ASTM A36 Steel Plate
Manufactured in accordance with American standard ASTM A36/A36M, ASTM A36 is the dominant hot-rolled carbon structural steel across North America. The figure "36" denotes a minimum yield strength of 36,000 PSI (approximately 250 MPa). This steel grade features a relatively broad allowable range for chemical composition, high tensile strength and excellent ductility, with ample spot stock available throughout North America, Southeast Asia and China. It is the preferred structural steel for American-standard building construction, bridgeworks and mechanical base frame projects.
ST37-2 Steel Plate
ST37-2 is a legacy grade specified under the outdated German standard DIN 17100, which was officially withdrawn in 2004. Grade nomenclature explanation: "St" derives from the German word Stahl meaning steel; "37" refers to a minimum tensile strength of 370 MPa; suffix "2" indicates the grade passed Charpy V-notch impact testing at 20°C. This grade adopts stringent low-carbon composition control, with mandatory room-temperature impact toughness testing upon delivery, paired with outstanding cold formability and weldability. Currently, ST37-2 is primarily utilized for maintenance and retrofitting of legacy German industrial equipment, as well as renovation work for existing European projects with historic construction drawings. It is rarely specified for new-build structural projects within Europe.
ASTM A36, ST37-2 Structural Steel Plate Specification
| Product Name | ASTM A36, ST37-2 Structural Steel Plate |
| Standard | ASTM A36/A36M; DIN 17100 (Superseded by EN 10025-2 S235JR) |
| Steel Type | Low Carbon Structural Steel |
| Manufacturing Process | Hot Rolled |
| Supply Thickness | 2–200 mm |
| Supply Width | 1,000–4,500 mm |
| Supply Length | 3,000–18,000 mm |
| Delivery Condition | As Rolled (AR), Normalized (Optional) |
| Surface Finish | As Rolled, Shot Blasted & Painted |
| Edge Condition | Mill Edge (ME), Trimmed Edge (TE) |
ASTM A36, ST37-2 Steel Plate Chemical Composition
| Composition | ASTM A36 | ST37-2 (DIN 17100, t≤16mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.25 (t≤19mm) / ≤0.29 (t＞100mm) | ≤0.17 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.80~1.20 | ≤1.40 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.15~0.40 | Not specified |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.04 | ≤0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.05 | ≤0.045 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≥0.20 (optional anti-corrosion) | No requirement |
ASTM A36, ST37-2 Structural Steel Plate Mechanical Property
| Performance Index | ASTM A36 | ST37-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength (ReH, MPa) | 250 | 235 |
| Tensile Strength (Rm, MPa) | 400~550 | 360~510 |
| Elongation (A, %) | ≥20 (200mm gauge length) | ≥26 |
| Charpy V-notch Impact (20℃) | No mandatory test | ≥27J (longitudinal) |
| Brinell Hardness (HB) | 119~162 | 116~158 |
| Delivery State | Hot rolled | Hot rolled |
Weldability & Hot/Cold Working Performance of ASTM A36, ST37-2 Hot Rolled Plate
Shared Performance Characteristics of ASTM A36, ST37-2 Steel Plate
Both are low-carbon steels with a low carbon equivalent (＜0.40) and excellent comprehensive fabrication performance:
- Welding: Compatible with Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Metal Inert Gas Welding (MIG), Tungsten Inert Gas Welding (TIG) and Submerged Arc Welding. Plates thinner than 20 mm require no preheating with low susceptibility to welding cracking. Only thick plates over 50 mm require post-weld stress-relief annealing.
- Cold working: Great performance in cold bending, stamping, shearing, laser cutting and plasma cutting. Elaborate bent structural shapes can be formed without cracking.
- Machining: Smooth drilling, tapping, turning and milling operations without the need for customized special cutting tools.
Differentiated Fabrication Properties of ASTM A36, ST37-2 Steel Plate
- Welding difference: ASTM A36 has relatively higher carbon content. Preheating to 80–100℃ is recommended for plates thicker than 40 mm prior to welding. ST37 features a low-carbon formulation and allows preheat-free welding for plates of conventional thicknesses.
- Cold forming: ST37 delivers higher elongation, making it more suitable for deep drawing and large-radius bending forming. ASTM A36 is preferable for linear structural bending requiring high rigidity.
- Surface treatment: Copper-containing A36 achieves superior rust resistance after sandblasting and painting. ST37 requires full anti-corrosion coating treatment for long-term outdoor service.
Typical Application Scenarios of ASTM A36, ST37-2 Hot Rolled Steel Plate
Main Applications of ASTM A36
- North American standard construction: factory steel frames, steel columns, beams, floor supports and steel trusses;
- Bridge engineering: bridge decks, support brackets and connecting plates for American-standard bridge projects;
- Machinery manufacturing: equipment bases, heavy-duty frames, conveyor supports and welded mechanical structural components;
- General engineering: storage tank bottom plates, pipe supports, outdoor billboard steel structures and auxiliary container frames.
Main Applications of ST37-2
- Retrofit of original German equipment: structural supports for old production lines and replacement parts for equipment bases;
- Maintenance of existing European industrial buildings: steel structure reinforcement for aging workshops and customized spare parts;
- Static-load non-critical structural components for small-sized European machinery.
GNEE Steel holds abundant spot stocks of hot-rolled ASTM A36 steel plate and S235JR steel plate (the modern replacement for ST37-2), covering thicknesses ranging from 2 mm to 200 mm. We deliver one-stop services including cut-to-length cutting, surface sandblasting, flame cutting and third-party inspection certification, alongside door-to-door delivery to major shipping ports for export orders. Please contact our sales team for the latest ex-factory prices and stock lists.
Grade Selection Guide
When to Select ASTM A36
✅ The project adopts the American ASTM standard system and products are exported to North America;
✅ Structural members require high static load bearing capacity;
✅ Open-air outdoor structures demand moderate atmospheric corrosion resistance;
✅ Bulk spot procurement with requirements for sufficient stock and short lead time.
Select ST37-2 Only Under the Following Circumstances
✅ Maintenance spare parts must strictly match the original material marking on drawings of legacy German equipment;
✅ The customer explicitly specifies the ST37 grade in the procurement technical specification sheet;
✅ Small-batch customized production for historical equipment refurbishment.
Recommended Alternative for New Projects: Replace ST37-2 with S235JR
S235JR (EN 10025-2) is the official successor grade for ST37-2. It delivers equivalent impact toughness performance, complete EU CE certification, abundant spot inventory and lower customized processing costs compared with ST37-2, making it the optimal choice for new construction projects across Europe.
Full-Range Service Support of GNEE Steel
As a professional carbon steel plate exporter with 18 years of steel supply chain experience, GNEE Steel delivers full-lifecycle material solution services for ASTM A36, ST37-2 and S235JR steel plates:
Complete Qualification Documentation
We issue Mill Test Certificates (MTC) complying with EN 10204 3.1/3.2, PMI positive material identification, UT ultrasonic testing and third-party inspection reports issued by SGS and TÜV to meet the documentation filing requirements of international projects.
Technical Consultation Support
Professional steel engineers provide complimentary technical services including grade comparison analysis, material substitution verification, welding procedure guidance and project material budget optimization.
Stable Supply Chain
Long-term in-depth cooperation with major domestic steel mills including Wuyang Iron and Steel, Ansteel and Shandong Iron & Steel guarantees steady raw material supply, effectively hedging risks of price fluctuation and delivery delay.
FAQ
Can ASTM A36 completely replace ST37-2 for engineering use?
ASTM A36 can completely replace ST37-2 in most general structural and non-critical engineering applications because A36 has slightly higher guaranteed minimum yield and tensile strengths. However, direct 1:1 replacement requires engineering verification for code compliance, legacy standard limits, and exact mechanical properties.
What is the biggest difference between A36 and S235JR (ST37-2)?
The biggest difference is that S235JR (the modern European standard replacing legacy St37-2) mandates guaranteed impact toughness testing (Charpy V-notch at +20°C), whereas the American ASTM A36 standard does not require impact testing. Additionally, A36 has a slightly higher minimum yield strength (250 MPa vs. 235 MPa) and allows higher maximum carbon content.
Is the price of S235JR higher than ASTM A36?
Generally, the base material cost for S235JR and ASTM A36 is very comparable because they are both common, low-carbon structural steels. However, S235JR can be slightly more expensive if you are purchasing it outside of Europe due to regional import logistics and mandatory testing certifications.
Does A36 have low-temperature toughness performance?
No, ASTM A36 does not have certified or reliable low-temperature toughness performance. It is a standard mild carbon steel meant for normal room-temperature or indoor use. The ASTM A36 Specification does not require or test for Charpy V-notch impact toughness at cold temperatures.
