ASTM A36 Steel Plate | A36 Carbon Structural Steel Plate
What is ASTM A36 Steel Plate?
As a professional steel plate supplier, SHH STEEL is pleased to present ASTM A36 Steel Plate. ASTM A36 is a low-carbon structural steel plate widely used in construction and general fabrication due to its excellent combination of strength, weldability, formability and economy.
With a minimum yield strength of 250 MPa (36 ksi) and tensile strength of 400–550 MPa, ASTM A36 provides reliable performance for structural applications. It can be easily welded, bolted, riveted and formed, making it one of the most versatile and cost-effective carbon steel grades available. SHH STEEL supplies ASTM A36 steel plate in a wide range of thicknesses from 6 mm to 200 mm (and thicker on request), with widths up to 3000–4000 mm and lengths up to 12000–18000 mm. Custom cutting and processing services are available.
The material is typically supplied in the as-rolled condition with full Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 3.1). SHH STEEL provides consistent quality for construction, bridge, machinery and general industrial projects worldwide.
Material Specification ASTM A36/A36M
ASTM A36 steel plate is produced in accordance with ASTM A36/A36M. This specification covers carbon steel shapes, plates and bars of structural quality for use in riveted, bolted or welded construction of bridges and buildings, and for general structural purposes.
| Specification Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Standard | ASTM A36 / A36M | Full compliance |
| Product Form | Steel Plate | Available |
| Thickness Range | 6 mm – 200 mm (thicker available) | Custom sizes available |
| Width / Length | Up to 3000–4000 mm / 12000–18000 mm | Custom cutting supported |
| Delivery Condition | As-rolled / Hot-rolled | Standard |
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 | Available |
ASTM A36 Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of ASTM A36 varies slightly with thickness to balance strength and weldability.
| Element | Content (%) (typical for plates) | Standard Limit | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.25 – 0.29 | Depends on thickness | Strength |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.80 – 1.20 | Required for thicker plates | Strength and toughness |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.030 – 0.040 | 0.040 max | Impurity control |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 – 0.050 | 0.050 max | Cleanliness |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.15 – 0.40 | Required for thicker plates | Deoxidation |
| Copper (Cu) | ≥ 0.20 (when specified) | Optional | Atmospheric corrosion resistance |
Note: Exact limits depend on plate thickness and product form according to ASTM A36.
ASTM A36 Mechanical Properties
ASTM A36 provides consistent mechanical properties suitable for structural applications.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength | ≥ 250 MPa (36 ksi) | ≤ 200 mm thickness |
| ≥ 220 MPa (32 ksi) | > 200 mm thickness | |
| Tensile Strength | 400 – 550 MPa (58 – 80 ksi) | — |
| Elongation in 200 mm | ≥ 20% | — |
| Elongation in 50 mm | ≥ 23% | — |
| Hardness | 119 – 162 HB (typical) | — |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ | — |
ASTM A36 Delivery Conditions
SHH STEEL supplies ASTM A36 steel plate primarily in the as-rolled (hot-rolled) condition. Surfaces are normally black (as-rolled) or can be shot-blasted and primed upon request.
- Thickness: 6 mm to 200 mm (thicker plates available on request)
- Width: up to 3000–4000 mm
- Length: up to 12000–18000 mm
- Cutting: Flame cutting, plasma cutting, laser cutting available
- Surface treatment: Shot blasting + primer painting available
ASTM A36 Tolerances
Dimensional tolerances for ASTM A36 steel plate follow ASTM A6/A6M.
- Thickness, width and length tolerances are in accordance with ASTM A6.
- Flatness tolerances meet ASTM A6 requirements.
- Edge conditions: Mill edge or cut edge (flame, plasma or shear).
Tighter tolerances and special cutting can be arranged according to customer requirements.
If you need more Carbon steel plates, please contact us too for detail.
ASTM A36 Weldability
ASTM A36 offers excellent weldability. It can be welded by all common methods including SMAW, GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), FCAW and submerged arc welding without the need for preheating in most thicknesses.
Low-hydrogen electrodes are recommended for thicker sections or critical applications. Post-weld heat treatment is generally not required for structural applications. ASTM A36 has good formability and can be easily bent, rolled and fabricated.
ASTM A36 Equivalent Material Grades
| Grade | Standard | Designation / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM A36 | ASTM A36/A36M | — |
| S235JR | EN 10025-2 | Closest European equivalent |
| SS400 | JIS G3101 | Japanese equivalent |
| Q235B | GB/T 700 | Chinese equivalent |
| St37-2 | DIN 17100 | German equivalent |
| E250 | IS 2062 | Indian equivalent |
ASTM A36 Applications
ASTM A36 steel plate is the standard material for general structural and fabrication purposes. Typical applications are shown below with relevant keywords:
| Application Area | Typical Components / Uses (Keywords) |
|---|---|
| Building Construction | Beams, columns, base plates, frames – A36 Building Construction |
| Bridges & Infrastructure | Bridge girders, structural members – A36 Bridge Steel |
| Machinery & Equipment | Machine bases, frames, chassis – A36 Machinery Fabrication |
| Storage Tanks & Vessels | Low-pressure tanks, silos – A36 Storage Tank |
| General Fabrication | Platforms, walkways, supports, brackets – A36 General Fabrication |
| Shipbuilding & Offshore | Non-critical structural components – A36 Shipbuilding |
| Transportation | Trailer frames, truck components – A36 Transportation |
Why Choose SHH STEEL
SHH STEEL maintains long-term strategic cooperation with major Chinese steel mills and acts as a first-level (primary) agent for these mills. This direct partnership enables us to offer competitive pricing advantages, faster delivery times and consistent quality assurance.
All ASTM A36 steel plate is sourced from reputable Chinese mills under strict quality control, supplied with complete Mill Test Certificates, and supported by our professional export team. Customers benefit from reliable supply, short lead times, flexible processing services and cost-effective solutions for construction and fabrication projects worldwide.
FAQ
- What is the yield strength of ASTM A36 steel plate?Minimum yield strength is 250 MPa (36 ksi) for plates up to 200 mm thick, and 220 MPa (32 ksi) for thicker plates.
- What are the equivalent grades of ASTM A36?Common equivalents include EN S235JR, JIS SS400, Chinese Q235B, DIN St37-2 and Indian E250.
- Is ASTM A36 easy to weld?Yes. ASTM A36 has excellent weldability and can be welded by all common processes without preheating in most cases.
- What is the density of ASTM A36 steel?ASTM A36 steel plate density is 7.85 g/cm³.
- Can SHH STEEL supply cut-to-size ASTM A36 plates?Yes. We provide flame cutting, plasma cutting and other processing services according to customer drawings.
Conclusion
ASTM A36 Steel Plate from SHH STEEL is the most economical and widely used carbon structural steel for construction, bridges, machinery and general fabrication. With excellent weldability, good formability, reliable strength and competitive pricing through direct mill partnerships, we deliver trusted ASTM A36 solutions to customers worldwide.
Contact SHH STEEL today for your ASTM A36 steel plate requirements.
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