ASTM A572 Plates, Shapes, Sheet Piling, and Bars
ASTM A572 is a specification for high-strength low alloy (HSLA) steel. It covers a variety of structural shapes and forms, including steel plates. Coils may not be certified to A572 until cut into individual lengths.
As a high-strength low alloy specification, ASTM A572 dictates microalloy requirements through Types. Types 1, 2, 3, and 5 have different chemical limits for each of the three microalloys, with type 5 additionally including a nitrogen requirement.
Available Designations
- High-Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLAS): furnished to a chemical composition and defined mechanical properties. HSLA steels contain strengthening microalloys (niobium, vanadium, titanium) singly or in combination.
Listed Designations
A572 HSLAS SteelA
- Grade 42
- Grade 50
- Grade 55
- Grade 60
- Grade 65
A Yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation guaranteed in the transverse direction
ASTM A572 Characteristics
Increased carbon content is associated with increased hardenability, leading to the risk of cracking after welding. In this specification, HSLAS steel are available with carbon maximum ranges from 0.21% for grade 42 to 0.26% for grade 65.
Richer chemistries increase the CEV, so stronger grades require more welding finesse.
Steel Warehouse can limit carbon contents to improve thermal cutting, formability, and welding performance.
The HSLA grades outlined in ASTM A572 serve as a reasonable benchmark for fabrication. Welding, thermal cutting, and basic forming can usually be accomplished without extra precautions.
ASTM A572 defines sizes by product category and grade; steel plates have a maximum thickness of 6 inches for grade 42, with the higher strengths having thinner maximum sizes. All plates sizes are defined up to at least 1-1/4 inches.
Laser and plasma cutting is similar to weldability in terms of the heated cut edge hardening and cracking.
ASTM A572 refers to ASTM A6 for bending guarantees.
Available Customizations
- Pickling
- Slitting
- Temper Passing
- Shearing
- Blanking
- Laser Cutting
Notes from the Technical Group
- ASTM A572 is a popular specification for hot-rolled HSLA steel. It works in conjunction with coil-only specifications such as ASTM A1018, as leveled plates cannot be certified to A1018 just as coils cannot be certified to A572.
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