§A36 steel is a standard steel alloy that is a common structural steel in the United States. The A36 standard was established by the standards organization ASTM International.
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Properties
As with most steels, A36 has a density of 7,800 kg/m3 (0.28 lb/cu in). Young's modulus for A36 steel is 200 GPa (29,000,000 psi). A36 steel has a Poisson's ratio of 0.26, and a shear modulus of 75 GPa (10,900,000 psi).
A36 steel in plates, bars, and shapes with a thickness of less than 8 in (203 mm) has a minimum yield strength of 36,000 psi (250 MPa) and ultimate tensile strength of 58,000–80,000 psi (400–550 MPa). Plates thicker than 8 in have a 32,000 psi (220 MPa) yield strength and the same ultimate tensile strength of 58,000–80,000 psi (400–550 MPa). The electrical resistance of A36 is 0.0000153 ohm/cm. A36 bars and shapes maintain their ultimate strength up to 650 °F (343 °C). Afterward, the minimum strength drops off from 58,000 psi (400 MPa): 54,000 psi (370 MPa) at 700 °F (371 °C); 45,000 psi (310 MPa) at 750 °F (399 °C); 37,000 psi (260 MPa) at 800 °F (427 °C).
Fabricated forms
A36 is produced in a wide variety of forms, including:
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.