ASTM A36 steel plate is low carbon steel, which is classified by having less than 0.3% carbon by weight. That allows ASTM A36 steel plate to be easily machined, welded, and formed, making it extremely useful as a general-purpose steel. The low carbon also prevents heat treatment from having much of an effect on ASTM A36 steel plate. ASTM A36 steel plate usually has small amounts of other alloying elements as well, including manganese, sulfur, phosphorus, and silicon.
ASTM A36 steel plate chemical composition:
Grade | Thickness | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cu |
A36 | less than 3/4 inch | 0.25 | ~ | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.4 | 0.2 |
more than 3/4 inch | 0.25 | 0.80~1.20 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.4 | 0.2 |
ASTM A36 steel plate is the most commonly used mild and hot-rolled steel. ASTM A36 steel plate has excellent welding properties and is suitable for grinding, punching, tapping, drilling and machining processes.
ASTM A36 steel plate can have ultimate tensile strengths from 58,000 to 79,800 psi. The exact ultimate tensile strength is determined by a variety of factors such as ASTM A36 steel plate chemical composition and forming method. ASTM A36 steel plate is relatively ductile and can elongate to around 20% of its original length when tensile testing.