Structural Shapes
Structural shapes made from special steels are designed for structures that require greater strength, durability, and performance than conventional steel.
ASTM A573 GRADO 50 - DUAL CERT (A36 / A573)
ASTM A573 Grade 50 structural shapes (dual certified A36/A573) are high-strength structural steels primarily manufactured for applications requiring greater mechanical performance than conventional A36 steel. This material combines good weldability and ductility with a 50 ksi yield strength, making it ideal for high-demand structures such as beams, columns, bridges, and components subject to dynamic loads.
- High-strength steel: ASTM A573 Grade 50 provides a minimum yield strength of 50 ksi, enabling greater load capacity with lower structural weight.
- Dual certification (A36/A573): Meets both A36 and A573 Grade 50 requirements, ensuring flexibility in design and material qualification.
- High toughness: Its refined microstructure makes it suitable for demanding conditions and variable load environments.
- Excellent weldability and formability: Despite its higher strength, it maintains good formability and weld-joining capability.
- Advanced structural applications: Recommended for structures seeking weight efficiency and mechanical performance.
- Higher mechanical strength without sacrificing weldability.
- Structural weight optimization: enables lighter and stronger designs.
- Dual compliance: reduces inventory by serving both A36 and A573 specifications.
- Improved performance under vibration or dynamic loads.
- Excellent performance in structures subject to bending or torsion.
Industries: Construction, heavy infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, civil engineering, and industrial steel structures.
Main applications:
- Large-scale beams, columns, and structural frames.
- Bridges, platforms, and load-bearing support structures.
- Transmission towers, cranes, and heavy machinery.
- Structural components subject to repetitive stress or impact.
- Fabrication of equipment and modular structures.
Element | Composition |
Carbon | 0.23% max |
Manganese | 0.60% - 1.35% |
Phosphorus | 0.035% max |
Sulfur | 0.040% max |
Silicon | 0.15% - 0.50% |
Copper | 0.20% max |
Nickel | 0.25% max |
Chromium | 0.25% max |
Molybdenum | 0.06% max |
Vanadium | 0.02% max |
Mechanical Property | A573 Gr.50 / Dual Cert |
|---|---|
Ultimate Tensile Strength (ksi / MPa) | 65-90 ksi (450-620 MPa) |
Yield Strength (ksi / MPa) | 50 ksi (345 MPa) |
Elongación en 8" (min.) | 18% |
Elongación en 2" (min.) | 21% |
Brinell Hardness (HB) | 150-190 HB |
Modulus of Elasticity (ksi / GPa) | 29,000 ksi (200 GPa) |
Shape Type | Depth (in) | Weight (lb/ft) | Flange Thickness (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
W6 x 15 | 6.03 | 15.0 | 0.230 |
W8 x 18 | 7.93 | 18.0 | 0.280 |
W10 x 30 | 10.17 | 30.0 | 0.380 |
W12 x 40 | 12.22 | 40.0 | 0.435 |
W14 x 48 | 13.74 | 48.0 | 0.435 |
W18 x 65 | 18.24 | 65.0 | 0.520 |
W24 x 94 | 23.70 | 94.0 | 0.665 |
W36 x 150 | 36.00 | 150.0 | 0.830 |
W40 x 221 | 40.00 | 221.0 | 1.030 |
Note: Dual-certified shapes are commonly supplied in W and S sections under ASTM A6 with A36/A573 marking, ensuring compatibility in structural design and strength specifications.
ASTM A573 Grade 50 steel has international equivalents or approximations with similar strength and composition:
- EN 10025-2: S355JR
- ISO 630-2: Fe 510 B
- JIS G3106: SM490A
- CSA G40.21: 50W
- ASTM A992: (comparable properties in modern structural applications)
ASTM A573 Grade 50 dual-certified (A36/A573) structural steel represents a technical evolution in steel structure construction. Its higher mechanical strength, weldability, and versatility enable more efficient and safer designs, meeting modern engineering requirements. It is an excellent alternative to traditional A36 when higher performance is needed without a significant increase in cost or fabrication complexity.