Structural steel · ASTM A36
ASTM A36
Also known as: A36
Overview
US mild structural steel standard for plates, bars, and shapes; default reference grade in many US design codes and PhyCalcPro structural modules.
Typical supply: Plate, bars, shapes
Mechanical Properties
Young's modulus E200 GPa
Shear modulus G76.9 GPa
Yield / proof Re250 MPa
Ultimate Rm400 MPa
Poisson's ratio ν0.3
Shear strength240 MPa
Bearing strength500 MPa
Thermal Properties
Thermal expansion α12 µm/(m·K)
For temperature derating, open Temperature Properties.
Physical Properties
Density ρ8e+3 kg/m³
Specific strength Sy/ρ3.18e+4 Pa·m³/kg
Specific stiffness E/ρ2.55e+7 Pa·m³/kg
Typical supply: Plate, bars, shapes
Density 7850 kg/m³. Plate, bars, and shapes.
Applications
- Building and bridge secondary members
- Base plates and gussets
- General fabrication
- Welded frames
Advantages
- Ubiquitous US mild structural steel — easy to specify and buy
- Excellent weldability and fabrication characteristics
- Familiar default for plates, bars, and secondary members
Limitations
- Lower yield than A992/A572 for primary W-shapes
- Must be painted or galvanized outdoors
- Not the preferred grade for modern wide-flange building frames
Standards
- ASTM A36/A36M — Carbon structural steel
- AISC 360 — Specification for Structural Steel Buildings
Equivalent Materials
Electrical Properties
Resistivity1.600e-7 Ω·m
Conductivity10 % IACS
Chemical Composition
| Element | Min wt% | Max wt% | Typical wt% |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | — | 0.26 | 0.2 |
| Mn | — | 1.03 | — |
| P | — | 0.04 | — |
| S | — | 0.05 | — |
| Si | — | 0.4 | — |
| Cu | 0.2 | — | — |
Typical / limit values for reference selection only — verify against mill certs for certified work.
Machinability
Readily machined and welded; preheat rarely needed for thin sections.
Cost
Commodity US structural steel pricing.
Corrosion
Must be painted or galvanized for outdoor exposure.
- Indoor dryfair
- Galvanized outdoorgood
- Marine atmospherepoor
For allowance / life screening, open Corrosion Allowance.