COMPARISON BETWEEN ASTM A36 AND ASTM A283 GRADE C

1. MATERIAL SCOPE
ASTM A283 Gr. C consists of four grade of material (A, B, C, & D) of Carbon Steel Plate of Structural
Quality for General Application.
ASTM A36 covers Carbon Steel plate, shape, and bar of Structural Quality for use in riveted,
bolted or welded construction of bridges and building and for General Structural purpose.
From material scope, both ASTM A 36 and ASTM A 283 are the Carbon Steel of Structural Quality for
General Application.

2. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (Thickness up to 19 mm)

Chemical Composition (%)

Material
C Mn P S Si Cu

A36 0,25 - 0,04 0,05 0,4 0,2

A283 Gr. C 0,24 0,9 0,035 0,04 0,4 0,2

The chemical composition between ASTM A36 and ASTM A 283 Gr. C differ only on Mn content.
The effect of Mn and other element to the weld ability can be known by Carbon Equivalent (CE)
calculation
The formula for CE = C + Si/24 + Mn/6 + Ni/40 + Cr/5 + Mo/4 + V/4 where the element in % weight

ASTM A36 CE = 0.25 + 0.4 / 24 =

0.266 %
 ASTM A 283 Gr. C CE = 0.24 + 0.4/24 + 0.9/6 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 0.406 %

It seems that CE of A283 Gr. C is higher than ASTM A36. Base on this A 283 Gr. C is little bit difficult to
weld compare to A 36.
Referring to ASME IX the weld ability of material is classified in to P-Number. Both A 283 Gr. C and A36
is group in to the same P number 1. It mean that once we make the WPS/PQR with A-36, it also valid
for A 283 Gr. C

3. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Yield Strength Tensile Elongation Elongation

Material Strength ksi
ksi (Mpa) 8 inch 2 inch
(Mpa)
58-80 (400-
A 36 36 (250) 20 23
550)
55-75 (380-
A 283 Gr. C 30 (205) 22 25
515)

The mechanical properties between A 36 and A 283 Gr. C are almost the same which mean the
mechanical properties range are not big different.

4. CONCLUSION

Base on the above explanation, it can consider that A36 can be used to alternative substitution of A283 Gr. C for
patch plate of tank bottom.

5. REFERENCE

5.1. ASTM A36 & ASTM A283 Gr. C (ASME Sec II A 2015)
5.2. Introduction to the Physical Metallurgy of Welding, Kenneth Easterling, Butterworth Heinemann, 1992
5.3. ASME IX Code: Welding and Brazing Qualification, Edition 2015