Steel A656 Grade 80
ASTM A656 Grade 80
A656 Grade 80 is a micro-alloyed HSLA structural plate to the ASTM A656 family, offered in Type 3 and Type 7 chemistries and in hot-rolled, TMCP, normalized and quenched-and-tempered conditions, with a minimum 80 ksi yield and typical values of 590 MPa yield, 680 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 215 HB.
Reference datasheet — A656 Grade 80 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the HR condition
A656 Grade 80 tempers and conditions
A656 Grade 80 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normalized | Used on heavier plate or when uniform through-thickness properties and stable toughness after forming are needed. | 580 | 670 | 20 | 15 HRC | 8.8 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Standard stocked condition: hot-rolled, microalloy-strengthened plate meeting 550 MPa yield with good cold bending. | 590 | 680 | 18 | 17 HRC | 8.6 % IACS |
V + Nb (columbium) microalloyed chemistry | Chemistry option using vanadium and niobium precipitation strengthening; widely available and economical for general structural plate. | 590 | 685 | 17 | 19 HRC | 8.6 % IACS |
Ti microalloyed chemistry with sulfide shape control | Preferred where tight-radius cold bending and transverse ductility matter, e.g. truck bodies and crane booms. | 590 | 675 | 19 | 17 HRC | 8.6 % IACS |
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Choose when finer grain, better low-temperature toughness and lower carbon equivalent for welding are required at the same strength. | 610 | 700 | 20 | 18 HRC | 8.6 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Ordered for thick sections where as-rolled processing cannot reach 550 MPa yield, or when maximum toughness at 80 ksi is needed. | 630 | 720 | 20 | 21 HRC | 8.4 % IACS |
What is A656 Grade 80?
A656 Grade 80 is a micro-alloyed HSLA structural plate to the ASTM A656 family, offered in Type 3 and Type 7 chemistries and in hot-rolled, TMCP, normalized and quenched-and-tempered conditions, with a minimum 80 ksi yield and typical values of 590 MPa yield, 680 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 215 HB. Engineers specify it as cut and formed plate where section thickness and weight must come down without giving up cold formability at high strength. It welds with low-hydrogen consumables but needs heat-input and preheat control, has no inherent corrosion resistance, and is dearer and less widely stocked than A572 Grade 50, the usual lower-strength substitute. A656 Grade 80 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). A656 Grade 80 has a yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is A656 Grade 80 used for?
- truck frames
- crane booms
- mobile equipment structural members
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 62/100, better than 78% of steel grades
- High strength — 590 MPa (85.6 ksi), better than 76% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 72/100, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
A656 Grade 80 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A656 Grade 80-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A656 Grade 80 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical17
A656 Grade 80 has a yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
A656 Grade 80 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A656 Grade 80 conducts electricity at 8.6 % IACS, better than 66% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A656 Grade 80 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
A656 Grade 80's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability good (62/100).
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. A656 Grade 80 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A656 Grade 80
Is A656 Grade 80 easy to machine?
Machines like a 550 MPa HSLA steel — rigid setups, sharp carbide tooling, moderate speeds; plasma/laser cut edges should be dressed before drilling to avoid hard cut-edge layers.
Can A656 Grade 80 be welded?
Readily weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/FCAW/GMAW (E80/E81 class consumables); control heat input and preheat thicker plate to limit HAZ softening and hydrogen cracking.
Can A656 Grade 80 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formable with generous bend radii (typically 2–3 t transverse); bend across the rolling direction and allow for high springback compared with mild steel.
A656 Grade 80 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax per ASTM A656 Types 3 and 7 | ≤ 0.18 | 0.1 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.65 | 1.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Skept very low with sulfide shape control for formability | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Algrain-refining / deoxidation, killed steel | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| VType 3 microalloying | 0.01 – 0.15 | 0.06 |
| NbType 3 microalloying (columbium) | 0.01 – 0.1 | 0.03 |
| TiType 7 microalloying | 0.01 – 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Nfor V-N strengthening variants | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A656 Grade 80?
Not anodizable — blast off mill scale then paint, zinc-rich prime, powder coat or hot-dip galvanize; galvanizing bath temperature can slightly relax as-rolled strength.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel A656 Grade 80 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A656-80
How much does A656 Grade 80 cost?
A656 Grade 80 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
A656 Grade 80 — frequently asked
What is A656 Grade 80 used for?
A656 Grade 80 is typically used for truck frames, crane booms and mobile equipment structural members. In short: formable 80 ksi plate; weight-critical HSLA structure; stronger than A572-50.
What is the yield strength of A656 Grade 80?
A656 Grade 80 has a typical yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 76% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is A656 Grade 80 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades). Machines like a 550 MPa HSLA steel — rigid setups, sharp carbide tooling, moderate speeds; plasma/laser cut edges should be dressed before drilling to avoid hard cut-edge layers.
Can A656 Grade 80 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/FCAW/GMAW (E80/E81 class consumables); control heat input and preheat thicker plate to limit HAZ softening and hydrogen cracking.
What surface finishes work on A656 Grade 80?
Not anodizable — blast off mill scale then paint, zinc-rich prime, powder coat or hot-dip galvanize; galvanizing bath temperature can slightly relax as-rolled strength.
Can A656 Grade 80 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formable with generous bend radii (typically 2–3 t transverse); bend across the rolling direction and allow for high springback compared with mild steel.
What is the maximum service temperature of A656 Grade 80?
A656 Grade 80 is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A656 Grade 80-HR and A656 Grade 80-QT?
HR is the default condition — standard stocked condition: hot-rolled, microalloy-strengthened plate meeting 550 MPa yield with good cold bending. QT: ordered for thick sections where as-rolled processing cannot reach 550 MPa yield, or when maximum toughness at 80 ksi is needed. Yield strength is 590 MPa in HR versus 630 MPa in QT.
How much does A656 Grade 80 cost?
A656 Grade 80 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Sources
- ASTM A656/A656M — Hot-Rolled Structural Steel, HSLA Plate with Improved Formability — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM A370 — Mechanical Testing of Steel Products (hardness conversions) — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- High-strength structural plate datasheets (A656 Gr 80 / Domex-type) — Nucor / SSAB (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.