WIKIPEDIA
A36 steel
A36 steel is a common structural steel alloy utilized in the United States.[1] The A36 (UNS K02600)
standard was established by the ASTM International. The standard was published in 1960 and has been
updated several times since.[2] Prior to 1960, the dominant standards for structural steel in North America
were A7 (until 1967[3]) and A9 (for buildings, until 1940[4]).[5] Note that SAE/AISI A7 and A9 tool steels
are not the same as the obsolete ASTM A7 and A9 structural steels.
Chemical composition
Chemical composition (%, ≤) for shapes
Standard C Si Mn P S Cu
ASTM A36/A36M 0.26 0.40 1.03 0.04 0.05 0.20
Note: For shapes with a flange thickness more than 3 in (76 mm), 0.85-1.35% manganese content and 0.15-
0.40% silicon content are required.
Properties
As with most steels, A36 has a density of 0.28 pounds mass per cubic inch (7.8 grams per cubic
centimeter). Young's modulus for A36 steel is 29,000 kilopounds per square inch (200 gigapascals).[6] A36
steel has a Poisson's ratio of 0.32 and a shear modulus of 11,300 ksi (78 GPa).
A36 steel in plates, bars, and shapes with a thickness of less than 8 inches (203 millimeters) has a minimum
yield strength of 36 ksi (250 MPa) and ultimate tensile strength of 58–80 ksi (400–550 MPa). Plates thicker
than 8 inches have a 32 ksi (220 MPa) yield strength and the same ultimate tensile strength of 58–80 ksi
(400–550 MPa).[1] The electrical resistance of A36 is 0.142 μΩm at 68 °F (20 °C). A36 bars and shapes
maintain their ultimate strength up to 650 °F (343 °C). Above that temperature, the minimum strength drops
off from 58 ksi (400 MPa): 54 ksi (370 MPa) at 700 °F (371 °C); 45 ksi (310 MPa) at 750 °F (399 °C);
37 ksi (260 MPa) at 800 °F (427 °C).
Fabricated forms
A36 is produced in a wide variety of forms, including:
Plates
Structural Shapes
Bars
Girders
Angle iron
T iron
Methods of joining
A36 is readily welded by all welding processes. As a result, the most common welding methods for A36 are
the cheapest and easiest: shielded metal arc welding (SMAW, or stick welding), gas metal arc welding
(GMAW, or MIG welding), and oxyacetylene welding. A36 steel is also commonly bolted and riveted in
structural applications. High-strength bolts have largely replaced structural steel rivets. Indeed, the latest
steel construction specifications published by AISC (the 15th Edition) no longer covers their installation.
See also
Structural steel
References
1. Steel Construction Manual, 8th Edition, second revised edition, American Institute of Steel
Construction, 1986, Ch. 1 pp. 1–5.
2. Kurt Gustafson ,Evaluation of Existing Structures (https://www.aisc.org/globalassets/modern-
steel/archives/2007/02/2007v02_steelwise.pdf), Steelwise, American Institute of Steel
Construction, February 2007.
3. ASTM A7 (https://www.astm.org/DATABASE.CART/WITHDRAWN/A7.htm) (dead link 27
April 2023)
4. ASTM A9 (https://www.astm.org/DATABASE.CART/WITHDRAWN/A9.htm) dead link 27
April 2023)
5. Historical Listing of Selected Structural Steels (http://dir.cisc-icca.ca/files/technical/techdocs/
historical/historicalsteels.pdf), Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, retrieved Oct. 2021.
6. "MatWeb A36 steel bar" (http://www.matweb.com/search/DataSheet.aspx?MatGUID=d18449
77c5c8440cb9a3a967f8909c3a&ckck=1). MatWeb. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
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