Steel A36 Galvanized
ASTM A36 Galvanized
A36 Galvanized is standard ASTM A36 low-carbon structural steel that has been zinc-coated, either by batch hot-dip galvanizing after fabrication (ASTM A123/A153) or as continuously galvanized coil/sheet (ASTM A653 coating classes).
Values for the HR condition
A36 Galvanized tempers and conditions
A36 Galvanized is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Temper | Full/sub-critical anneal before galvanizing — pick for maximum ductility, deep drawing, or to relieve cold work that would risk strain-age embrittlement in the zinc bath. | 250 | 410 | 28 | 110 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default stocked form: hot-rolled A36 plate, bar, angle or beam, batch hot-dip galvanized after cutting/welding. | 275 | 450 | 23 | 120 HB | — |
Heat Treat State | Normalized (≈870–900 °C, air cool) then galvanized — pick for uniform fine grain, better toughness consistency in thick plate and welded assemblies. | 285 | 455 | 25 | 125 HB | — |
Cold rolled | Cold-rolled sheet/strip to A36 chemistry, continuously galvanized (ASTM A653-type coating) — pick for tight thickness tolerance and smooth painted-over finish. | 350 | 480 | 16 | 140 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn round/square/flat bar, galvanized after drawing — pick for straightness, size tolerance and higher strength; avoid heavy cold work plus hot dipping on highly stressed parts. | 450 | 550 | 12 | 160 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways A36 Galvanized is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
HDG-A123 | HDG per ASTM A123 | Surface finish |
HDG-G90 | Continuously galvanized coil, coating class G90 | Surface finish |
What is A36 Galvanized?
A36 Galvanized is standard ASTM A36 low-carbon structural steel that has been zinc-coated, either by batch hot-dip galvanizing after fabrication (ASTM A123/A153) or as continuously galvanized coil/sheet (ASTM A653 coating classes). It is chosen when the low cost, easy welding and 250 MPa minimum yield of A36 must survive outdoor or damp service without painting, giving decades of sacrificial protection. Limits are the coating itself: it softens/flakes above roughly 200 °C, must be ground off locally before welding (zinc fumes and porosity), cannot be anodized, and thick-section batch dipping can cause distortion or, in unfavourable chemistries, embrittlement of highly cold-worked parts. A36 Galvanized 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). A36 Galvanized has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is A36 Galvanized used for?
- Outdoor structural frames
- Brackets and mounting plates
- Handrails, guardrails and ladders
- Equipment skids and base plates
- Cable trays and outdoor enclosures
- Fence and gate framing
- Agricultural and trailer frames
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 45/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 25/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Low strength — 275 MPa (39.9 ksi), worse than 91% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 82% of steel grades
A36 Galvanized properties
Typical room-temperature values for A36 Galvanized-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A36 Galvanized 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
A36 Galvanized has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A36 Galvanized is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A36 Galvanized conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), better than 98% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A36 Galvanized takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
A36 Galvanized's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); 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. A36 Galvanized is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A36 Galvanized
Is A36 Galvanized easy to machine?
Machines like ordinary low-carbon steel (≈70% of AISI 1212) but chips are gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, coolant, and expect the zinc layer to load cutters; any machined surface loses its coating and needs zinc-rich touch-up.
Can A36 Galvanized be welded?
Base metal is fully weldable by SMAW/GMAW/FCAW with no preheat in normal thickness; grind the zinc back 25–50 mm from the joint, provide forced fume extraction (zinc oxide), then restore with zinc-rich paint or metallizing per ASTM A780.
Can A36 Galvanized be formed, bent or molded?
Bend, punch and roll cold with generous radii (≥2t); form continuously galvanized sheet before or after coating, but heavy batch-dipped sections should be formed first since post-dip bending powders and cracks the alloy layers.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to A36 Galvanized. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better62 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 220 / 260 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 | Better70 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair70 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
A36 Galvanized 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C0.25–0.29 max depending on product form/thickness (ASTM A36) | ≤ 0.26 | 0.2 |
| Mnrequired for plate >20 mm and shapes; not specified for thin plate | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Si0.40 max; Si (and P) level strongly affects galvanized coating thickness/appearance (Sandelin effect) | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Cuonly when copper-bearing steel is specified | ≥ 0.2 | 0.25 |
| Znsurface coating only, not base chemistry: bath ≥98.5% Zn per ASTM B6; coating mass per ASTM A123 (structural) or A653 coating class (sheet) | — | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A36 Galvanized?
Coating is chromate/passivate quenched or left bare; for painting (duplex system) sweep-blast or use a wash primer/T-wash — do not anodize, and avoid contact with copper/brass or acidic timber treatments.
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
How much does A36 Galvanized cost?
A36 Galvanized is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
A36 Galvanized — frequently asked
What is A36 Galvanized used for?
A36 Galvanized is typically used for outdoor structural frames, brackets and mounting plates, handrails, guardrails and ladders, equipment skids and base plates, cable trays and outdoor enclosures and fence and gate framing. In short: galvanized structural plate.
What is the yield strength of A36 Galvanized?
A36 Galvanized has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is A36 Galvanized easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines like ordinary low-carbon steel (≈70% of AISI 1212) but chips are gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, coolant, and expect the zinc layer to load cutters; any machined surface loses its coating and needs zinc-rich touch-up.
Can A36 Galvanized be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Base metal is fully weldable by SMAW/GMAW/FCAW with no preheat in normal thickness; grind the zinc back 25–50 mm from the joint, provide forced fume extraction (zinc oxide), then restore with zinc-rich paint or metallizing per ASTM A780.
What surface finishes work on A36 Galvanized?
Coating is chromate/passivate quenched or left bare; for painting (duplex system) sweep-blast or use a wash primer/T-wash — do not anodize, and avoid contact with copper/brass or acidic timber treatments.
Can A36 Galvanized be formed, bent or molded?
Bend, punch and roll cold with generous radii (≥2t); form continuously galvanized sheet before or after coating, but heavy batch-dipped sections should be formed first since post-dip bending powders and cracks the alloy layers.
What is the maximum service temperature of A36 Galvanized?
A36 Galvanized is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A36 Galvanized-HR and A36 Galvanized-CD?
HR is the default condition — default stocked form: hot-rolled A36 plate, bar, angle or beam, batch hot-dip galvanized after cutting/welding. CD: cold-drawn round/square/flat bar, galvanized after drawing — pick for straightness, size tolerance and higher strength; avoid heavy cold work plus hot dipping on highly stressed parts. Yield strength is 275 MPa in HR versus 450 MPa in CD.
How much does A36 Galvanized cost?
A36 Galvanized is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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 A36 Galvanized?
Yes — A36 Galvanized 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 A36/A36M — Standard Specification for Carbon Structural Steel — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM A123/A123M — Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel Products — ASTM International (2017)
- ASTM A653/A653M — Steel Sheet, Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) by the Hot-Dip Process — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A780/A780M — Repair of Damaged and Uncoated Areas of Hot-Dip Galvanized Coatings — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (zinc coatings) — ASM International (2005)
- Hot-Dip Galvanizing for Corrosion Protection — Performance and Service Life Charts — American Galvanizers Association (2020)
- Steel Construction Manual, 15th ed. — AISC (2017)
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.