Steel A210-A1
Grade · default condition
ASTM A210
A1 = grade A-1
Default stocked boiler tube: lowest carbon, best bendability and weldability for waterwall, economizer and general boiler tubes.
Values for the A1 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A1DefaultThis page 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-A1?
A210-A1 is A210 in the A1 grade — default stocked boiler tube: lowest carbon, best bendability and weldability for waterwall, economizer and general boiler tubes. A210-A1 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). A210-A1 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).
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-A1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A210-A1; 18 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 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-A1 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-A1 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-A1 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-A1 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-A1'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A210-A1
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.
| 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 | — |
A210-A1 — frequently asked
What is A210-A1 used for?
A210-A1 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?
A210-A1 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-A1 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-A1 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?
No anodizing; protect with pickling+oiling, phosphate, aluminizing or high-temperature paint, and rely on boiler water chemistry for internal surfaces.
Can A210-A1 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?
A210-A1 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
- 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.