Steel A992 · supply condition
Steel A992-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other A992 tempers.
Choose when tighter dimensional tolerance, a smooth scale-free surface or extra strength from cold work is needed; ductility and toughness drop.
What is A992-CR?
A992-CR is A992 supplied in the CR condition — choose when tighter dimensional tolerance, a smooth scale-free surface or extra strength from cold work is needed; ductility and toughness drop. A992-CR has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). A992-CR 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; CR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 100% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 60/100, better than 83% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades
A992-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for A992-CR — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A992 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A992-CR 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-CR has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A992-CR 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 88% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A992-CR conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A992-CR 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-CR's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other A992 tempers and conditions
A992 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the A992 overview.
- HRDefaultStandard stock condition for A992 wide-flange shapes and structural bars — pick unless a coating or cold-formed section is required.380 MPa yield · 150 HB
- CRChoose when tighter dimensional tolerance, a smooth scale-free surface or extra strength from cold work is needed; ductility and toughness drop.460 MPa yield · 170 HB
- GalvanizedPick for outdoor, humid or unpainted-maintenance structures; base mechanicals are essentially unchanged but service temperature is limited by the zinc layer.375 MPa yield
Working with A992-CR
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.
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.
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 | — |
A992-CR — frequently asked
What is A992-CR used for?
A992-CR 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-CR?
A992-CR has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is A992-CR 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-CR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). 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-CR?
Requires protection — hot-dip galvanizing per A123, metallizing, or shop primer/epoxy; blast to SSPC-SP6 to remove mill scale before painting.
Can A992-CR 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-CR?
A992-CR 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in A992-CR?
Yes — A992-CR 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 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.