Steel Plate & Sheet - Grades & Finishes

According to various sources, steel plates and sheets are available in numerous grades and finishes, tailored to specific applications, from construction to manufacturing. The choice of grade often influences the yield strength, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance of the material.

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Grades

Carbon steel, comprising iron and carbon along with small percentages of other elements, significantly influences the final product's attributes.

Common grades of steel plates and sheets include:

• A36 - Low carbon steel with good strength and formability, boasting a minimum yield strength of 36,000 PSI, making it easily weldable.
• A572-50 - A stronger steel variant with a minimum yield of 50,000 PSI, providing enhanced corrosion resistance.
• A516-70 - This steel features a minimum tensile strength of 70,000 PSI, typically used in pressure vessels and boiler manufacturing.
• AR400 - An abrasion-resistant steel that is quenched and tempered, characterized by high hardness; however, it is not suitable for structural applications due to its brittleness.
• A588 - Known as Corten steel, this grade gracefully weathers, developing a stable rust-like surface that eliminates the necessity for painting.
• A - A hot-rolled carbon steel alloy known for its high strength and formability, primarily used in sheets.

Multiple other grades possess specialized properties. Should you require a specific grade, we can source it for you!

Yield strength refers to the force needed to cause permanent deformation, whereas tensile strength indicates the force required to pull and break the steel.

Finishing and Treatment

Steel plates and sheets are formed by rolling slabs through rollers, achieving desired thickness and material characteristics with each rolling stage producing distinct finishes and properties.

Hot Rolled Steel

The most prevalent and straightforward finish, this process involves heating a steel slab to approximately 1,700 degrees F and passing it through rollers to attain the desired thickness. After cooling to room temperature, the material is either cut to size or rolled into coils.

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Hot rolled steel is readily available and cost-effective, featuring good ductility that allows for easy shaping with hand tools. However, its dimensions lack the precision of cold rolled steel.

Pickled and Oiled

This process entails the dipping or passing of hot-rolled steel through a pickling bath, using a strong acid solution to remove impurities and expose raw steel. It is then treated with oil to prevent oxidation, crucial for preserving the steel in humid conditions.

Pickled and oiled steel retains the properties of hot rolled steel but is cleaner and more convenient for painting applications.

Cold Rolled Steel

Following the pickling and oiling, hot rolled sheets are subjected to another round of rolling without heat. This compresses the steel at room temperature, hardening the material.

Annealed

The cold-rolled steel is heated in a furnace below its melting point, then allowed to cool, which realigns the grain structure and reduces work hardening effects.

Temper Rolled

The annealed steel is subjected to an additional roller pass, primarily to enhance the finish and correct minimal deformities.

Cold rolled steel is produced to tighter tolerances with a uniform surface finish. While it demonstrates higher strength and hardness, it is less ductile than hot rolled steel, causing it to spring back more than truly bend under stress. This makes cold rolled options suitable for projects where strength and appearance are critical.

Further Finishing

To further enhance its properties, specialized coatings, including galvanization with zinc, can be applied through techniques like dipping or electroplating. Discover more about the galvanizing process here.