ASTM A709 Properties⚙️ (Chem., Mech. & Rankings) rev. 2022

In this post I'll talk about and give details about ASTM A709. First let's describe it and then have a look at its material's properties.

What is ASTM A709?

ASTM A709 is a Specification for Carbon and High-Strength Low-Alloy Structural Steel Shapes, Plates, and Bars and Quenched-and-Tempered Alloy Structural Steel Plates for Bridges

Category

Structural Steel

Scope

This specification covers carbon and high-strength low alloy steel structural shapes, plates, and bars and quenched and tempered alloy steel for structural plates intended for use in bridges.

Ok let's start with ASTM A709 chemical composition.

Chemical Composition

Grade 50

C max.

0.23

Mn max.

1.35

P max.

0.04

S max.

0.05

Si max.

0.40

Nb max.

0.005 - 0.05

Learn more about chemical composition.

Now it's the mechanical properties turn:

Yield Strength

Grade 50

50 ksi (345 MPa) min.

Learn more about what is yield strength.

Tensile Strength

Grade 50

65 ksi (450 MPa) min.

Learn more about what is tensile strength.

Elongation (min.) 50 mm

0.21.

Learn more about what is elongation.

Reduction of Area (min. %)

Not Required.

Learn more about reduction of area.

Density

7800 - 8000 kg/m3 (around 7.9 g/cm3 or 0.285 lb/in3).

Learn more about density.

Elastic Modulus

190 GPa (27557 ksi) - 210GPa (30458 ksi).

Learn more about the Elastic Modulus.

Poisson's Ratio

0.27 – 0.30.

Learn more about the poisson ratio.

Allowable Stress

Depends on the project (And its factor of safety).

Learn more about the what is allowable stress.

My Material's Rank

While engineers will often look for the cheapest material they can use, I took a different approach to material's selection to help newbie students.

I ranked materials according to their yield strengths and ASTM A709 currently ranks 50 in my yield strength index. This means there are other 49 materials that are more resistant.

Note: I've analysed 134 materials in order to create an yield strength index. Check my astm material's comparison post for more details.

Details and PDF

Instructions:

1. Go to this page.
2. Type the name of the standard you are looking for in the search box. Tip: Don't forget to include "ASTM" as a keyword.
3. Read the details about the standard or download the PDF.

ASTM Classroom

Are you having trouble understanding the basics of ASTM?

What is the difference between Code, Standard & Specification?

This video will walk you through:

References

Citation

When you need to include a fact or piece of information in an assignment or essay you should also include where and how you found that piece of information.

That gives credibility to your paper and it is sometimes required in higher education.

To make your life (and citation) easier just copy & paste the information below into your assignment or essay:

Luz, Gelson. ASTM A709 Properties (Chem., Mech. & Rankings). Materials Blog. Gelsonluz.com. dd mmmm. yyyy. <URL>

Now replace dd, mmmm and yyyy with the day, month, and year you browsed this page. Also replace URL for the actual url of this page (The < and > stay, ok?). This citation format is based on MLA.

Other References

A 6/A 6M Specification for General Requirements for⁣
Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet⁣
Piling⁣
A 36/A 36M Specification for Carbon Structural Steel⁣
A 370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing⁣
of Steel Products⁣
A 435/A 435M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic⁣
Examination of Steel Plates⁣
A 514/A 514M Specification for High-Yield-Strength,⁣
Quenched and Tempered Alloy Steel Plate, Suitable for⁣
Welding⁣
A 572/A 572M Specification for High-Strength Low-Alloy⁣
Columbium-Vanadium Structural Steel⁣
A 588/A 588M Specification for High-Strength Low-Alloy⁣
Structural Steel with 50 ksi [345 MPa] Minimum Yield⁣
Point to 4 in. [100 mm] Thick⁣
A 673/A 673M Specification for Sampling Procedure for⁣
Impact Testing of Structural Steel⁣
A 992/A 992M Specification for Structural Steel Shapes⁣