There are multiple types of steel available. It is widely used for structural applications as one of the most popular metals. However, one of the most extensively used carbon structural steel materials for construction is A36 steel. Properties of A36 steel include strength, ductility, toughness, and more. This blog discusses its properties, advantages, uses, and key attributes that set it apart from other types of steel.
Properties of A36 Steel
This popular type of carbon steel has its uniqueness, defined by its properties like:
- Chemical Composition of A36 Steel A36 is general-purpose low-carbon steel with less than 0.3% carbon. Manganese, sulfur, phosphorus, silicon, and other alloying elements present in A36 steel allow it to have its desired chemical and mechanical properties. Welding and forming A36 steel is easy, as it is low carbon. However, low amounts of nickel and chromium mean it does not have great corrosion resistance.
- Mechanical Properties The mechanical properties of material help determine the physical properties that it exhibits upon the application of forces. In A36 steel, mechanical properties are:
- Ultimate Tensile strength: The strength or resistance of a material to a force before it fractures is known as its ultimate tensile strength. For A36 steel, the ultimate tensile strength is 400-550 MPa.
- Yield Tensile Strength: The maximum stress that a material can bear before it becomes permanently deformed is the yield tensile strength of a material. A36 steel has a yield tensile strength of 250 MPA if it is equal to 200mm in thickness.
- Modulus of Elasticity: The measurement of a material’s elasticity is its modulus of elasticity. The modulus of elasticity for A36 steel is 200 GPa.
- Physical Properties
- One can observe and measure the physical properties of a material without manifesting a chemical change. In A36 steel, physical properties look like this:
- Density: of any material can be defined as its mass per unit volume. In simple terms, it describes how compact something is. A 36 steel has a density of 7850 kg/ m3.
- Melting Point: is the point at which a material starts turning into liquid. A 36 steel’s melting point ranges from 2600 °F to 2800 °F.
What Are the Advantages of A36 Steel?
A36 steel has a lot of advantages. It is cost-effective, making it a popular choice. Moreover, this low-carbon steel has excellent performance and strength. You can easily join this material via bolting and riveting. Not only this, but A36 steel has high durability and is easily recyclable. Thus, this low-carbon structural steel is packed with advantages.
The Common Uses of A36 Steel
A36 steel has properties that make it a suitable base material for structural and construction applications. Due to this material’s thickness and corrosion resistance, you can shape it into structural shapes like H-beams, I-beams, and channels. Moreover, the construction of warehouses, industrial and commercial structures, buildings, pipes, enclosures, tubing, housings, and cabinets use A36 steel. Tangs, forgings, automotive equipment, rings, jigs, and more also use this material. A36 is also an excellent material for making components for various industries, like oil and gas, automotive, construction, and heavy equipment. Hot rolling it into rectangle steel, square steel, round steel, and steel plate is possible due to its weldability.
What is the Takeaway?
In conclusion, A36 steel has many properties that make it a popular material in structural and construction applications. In addition, this low-carbon steel is cost-effective, increasing its demand. At Fort Bend Steel Supply, we have the best metal supplies; call us at 281-499-5800 now for more information.