finished or finished conditions, streamlining your supply chain.

What are Uses for A36 Structural Steel Plate?

Superior mechanical and chemical characteristics make A36 structural steel plate a common choice for structural applications in the construction, petrochemical, shipbuilding, marine, oil and gas, automotive, agriculture, and heavy machinery industries. Typical uses include:

Base Plates

Machinery Parts

Bridge Plates

Column Base Plates

Gusset Plates

Construction Equipment

Cams

Gears

Machine Frames

Shim Plates

Steel Table Tops

Tooling Plates

Automotive Components

Tanks

Bins

Bearing Plates

Fixtures

Rings

Templates

Jigs

Sprockets

Forgings

Ornamental Artworks

Stakes

Brackets

Agricultural Equipment

Frames

ASTM A36 Steel Material Properties, Chemical Compositions

ASTM A36 is a widely used mild and hot-rolled steel known for its excellent welding and fabrication properties. It is versatile and supports a variety of processes such as drilling, grinding, punching, tapping, and machining. These features make it suitable for both structural and industrial applications, offering reliability and ease of use.

One of the standout qualities of ASTM A36 is its ease of bending, thanks to its yield strength, which is more conducive to shaping compared to cold-rolled C1018 steel. This characteristic makes it an ideal choice for numerous structural projects. Additionally, ASTM A36 is available in a wide range of shapes, including rectangle bars, square bars, circular rods, channels, angles, H-beams, and I-beams, making it a versatile material for various construction needs.

What is ASTM A36 Steel Plate?

ASTM A36 steel is a mild and hot-rolled carbon structural steel developed by ASTM International. Its superior welding properties make it suitable for applications like punching, grinding, drilling, and tapping. Unlike higher-performance alloys, A36 steel is easier to work with while still maintaining strength and durability.

The versatility and affordability of ASTM A36 make it a popular choice for numerous structural and industrial projects, ensuring reliable performance across a wide range of applications.

Chemical Composition of ASTM A36 Steel

A36 is a low carbon steel. Low carbon steels are classified by having less than 0.3% carbon by weight.. This low carbon content makes it easy to machine, weld, and form, making A36 an excellent choice for general-purpose applications.

In addition to carbon, A36 steel includes small amounts of other alloying elements like manganese, sulfur, phosphorus, and silicon. These elements enhance its mechanical properties and overall performance.

However, since A36 lacks significant amounts of nickel or chromium, it does not offer high corrosion resistance. This makes it less suitable for environments where strong resistance to rust or corrosion is critical.

A36 Steel Properties

ASTM A36 Steel Mechanical Properties

A36 steel offers ultimate tensile strengths ranging from 58,000 to 79,800 psi, depending on factors like its chemical composition and forming method. It is relatively ductile, with the ability to elongate up to 20% of its original length during tensile testing.

This combination of ductility and strength provides A36 steel with excellent impact resistance at room temperature, making it a reliable choice for structural and general-purpose applications.

A36 Steel Specifications and Equivalent Steel Grades

Machining of ASTM A36 Steel

ASTM A36 steel has a machinability rate of about 72%, with an average cutting speed of 120 ft/min. Compared to AISI 1018 steel, machining ASTM A36 requires greater precision and care due to its lower machinability.

Welding and Heat Treatment of ASTM A36 Steel

Welding: ASTM A36 is highly weldable, supporting various welding techniques. It produces strong, high-quality welds and joints, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Heat Treatment: The steel responds well to standard carburizing and hardening methods similar to those used for AISI 1018. Key heat treatment processes include:

Normalizing: Performed at 899°C to 954°C (1650°F–1750°F) to refine the grain structure.

Annealing: Conducted at 843°C to 871°C (1550°F–1600°F) to soften the steel and improve ductility.

Stress Relieving: Carried out at 677°C to 927°C (1250°F–1700°F) to reduce internal stresses.

Carburizing: Done at 899°C to 927°C (1650°F–1700°F) to enhance surface hardness.

Hardening: Performed at 788°C to 816°C (1450°F–1500°F) to increase strength and wear resistance.

These treatments help optimize the steel's mechanical properties for various applications.

ASTM A36 Carbon Steel Material

ASTM A36 carbon steel is a versatile material available in various forms to suit different applications:

Sheet: With thicknesses ranging from 0.018" to 0.250", A36 sheet metal is widely used in automotive body panels, wall structures, and tank manufacturing.

Bar: A36 steel bars are commonly used in structural applications, particularly as reinforcement in concrete. They provide high tensile strength, complementing the compressive strength of concrete.

Plate: A36 steel plates, starting at 0.25" in thickness, are essential for structural applications like building frameworks, bridges, oil rigs, vehicles, and agricultural equipment. These plates ensure durability and strength in demanding environments.

Hot-Rolled: The most common form of A36 steel, hot-rolled A36, is manufactured at high temperatures between 1,562°F and 2,192°F. This process creates a rougher surface finish and increases work hardening. Hot-rolled A36 is more affordable than cold-rolled steel due to its simpler production process.

Annealed: Annealing A36 steel at 1,550°F to 1,600°F helps remove impurities, reduces brittleness, and softens the material by altering its microstructure. This process enhances machinability while reducing hardness.

Cold-Drawn: Cold-drawn A36 steel is processed at lower temperatures, making it stronger and harder than its hot-rolled counterpart. With a smoother finish, it is ideal for applications such as shafts, spindles, and wires where both strength and appearance are important.

Each form of ASTM A36 steel is tailored to meet specific requirements, making it a reliable choice across numerous industries.

Applications of ASTM A36 Steel

ASTM A36 steel is widely used across various industries due to its versatility and strength:

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 A36's adaptability makes it a reliable choice for diverse applications, from large-scale structures to specialized equipment.

Conclusion

ASTM A36 steel is a versatile, cost-effective material widely used in construction and fabrication. With excellent strength, weldability, and machinability, it meets the demands of various industries. Its adaptability and availability in different forms make it a reliable choice for structural and general-purpose applications.

FAQs

What is the ASTM A36 steel plate?

ASTM A36 steel plate is a widely used mild carbon steel grade known for its machinability, ductility, and strength, making it ideal for structural applications.

What is the ASTM A36 plate equivalent to?

The ASTM A36 plate is equivalent to grades like ASTM A283C, JIS G3101 SS400, JIS G3106 SM400A, EN10025-2 S235JR, DIN17100 ST37-2, and FE360B.

What are the properties of ASTM A36 steel?

ASTM A36 steel has ultimate tensile strengths of 58,000 to 79,800 psi, elongates up to 20% under tensile testing, offers high impact strength at room temperature, a density of 2.84 lb/in³, and a hardness of 67–83 Rockwell.

Are A36 and 1018 steel the same?

With a minimum yield strength of 36,000 psi and tensile strength ranging from 58,000 to 80,000 psi, A36 steel is engineered for structural integrity. It is tougher than 1018, making it suitable for applications where higher load-bearing capacity is required.

What is the Chinese equivalent of ASTM A36?

Reduction of weight and costs of beam by using ASTM A572 GR. 50 instead of ASTM A36 steel

Beams are usually the main structural element for floor systems in industrial buildings. According to the size, these beams can be hot rolled and, for the larger dimensions, fabricated sections are used.

The Desulphurization Plant II has several platform levels in order to support personnel, operational processes and equipment for the important operation of reducing sulphur content of the niobium ferroalloy.

The steel ASTM A36 (fy = 250 MPa) equivalent to the Chinese Q235, was used for angles in the bracing system and ASTM A572 Gr. 50 (fy = 345 MPa) equivalent to the Chinese Q355 for all other elements, including steel beams in floor systems and columns.

The beams have full lateral restraint due to the floor system so lateral torsional instability will not occur.

Can A36 steel be bent?

Most bending and rolling machines are rated using a "standard" of mild steel A36 or 1018 with yield strength around 36,000 psi. Note that these are typical or even minimum properties.

Steel Plate Rolling and Bending of Higher Strength Steels

When performing steel plate rolling and bending of higher strength steels, you will have two main considerations:

1. The tonnage/capacity of the machine
2. The spring back of the material after pressure is released

The tonnage is fairly linear in proportion with the yield strength. So if the yield strength doubles, so does the tonnage required to bend it. Most bending and rolling machines are rated using a "standard" of mild steel A36 or 1018 with yield strength around 36,000 psi.

Here are some typical grades specified for bending and rolling:

Grade TYPICAL Yield strength Tonnage MultiplierGrade TYPICAL Yield strength Tonnage Multiplier
A572Gr.50 50,000psi x 1.38
A588 Corten 50,000psi x 1.38
A516Gr.70 70,000 psi x 1.94
AR400 100,000psi x 2.78

Note that these are typical or even minimum properties.

You will have to look at the MTR (Material Test Report) from the producing mill to verify the actual properties of the metal you are trying to bend.

The spring back of the material is a more complicated formula, but in general:

1. The higher the yield strength, the more that the material springs back
2. The larger the forming radius, the more the spring back angle

For example, when you bend ¼" plate to a ¼" radius 90 degrees,
A36 will springback is only 0.25 degrees.
Gr50 will springback still is only 0.35 degrees.

But if the radius is larger, say 2", then
A36 will springback 2.58 degrees.
Gr50 will springback 3.58 degrees.

the following table mix between yield and tensile strength for the following two material
ASTM A572 gr50 ====> 50ksi yield
ASME SA516 gr70 ====> 70ksi tensile

What Else is A36 Available In?

A36 steel is available in multiple forms, not just plates. Other forms include:

A36 Hot Rolled Dry Sheet: Versatile and widely used for its formability.

A36 Angles: Commonly used in framing and support structures.

A36 Channels: Used in structural and support roles.

A36 S Beams: A primary structural steel for building frameworks.

A36 Hot Rolled Strips, Squares, Rounds, Flats: Used in various applications, from construction to fabrication.