Steel A532 Class I Type A vs G3500
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A532 Class I Type A and G3500 are both steel grades. A532 Class I Type A is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for G3500, about 60% more. In exchange, G3500 is the more ductile: elongation 0.5% versus 0% for A532 Class I Type A, and A532 Class I Type A is harder (575 HB vs 225 HB). G3500 is lighter (7.2 g/cm³ vs 7.65 g/cm³ for A532 Class I Type A) and A532 Class I Type A is stiffer (175 GPa vs 110 GPa). On the shop floor, G3500 machines more easily (very good vs not recommended), G3500 welds better (poor vs not recommended), and G3500 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A532 Class I Type A (standard, $$).
A532 Class I Type AChoose it when strength drives the design.
G3500Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
A532 Class I Type A vs G3500: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Bulk Modulus
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,150°C2,102 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | A532 Class I Type A | G3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
A532 Class I Type A vs G3500 — frequently asked
Is A532 Class I Type A stronger than G3500?
Yes. A532 Class I Type A has a typical tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for G3500 — about 60% more.
Which is cheaper, A532 Class I Type A or G3500?
G3500 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A532 Class I Type A is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, A532 Class I Type A or G3500?
G3500. Its machinability rates very good (78/100) against not recommended (3/100) for A532 Class I Type A; for welding the order is G3500 first (poor, 25/100) then A532 Class I Type A (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A532 Class I Type A and G3500 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.