ASTM A656
ASTM A656 is a specification for high-strength low alloy (HSLA) steel plates with improved formability. There are three types, Types 3, 7, and 8, that outline a defined chemical composition, and those types are available as five strength grades. Coils may not be specified to ASTM A656 until they have been cut into individual lengths.
Available Designations
High-Strength Low Alloy Steel with Improved Formability (HSLAS-F): furnished to a chemical composition and defined mechanical properties. HSLA steels contain strengthening microalloys (niobium, vanadium, titanium) singly or in combination.
ASTM A656 Characteristics
Property
specification
Weldability
Increased carbon content is associated with increased hardenability, leading to the risk of cracking after welding. In this specification, all available types have a maximum carbon content of 0.18%. This is lower than the maximum carbon content of similar ASTM specifications such as ASTM A572.
Steel Warehouse can limit carbon contents to improve thermal cutting, formability, and welding performance.
Ease of Fabrication
Welding, thermal cutting, and basic forming can usually be accomplished without extra precautions for the grades outlined in ASTM A656. Grades 80 and 100 will require more finesse than the softer grades in this specification.
Defined Sizes
ASTM A656 defines sizes by grade.
- Grade 50, 2 inches maximum thickness
- Grade 60, 1.5 inches maximum thickness
- Grade 70, 1 inch maximum thickness
- Grade 80, 1 inch maximum thickness
- Grade 100, ½ inch maximum thickness
Thermal Cutting
Laser and plasma cutting is similar to weldability in terms of the heated cut edge hardening and cracking.
Bendability
ASTM A656 refers to ASTM A6 for bending guarantees.
Available Customizations
Notes from the Technical Group
- ASTM A656 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 A656.
- Ordering highly utilized grades facilities sourcing; grades 60 and 70 may come with longer lead times and increased pricing as they are not as frequent produced at the steel mills.
