What is A500 steel pipe?
ASTM A500 is a standard specification published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for cold-formed welded and seamless carbon steel structural tubes. Its main contents are as follows:
1. Scope:
- Covers cold-formed welded and seamless carbon steel round, square, rectangular, or irregularly shaped structural tubes used in welded, riveted, or bolted connections for bridges and buildings, as well as for general structural applications.
2. Size Limitations:
- Tubes with a circumference of 88 inches (2235 mm) or less, and a specified wall thickness of 0.875 inches (22 mm) or less.
3. Steel Grade Classification and Requirements:
- Grade A: Higher carbon content, with certain strength requirements, suitable for general structural applications where strength requirements are not particularly high.
- Grade B: Compared to Grade A, with increased strength, suitable for structural components with higher strength requirements.
- Grade C: Possesses high strength and good toughness, suitable for structures subjected to heavy loads.
- Grade D: Requires heat treatment to meet higher strength and toughness requirements, typically used in structural components with stringent material performance requirements. For square and rectangular tubes, the yield strength requirements for each grade are higher than for round tubes.
the equivalent material to ASTM A500
ASTM A5oo has several equivalents depending on the specific grade, including the European standard EN 10219 (for Grade C) and the Canadian standard CSA G40.21 (specifically the 44W or 5oW grades). The equivalent for A500 is also related to the grade of steel it's made from, such as AlSl 1015 for some applications. Another newer standard, ASTM A1085, is also a comparable specification for structural tubing.
Chemical Requirements of ASTM A500 Grade A, A500 Grade B, A500 Grade D, and A500 Grade C
| Element | Grades A, B and D | Grace C | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Analysis |
Product Analysis |
Heat Analysis |
Product Analysis |
|
| Carbon, max | 0.26 | 0.30 | 0.23 | 0.27 |
| Manganese, max | ... | ... | 1.35 | 1.40 |
| Phosphorus, max | 0.035 | 0.045 | 0.035 | 0.045 |
| Sulfur, max | 0.035 | 0.045 | 0.035 | 0.045 |
| Copper, when copper steel is specified, min |
0.20 | 0.18 | 0.20 | 0.18 |
Tensile Requirements of ASTM A500 Steel Grades
| Round Structural Tubing | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Grade D | |
| Tensile strength, mn, ps (MPa) | 45 000 (310) |
58 000 (400) |
62 00 (427) |
58 000 (400) |
| Yield strength, mn, psi (MPa) | 33 000 (228) |
42 000 (290) |
46 000 (317) |
36 000 (250) |
| Elongation in 2 in. (50.8 mm), min, %A | 25B | 23C | 21D | 23C |
| Shaped Structural Tubing | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Grade D | |
| Tensile strength, mn, ps (MPa) | 45 000 (310) |
58 000 (400) |
62 00 (427) |
58 000 (400) |
| Yield strength, mn, psi (MPa) | 39 000 (269) |
46 000 (317) |
50 000 (345) |
36 000 (250) |
| Elongation in 2 in. (50.8 mm), min, %A | 25B | 23C | 21D | 23C |
What is the difference between ASTM A36 and A500?
1. Standard Specification Comparison
| Comparison Item | ASTM A500 | ASTM A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Type | Cold-formed welded/seamless carbon steel structural tubing specification | Carbon structural steel specification |
| Application Scope | Steel structures for bridges, buildings, etc. | Riveted, bolted, and welded structures |
| Section Shape | Round, square, rectangular, or special shapes | Steel sections, plates, bars |
| Grade Classification | Grades A, B, C, D (Grade B most commonly used) | Single grade |
2. Chemical Composition Comparison (%)
| Element | ASTM A500 (Grade B) | ASTM A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.26 | ≤0.25 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤0.04 | ≤0.40 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤1.35 | 0.80-1.20 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.035 | ≤0.04 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.035 | ≤0.05 |
3. Mechanical Properties Comparison
| Property | ASTM A500 (Grade B) | ASTM A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength | ≥235MPa | ≥250MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 400-550MPa | 400-550MPa |
| Elongation | ≥21% | ≥20% |
| Cold Bending Performance | Moderate (Grades C/D better) | Good |
4. Typical Applications
ASTM A500
Steel framework for high-rise buildings
Bridge load-bearing components
Precision structural tubing for machinery manufacturing
Award-winning solution at 2023 Shanghai International Construction Expo
ASTM A36
Industrial and civil building metal structures
Shipbuilding and bridge construction
Mechanical components (bearings, gears, etc.)
Equivalent to Chinese Q235 steel, more widely used
Test and inspection
Packaging and shipping
