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Steel A210 A1-CD

Supply condition

ASTM A210

A1-CD = 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.

Budget cost $

Values for the A1-CD condition

Other A210 tempers and conditions

A210 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at A210.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
A1Default
Grade A-1
Default stocked boiler tube: lowest carbon, best bendability and weldability for waterwall, economizer and general boiler tubes.30047035130 HB—
A1-CDThis page
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.32048532137 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.33054032160 HB48 W/m·K
Grade C
High-strength boiler tube in close tolerance/fine-finish form for small-diameter superheater and heat-exchanger bundles.35556030170 HB—

What is A210 A1-CD?

A210 A1-CD is A210 supplied in the A1-CD condition — 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. A210 A1-CD has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 485 MPa (70.3 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). A210 A1-CD 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). A1 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; A1-CD is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 32%, better than 95% of steel grades
  • Easy to machine — 66/100, better than 95% of steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
  • Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
  • Low strength — 320 MPa (46.4 ksi), worse than 81% of steel grades

A210 A1-CD properties

Typical room-temperature values for A210 A1-CD; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A210 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

A210 A1-CD 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical16

A210 A1-CD has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 485 MPa (70.3 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)485 MPa70.3 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)320 MPa46.4 ksi
Elongation at Break32%
Reduction in Area55%
Compressive Strength300 MPa43.5 ksi
Shear Strength285 MPa41.3 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)220 MPa31.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)55 J40.6 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell137 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B76 HRB
Hardness, Vickers145 HV

Thermal6

A210 A1-CD 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).

Thermal Conductivity50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion247 J/g106 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)425°C797 °F
Min Service Temperature-29°C-20 °F

Electrical3

A210 A1-CD conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity10 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air and aerated water; requires treated boiler water (alkaline, deoxygenated) or protective coatings. Resists dry steam and high-pH water; attacked by acids, chlorides, wet CO₂ and flue-gas dew-point condensate; steam-side oxidation and graphitization limit long-term use above ~450 °C.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of A210 A1-CD takes about 29 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 53% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)29 MJ/kg12,468 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability7

A210 A1-CD's machinability is good (66/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability good (66/100).

MachinabilityGood66/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)70%
WeldabilityExcellent85/100
Formability (cold)Good66/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityFair45/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use phosphating, galvanizing, aluminizing or paint instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with A210 A1-CD

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CGrade A-1; Grade C allows max 0.35≤ 0.270.22
MnGrade A-1; Grade C 0.29–1.06≤ 0.930.7
Simin 0.10 both grades (heat analysis)≥ 0.10.2
P≤ 0.040.02
S≤ 0.040.01
Febalance—

A210 A1-CD — frequently asked

What is A210 A1-CD used for?

A210 A1-CD 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 A1-CD?

A210 A1-CD has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 485 MPa (70.3 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is A210 A1-CD easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (66/100, better than 95% 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 A1-CD 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 A1-CD?

No anodizing; protect with pickling+oiling, phosphate, aluminizing or high-temperature paint, and rely on boiler water chemistry for internal surfaces.

Can A210 A1-CD 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 A1-CD?

A210 A1-CD 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.

Sources

  1. ASTM A210/A210M — Seamless Medium-Carbon Steel Boiler and Superheater Tubes — ASTM International (2019)
  2. ASME BPVC Section II Part A, SA-210 and Part D allowable stresses/physical properties — ASME (2023)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.