Steel A572 Gr 42 · supply condition
Steel A572 Gr 42-CD
Properties of the CD condition, compared with the other A572 Gr 42 tempers.
Cold-finished bar for machined shafts, pins and studs where straightness, size tolerance and a strength bump matter more than ductility.
What is A572 Gr 42-CD?
A572 Gr 42-CD is A572 Gr 42 supplied in the CD condition — cold-finished bar for machined shafts, pins and studs where straightness, size tolerance and a strength bump matter more than ductility. A572 Gr 42-CD has a yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 51% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). A572 Gr 42-CD has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 66/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 80% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
A572 Gr 42-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for A572 Gr 42-CD — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A572 Gr 42 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A572 Gr 42-CD has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical16
A572 Gr 42-CD has a yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 51% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A572 Gr 42-CD is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A572 Gr 42-CD conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A572 Gr 42-CD takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
A572 Gr 42-CD's machinability is good (66/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other A572 Gr 42 tempers and conditions
A572 Gr 42 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the A572 Gr 42 overview.
- HRDefaultStandard mill condition for structural plate, shapes, sheet piling and bar; pick this for welded structures and general fabrication.320 MPa yield · 140 HB
- CDCold-finished bar for machined shafts, pins and studs where straightness, size tolerance and a strength bump matter more than ductility.430 MPa yield · 170 HB
- CRUse for thin sheet/strip where a smoother surface, tighter thickness tolerance and higher yield are wanted, at the cost of ductility.400 MPa yield · 160 HB
- NormalizedOrder normalized plate when uniform fine grain and better low-temperature Charpy toughness are required (cold-climate bridges, pressure-retaining or impact-tested applications).330 MPa yield · 145 HB
- AnnealedChoose when maximum ductility and dimensional stability for heavy forming or deep machining outweigh the loss of yield strength (may fall below the A572 spec minimum).260 MPa yield · 120 HB
Working with A572 Gr 42-CD
Is A572 Gr 42 easy to machine?
Machines like a soft low-carbon steel — gummy chips and built-up edge; use positive rake, sharp coated carbide, high feed and coolant; normalized or cold-drawn stock gives better finish than as-rolled.
Can A572 Gr 42 be welded?
Prequalified in AWS D1.1 with E70XX/ER70S-X consumables; low carbon equivalent means little or no preheat below ~38 mm, but keep hydrogen low and avoid excessive heat input to preserve the fine-grain toughness.
Can A572 Gr 42 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and press braking if bend radii follow A6/A572 minimums (bend transverse to rolling direction, remove flame-cut hardened edges); hot forming above ~650 °C partly removes microalloy strengthening.
What surface finishes work on A572 Gr 42?
No anodizing — protect by blast + zinc-rich or epoxy primer, hot-dip galvanizing (watch Si level for coating thickness), or metallizing; mill scale must be removed for durable paint adhesion.
A572 Gr 42 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CGr 42 maximum per ASTM A572 | ≤ 0.21 | 0.16 |
| Mnmax 1.35 for Gr 42 | ≤ 1.35 | 1.05 |
| Si0.40 max (plates ≤ 38 mm may be lower) | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| NbType 1 (columbium) microalloy addition | 0.01 – 0.05 | 0.03 |
| VType 2; Type 3 uses Nb+V with Nb ≤0.05, V ≤0.11, total ≤0.15 | 0.01 – 0.15 | 0.05 |
| TiType 5 (Ti) option, 0.006–0.04 typical when used | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Nwhen V is used, V:N ratio ≥ 4:1 required | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Cuonly when copper-bearing steel is specified | ≥ 0.2 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
A572 Gr 42-CD — frequently asked
What is A572 Gr 42-CD used for?
A572 Gr 42-CD is typically used for bridge girders and gusset plates, industrial building framing, crane runway beams, transmission and communication towers, welded base plates and stiffeners and trailer and equipment chassis. In short: HSLA structural plate.
What is the yield strength of A572 Gr 42-CD?
A572 Gr 42-CD has a typical yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 51% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is A572 Gr 42-CD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (66/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Machines like a soft low-carbon steel — gummy chips and built-up edge; use positive rake, sharp coated carbide, high feed and coolant; normalized or cold-drawn stock gives better finish than as-rolled.
Can A572 Gr 42-CD be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Prequalified in AWS D1.1 with E70XX/ER70S-X consumables; low carbon equivalent means little or no preheat below ~38 mm, but keep hydrogen low and avoid excessive heat input to preserve the fine-grain toughness.
What surface finishes work on A572 Gr 42-CD?
No anodizing — protect by blast + zinc-rich or epoxy primer, hot-dip galvanizing (watch Si level for coating thickness), or metallizing; mill scale must be removed for durable paint adhesion.
Can A572 Gr 42-CD be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and press braking if bend radii follow A6/A572 minimums (bend transverse to rolling direction, remove flame-cut hardened edges); hot forming above ~650 °C partly removes microalloy strengthening.
What is the maximum service temperature of A572 Gr 42-CD?
A572 Gr 42-CD 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 A572 Gr 42-HR and A572 Gr 42-CD?
HR is the default condition — standard mill condition for structural plate, shapes, sheet piling and bar; pick this for welded structures and general fabrication. CD: cold-finished bar for machined shafts, pins and studs where straightness, size tolerance and a strength bump matter more than ductility. Yield strength is 320 MPa in HR versus 430 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in A572 Gr 42-CD?
Yes — A572 Gr 42-CD 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 A572/A572M — High-Strength Low-Alloy Columbium-Vanadium Structural Steel — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM A6/A6M — General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet Piling — ASTM International (2019)
- AWS D1.1/D1.1M Structural Welding Code — Steel — American Welding Society (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (HSLA steels) — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Construction Manual, 15th ed. — AISC (2017)
- ICE / worldsteel LCI data for structural steel — University of Bath / worldsteel (2019)
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.