What is A36 Steel?
A36 is a low-carbon steel with trace amounts of other elements like manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, and copper. With good welding properties and high yield strength, A36 is the most specified structural steel plate by engineers.
Stronger grades could be specified by project, depending on the component part of the application, but what A36 brings to the table are good welding properties and high yield strength. This makes it a good fit for many structural and heavy applications.
ASTM A36
The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) issued the A36 steel specification in 1960. It is considered a low carbon steel (those classified with 0.04% to 0.30% carbon content) and also contains such alloying elements as manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, and copper.
Some carbon grades defined by the alloying elements, but the numbers that comprise A36 are indicative of its mechanical properties. As defined by ASTM, 'A' is the designation for ferrous metal and '36' reflects its minimum yield strength: 36,000 ksi. It is important to note that other ASTM issued specifications do not follow the same formula-it is only true for A36.
What are Some Common Applications for A36 Steel Plate?
ASTM A36 steel plate is most commonly manufactured into various structural steel parts. This grade is used in welded, bolted, or riveted construction of bridges and buildings, as well as for general structural purposes.
Due to its minimum yield point, A36 carbon plates can be used to design lighter-weight structures and equipment and provide good weldability. Construction, energy, heavy equipment, transportation, infrastructure, and mining are among the industries most commonly associated with the use of A36 plate.
When hot rolled, the final product of ASTM A36 has a rough surface, making it easier for additional processing like machining.
Hot-rolled carbon sheets are brought to approximate finished size by rolling at elevated temperatures This is considered a first-stage metal with minimal finishing and processing, as well as wider tolerances.
