A36 vs A283 vs A572 vs A516 Steel Plate: Key Differences and Equivalents

Which Steel Plate Should You Choose for Your Project?

Steel buyers and engineers often face a critical decision: which steel grade best fits their application—structural, pressure vessel, or general fabrication? This guide provides a clear, at-a-glance comparison of the most common carbon steel plates—ASTM A36, A283, A572 Grade 50, and A516 Grade 70—especially when comparing A36 vs A572 or A516 vs A36 for specific project requirements.

Quick Navigation » 

• ASTM A516 vs A36
• ASTM A569 vs A36
• ASTM A283 vs A36
• ASTM A572 vs A36
• Mechanical Properties Comparison
• Global Standard Equivalents
• Grade-Specific Details
• How to Choose
• FAQs

Key Grade Comparisons

1) ASTM A516 vs A36 — Which One Should You Use?

Feature	A516 Gr.70	A36
Designed For	Pressure vessels, boilers, tanks	General structures, frames
Strength	Higher tensile and impact toughness	Standard structural strength
Heat / Pressure Suitability	✅ Yes	❌ Not designed for pressure

Key Rule: A516 cannot be replaced with A36 in boilers, pressure vessels, or tank fabrication due to regulatory and safety requirements.

Use Case Judgment:

• Storage tanks or steam/heat environment → A516 Gr.70
• Building frames, support structures → A36

2) ASTM A569 vs A36 — Real Difference

• A569 = Hot-rolled carbon sheet (low carbon, flexible forming)
• A36 = Structural plate (higher structural strength)

They are not interchangeable in mechanical strength.

When substitution may be acceptable:
Light-gauge forming work where strength is not the main requirement.

When you must use A36:
Any load-bearing or welded structural component.

3) ASTM A283 Grade C vs A36 — Can It Replace A36?

• A283 Gr.C has lower yield strength than A36.
• It may be used as a cost-driven alternative in non-critical structures without heavy welding or load stress.

Safety Note:
For structural beams, load frames, or safety-critical engineering, A36 remains the safer choice.

4) A36 vs A572 Grade 50 — Strength and Weight Savings

• A572 Gr.50 yield strength ≈ 345 MPa
• A36 yield strength ≈ 250 MPa

This difference means weight reduction of approx. 10–20% for the same load capacity.

Recommended:
For bridges, cranes, tower structures, long-span beams → Choose A572 Gr.50.

Mechanical Properties Comparison

Use this table for a quick side-by-side comparison of key grades. Values are typical minimums or ranges.

Steel Grade	Yield Strength (MPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Elongation (%)	Application
ASTM A36	≥ 250	400–550	≥ 20	General structural fabrication
ASTM A283 Gr. C	≥ 205	380–510	≥ 22	Low-carbon steel for non-critical structure
ASTM A516 Gr. 60	≥ 260	415–585	≥ 21	Pressure vessels, tanks
ASTM A516 Gr. 70	≥ 260	485–620	≥ 21	Pressure vessels, heat exchangers
ASTM A572 Gr. 50	≥ 345	450–620	≥ 18	Bridges, cranes, construction
ASTM A572 Gr. 65	≥ 450	550–710	≥ 17	Columns, industrial buildings

Send us your project drawings or specifications, and we will recommend the most cost-efficient grade.

Global Standard Equivalents

⚠️ Important: The table below provides approximate equivalents for cross-reference. Always consult project specifications and contact our technical team for final material substitution approval.

ASTM Standard	Grade	Approx. EN Equivalent	EN Standard Type	Notes
ASTM A36	–	S235JR	EN 10025-2 (Structural Steel)	Closest equivalent in mechanical strength
ASTM A283	Grade C	S235JR or S275JR	EN 10025-2	Depends on thickness and application context
ASTM A516	Grade 60	P265GH / P295GH	EN 10028-2 (Pressure Vessel)	Used in boilers and pressure vessels
	Grade 70	P355GH / 16Mo3	EN 10028-2	Often used for higher pressure/temperature
ASTM A572	Grade 50	S355JR / S355NL	EN 10025-2 / -3	High strength structural equivalent
	Grade 65	S460NL	EN 10025-3	Heavy-duty structural applications

Grade-Specific Details

ASTM A36 Steel Plate

• Key Properties: Excellent weldability and machinability. The most common general-purpose structural steel.
• Chemical Composition (Max %): C ≤ 0.26, Mn 0.60–0.90, P ≤ 0.04, S ≤ 0.05
• Typical Applications: Building frames, bridges, equipment bases, general fabrication.
• Equivalent Grades: EN S235JR, JIS SS400, GB Q235B

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ASTM A283 Steel Plate (Grades A–D)

• Key Properties: Low-carbon steel plate with good formability, used for lower-strength applications.
• Chemical Composition (Max % – Grade C): C ≤ 0.24, Mn ≤ 0.90, P ≤ 0.035, S ≤ 0.040
• Typical Applications: General machinery parts, tanks, non-critical structural parts.
• Equivalent Grades: Similar to EN S235JR, JIS SS330.

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ASTM A572 Steel Plate (Grades 42–65)

• Key Properties: High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) steel. Offers higher strength-to-weight ratio than A36.
• Chemical Composition (Max % – Grade 50): C ≤ 0.23, Mn ≤ 1.35, P ≤ 0.035, S ≤ 0.040
• Typical Applications: Bridges, crane booms, transmission towers, high-rise buildings.
• Equivalent Grades: Gr.50 ≈ EN S355JR, Gr.65 ≈ EN S460NL.

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ASTM A516 Steel Plate (Grades 55–70)

• Key Properties: Pressure vessel quality (PVQ) carbon steel. Notch toughness is a key property.
• Chemical Composition (Max % – Grade 70): C ≤ 0.30, Mn 0.79–1.30, P ≤ 0.035, S ≤ 0.035
• Typical Applications: Boilers, pressure vessels, storage tanks for fuels and chemicals.
• Equivalent Grades: Gr.70 ≈ EN P355GH, JIS SB410.

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How to Choose the Right Steel Plate Grade?

When selecting a grade, consider:

• Required Strength & Application: Structural (A36, A572) vs. Pressure Vessel (A516).
• Weldability & Fabrication Needs: A36 is easiest; A516 requires specific procedures.
• Regulatory Compliance: Must meet project specs (ASTM, EN, etc.).
• Operating Environment: Temperature, stress, and exposure conditions.

Simple Guidance:

• For boilers, tanks, and pressurized systems: Specify A516 Gr. 60/70.572 or S355. On the other hand, pressure vessel manufacturers typically select A516 or A387 alloy steel plates.
• For general construction & frames: Start with A36.
• For higher strength without alloy prices: Choose A572 Gr. 50/55.

Frequently Asked Questions About Steel Grade Equivalents

Q: What is the EN equivalent of A36 steel?

The closest EN equivalent to ASTM A36 is S235JR under EN 10025-2. Both offer similar yield strength (~250 MPa) and are commonly used in general structural applications. Sometimes engineers also ask about A36 steel equivalent in JIS or GB standards, which are SS400 and Q235B respectively.

Q: Is A572 Grade 50 the same as S355JR?

ASTM A572 Gr.50 is often considered equivalent to S355JR in EN standards, with comparable yield strength (~345 MPa). However, detailed mechanical and chemical requirements may differ slightly. Always confirm with project specifications.

Q: Can I use P355GH instead of A516 Gr.70?

Yes, P355GH (EN 10028-2) is widely accepted as the EN equivalent of A516 Grade 70, especially for pressure vessel applications. Both have similar tensile strength and notch toughness.

Q: What is the difference between A516 Gr.70 and A572 Gr.50?

A516 Gr.70 is a pressure vessel steel, while A572 Gr.50 is a high-strength structural steel. They are not interchangeable. Use A516 for boilers and tanks; use A572 for bridges, frames, or cranes.

Q: Is A283 Gr. C similar to A36?

Yes, A283 Grade C and A36 are both mild carbon steels used for general structural purposes. A36 has slightly higher strength and is more commonly used in modern construction projects.

Q: What is the equivalent of A572 Grade 65 in EN standard?

ASTM A572 Gr.65 roughly corresponds to S460NL in EN 10025-3, which offers similar high yield strength for demanding structural use like towers and bridges.

Q: Can A283 Gr.C replace A36 in construction?

In some non-critical applications, A283 Gr.C may be used as a low-cost alternative to A36. However, its lower strength may not meet modern structural requirements. Always check engineering standards.

Q: Is ASTM A569 the same as A36?

A: No. A569 vs A36 is a common query. A569 is a hot-rolled carbon steel sheet, while A36 is a structural steel plate. They differ in mechanical properties and intended applications.

Q: What is the difference between S355JR and S355NL?

Both belong to the EN 10025 series, but S355NL is a normalized steel with better low-temperature toughness than S355JR. For cold climate or critical applications, S355NL is preferred.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between common grades like ASTM A36, ASTM A283, ASTM A572 Grade 50, and ASTM A516 Grade 70—and knowing when to choose between A36 vs A572 or A516 vs A36—is key to optimizing your project’s cost, performance, and compliance.

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