ASTM A709 Grade 36 Steel Plate | A709 Gr.36 Bridge Steel supplier
General Description
ASTM A709 Grade 36, also searched as A709 Gr.36, A709GR36, A709-36, A709 Gr 36, ASTM A709 Gr.36 and A709 Grade 36 36ksi, is the 36 ksi carbon grade in ASTM A709/A709M. That book covers structural steel for bridges. Twelve current grades sit in five yield bands. This page is Grade 36, the painted carbon plate used on secondary members, diaphragms, connection plate and lighter girders when the file does not need 50 ksi.
Grade 36 in A709 is built on A36/A36M. Chemistry and the 36 ksi yield name come from that book. A709 adds bridge rules: zone toughness for non-fracture-critical and fracture-critical members, identification, and the A709 stamp. A certificate that only says ASTM A36 is not an A709 Grade 36 plate unless the purchase order also meets A709.
Do not treat Grade 36 as A709 Grade 50. Grade 50 follows A572 Gr.50 and yields at 50 ksi. Do not treat it as Grade 50W or HPS 50W. Those are weathering grades. A709 says HPS 70W and HPS 100W shall not be substituted for Grade 36. Grade 50W and HPS 50W shall not be substituted for Grade 36 without agreement. Do not treat A709 as a pressure-vessel plate. That work sits on ASTM A516 or pressure vessel steel plates.
General requirements follow A6/A6M. Usual plate thickness for the 36 ksi name is up to 4 in / 100 mm. Density is 7.85 g/cm³.
SHH STEEL is a global steel mill sourcing partner and steel manufacturer & exporter (mill-direct, China origin). We source A709 Gr.36 from first-line Chinese mills, print heat and product analysis when ordered, record the impact zone when named, and ship plate to fabricators in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa and South America.
Related category pages: structural steel plates, ASTM A36 A36M, carbon steel plates and high strength low alloy plates.
Material Specification
| Specification Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Plate book | ASTM A709/A709M Grade 36 | Confirmed |
| Base chemistry book | A36/A36M | Confirmed |
| Other search names | A709 Gr.36, A709GR36, A709-36, A709 Gr 36 | Covered |
| Steel type | Carbon bridge structural plate | Confirmed |
| General requirements | A6 / A6M | Confirmed |
| Yield | 36 ksi / 250 MPa min | Confirmed |
| Tensile | 58–80 ksi / 400–550 MPa | Confirmed |
| Weathering | No | Confirmed |
| Product analysis | A6 product column when ordered | Confirmed |
| Toughness | A709 zone / FCM as ordered | Confirmed |
| Supply role | Global steel mill sourcing partner | SHH STEEL |
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 / third-party | As ordered |
Nearby pages that buyers compare, but must not swap blindly, include ASTM A36, EN 10025-2 S235JR, EN 10025-2 S275JR and A572 Gr.50.
Chemical Composition
Grade 36 chemistry follows A36 plate. Carbon rises with thickness. Heat analysis is the mill table. Product analysis, when ordered, follows A6 product tolerances on that heat.
Heat Analysis and Product Analysis — ASTM A709 Grade 36 (A36 plate basis)
| Element | Heat analysis (%) | Product analysis (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C), max, ≤ 20 mm | 0.25 | 0.29 |
| Carbon (C), max, > 20–40 mm | 0.25 | 0.29 |
| Carbon (C), max, > 40–65 mm | 0.26 | 0.30 |
| Carbon (C), max, > 65–100 mm | 0.27 | 0.31 |
| Manganese (Mn), plates > 20 mm | 0.80 – 1.20 | 0.76 – 1.26 |
| Phosphorus (P), max | 0.030 | 0.035 |
| Sulfur (S), max | 0.030 | 0.035 |
| Silicon (Si), max, ≤ 40 mm | 0.40 | 0.45 |
| Silicon (Si), > 40 mm | 0.15 – 0.40 | 0.10 – 0.45 |
A709 often tightens phosphorus and sulfur below the open A36 maxima. Manganese is required on plate over about ¾ in / 20 mm. If the purchase order writes product analysis, SHH STEEL prints both columns and the thickness band used for carbon.
Do not treat this chemistry as A709 Grade 50. Grade 50 allows microalloy and a 50 ksi yield. Do not treat it as Grade 50W. 50W needs copper and chromium. Do not treat it as S355JR unless both books are met.
Mechanical Properties
Buyers search A709 Gr.36 mechanical properties, A709GR36 yield, A709 Grade 36 36ksi and A709-36 tensile.
Tensile Properties — ASTM A709 Grade 36 plate
| Property | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Yield strength, min | 36 ksi / 250 MPa |
| Tensile strength | 58–80 ksi / 400–550 MPa |
| Elongation in 8 in. (200 mm), min | 20% |
| Elongation in 2 in. (50 mm), min | 23% |
Usual 36 ksi name applies through 4 in / 100 mm. Elongation adjustments follow A6 when thickness requires them.
Toughness is the A709 extra. Non-fracture-critical and fracture-critical members use different zone tables. Write the zone, the test temperature and whether the member is FCM. A silent A36 heat is not an FCM plate.
Density is 7.85 g/cm³. Typical hardness after rolling sits around 120–160 HBW. Hardness is not the design value.
Material Comparison
| Grade | Book | Yield | Weathering | Bridge toughness | Swap? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A709 Grade 36 | A709/A709M | 250 MPa | No | Yes, when ordered | This page |
| A36 | A36 | 250 MPa | No | No, unless added | Base chemistry only |
| A709 Grade 50 | A709 | 345 MPa | No | Yes | No |
| A709 Grade 50W | A709 | 345 MPa | Yes | Yes | No |
| S235JR | EN 10025-2 | 235 MPa | No | EN impact | Comparison only |
| S275JR | EN 10025-2 | 275 MPa | No | EN impact | Comparison only |
| A572 Gr.50 | A572 | 345 MPa | No | No | No |
Equivalent Material Grades
There is no official one-to-one worldwide twin for A709 Gr.36. What buyers compare is a 250 MPa painted carbon plate with bridge toughness.
In the United States the chemistry twin is ASTM A36. The next A709 step is Grade 50. Weathering work inside A709 is Grade 50W, not Grade 36.
In Europe compare S235JR, S235J0 and S235J2. S275JR sits above Grade 36. See EN 10025-2.
In Japan compare SM400A, SM400B and SM400C. In China compare GB/T 700 Q235B / Q235C / Q235D. Dual mark only when both books are fully met.
| Designation | Country / region | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A709 Gr.36 / A709GR36 | USA | ASTM A709/A709M | Name on this page |
| A36 | USA | A36/A36M | Chemistry twin |
| A709 Grade 50 | USA | A709 | Next yield step |
| S235JR | Europe | EN 10025-2 | Structural comparison |
| S235J2 | Europe | EN 10025-2 | −20 °C comparison |
| SM400B | Japan | JIS G3106 | Welded structure comparison |
| Q235B / Q235D | China | GB/T 700 | Strength comparison |
Bridge Structural Service
Buyers pick A709 Gr.36 when a painted diaphragm, connection plate, stiffener or lighter girder wants 36 ksi yield and an A709 stamp. Search phrases such as A709GR36, A709 Grade 36, A709-36 and A709 Gr.36 36ksi all point here.
It is the wrong plate for a 50 ksi main girder. That work is A709 Grade 50. It is the wrong plate for an unpainted weathering girder. That work is Grade 50W. It is the wrong plate for a 70 ksi HPS flange. That work is A709 HPS 70W. It is the wrong plate for a pressure vessel. That work is A516 Grade 70.
SHH STEEL supplies this plate to bridge fabricators in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and the Middle East when the file actually names Grade 36.
Weldability
ASTM A709 Grade 36 is weldable carbon plate. Treat welding as bridge production welding when the member is FCM.
Typical consumables are AWS A5.1 E7018 or matching GMAW / SAW wires qualified on a 36–50 ksi family. A procedure written for A36 is the usual starting point. A procedure written for Grade 50W must account for copper and chromium; do not copy it onto Grade 36.
Preheat follows thickness and hydrogen control. After heavy cold forming, a stress relief may be required. The fabricator owns the WPS. SHH STEEL can share mill heat data, product analysis and CEV for that review.
Heat Treatment and Delivery Condition
Usual delivery from SHH STEEL for A709 Gr.36 is as-rolled. Normalize when the mill route or the purchase order asks for it.
A709 Grade 36 is not a QT grade. Do not order it as A514 or HPS 70W. Normalizing, when used, is typically 880–920 °C, soaked through, then air cooled.
The certificate lists ASTM A709 Grade 36; heat number; heat analysis and product analysis when ordered; tensile to the 36 ksi table; impact zone when ordered. Certificates may be EN 10204 3.1 or EN 10204 3.2. Dual mark to A36 is common when both books are met.
Dimensions
Usual supply range from SHH STEEL for A709 Gr.36 bridge steel plate:
- Thickness: commonly 6 mm – 100 mm, heavier plate by enquiry
- Width: 1500 mm – 4000 mm
- Length: 3000 mm – 12000 mm
Cut-to-size diaphragms, stiffeners and splice plates are available. Browse more sizes on structural steel plates, ASTM A36 A36M and the products index.
Tolerances
Dimensional limits for ASTM A709 Grade 36 follow A6 / A6M unless the purchase order names another table.
Typical A6 thickness tolerance idea for A709 Gr.36
| Nominal thickness (mm) | Usual minus (mm) | Usual plus (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 – 10 | −0.3 | +0.8 |
| 10 – 20 | −0.4 | +0.9 |
| 20 – 30 | −0.4 | +1.0 |
| 30 – 40 | −0.5 | +1.1 |
| 40 – 50 | −0.5 | +1.2 |
| 50 – 80 | −0.6 | +1.4 |
| 80 – 100 | −0.8 | +1.6 |
Width on 1500–4000 mm plate is commonly held to about ±20–25 mm unless a tighter extra is named. Length on 3000–12000 mm plate is commonly held to about +50 / 0 mm or ±25 mm by mill practice. Flatness follows A6 unless a tighter class is written. SHH STEEL will not assume a zero-minus extra on A709GR36 unless the order says so.
Supplementary Requirements
Grade 36 already defines the 36 ksi table. Extra items still have to be written on the purchase order.
Book name. Write ASTM A709 Grade 36. Write A36 only as a dual mark.
Impact zone. Write non-FCM or FCM, zone and temperature.
Product analysis. Write it if the file needs the second chemistry column.
Through-thickness / Z-test. When needed on thick flanges.
NDE. UT to the named class.
Identification and stamping. Heat number, A709 Grade 36, thickness and mill logo.
Third-party witness. EN 10204 3.2 with SGS, TÜV, BV, ABS or the inspector named.
Applications
| Industry | Typical components |
|---|---|
| Highway bridges | A709 Gr.36 / A709GR36 diaphragms and connection plate |
| Railway bridges | Painted stiffeners from SHH STEEL |
| Bridge repair | Grade 36 replacement plate |
| Comparison vs A36 | A709GR36 next to A36 |
| Comparison vs S235JR | A709GR36 next to S235JR |
| Comparison vs SM400B | A709GR36 next to SM400B |
| Comparison vs Grade 50 | A709GR36 next to A709 Grade 50 |
A709 Grade 36 is the plate for a painted 36 ksi bridge file. It is the wrong plate for a 50 ksi main girder. That work is Grade 50. It is the wrong plate for a QT 100 ksi member. That work sits on A514 Grade B or HPS 100W.
Supply Capability
SHH STEEL sources ASTM A709 Grade 36 from first-line Chinese mills and ships it on worldwide terms. Partner mills include Wuyang (Wugang), Angang, Shougang, Hanye, Anyang Iron & Steel, Baosteel, Xinyu, Xingcheng, TISCO (Taiyuan), Jiuquan (JISCO) and other qualified mills when the size requires it.
Mill test certificates are issued to EN 10204 3.1 as standard. EN 10204 3.2 is arranged when the order names a third-party hold point. Dual marking to A36 is available when both books are met.
Usual stock and rolling thickness: 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 32 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 80 mm, 100 mm.
Processing: CNC or flame cutting, bevel, flattening, shot blast and paint, UT to the named class.
Trade terms: FOB Shanghai main, CIF destination available. Payment: TT, LC, or TT + LC.
Ocean time from Shanghai: US West 14–18 days; US Gulf 28–35 days; Rotterdam / Antwerp 28–35 days; Jebel Ali 18–25 days; Singapore 7–12 days; other ports quoted.
Third-party: SGS, TÜV, BV, ABS, CCS, GL, VL, DNV, RINA, NK, KR, or the inspector named.
Global Delivery & Markets
SHH STEEL is a global steel mill sourcing partner with mill partnerships in China. We supply ASTM, ASME, EN, DIN, JIS and GB steel to buyers in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa and South America. Origin is mill-direct, China origin.
SHH STEEL has supplied steel plates to the USA, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, El Salvador, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, India, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan and Korea.
Typical lead time: ex-stock 5–7 days; standard rolling about 30–45 days; impact zone or 3.2 inspection about 45–60 days.
Why Choose SHH STEEL
SHH STEEL is a global steel mill sourcing partner and steel manufacturer & exporter (mill-direct, China origin). For A709 Grade 36 that means mill-direct price, not a multi-layer stockist mark-up. Grade 36 is a high-volume carbon plate. First-line mills keep it in regular rolling, so the unit price stays competitive and the heat can still carry the A709 impact zone when the bridge file asks for it.
Delivery is short when the size is in range: ex-stock 5–7 days, standard heat about 30–45 days, 3.2 inspection about 45–60 days. Cutting, bevel, blast and paint can run in the same window. FOB Shanghai is the main term; CIF to US West, US Gulf, Rotterdam, Jebel Ali and Singapore is quoted on the same file.
Experience on this grade is simple: print A709 Grade 36, keep the A36 carbon-by-thickness window, and do not ship Grade 50 as Grade 36. We will not skip the impact zone on an FCM order, will not stamp 50W chemistry as Grade 36, and will not treat A709 as plain warehouse A36 when the drawing names the bridge book. If the file needs 50 ksi, we will move the inquiry to Grade 50 and keep the price on the right grade.
FAQ
- What is ASTM A709 Grade 36 steel plate?
- ASTM A709 Grade 36, also searched as A709 Gr.36, A709GR36 and A709-36, is 36 ksi / 250 MPa carbon bridge plate. Chemistry follows A36. A709 adds bridge toughness rules. SHH STEEL supplies this plate worldwide as a global steel mill sourcing partner.
- Is A709 Grade 36 the same as ASTM A36?
- Chemistry and the 36 ksi yield are the same family. A709 Grade 36 also needs the A709 stamp and the ordered impact zone. A plain A36 certificate is not enough for an FCM member.
- What is the difference between A709 Grade 36 and Grade 50?
- Grade 36 yields at 36 ksi on A36 chemistry. Grade 50 yields at 50 ksi on A572-50 chemistry.
- What is the Chinese equivalent of A709 Grade 36?
- Buyers compare GB/T 700 Q235B, Q235C or Q235D. It is a comparison, not an automatic substitute.
- What is the delivery time for A709 Grade 36?
- Ex-stock about 5–7 days when plate is in yard. Standard rolling about 30–45 days. Impact zone or 3.2 inspection about 45–60 days.
Conclusion
ASTM A709 Grade 36 Steel Plate is 36 ksi / 250 MPa painted carbon bridge plate built on A36 chemistry, with A709 toughness when ordered. Whether the inquiry says ASTM A709 Grade 36, A709 Gr.36, A709GR36, A709-36, A709 Gr 36 or A709 Grade 36 36ksi, SHH STEEL as a global steel mill sourcing partner and steel manufacturer & exporter (mill-direct, China origin) supplies plate with Grade 36 chemistry, heat and product analysis as ordered, A6 tolerances and EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certification.
SHH STEEL supplies ASTM A709 Grade 36 / A709 Gr.36 Bridge Steel to the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas for work that actually names this grade.
Contact SHH STEEL for mill rolling, dual A36 marking, FCM impact, cutting, blast, 3.2 inspection or a worldwide quotation.
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