ASTM A709 Grade 50 structural steel plate for bridges, 50 ksi yield, SHH STEEL

ASTM A709 Grade 50 Steel Plate | A709 Gr.50 Bridge Steel supplier

ASTM A709 Grade 50 / A709 Gr.50 is 50 ksi bridge structural plate. Yield 345 MPa, tensile 450 MPa min. A572-50 chemistry plus A709 toughness rules. SHH STEEL supplies A709GR50 worldwide.
Keywords
ASTM A709 Grade 50, A709 Gr.50, A709GR50, A709-50, A709 Gr 50, A709 50ksi, bridge steel plate, A709 Grade 50 supplier
Equivalent Grades:
ASTM A709 Gr 50 / ASTM A572 Gr 50 / EN 10025-2 S355JR / JIS SM490YB / GB Q345B — Material Specification: ASTM A709 — Delivery: As-rolled / Normalized
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General Description
Material Specification
Chemical Composition
Mechanical Properties
Material Comparison
Equivalent Material Grades
Bridge Structural Service
Weldability
Heat Treatment and Delivery Condition
Dimensions
Tolerances
Supplementary Requirements
Applications
Supply Capability
Global Delivery & Markets
Why Choose SHH STEEL
FAQ
Conclusion

What is ASTM A709 Grade 50 Steel?

ASTM A709 Grade 50, also searched as A709 Gr.50, A709GR50, A709-50, A709 Gr 50, ASTM A709 Gr.50 and A709 Grade 50 50ksi, is the workhorse carbon-manganese HSLA grade in ASTM A709/A709M. That book covers structural steel for bridges. Twelve current grades sit in five yield bands. This page is Grade 50, the 50 ksi / 345 MPa painted-bridge plate.

Grade 50 in A709 is built on A572/A572M Grade 50. Chemistry and the 50 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 A572 Gr.50 is not an A709 Grade 50 plate unless the purchase order also meets A709.

Do not treat A709 Grade 50 as ASTM A36. A36 yield is 36 ksi. Do not treat it as A709 Grade 50W. 50W is the weathering twin and follows A588 chemistry. Do not treat it as HPS 50W or HPS 70W. Those are high-performance weathering plates with their own chemistry and toughness. Do not treat A709 as a pressure-vessel plate. That work sits on ASTM A516 or pressure vessel steel plates.

A709 says HPS 70W and HPS 100W shall not be substituted for Grade 50. Grade 50W and HPS 50W shall not be substituted for Grade 50 without agreement. SHH STEEL will not make that swap on a silent order.

General requirements follow A6/A6M. Fine-grain practice applies as in A572. Usual plate thickness for the 50 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.50 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 A572 A572M structural steel plates, high strength low alloy plates and carbon steel plates.

Material Specification

Specification ElementRequirementSHH STEEL Compliance
Plate bookASTM A709/A709M Grade 50Confirmed
Base chemistry bookA572/A572M Grade 50Confirmed
Other search namesA709 Gr.50, A709GR50, A709-50, A709 Gr 50Covered
Steel typeHSLA bridge structural plateConfirmed
General requirementsA6 / A6MConfirmed
Yield50 ksi / 345 MPa minConfirmed
Tensile65 ksi / 450 MPa minConfirmed
WeatheringNoConfirmed
Product analysisA6 product column when orderedConfirmed
ToughnessA709 zone / FCM as orderedConfirmed
Supply roleGlobal steel mill sourcing partnerSHH STEEL
CertificationEN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 / third-partyAs ordered

Nearby pages that buyers compare, but must not swap blindly, include A572 Gr.50, A572 Gr.55, EN 10025-2 S355JR and JIS G3106 SM490A.

Chemical Composition

Grade 50 chemistry follows A572 Grade 50. 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 50 (A572 Gr.50 basis)

ElementHeat analysis (%)Product analysis (%)
Carbon (C), max0.230.27
Manganese (Mn), max1.351.41
Phosphorus (P), max0.0300.035
Sulfur (S), max0.0300.035
Silicon (Si), max0.400.45
Niobium (Nb)per A572 typeA6 product band
Vanadium (V)per A572 typeA6 product band
Titanium (Ti)per A572 typeA6 product band
Nitrogen (N)per A572 typeA6 product band

A572 allows several Type routes (Nb, V, Nb+V, V+N, Ti). The mill picks a Type that still hits 50 ksi. A709 often tightens phosphorus and sulfur below the open A572 maxima. If the purchase order writes product analysis, SHH STEEL prints both columns.

Do not treat this chemistry as A709 Grade 50W. 50W needs copper and chromium for the patina. Do not treat it as A588 Grade A. Do not treat it as S355JR unless both books are met.

Mechanical Properties

Buyers search A709 Gr.50 mechanical properties, A709GR50 yield, A709 Grade 50 50ksi and A709-50 tensile.

Tensile Properties — ASTM A709 Grade 50 plate

PropertyRequirement
Yield strength, min50 ksi / 345 MPa
Tensile strength, min65 ksi / 450 MPa
Elongation in 8 in. (200 mm), min18%
Elongation in 2 in. (50 mm), min21%

Usual 50 ksi name applies through 4 in / 100 mm. Thicker plate must follow the thickness note in the ordered A709 / A572 year. 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 A572-50 heat is not an FCM plate.

Density is 7.85 g/cm³. Typical hardness after rolling sits around 130–180 HBW. Hardness is not the design value.

Material Comparison

GradeBookYieldWeatheringBridge toughnessSwap?
A709 Grade 50A709/A709M345 MPaNoYes, when orderedThis page
A572 Gr.50A572345 MPaNoNo, unless addedBase chemistry only
A709 Grade 36A709250 MPaNoYesNo
A709 Grade 50WA709345 MPaYesYesNo
A709 HPS 50WA709345 MPaYesHPSNo
A709 HPS 70WA709485 MPaYesHPSNo
A36A36250 MPaNoNoNo
S355JREN 10025-2355 MPaNoEN impactComparison only

Equivalent Material Grades

There is no official one-to-one worldwide twin for A709 Gr.50. What buyers compare is a 345 MPa painted structural plate with bridge toughness.

In the United States the chemistry twin is A572 Gr.50. The weathering twin inside A709 is Grade 50W, which follows A588. A709 Grade 50S is the A992 shape grade, not this plate page. QST 50 is an A913 quenched-and-self-tempered shape grade.

In Europe compare S355JR, S355J0 and S355J2. Fine-grain comparisons sit on EN 10025-3 S355N and S355NL. See EN 10025-2.

In Japan compare SM490A, SM490B and SM490C. In China compare GB/T 1591 Q355B / Q355C / Q355D. Dual mark only when both books are fully met.

DesignationCountry / regionStandardNotes
A709 Gr.50 / A709GR50USAASTM A709/A709MName on this page
A572 Gr.50USAA572/A572MChemistry twin
A709 Grade 50WUSAA709Weathering twin
A709 Grade 36USAA709Lower yield
S355JREuropeEN 10025-2Structural comparison
S355J2EuropeEN 10025-2−20 °C comparison
SM490BJapanJIS G3106Welded structure comparison
Q355B / Q355DChinaGB/T 1591Strength comparison

Bridge Structural Service

Buyers pick A709 Gr.50 when a painted girder, floor beam, splice plate or tower wants 50 ksi yield and an A709 stamp. Search phrases such as A709GR50, A709 Grade 50, A709-50 and A709 Gr.50 50ksi all point here.

It is the wrong plate for an unpainted weathering girder. That work is A709 Grade 50W or A588 Grade A. 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. It is the wrong plate for a 100 ksi QT member. That work sits on A514 Grade Q or A709 HPS 100W.

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 50.

Weldability

ASTM A709 Grade 50 is weldable HSLA plate. Treat welding as bridge production welding. Preheat, heat input and hydrogen control stay inside a written WPS.

Typical consumables are AWS A5.1 E7018 or matching GMAW / SAW wires qualified on a 50 ksi family. A procedure written for A572 Gr.50 is the usual starting point. A procedure written for A36 is under-matched. A procedure written for A709 50W must account for copper and chromium; do not copy it blindly onto Grade 50.

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.50 is as-rolled. Normalize when the mill route or the purchase order asks for it.

A709 Grade 50 is not a QT grade. Do not order it as A514 or HPS 100W. Normalizing, when used, is typically 880–920 °C, soaked through, then air cooled. Fine-grain practice is part of manufacture.

The certificate lists ASTM A709 Grade 50; heat number; heat analysis and product analysis when ordered; tensile to the 50 ksi table; impact zone when ordered. Certificates may be EN 10204 3.1 or EN 10204 3.2. Dual mark to A572 Grade 50 is common when both books are met.

Dimensions

Usual supply range from SHH STEEL for A709 Gr.50 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 girders, flanges and splice plates are available. Browse more sizes on structural steel plates, ASTM A572 plates and the products index.

Tolerances

Dimensional limits for ASTM A709 Grade 50 follow A6 / A6M unless the purchase order names another table.

Typical A6 thickness tolerance idea for A709 Gr.50

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 A709GR50 unless the order says so.

Supplementary Requirements

Grade 50 already defines the 50 ksi table. Extra items still have to be written on the purchase order.

Book name. Write ASTM A709 Grade 50. Write A572 Grade 50 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 50, thickness and mill logo.

Third-party witness. EN 10204 3.2 with SGS, TÜV, BV, ABS or the inspector named.

Applications

IndustryTypical components
Highway bridgesA709 Gr.50 / A709GR50 girders and splice plates
Railway bridgesPainted floor beams from SHH STEEL
Bridge repairGrade 50 replacement plate
Towers and frames50 ksi painted structures
Comparison vs A572-50A709GR50 next to A572 Gr.50
Comparison vs S355JRA709GR50 next to S355JR
Comparison vs SM490BA709GR50 next to SM490B

A709 Grade 50 is the plate for a painted 50 ksi bridge file. It is the wrong plate for an unpainted weathering girder. That work is 50W. It is the wrong plate for a warehouse that can use A36. 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 50 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 A572 Grade 50 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

Experience on this grade is simple: print A709 Grade 50, keep the A572-50 chemistry window, and put the impact zone on the certificate when the bridge file asks for it. SHH STEEL as a global steel mill sourcing partner and steel manufacturer & exporter (mill-direct, China origin) will not ship plain A572-50 as A709 when toughness is missing, will not stamp 50W chemistry as Grade 50, and will not treat A709 as A36.

We keep the book on the order. A709GR50 is not A572 Gr.50 unless both books are met. A709 Grade 50 is not S355JR unless both books are on the certificate. If the drawing says unpainted weathering, we will move the inquiry to Grade 50W.

FAQ

What is ASTM A709 Grade 50 steel plate?
ASTM A709 Grade 50, also searched as A709 Gr.50, A709GR50 and A709-50, is 50 ksi / 345 MPa bridge structural plate. Chemistry follows A572 Grade 50. A709 adds bridge toughness rules. SHH STEEL supplies this plate worldwide as a global steel mill sourcing partner.
Is A709 Grade 50 the same as A572 Grade 50?
Chemistry and the 50 ksi yield are the same family. A709 Grade 50 also needs the A709 stamp and the ordered impact zone. A plain A572-50 certificate is not enough for an FCM girder.
What is the difference between A709 Grade 50 and Grade 50W?
Both yield at 50 ksi. Grade 50 is painted HSLA. Grade 50W is weathering plate with copper and chromium.
What is the Chinese equivalent of A709 Grade 50?
Buyers compare GB/T 1591 Q355B, Q355C or Q355D. It is a comparison, not an automatic substitute.
What is the delivery time for A709 Grade 50?
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 50 Steel Plate is 50 ksi / 345 MPa painted bridge plate built on A572 Grade 50 chemistry, with A709 toughness when ordered. Whether the inquiry says ASTM A709 Grade 50, A709 Gr.50, A709GR50, A709-50, A709 Gr 50 or A709 Grade 50 50ksi, SHH STEEL as a global steel mill sourcing partner and steel manufacturer & exporter (mill-direct, China origin) supplies plate with Grade 50 chemistry, heat and product analysis as ordered, A6 tolerances and EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certification.

SHH STEEL supplies ASTM A709 Grade 50 / A709 Gr.50 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 A572-50 marking, FCM impact, cutting, blast, 3.2 inspection or a worldwide quotation.

ASTM A709 Grade 50 Steel Plate, A709 Gr.50, A709GR50, A709 50ksi, bridge steel plate, A709 Grade 50 supplier, SHH STEEL

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