Steel A36
AISI/SAE A36 · UNS K02600 · EN 1.0044, S275JR · JIS SS400 · GB Q235, Q235B
A36 is the classic low-carbon structural steel of North America, supplied mainly as hot-rolled plate, shapes and bar with a 250 MPa minimum yield and excellent weldability with no preheat needed in thin sections.
Values for the HR condition
A36 tempers and conditions
A36 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
full/subcritical anneal, softest condition | Use when maximum ductility and low residual stress are needed for deep forming, severe bending or stability after heavy machining. | 230 | 400 | 30 | 112 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default stock condition for plate, structural shapes and merchant bar; cheapest and most weldable, with mill scale and loose dimensional tolerance. | 260 | 450 | 22 | 120 HB | — |
austenitize and air cool for uniform fine grain | Specify for thick plate or weldments needing uniform grain, better notch toughness and reduced property scatter versus as-rolled. | 290 | 470 | 25 | 130 HB | — |
Cold rolled | Pick for thin sheet needing a clean scale-free surface, tight thickness tolerance and higher yield, at the cost of ductility and springback. | 380 | 500 | 12 | 150 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Choose for round/square/flat bar where a bright straight surface, tight size tolerance and higher yield are wanted for shafts and machined parts. | 415 | 510 | 16 | 155 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways A36 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 | Hot-dip galvanized | Coating |
What is A36?
A36 is the classic low-carbon structural steel of North America, supplied mainly as hot-rolled plate, shapes and bar with a 250 MPa minimum yield and excellent weldability with no preheat needed in thin sections. It is chosen for frames, base plates, brackets and weldments where cost, availability and fabrication ease matter more than strength-to-weight. Limits are low strength, no corrosion resistance (must be painted, galvanized or plated), no guaranteed low-temperature notch toughness, and mill-scale/flatness variation typical of hot-rolled product. A36 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,470°C (2,678 °F). A36 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is A36 used for?
- Welded structural frames
- Base plates and gussets
- Machine bases and heavy weldments
- Brackets and mounting plates
- Bridge components
- Handrails, stairs and ladders
- Anchor and bearing plates
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 11 % IACS, better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), worse than 92% of steel grades
A36 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A36-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A36 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,470°C (2,678 °F).
Mechanical16
A36 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A36 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A36 conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, better than 98% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A36 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
A36's machinability is good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability very good (80/100).
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 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A36
Is A36 easy to machine?
Cuts easily but gummy — use positive-rake tooling, coolant and moderate speeds; hot-rolled scale is abrasive so break it with a first roughing pass.
Can A36 be welded?
Prequalified for all common processes (SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/SAW) with E70XX-class filler; preheat only for thick sections or restrained joints per AWS D1.1.
Can A36 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold bending, punching and roll forming; keep bend lines transverse to rolling direction and allow generous inside radii on thick as-rolled plate.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to A36. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better65 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 200 / 240 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / 0.8 µm |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better80 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better95 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
| Minimum bend radius | 1.5× thickness |
| Sheet thickness range | 3 – 20 mm |
| Spring-back | Moderate |
A36 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 max for plate ≤20 mm; 0.26 max for shapes | ≤ 0.26 | 0.2 |
| Mnrequired for plate over 20 mm; not specified for shapes ≤634 N/m | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Si0.40 max for plate; 0.15–0.40 for heavier plate | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Cuonly when copper steel is specified | ≥ 0.2 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A36?
No natural corrosion resistance — shot blast to SA 2.5 then paint, hot-dip galvanize, zinc plate, phosphate or black oxide; polishes only to a dull finish and will rust unprotected.
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 A36 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- K02600
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0044S275JR
- GB (China)
- Q235Q235B
- JIS
- SS400
- Trade names
- Hot RolledHRS
- Also called
- Mild Steelhot rolled steelhot-rolled steelstructural steelFe 410
How much does A36 cost?
A36 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% 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 — frequently asked
What is A36 used for?
A36 is typically used for welded structural frames, base plates and gussets, machine bases and heavy weldments, brackets and mounting plates, bridge components and handrails, stairs and ladders. In short: cheapest structural steel.
What is the yield strength of A36?
A36 has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is A36 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades). Cuts easily but gummy — use positive-rake tooling, coolant and moderate speeds; hot-rolled scale is abrasive so break it with a first roughing pass.
Can A36 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Prequalified for all common processes (SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/SAW) with E70XX-class filler; preheat only for thick sections or restrained joints per AWS D1.1.
What surface finishes work on A36?
No natural corrosion resistance — shot blast to SA 2.5 then paint, hot-dip galvanize, zinc plate, phosphate or black oxide; polishes only to a dull finish and will rust unprotected.
Can A36 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold bending, punching and roll forming; keep bend lines transverse to rolling direction and allow generous inside radii on thick as-rolled plate.
What is the maximum service temperature of A36?
A36 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 A36-HR and A36-CD?
HR is the default condition — default stock condition for plate, structural shapes and merchant bar; cheapest and most weldable, with mill scale and loose dimensional tolerance. CD: choose for round/square/flat bar where a bright straight surface, tight size tolerance and higher yield are wanted for shafts and machined parts. Yield strength is 260 MPa in HR versus 415 MPa in CD.
How much does A36 cost?
A36 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% 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?
Yes — A36 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)
- GB/T 700 Carbon structural steels (Q235B) — SAC (2006)
- EN 10025-2 Hot rolled structural steels (S235JR/S275JR) — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Construction Manual, 15th ed. — AISC (2017)
- Machinery's Handbook, 30th ed. — Industrial Press (2016)
- AWS D1.1/D1.1M Structural Welding Code — Steel — AWS (2020)
- worldsteel LCI data for steel products — World Steel Association (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.