Steel A572 Annealed
Temper
ASTM A572
Used only to soften for severe forming or machining; the microalloy precipitation strengthening is largely lost.
Values for the Annealed condition
Other A572 tempers and conditions
A572 is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at A572.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedThis page full/subcritical anneal (softened) | Used only to soften for severe forming or machining; the microalloy precipitation strengthening is largely lost. | 290 | 430 | 28 | 125 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
Grade 42 | Lowest strength level, available to 150 mm thickness; pick when thick sections and easy forming matter more than strength. | 310 | 450 | 24 | 130 HB | 47 W/m·K |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default stock condition: as-rolled A572 Gr.50 plate, beam or channel for welded structures. | 360 | 480 | 22 | 145 HB | 9 % IACS |
austenitized and air cooled | Specified for heavy plate or low-temperature service to refine grain and restore uniform toughness through thickness. | 365 | 490 | 24 | 150 HB | 9 % IACS |
Grade 50 | The industry standard HSLA structural grade — best balance of strength, weldability and availability. | 370 | 495 | 21 | 145 HB | 46 W/m·K |
Cold rolled | Thin-gauge cold-reduced HSLA sheet where flatness, tight tolerance and a clean surface matter. | 400 | 500 | 18 | 160 HB | 9 % IACS |
Grade 55 | Intermediate level used where a modest weight saving over Grade 50 is worthwhile; availability is limited. | 405 | 525 | 20 | 155 HB | 46 W/m·K |
Grade 60 | Higher-strength level limited to ~32 mm thickness; used for lighter beams, poles and equipment frames. | 440 | 560 | 18 | 165 HB | 45 W/m·K |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn round/flat bar: highest strength and best surface finish/straightness, at the cost of ductility and residual stress. | 470 | 560 | 12 | 180 HB | 9 % IACS |
Grade 65 | Highest A572 level (≤32 mm) for maximum weight saving; needs the tightest preheat and forming-radius control. | 475 | 595 | 17 | 180 HB | 45 W/m·K |
What is A572 Annealed?
A572 Annealed is A572 in the Annealed temper — used only to soften for severe forming or machining; the microalloy precipitation strengthening is largely lost. A572 Annealed has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). A572 Annealed 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; Annealed is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 290 MPa (42.1 ksi), worse than 88% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
A572 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for A572 Annealed; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A572 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A572 Annealed 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
A572 Annealed has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A572 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A572 Annealed conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A572 Annealed takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
A572 Annealed's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (75/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A572 Annealed
Is A572 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough medium-carbon steel — roughly 55% of 1212; use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide and generous coolant, expect stringy chips and some distortion from rolling residual stress.
Can A572 be welded?
Prequalified in AWS D1.1 with E70/ER70S consumables; low carbon equivalent means little preheat below ~20 mm, but limit heat input on Gr.60/65 and use low-hydrogen practice on thick plate.
Can A572 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends and press-brakes well with radii ~2–3t (larger than A36 and larger still for Gr.60/65); bend transverse to the rolling direction and avoid re-bending sheared edges.
What surface finishes work on A572?
No natural corrosion protection — shot blast to SA 2.5 then zinc-rich primer, paint, hot-dip galvanize (watch Si for coating thickness) or metallize; not anodizable.
A572 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C0.26 max for Gr.42 shapes/bars per product form | ≤ 0.23 | 0.18 |
| Mn1.65 max for Gr.55–65 plate in some product forms | ≤ 1.35 | 1.15 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Nbcolumbium — Type 1 and Type 3 | 0.01 – 0.05 | 0.03 |
| VType 2 and Type 3 | 0.01 – 0.15 | 0.05 |
| TiType 4/5 options | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| NType 5 (V+N) only | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
A572 Annealed — frequently asked
What is A572 Annealed used for?
A572 Annealed is typically used for bridge girders and gusset plates, building beams and columns, construction equipment frames, crane booms and runway girders, transmission poles and lattice towers and truck and trailer chassis members. In short: standard structural grade.
What is the yield strength of A572 Annealed?
A572 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is A572 Annealed easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines like a tough medium-carbon steel — roughly 55% of 1212; use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide and generous coolant, expect stringy chips and some distortion from rolling residual stress.
Can A572 Annealed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Prequalified in AWS D1.1 with E70/ER70S consumables; low carbon equivalent means little preheat below ~20 mm, but limit heat input on Gr.60/65 and use low-hydrogen practice on thick plate.
What surface finishes work on A572 Annealed?
No natural corrosion protection — shot blast to SA 2.5 then zinc-rich primer, paint, hot-dip galvanize (watch Si for coating thickness) or metallize; not anodizable.
Can A572 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends and press-brakes well with radii ~2–3t (larger than A36 and larger still for Gr.60/65); bend transverse to the rolling direction and avoid re-bending sheared edges.
What is the maximum service temperature of A572 Annealed?
A572 Annealed 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-HR and A572-Gr65?
HR is the default condition — default stock condition: as-rolled A572 Gr.50 plate, beam or channel for welded structures. Gr65: highest A572 level (≤32 mm) for maximum weight saving; needs the tightest preheat and forming-radius control. Yield strength is 360 MPa in HR versus 475 MPa in Gr65.
Can FabDigit make parts in A572 Annealed?
Yes — A572 Annealed is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. 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)
- 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 — ASM International (1990)
- 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.