1. **How thick is Q235 steel?**
* Q235 steel **does not have a fixed thickness**. It's a **material grade** (Chinese GB/T standard) specifying chemical composition and mechanical properties. It can be manufactured in various thicknesses (e.g., thin sheets of 0.5mm, plates of 10mm, 20mm, 50mm, or thicker).
2. **What steel is stronger than A36?**
* Many steels are stronger than A36 (minimum yield strength = 36 ksi / 250 MPa). Common stronger structural steels include:
* **A572 Gr 50** (Yield = 50 ksi / 345 MPa)
* **A992** (Yield = 50-65 ksi / 345-450 MPa - common for wide-flange shapes)
* **A514/A514M** (High-strength structural steel, Yield = 100 ksi / 690 MPa and higher)
* **High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) Steels** (e.g., ASTM A606, A607, A715 - various grades exceeding 50 ksi yield)
* **A588/A588M** (Weathering steel, Yield = 50 ksi / 345 MPa)
3. **What is the strongest grade of steel?**
* "Strongest" depends on the specific property (yield strength, tensile strength, toughness). For **extremely high tensile strength** (often exceeding 2000 MPa / 290 ksi), **Maraging steels** (e.g., grades 200, 250, 300, 350 - the number often indicates nominal yield strength in ksi) are among the strongest commercially available alloys. They are used in aerospace, tooling, and high-performance applications.
4. **Is A36 steel still used?**
* **Yes, absolutely.** A36 steel remains one of the **most widely used and common** structural carbon steels globally. It's the standard for angles, channels, I-beams, plates, and bars in general construction, bridges, buildings, and machinery where high strength-to-weight isn't the critical factor.
5. **What is A2 steel used for?**
* **A2 steel** is an **air-hardening, medium-alloy tool steel** (AISI classification). Its primary uses are in making:
* **Cutting Tools:** Blanking dies, forming dies, punches, shear blades.
* **Forming Tools:** Drawing dies, bending dies, roll forming dies.
* **Gaages:** Precision gauges and fixtures.
* **Knives:** High-end industrial knives requiring good wear resistance and dimensional stability during heat treatment. Its key characteristics are good wear resistance, excellent dimensional stability during hardening, and moderate toughness.
