Steel A992
ASTM A992
A992 is the primary North American grade for hot-rolled wide-flange (W-shape) building steel: a vanadium/niobium microalloyed low-carbon steel specified at 345–450 MPa yield and 450 MPa minimum tensile, with yield ratio limited to 0.85 and carbon equivalent to 0.47 to guarantee seismic ductility and field weldability.
Values for the HR condition
A992 tempers and conditions
A992 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
supplementary heat treatment (A6 S-requirements, heavy shapes/CVN) | Ordered for heavy jumbo shapes or when guaranteed low-temperature Charpy values and a uniform fine grain through the flange are required. | 365 | 490 | 27 | 145 HB | 10 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Standard stock condition for A992 wide-flange shapes and structural bars — pick unless a coating or cold-formed section is required. | 380 | 500 | 25 | 150 HB | — |
Cold rolled | Choose when tighter dimensional tolerance, a smooth scale-free surface or extra strength from cold work is needed; ductility and toughness drop. | 460 | 560 | 16 | 170 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways A992 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Galvanized | Hot-dip zinc coated (ASTM A123) after fabrication | Coating |
What is A992?
A992 is the primary North American grade for hot-rolled wide-flange (W-shape) building steel: a vanadium/niobium microalloyed low-carbon steel specified at 345–450 MPa yield and 450 MPa minimum tensile, with yield ratio limited to 0.85 and carbon equivalent to 0.47 to guarantee seismic ductility and field weldability. It is melted mostly from EAF scrap, so recycled content is high and cost is low, and it is used for multi-storey and high-rise steel frames, bridge supports and heavy platforms. Corrosion resistance is poor and painting or hot-dip galvanizing is mandatory, low-temperature impact toughness is not inherent and must be ordered as a supplementary requirement, and it is supplied only as shapes and bar, not as a plate grade — use A572 Gr.50 for plate. A992 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). A992 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is A992 used for?
- Building I-beams and wide-flange columns
- High-rise moment-frame framing
- Bridge stringers and bearing supports
- Heavy platform and mezzanine framing
- Crane runway support beams
- Braced-frame members and connection stubs
- Industrial rack and pipe-support structures
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 100% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
A992 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A992-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A992 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).
Mechanical15
A992 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A992 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A992 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A992 takes about 21 MJ of energy and emits 1.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 99% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 93%.
Manufacturability7
A992's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability good (65/100).
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. A992 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A992
Is A992 easy to machine?
Machines like 1020/HSLA steel — free-cutting it is not; use sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speeds and good chip control on drilled/coped connections.
Can A992 be welded?
Excellent: CE ≤0.47 makes it AWS D1.1 prequalified with E70XX/ER70S consumables, usually no preheat below ~40 mm thickness (preheat heavy jumbo shapes).
Can A992 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot-rolled shapes bend and cambers well hot or cold; keep cold bend radii ≥ 3t and avoid cold working across the k-area of W-shapes.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to A992. Every A992 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Good60 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better65 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better90 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
A992 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cheat analysis max | ≤ 0.23 | 0.08 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 1.6 | 1.1 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Curesidual from scrap | ≤ 0.6 | 0.25 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.45 | 0.1 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.35 | 0.12 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| VV + Nb ≤ 0.15 % | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| Nbcolumbium | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Fecarbon equivalent ≤ 0.47 % (0.45 % for lighter shapes); yield/tensile ratio ≤ 0.85 | balance |
What surface finishes work on A992?
Requires protection — hot-dip galvanizing per A123, metallizing, or shop primer/epoxy; blast to SSPC-SP6 to remove mill scale before painting.
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
How much does A992 cost?
A992 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 81% 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.
A992 — frequently asked
What is A992 used for?
A992 is typically used for building I-beams and wide-flange columns, high-rise moment-frame framing, bridge stringers and bearing supports, heavy platform and mezzanine framing, crane runway support beams and braced-frame members and connection stubs. In short: heavy bridge structural.
What is the yield strength of A992?
A992 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is A992 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Machines like 1020/HSLA steel — free-cutting it is not; use sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speeds and good chip control on drilled/coped connections.
Can A992 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent: CE ≤0.47 makes it AWS D1.1 prequalified with E70XX/ER70S consumables, usually no preheat below ~40 mm thickness (preheat heavy jumbo shapes).
What surface finishes work on A992?
Requires protection — hot-dip galvanizing per A123, metallizing, or shop primer/epoxy; blast to SSPC-SP6 to remove mill scale before painting.
Can A992 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot-rolled shapes bend and cambers well hot or cold; keep cold bend radii ≥ 3t and avoid cold working across the k-area of W-shapes.
What is the maximum service temperature of A992?
A992 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 A992-HR and A992-CR?
HR is the default condition — standard stock condition for A992 wide-flange shapes and structural bars — pick unless a coating or cold-formed section is required. CR: choose when tighter dimensional tolerance, a smooth scale-free surface or extra strength from cold work is needed; ductility and toughness drop. Yield strength is 380 MPa in HR versus 460 MPa in CR.
How much does A992 cost?
A992 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 81% 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 A992?
Yes — A992 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 A992/A992M — Standard Specification for Structural Steel Shapes — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A6/A6M — General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes and Sheet Piling — ASTM International (2019)
- Steel Construction Manual, 16th ed. — AISC (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Industry-Wide EPD for Fabricated Hot-Rolled Structural Sections — AISC (2021)
- GB/T 1591 (Q355B comparison grade) — SAC (2018)
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.