ASTM A709 Grade 50 Steel Plate | A709 Gr.50 Bridge Steel supplier
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 Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Plate book | ASTM A709/A709M Grade 50 | Confirmed |
| Base chemistry book | A572/A572M Grade 50 | Confirmed |
| Other search names | A709 Gr.50, A709GR50, A709-50, A709 Gr 50 | Covered |
| Steel type | HSLA bridge structural plate | Confirmed |
| General requirements | A6 / A6M | Confirmed |
| Yield | 50 ksi / 345 MPa min | Confirmed |
| Tensile | 65 ksi / 450 MPa min | 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 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)
| Element | Heat analysis (%) | Product analysis (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C), max | 0.23 | 0.27 |
| Manganese (Mn), max | 1.35 | 1.41 |
| Phosphorus (P), max | 0.030 | 0.035 |
| Sulfur (S), max | 0.030 | 0.035 |
| Silicon (Si), max | 0.40 | 0.45 |
| Niobium (Nb) | per A572 type | A6 product band |
| Vanadium (V) | per A572 type | A6 product band |
| Titanium (Ti) | per A572 type | A6 product band |
| Nitrogen (N) | per A572 type | A6 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
| Property | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Yield strength, min | 50 ksi / 345 MPa |
| Tensile strength, min | 65 ksi / 450 MPa |
| Elongation in 8 in. (200 mm), min | 18% |
| Elongation in 2 in. (50 mm), min | 21% |
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
| Grade | Book | Yield | Weathering | Bridge toughness | Swap? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A709 Grade 50 | A709/A709M | 345 MPa | No | Yes, when ordered | This page |
| A572 Gr.50 | A572 | 345 MPa | No | No, unless added | Base chemistry only |
| A709 Grade 36 | A709 | 250 MPa | No | Yes | No |
| A709 Grade 50W | A709 | 345 MPa | Yes | Yes | No |
| A709 HPS 50W | A709 | 345 MPa | Yes | HPS | No |
| A709 HPS 70W | A709 | 485 MPa | Yes | HPS | No |
| A36 | A36 | 250 MPa | No | No | No |
| S355JR | EN 10025-2 | 355 MPa | No | EN impact | Comparison 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.
| Designation | Country / region | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A709 Gr.50 / A709GR50 | USA | ASTM A709/A709M | Name on this page |
| A572 Gr.50 | USA | A572/A572M | Chemistry twin |
| A709 Grade 50W | USA | A709 | Weathering twin |
| A709 Grade 36 | USA | A709 | Lower yield |
| S355JR | Europe | EN 10025-2 | Structural comparison |
| S355J2 | Europe | EN 10025-2 | −20 °C comparison |
| SM490B | Japan | JIS G3106 | Welded structure comparison |
| Q355B / Q355D | China | GB/T 1591 | Strength 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
| Industry | Typical components |
|---|---|
| Highway bridges | A709 Gr.50 / A709GR50 girders and splice plates |
| Railway bridges | Painted floor beams from SHH STEEL |
| Bridge repair | Grade 50 replacement plate |
| Towers and frames | 50 ksi painted structures |
| Comparison vs A572-50 | A709GR50 next to A572 Gr.50 |
| Comparison vs S355JR | A709GR50 next to S355JR |
| Comparison vs SM490B | A709GR50 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.
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