Steel A36 Galvanized · supply condition
Steel A36 Galvanized-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other A36 Galvanized tempers.
Cold-rolled sheet/strip to A36 chemistry, continuously galvanized (ASTM A653-type coating) — pick for tight thickness tolerance and smooth painted-over finish.
What is A36 Galvanized-CR?
A36 Galvanized-CR is A36 Galvanized supplied in the CR condition — cold-rolled sheet/strip to A36 chemistry, continuously galvanized (ASTM A653-type coating) — pick for tight thickness tolerance and smooth painted-over finish. A36 Galvanized-CR has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). A36 Galvanized-CR 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 40/100, 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 — 62/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 35/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of steel grades
A36 Galvanized-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for A36 Galvanized-CR — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A36 Galvanized temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A36 Galvanized-CR 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-CR has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A36 Galvanized-CR 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-CR conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), better than 98% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A36 Galvanized-CR 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-CR's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability good (68/100); formability good (62/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other A36 Galvanized tempers and conditions
A36 Galvanized is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the A36 Galvanized overview.
- HRDefaultDefault stocked form: hot-rolled A36 plate, bar, angle or beam, batch hot-dip galvanized after cutting/welding.275 MPa yield · 120 HB
- CDCold-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 MPa yield · 160 HB
- CRCold-rolled sheet/strip to A36 chemistry, continuously galvanized (ASTM A653-type coating) — pick for tight thickness tolerance and smooth painted-over finish.350 MPa yield · 140 HB
- NormalizedNormalized (≈870–900 °C, air cool) then galvanized — pick for uniform fine grain, better toughness consistency in thick plate and welded assemblies.285 MPa yield · 125 HB
- AnnealedFull/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 MPa yield · 110 HB
Working with A36 Galvanized-CR
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.
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.
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 | — |
A36 Galvanized-CR — frequently asked
What is A36 Galvanized-CR used for?
A36 Galvanized-CR 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-CR?
A36 Galvanized-CR has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 73% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is A36 Galvanized-CR 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-CR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (68/100). 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-CR?
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-CR 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-CR?
A36 Galvanized-CR 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in A36 Galvanized-CR?
Yes — A36 Galvanized-CR 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.