Steel A992 · supply condition · default condition
Steel A992-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other A992 tempers.
Standard stock condition for A992 wide-flange shapes and structural bars — pick unless a coating or cold-formed section is required.
What is A992-HR?
A992-HR is A992 supplied in the HR condition — standard stock condition for A992 wide-flange shapes and structural bars — pick unless a coating or cold-formed section is required. A992-HR has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). A992-HR 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).
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 88% 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
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
A992-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for A992-HR — 12 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-HR 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-HR has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A992-HR 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-HR 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-HR 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-HR'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.
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-HR
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-HR — frequently asked
What is A992-HR used for?
A992-HR 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-HR?
A992-HR has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is A992-HR 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-HR 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-HR?
Requires protection — hot-dip galvanizing per A123, metallizing, or shop primer/epoxy; blast to SSPC-SP6 to remove mill scale before painting.
Can A992-HR 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-HR?
A992-HR 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-HR?
Yes — A992-HR 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.