Steel A283
ASTM A283
ASTM A283 is a low-carbon, low-to-moderate strength carbon steel plate for general structural use, classified by strength into Grades A, B, C and D, with Grade C the most common; comparable designations include Q235 and S235JR.
Values for the HR condition
A283 tempers and conditions
A283 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grade A | Lowest-strength, lowest-carbon grade; pick for maximum formability and welding ease where strength is irrelevant. | 190 | 350 | 30 | 105 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
full/subcritical anneal for maximum ductility | Choose when severe cold forming or stress relief after heavy welding/flame cutting is required. | 210 | 390 | 30 | 110 HB | 11 % IACS |
Grade B | Intermediate grade between A and C; used where a slightly higher yield is wanted with still very good forming. | 215 | 390 | 28 | 116 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Standard stock condition for A283 plate — pick for general structural, tank and base-plate work where only mild strength is needed. | 230 | 420 | 25 | 120 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
880–920 °C air cool | Use for uniform fine-grain structure and better notch toughness in thicker plate or after hot forming. | 240 | 425 | 28 | 125 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Normalized and tempered | Specify when dimensional stability and residual-stress control are needed together with fine-grain toughness. | 250 | 430 | 27 | 130 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Grade C | Default commercial grade — best balance of strength, weldability and price for tanks and general plate work. | 250 | 430 | 26 | 128 HB | 10.4 % IACS |
Grade D | Highest-strength A283 grade (C up to 0.27 %); choose for the best strength-to-price ratio, accepting lower ductility and a higher carbon equivalent. | 275 | 470 | 24 | 140 HB | 10.1 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Rarely ordered; only worthwhile on thin sections since 0.24 % C max gives shallow hardenability — expect modest strength gain and reduced ductility. | 370 | 520 | 22 | 155 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
What is A283?
ASTM A283 is a low-carbon, low-to-moderate strength carbon steel plate for general structural use, classified by strength into Grades A, B, C and D, with Grade C the most common; comparable designations include Q235 and S235JR. Its simple chemistry gives low cost, good weldability and good cold bending, so it is used for tanks, non-pressure shells, base plates, brackets and general steel structures in hot-rolled, annealed, normalized, N&T and Q&T conditions. Typical values are 230 MPa yield, 420 MPa tensile, 25 % elongation and 120 HB. It carries no low-temperature impact guarantee, has poor corrosion resistance and is not intended for high-temperature or high-pressure vessels — use A516 for pressure duty. A283 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). A283 has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is A283 used for?
- Storage tanks
- Low-pressure vessel shells
- Base plates and gussets
- Machine bases and frames
- Hoppers and chutes
- Structural brackets and supports
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 230 MPa (33.4 ksi), worse than 97% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
A283 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A283-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A283 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
A283 has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A283 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A283 conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A283 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
A283's machinability is good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability very good (78/100).
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. A283 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A283
Is A283 easy to machine?
Machines like AISI 1020 (≈70 % of 1212): free-flowing gummy chips, use sharp positive-rake tooling, generous feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge.
Can A283 be welded?
Excellent weldability with SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/SAW using E70xx-class consumables; no preheat needed for thin plate, 50–100 °C preheat prudent for Grade D or >32 mm.
Can A283 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and rolling (bend radius ≈2t for Grades A–C, 2.5–3t for D); hot form 900–1200 °C, avoid working in the 200–400 °C blue-brittle range.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to A283. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better65 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better78 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better95 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
A283 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax by grade for ≤20 mm plate: A 0.14, B 0.17, C 0.24, D 0.27; limits rise with thickness | ≤ 0.24 | 0.18 |
| Mn0.90 max (Grades C/D); heat analysis | ≤ 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Si0.40 max when killed/semi-killed practice reported | ≤ 0.4 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Cu0.20 min only when copper-bearing steel is specified | ≥ 0.2 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A283?
Descale/blast off mill scale, then zinc-rich primer, paint, phosphate or hot-dip galvanizing; no anodizing, bare steel rusts quickly.
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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel A283 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A283 Grade C
- Similar grades
- Q235S235JR
How much does A283 cost?
A283 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 99% 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.
A283 — frequently asked
What is A283 used for?
A283 is typically used for storage tanks, low-pressure vessel shells, base plates and gussets, machine bases and frames, hoppers and chutes and structural brackets and supports. In short: low-cost structural plate.
What is the yield strength of A283?
A283 has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is A283 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades). Machines like AISI 1020 (≈70 % of 1212): free-flowing gummy chips, use sharp positive-rake tooling, generous feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge.
Can A283 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability with SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/SAW using E70xx-class consumables; no preheat needed for thin plate, 50–100 °C preheat prudent for Grade D or >32 mm.
What surface finishes work on A283?
Descale/blast off mill scale, then zinc-rich primer, paint, phosphate or hot-dip galvanizing; no anodizing, bare steel rusts quickly.
Can A283 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and rolling (bend radius ≈2t for Grades A–C, 2.5–3t for D); hot form 900–1200 °C, avoid working in the 200–400 °C blue-brittle range.
What is the maximum service temperature of A283?
A283 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 A283-HR and A283-GrD?
HR is the default condition — standard stock condition for A283 plate — pick for general structural, tank and base-plate work where only mild strength is needed. GrD: highest-strength A283 grade (C up to 0.27 %); choose for the best strength-to-price ratio, accepting lower ductility and a higher carbon equivalent. Yield strength is 230 MPa in HR versus 275 MPa in GrD.
How much does A283 cost?
A283 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 99% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in A283?
Yes — A283 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A283/A283M — Standard Specification for Low and Intermediate Tensile Strength Carbon Steel Plates — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM A6/A6M — General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes and Sheet Piling — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Material Properties (physical property tables, carbon steel) — ASME (2023)
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.