ASTM A572 Grade 50 Carbon Steel Plate — Factory Direct Supplier | Huaxia-Steel
ASTM A572 Grade 50 carbon steel plate is the workhorse high-strength low-alloy structural plate for buildings, bridges, and heavy equipment. With a minimum 50 ksi (345 MPa) yield strength, 65 ksi (450 MPa) tensile strength, and superior weldability from columbium-vanadium microalloying, A572 Gr 50 plate offers 25-30% higher strength-to-weight than A36, enabling thinner sections, lighter structures, and lower overall project cost. Huaxia-Steel supplies A572 Gr 50 plate in thicknesses from 5 mm to 100 mm directly from ISO 9001-certified partner mills with full EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates.
Product Overview
Our A572 Grade 50 plate is produced by thermomechanical controlled processing (TMCP) or controlled rolling followed by normalizing, depending on thickness and application. The columbium (Cb) and vanadium (V) microalloying refines grain structure, providing high yield strength with excellent notch toughness and good weldability — without the cost of full heat treatment.
Available processing options:
- As-rolled (AR): For general structural applications, lowest cost
- Normalized (N): For impact-critical applications and improved through-thickness properties
- Thermomechanically rolled (TMR): Best combination of strength and toughness for plate up to 50 mm
- Quenched and tempered (Q&T): Optional for enhanced Charpy impact at -40°C or below
Specifications & Dimensional Range
| Specification | Range | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 5 mm – 100 mm (3/16″ – 4″) | ASTM A572 Gr 50 |
| Width | 1,500 mm – 3,500 mm (60″ – 138″) | Mill standard |
| Length | 6,000 mm – 18,000 mm (20′ – 60′) | Cut-to-length available |
| Plate weight | Max 12 tons per plate | Mill capacity |
| Surface finish | Hot-rolled black, shot-blasted, primed | EN 10163 |
| Edge condition | Mill edge, trimmed edge, gas-cut | Per order |
Per-Square-Meter Weight Chart (A572 Gr 50)
| Thickness (mm) | Weight (kg/m²) | Thickness (in) | Weight (lb/ft²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 39.3 | 3/16″ | 8.03 |
| 6 | 47.1 | 1/4″ | 9.66 |
| 8 | 62.8 | 5/16″ | 12.85 |
| 10 | 78.5 | 3/8″ | 16.04 |
| 12 | 94.2 | 1/2″ | 20.42 |
| 16 | 125.6 | 5/8″ | 25.71 |
| 20 | 157.0 | 3/4″ | 32.08 |
| 25 | 196.3 | 1″ | 40.83 |
| 32 | 251.2 | 1-1/4″ | 51.33 |
| 40 | 314.0 | 1-1/2″ | 64.17 |
| 50 | 392.5 | 2″ | 80.21 |
| 65 | 510.3 | 2-1/2″ | 104.27 |
| 80 | 628.0 | 3″ | 128.33 |
| 100 | 785.0 | 4″ | 160.42 |
Calculated using steel density 7.85 g/cm³. Actual weight may vary ±0.5% per plate due to rolling tolerance.
Chemical Composition (Heat Analysis, ≤ 1.5″ thickness)
| Element | Content (%) | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.23 max | Strengthener |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.35 max | Strengthener, deoxidizer |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.04 max | Impurity limit |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.05 max | Impurity limit |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.40 max | Deoxidizer |
| Columbium (Cb) | 0.005-0.05 | Grain refiner |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.01-0.15 | Precipitation strengthener |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.015 max | Impurity limit |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.20 min if specified | Atmospheric corrosion resistance |
For > 1.5″ thickness, the carbon limit may extend to 0.26% max (Type 5 grade). Copper is optional and provides 2-4x atmospheric corrosion resistance for exposed structural applications.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Yield strength, min | 50 ksi (345 MPa) | ASTM A370 |
| Tensile strength, min | 65 ksi (450 MPa) | ASTM A370 |
| Elongation in 2″, min | 18% (plates), 19% (shapes) | ASTM A370 |
| Elongation in 8″, min | 16% (plates ≤ 1.5″) | ASTM A370 |
| Charpy V-Notch (optional S5) | 15 ft-lbf @ -30°C (15 J @ -30°C) | ASTM E23 |
| Hardness, typical | 130-180 HB | ASTM E10 |
| Carbon equivalent (IIW) | 0.38-0.45 | Calculated |
Manufacturing Standards & Equivalents
Our A572 Grade 50 plate fully complies with ASTM A572/A572M-21. We can also supply equivalent grades for international markets:
| Region | Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|---|
| USA | ASTM A572 | Grade 50 |
| Europe | EN 10025-2 | S355JR / S355J0 / S355J2 |
| China | GB/T 1591 | Q345B / Q345C / Q345D |
| Japan | JIS G3106 | SM490A / SM490B / SM490YA |
| International | ISO 630-2 | Fe510 |
Applications
- Building columns and high-rise frames: 50 ksi yield allows 25-30% weight reduction vs A36
- Bridge girders and decks (per AASHTO M270 Gr 50): Excellent fatigue resistance under traffic loading
- Industrial equipment bases: Plate foundations, machine bases, gusset plates
- Crane booms and outriggers: High strength-to-weight for mobile crane applications
- Transmission tower structures: Lighter members reduce tower weight and foundation loads
- Railroad car and trailer frames: Higher strength enables higher payload
- Offshore platform topsides modules: For non-pressure-vessel structural applications
Welding & Fabrication
A572 Gr 50 plate is readily weldable using common arc welding processes. Recommended practices per AWS D1.1:
- Electrode: E7018 (SMAW), E70T-X (FCAW), ER70S-X (GMAW)
- Preheat: Generally not required for thickness ≤ 19 mm; 50-150°C for 19-38 mm; 100-200°C for > 38 mm
- Interpass temperature: Max 230°C (450°F)
- PWHT: Generally not required for as-rolled or TMR plate; consult if Q&T plate is welded
- Heat input: Recommended 1.5-3.0 kJ/mm to preserve HAZ properties
Quality Assurance & Testing
Every shipment of A572 Gr 50 plate is accompanied by comprehensive quality documentation:
- EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate showing heat analysis, mechanical properties, and Charpy impact (when specified)
- Heat number traceability — stenciled on each plate and traceable to MTC
- Ultrasonic testing (UT) per ASTM A578/A435 for plate ≥ 16 mm when specified
- Dimensional inspection — thickness, width, length, flatness, edge camber per ASTM A6
- Surface condition per EN 10163 Class A (best), B, or C as specified
Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, TÜV, or buyer-nominated) is welcomed and can be coordinated at the mill prior to shipment. Mill capability certificates (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001) are available on request.
Packaging & Shipping
A572 Gr 50 plate is typically shipped in bulk vessel or in 20ft/40ft containers depending on plate size:
- Bulk vessel: For orders > 1,000 tons, plates loaded by ship’s crane
- 20ft container: Max 22-25 tons; plates stacked on steel bearers
- 40ft container: Max 25-27 tons; plates stacked on steel bearers
- Surface protection: VCI paper, anti-rust oil, or temporary coating available
- Marking: Heat number, plate number, dimensions, weight stenciled on each plate
Lead time is typically 25-40 days from order confirmation for standard sizes, and 40-60 days for special thickness or impact-tested plate. We can hold buffer stock for repeat customers to reduce lead time to 7-15 days.
Why Choose Huaxia-Steel for A572 Grade 50 Plate?
- Mill-direct pricing: No trading-house margin, saving 8-15% vs local service centers
- Verified quality: Full EN 10204 3.1 MTC, optional third-party inspection at mill
- Custom processing: Cut-to-length, shot-blasting, primer coating, beveling available
- Wide dimensional range: 5-100 mm thickness, up to 3,500 mm width
- Global export experience: Shipped to 60+ countries with full export documentation
- Responsive service: Quotation within 24 hours, technical support from qualified engineers
Get a quotation: Send your specification (thickness, width, length, quantity, processing requirements, delivery port) to our sales team. We will respond with a competitive FOB/CIF price within 24 hours and can provide a sample MTC and mill reference list for your evaluation.
