Steel A210
ASTM A210
A210 is an ASTM specification for seamless medium-carbon steel boiler and superheater tubing, covering Grade A-1 and the higher-strength Grade C (cross-referenced to 20G), in as-supplied and cold-drawn conditions.
Reference datasheet — A210 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the A1 condition
A210 tempers and conditions
A210 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. A1 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A1Default Grade A-1 | Default stocked boiler tube: lowest carbon, best bendability and weldability for waterwall, economizer and general boiler tubes. | 300 | 470 | 35 | 130 HB | — |
Grade A-1 | Choose when tight OD/wall tolerance and smooth bore are needed (heat exchangers, small-bore superheater loops); A210 requires subcritical anneal or normalize after drawing. | 320 | 485 | 32 | 137 HB | — |
Grade C | Pick where higher allowable stress permits thinner walls — superheater, high-pressure economizer and heavy-wall boiler tubes; needs preheat and more care when welding. | 330 | 540 | 32 | 160 HB | 48 W/m·K |
Grade C | High-strength boiler tube in close tolerance/fine-finish form for small-diameter superheater and heat-exchanger bundles. | 355 | 560 | 30 | 170 HB | — |
What is A210?
A210 is an ASTM specification for seamless medium-carbon steel boiler and superheater tubing, covering Grade A-1 and the higher-strength Grade C (cross-referenced to 20G), in as-supplied and cold-drawn conditions. It is chosen for pressure-boundary service where elevated-temperature strength combines with reliable weldability (score 85) and good cold bendability (score 70); the reference values are 300 MPa yield, 470 MPa tensile, 35 % elongation, 130 HB and service to 425 °C. Corrosion resistance is minimal (score 12), so external coatings and boiler water chemistry control the tube life. For metal temperatures above this range, move to Cr-Mo tubing such as A213 T11 or T22. A210 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). A210 has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is A210 used for?
- boiler tubes
- superheater tubes
- steam piping
- heat exchanger tubes
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 35%, better than 97% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 300 MPa (43.5 ksi), worse than 86% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
A210 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A210-A1; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A210 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
A210 has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
A210 is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A210 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A210 takes about 29 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 53% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
A210's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (70/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. A210 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A210
Is A210 easy to machine?
Machines like 1020–1030 carbon steel at ~60–70 % of AISI 1212; use sharp positive-rake carbide, generous coolant, and expect gummy chips in the lower-carbon Grade A-1.
Can A210 be welded?
Excellent with GTAW root + SMAW/FCAW fill using E70/ER70S-2 consumables; Grade A-1 usually needs no preheat below ~19 mm wall, Grade C benefits from 90–150 °C preheat and PWHT on heavy sections per ASME Sec.I.
Can A210 be formed, bent or molded?
Readily cold bent to tight radii (A210 requires flattening/flaring/bend tests); Grade C needs larger bend radii or induction hot bending, followed by normalizing when cold strain is severe.
A210 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CGrade A-1; Grade C allows max 0.35 | ≤ 0.27 | 0.22 |
| MnGrade A-1; Grade C 0.29–1.06 | ≤ 0.93 | 0.7 |
| Simin 0.10 both grades (heat analysis) | ≥ 0.1 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A210?
No anodizing; protect with pickling+oiling, phosphate, aluminizing or high-temperature paint, and rely on boiler water chemistry for internal surfaces.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel A210 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A210 Grade C
- Similar grades
- 20G
How much does A210 cost?
A210 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
A210 — frequently asked
What is A210 used for?
A210 is typically used for boiler tubes, superheater tubes, steam piping and heat exchanger tubes. In short: standard boiler tube steel; weldable to 425 °C service; grade C for higher strength.
What is the yield strength of A210?
A210 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is A210 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines like 1020–1030 carbon steel at ~60–70 % of AISI 1212; use sharp positive-rake carbide, generous coolant, and expect gummy chips in the lower-carbon Grade A-1.
Can A210 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent with GTAW root + SMAW/FCAW fill using E70/ER70S-2 consumables; Grade A-1 usually needs no preheat below ~19 mm wall, Grade C benefits from 90–150 °C preheat and PWHT on heavy sections per ASME Sec.I.
What surface finishes work on A210?
No anodizing; protect with pickling+oiling, phosphate, aluminizing or high-temperature paint, and rely on boiler water chemistry for internal surfaces.
Can A210 be formed, bent or molded?
Readily cold bent to tight radii (A210 requires flattening/flaring/bend tests); Grade C needs larger bend radii or induction hot bending, followed by normalizing when cold strain is severe.
What is the maximum service temperature of A210?
A210 is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A210-A1 and A210 C-CD?
A1 is the default condition — default stocked boiler tube: lowest carbon, best bendability and weldability for waterwall, economizer and general boiler tubes. C-CD: high-strength boiler tube in close tolerance/fine-finish form for small-diameter superheater and heat-exchanger bundles. Yield strength is 300 MPa in A1 versus 355 MPa in C-CD.
How much does A210 cost?
A210 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM A210/A210M — Seamless Medium-Carbon Steel Boiler and Superheater Tubes — ASTM International (2019)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part A, SA-210 and Part D allowable stresses/physical properties — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.