Material Standard
ASTM A36 Download
ASTM A36/A36M is the foundational carbon structural steel specification published by ASTM International, covering hot-rolled structural shapes, plates, and bars for use in riveted, bolted, or welded construction of bridges, buildings, and general structural applications. It is the most widely specified carbon structural steel globally, prized for its excellent weldability, machinability, and cost efficiency.
HT PIPE stocks and supplies ASTM A36 material across all product forms, with full Mill Test Certificates (MTC) per EN 10204 3.1.
ASTM A36/A36M covers carbon steel in the following product forms:
| Product Form | Typical Sizes | Manufacturing Process |
|---|---|---|
| Structural Shapes | W4×13 to W44×335 (W shapes), C3×4.1 to C15×50, L2×2×1/4 to L9×4×5/8 | Hot-rolled; ASTM A6 / A6M |
| Plates | 6–200 mm thick; widths up to 3,600 mm | Hot-rolled; ASTM A6 / A6M |
| Bars | Rounds, squares, flats, hexagon; hot-rolled | Hot-rolled; ASTM A6 / A6M |
| Designation | Issuing Body | Unit System | Latest Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A36 | ASTM International | Inch-Pound | A36/A36M-22 |
| ASTM A36M | ASTM International | SI (Metric) | A36/A36M-22 |
| ASME SA-36 | ASME (BPVC Sec. II Part A) | Both | 2023 Edition |
ASTM A36 is a single-grade specification. Variations are defined by product form and thickness:
| Category | Grade / Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard A36 | Type 1 (general carbon steel) | Default grade; covers all product forms |
| Copper Steel A36 | Type 2 (copper-bearing) | Cu 0.20–0.40% for improved corrosion resistance |
| High-Strength A36 | Grade 40 (A36 Gr.40) | Yield 275 MPa min — intermediate strength option |
| A36M (Metric) | A36M | SI unit equivalent, identical chemistry & mechanical requirements |
Values are maximum unless shown as a range. Composition varies by product form and thickness. For thick plates, Mn may extend to 1.20%. Bars ≤ 40 mm: Mn up to 0.90%.
| Element | Shapes | Plates > 40 mm | Bars ≤ 40 mm | Bars > 40 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.26% | 0.26% | 0.26% | 0.28% |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.80–1.20% | 0.85–1.20% | 0.85–1.20% |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.040% | 0.040% | 0.040% | 0.040% |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.050% | 0.050% | 0.050% | 0.050% |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.40% | 0.15–0.40% | 0.15–0.40% | 0.15–0.40% |
| Copper (Cu)* | 0.20% min | 0.20% min | 0.20% min | 0.20% min |
*Copper is required only when copper steel is specified. Type 2 copper steel: Cu 0.20–0.40%.
| Property | Shapes | Plates & Bars | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength, min | 250 MPa (36 ksi) | 250 MPa (36 ksi) | 0.2% offset method |
| Tensile Strength, min | 400 MPa (58 ksi) | 400 MPa (58 ksi) | — |
| Tensile Strength, max | 550 MPa (80 ksi) | 550 MPa (80 ksi) | — |
| Elongation in 8 in. | 20% | 20% | Gauge length GL = 8D |
| Elongation in 2 in. | 23% | 23% | Gauge length GL = 4D |
| Brinell Hardness | 119–159 HB | 119–159 HB | Typical range |
Note: Elongation requirements vary for thin plates and shapes per ASTM A6/A6M. All values apply to test specimens taken in the longitudinal direction unless otherwise specified.
ASTM A36 is typically supplied in the hot-rolled condition without heat treatment. The material develops its specified mechanical properties directly from the hot-rolling process.
| Condition | Temperature | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-Rolled (As-Rolled) | — (no heat treatment) | Default supply condition; shapes, plates, bars |
| Normalized | 870–925°C (1600–1700°F) | Heavy plates; improved toughness on request |
| Stress-Relieved | 480–590°C (900–1100°F) | Machined parts; dimensional stability |
| Test | Requirement | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Analysis (Heat) | One per heat; all elements per Table 1 | ASTM A36 Table 1 |
| Tensile Test (Plate & Bar) | One per lot; longitudinal specimen | ASTM A370 |
| Tensile Test (Shapes) | One per size per heat; test coupon per A6 | ASTM A6/A6M, A370 |
| Bend Test | One per lot; 180° bend around pin diameter | ASTM A370 |
| Brinell Hardness | Optional; on each piece if specified | ASTM E10 |
| Charpy V-Notch Impact | Supplementary only — not required by A36 | ASTM E23 (supplementary) |
| Product | Dimensional Standard | Tolerance Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Structural Shapes | ASTM A6/A6M | ASTM A6/A6M |
| Plates | ASTM A6/A6M (cut-sheared) | ASTM A568/A568M |
| Bars | Hot-rolled per A6/A6M | ASTM A29/A29M |
| Wide Flange (W shapes) | Beams, columns (NPS equivalent) | ASTM A6/A6M — T-beams |
Common plate thickness tolerances: ±0.25 mm for t ≤ 6 mm; ±0.30 mm for 6 < t ≤ 25 mm; ±0.50 mm for 25 < t ≤ 50 mm. Full tolerance tables in ASTM A568/A568M.
| Industry | Product Form | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Building & Construction | W shapes, plates | Columns, beams, girders, frames, base plates |
| Bridges | Plates, W shapes | Plate girders, welded box sections, gusset plates |
| Shipbuilding | Plates, angles | Hull structure, deck plates, stiffeners |
| Oil & Gas | Plates, bars | Storage tanks, structural platforms, pipe supports |
| General Fabrication | Bars, plates | Machined parts, brackets, mounts, weldments |
| Mining & Heavy Equipment | Plates | Truck bodies, dump beds, shovel buckets, screens |
| Criteria | ASTM A36 | ASTM A572 | ASTM A283 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Carbon Structural | HSLA (Col-V) | Carbon Steel Plate |
| Min. Yield | 250 MPa (36 ksi) | 290–450 MPa (42–65 ksi) | 165–205 MPa (24–30 ksi) |
| Product Forms | Shapes, plate, bars | Shapes, plates | Plates only |
| Grades | One grade | Grades 42/45/50/55/60/65 | Gr A/B/C/D |
| Weldability | Excellent | Good (PWHT needed) | Excellent |
| Primary Use | General structural | High-strength, lighter sections | Low & intermediate stress plate |
| Standard | Scope | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM A6/A6M | General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Shapes, Plates, Bars & Sheet Piling | Governs dimensions, tolerances for A36 |
| ASTM A370 | Mechanical Testing of Steel Products | Test method standard for tensile/bend |
| ASTM A572 | High-Strength Low-Alloy Columbium-Vanadium Structural Steel | HSLA alternative; higher yield |
| ASTM A283 | Low and Intermediate Tensile Strength Carbon Steel Plates | Lower strength plate alternative |
| ASME SA-36 | ASME BPVC Section II Part A | ASME adoption of A36 for Code work |
| EN 10025-2 (S235) | Hot-rolled structural steel — Part 2: Technical delivery conditions for non-alloy structural steels (EU) | European equivalent; S235JR ≈ A36 |
| No. | Item | Requirement / Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Specification | ASTM A36 or A36M |
| 2 | Product Form | W shape, C channel, L angle, plate, bar |
| 3 | Size / Dimensions | e.g., W10×22, C8×11.5, Plate 20×1500×6000 mm |
| 4 | Type | Type 1 (default) or Type 2 (copper steel) |
| 5 | Condition | Hot-rolled (default); normalized if required |
| 6 | Finish | Mill finish (default); blasted, primed, galvanized |
| 7 | Supplementary Tests | Charpy impact, ultrasonic testing, radiographic |
| 8 | Certification | EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Report |
| 9 | Quantity | Piece count, weight (metric ton) |
ASTM A36 is the most widely used carbon structural steel, applied in bridges, building frames, shipbuilding, offshore structures, storage tanks, machinery frames, and general fabrication. Its combination of strength (250 MPa min yield), weldability, and cost-effectiveness makes it the default choice for non-coded structural applications.
ASTM A36 minimum requirements: Yield Strength 250 MPa (36 ksi), Tensile Strength 400–550 MPa (58–80 ksi), Elongation min. 20% in 8 in. gauge length, Brinell Hardness 119–159 HB. The yield-to-tensile ratio is approximately 0.45–0.63, giving good ductility.
Yes. ASTM A36 welds readily with all conventional arc welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, SAW). For plates over 25 mm thick, preheat to 50–100°C is recommended. Low-hydrogen electrodes such as E7018 are standard. Post-weld heat treatment is not required for general service. Stress-relief at 590–650°C may be applied if the structure demands it.
Type 1 is the standard carbon steel A36 with no alloy additions. Type 2 is a copper-bearing variant (Cu 0.20–0.40%) specified for improved atmospheric corrosion resistance (weathering). Type 2 is occasionally called "A36 Corten" or copper-bearing structural steel — it is not equivalent to ASTM A588 (Corten A), which has higher copper and specific weathering properties.
The closest European equivalent is EN 10025-2 S235JR (min. yield 235 MPa). For Chinese GB standard, Q235 is roughly equivalent (min. yield 235 MPa, yield/tensile range similar). Note that S235 and Q235 have slightly lower minimum yield than A36's 250 MPa.
No — Charpy V-notch impact testing is not a standard requirement of ASTM A36. It may be specified as a supplementary requirement (S1 through S4) when the specification or governing code (e.g., AISC, API) requires sub-size testing for low-temperature service or dynamic loading conditions.
HT PIPE stocks and supplies ASTM A36 structural shapes, plates, and bars across all major sizes, with EN 10204 3.1 CMTRs and competitive lead times from mills in China and Southeast Asia.