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Steel A27 Grade 70-36 N-1

Grade

ASTM A27 Grade 70-36

N-1 = grade N-1

Ordered when only composition and weldability matter (e.g. weld-fabricated assemblies, non-structural castings); properties not guaranteed.

Standard cost $$

Values for the N-1 condition

Other A27 Grade 70-36 tempers and conditions

A27 Grade 70-36 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at A27 Grade 70-36.

Compare all 7 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Grade 60-30
Lowest-strength, most ductile and most weldable A27 tensile grade — for lightly loaded or weld-fabricated structural castings.24045030131 HB—
Grade U-60-30
Cheapest option: as-cast (no heat treatment) with the same tensile minima as 60-30 but lower and less uniform toughness — use only for non-critical, room-temperature service.24045525135 HB—
N-1This page
Grade N-1
Ordered when only composition and weldability matter (e.g. weld-fabricated assemblies, non-structural castings); properties not guaranteed.24045022135 HB10 % IACS
Grade N-2
Heat-treated version of N-1: better toughness and uniformity where mechanical acceptance testing is not required.25547028140 HB10 % IACS
Grade 65-35
Mid-strength general structural casting grade with slightly better ductility than 70-36.27548528140 HB10.5 % IACS
GR70-36Default
Grade 70-36
Highest-strength A27 grade with 36 ksi yield and good ductility — default choice for railroad, mining and heavy machinery structural castings.29051526150 HB10 % IACS
Grade 70-40
Pick when 40 ksi minimum yield is needed together with weldability — lower carbon, higher manganese than 70-36.31552026155 HB—

What is A27 Grade 70-36 N-1?

A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 is A27 Grade 70-36 in the N-1 grade — ordered when only composition and weldability matter (e.g. weld-fabricated assemblies, non-structural castings); properties not guaranteed. A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 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). GR70-36 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; N-1 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • 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 — 80/100, better than 79% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Low strength — 240 MPa (34.8 ksi), worse than 96% of steel grades
  • Limited formability — 18/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
  • Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 60 MPa·√m (54.6 ksi·√in), worse than 78% of steel grades

A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 properties

Typical room-temperature values for A27 Grade 70-36 N-1; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A27 Grade 70-36 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 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 Temperature1,505°C2,741 °F

Mechanical16

A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus200 GPa29 Msi
Shear Modulus78 GPa11.3 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)450 MPa65.3 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)240 MPa34.8 ksi
Elongation at Break22%
Reduction in Area30%
Compressive Strength240 MPa34.8 ksi
Shear Strength290 MPa42.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)185 MPa26.8 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)60 MPa·√m54.6 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)15 J11.1 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell135 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B73 HRB
Hardness, Vickers142 HV

Thermal6

A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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 Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-29°C-20 °F

Electrical3

A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 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)-0.63 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air, seawater and dilute acids; acceptable in dry environments, oils, concrete and alkaline media (pH>10). Requires paint, galvanizing or cathodic protection outdoors.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.1 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content85%

Manufacturability8

A27 Grade 70-36 N-1's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability poor (18/100).

MachinabilityGood58/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)65%
WeldabilityVery good80/100
Formability (cold)Poor18/100
CastabilityVery good78/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityFair45/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use paint, phosphate, zinc plating or hot-dip galvanizing instead

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

Working with A27 Grade 70-36 N-1

Is A27 Grade 70-36 easy to machine?

Machines like normalized 1030 steel (≈60 % of AISI 1212); use rigid setups, carbide tooling and allow for hard scale/sand inclusions on unclean cast surfaces.

Can A27 Grade 70-36 be welded?

Readily welded and weld-repaired with E7018/ER70S-6; preheat 100–150 °C for sections over ~25 mm and stress relieve or re-normalize critical castings after major repair.

Can A27 Grade 70-36 be formed, bent or molded?

Green-sand or no-bake molding with generous risers and chills; steel's low fluidity and ~2 % solidification shrinkage require good gating and 1.5–2.5 % pattern shrink allowance.

What surface finishes work on A27 Grade 70-36?

Shot blast to remove scale, then prime/paint, phosphate, zinc plate or hot-dip galvanize; not anodizable, and case hardening (carburize/flame) is possible on the higher-carbon grades.

A27 Grade 70-36 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 70-36 max 0.35 %; 70-40 and U-60-30 max 0.25 %; 60-30/65-35 max 0.30 % (per A27 Table 1)≤ 0.350.3
MnGrade 70-40 allows up to ~1.20 % Mn; 60-30 max 0.60 %≤ 0.70.6
Si≤ 0.80.5
P≤ 0.040.02
S≤ 0.050.03
Curesidual element≤ 0.50.15
Niresidual element≤ 0.50.15
Crresidual element≤ 0.40.15
Moresidual element≤ 0.250.05
Vresidual element; total residuals typically limited to 1.00 %≤ 0.030.01
Febalance—

A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 — frequently asked

What is A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 used for?

A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 is typically used for railroad couplers, mining equipment castings, gears, machine frames and structural castings. In short: general structural cast steel; multiple strength grades available; easily weld-repaired.

What is the yield strength of A27 Grade 70-36 N-1?

A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like normalized 1030 steel (≈60 % of AISI 1212); use rigid setups, carbide tooling and allow for hard scale/sand inclusions on unclean cast surfaces.

Can A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily welded and weld-repaired with E7018/ER70S-6; preheat 100–150 °C for sections over ~25 mm and stress relieve or re-normalize critical castings after major repair.

What surface finishes work on A27 Grade 70-36 N-1?

Shot blast to remove scale, then prime/paint, phosphate, zinc plate or hot-dip galvanize; not anodizable, and case hardening (carburize/flame) is possible on the higher-carbon grades.

Can A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 be formed, bent or molded?

Green-sand or no-bake molding with generous risers and chills; steel's low fluidity and ~2 % solidification shrinkage require good gating and 1.5–2.5 % pattern shrink allowance.

What is the maximum service temperature of A27 Grade 70-36 N-1?

A27 Grade 70-36 N-1 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between A27 Grade 70-36 GR70-36 and A27 Grade 70-36 GR60-30?

GR70-36 is the default condition — highest-strength A27 grade with 36 ksi yield and good ductility — default choice for railroad, mining and heavy machinery structural castings. GR60-30: lowest-strength, most ductile and most weldable A27 tensile grade — for lightly loaded or weld-fabricated structural castings. Yield strength is 290 MPa in GR70-36 versus 240 MPa in GR60-30.

Sources

  1. ASTM A27/A27M — Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, for General Application — ASTM International (2020)
  2. Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM International (1995)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. GB/T 11352 (ZG200-400…ZG310-570) — SAC (China) (2009)

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.