Carbon Steel A36 Round Bar
➡️ ASTM A36 | UNS K02600 | EN 1.0038 (S235JR)
➡️ ASTM, EN, JIS & International Standards
➡️ Supply Conditions
➡️ Multiple Diameters & Supply Lengths
➡️ Global Export & International Delivery
Country of Origin:
Europe, Japan, USA
Material Type:
Carbon Steel
UNS Number:
K02600
Wr. No.:
1.0038
MTC Available:
EN 10204 3.1
Product Description for Carbon Steel A36 Round Bar
Carbon Steel A36 Round Bar is a hot-rolled structural carbon steel bar produced to ASTM A36/A36M, the most widely used general structural steel specification in North America. The specification covers bars, plates and shapes for riveted, bolted or welded construction of bridges, buildings and general structures, and assigns the material UNS K02600.
A36 is a low to medium carbon, non-alloy steel with carbon limited to 0.26% maximum for bar diameters up to 20 mm, rising in steps to 0.29% for the heaviest sections. Manganese is specified in the range 0.60-0.90% for larger bar sizes. The specification is written around guaranteed mechanical properties rather than a narrow chemistry window, which gives producers flexibility while assuring the designer a minimum yield strength of 250 MPa.
The grade is supplied in the as-rolled condition and is not normally heat treated. Its low carbon equivalent makes it readily weldable by shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux cored and submerged arc processes, generally without preheat in ordinary structural thicknesses. It cuts, drills, punches, forms and galvanises well, and machinability is good in the as-rolled state.
Round bars are commonly stocked from about 6 mm to 200 mm diameter, with larger sizes available to order. Random lengths of 6 metres are standard, and cut-to-length, hot rolled and descaled or turned finishes are widely offered.
Typical applications include anchor bolts, tie rods, base plates and bracing in structural steel frames, machinery bases and frames, bridge components, handrails and ladder rungs, shafting for low-stress duty, and general fabrication and jigging. It serves construction, infrastructure, shipbuilding, heavy equipment manufacture, oil and gas support structures and general engineering. A36 is cheap and stocked almost everywhere, and most North American structural work specifies it by default.
Common Applications of Carbon Steel A36 Round Bar
➡️ Machined shafts, spindles, valve stems, pump sleeves and pins for food, beverage, dairy and pharmaceutical equipment, where the passive chromium oxide film resists both product acids and caustic clean-in-place chemicals.
➡️ Fasteners, studs, bolts, threaded rod and anchor components produced from bar stock, chosen for corrosion resistance combined with the ductility needed for cold heading and thread rolling.
➡️ Chemical, water treatment and general process plant parts such as agitator shafts, flange blanks, nozzles and support components handling water, steam and mildly corrosive media free of significant chlorides.
➡️ Architectural and structural hardware including handrail stanchions, balustrade fittings, tension rods and bollards, where a bright ground or polished bar finish provides both appearance and low maintenance.
International Equivalent Grade for CS A36 Round Bar
Standard
Country / Region
Grade / Equivalent
ASTM A36 / A36M, ASME SA-36
USA
A36 (UNS K02600)
EN 10025-2
Europe / EU
EN 1.0038 (S235JR)
BS EN 10025-2
United Kingdom
EN 1.0038 (S235JR)
DIN 17100
Germany
St 37-2 (superseded by EN 10025-2)
JIS G3101
Japan
SS400, comparable
GB/T 700
China
Q235B, comparable
KS D 3503
South Korea
SS400, comparable
ISO 630-2
International
S235B, comparable
Technical Specification for Carbon Steel A36 Round Bar
Specification
Value
Unit
Material
Carbon Steel
-
Grade / Designation
ASTM A36 / UNS K02600
-
UNS Number
K02600
-
Product Form
Round Bar / Rod
-
Governing Chemistry Standard
ASTM A36 / A36M
-
Hot-Finished Bar Standard
ASTM A36 / A36M with general requirements to ASTM A6 / A6M
-
Cold-Finished Bar Standard
Cold finishing not covered by ASTM A36. Use ASTM A108 chemistry-equivalent bar if required
-
Dimensional Tolerance Standard
ASTM A6 / A6M for hot-rolled bars
-
Diameter (available range)
6 - 200 (larger to order)
mm
Length (standard random)
6 (random) or cut to length
m
Manufacturing Process
Hot rolling
-
Production Route
Electric arc furnace or basic oxygen furnace, ladle refined, continuously cast, hot rolled
-
Surface Finish
Hot rolled, hot rolled and descaled, or turned
-
Heat Treatment / Delivery Condition
As rolled. Heat treatment is not required by the specification
-
Carbon Equivalent CEV (typical, calculated)
0.40
-
Density (typical)
7.85 - 7.87
g/cm3
Melting Range (approximate)
1480 - 1526
degC
Thermal Conductivity at 20 degC (typical)
51.9
W/m.K
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion 20-100 degC (typical)
12.2
um/m.K
Specific Heat Capacity (typical)
486
J/kg.K
Electrical Resistivity at 20 degC (typical)
0.159
uOhm.m
Modulus of Elasticity (typical)
200 - 210
GPa
Poisson Ratio (typical)
0.27 - 0.30
-
Magnetic Properties
Ferromagnetic
-
Applicable Testing / Inspection Standard
ASTM A370 for mechanical testing and ASTM A751 for chemical analysis
-
Certification / Inspection Document
EN 10204 Type 3.1 mill test certificate. Type 3.2 on request
-
Technical Specifications
Get the key technical specifications for Carbon Steel A36 Round Bar
Carbon Steel A36 Round Bar is ordered against ASTM A36/A36M, which is a mechanical property specification supported by a deliberately wide chemistry window. General requirements, including diameter, length, straightness and out-of-round tolerances, permitted variations in mass, and test specimen preparation, are set by ASTM A6/A6M rather than by A36 itself. The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code equivalent is SA-36.
The material is delivered in the as-rolled condition. No normalising, annealing or quench and temper treatment is required or implied by the specification, and none is normally applied. If the fabricator requires a normalised structure for improved toughness and uniformity, it must be ordered as a supplementary requirement and confirmed on the certificate.
Carbon is capped on a sliding scale that rises with diameter, and manganese in the range 0.60-0.90% becomes mandatory above 20 mm diameter. The resulting carbon equivalent is approximately 0.40, which is why the grade welds so easily. Density is about 7.85 – 7.87 g/cm3, modulus of elasticity is approximately 200 – 210 GPa, thermal conductivity is around 51.9 W/m.K and the material is ferromagnetic.
Mandatory testing is a single tension test per heat to ASTM A370, verifying tensile strength within 400-550 MPa, minimum yield of 250 MPa and minimum elongation. Charpy V-notch impact testing, ultrasonic examination to ASTM A388 and magnetic particle examination to ASTM E1444 are supplementary and must be specified on the order. Material is normally released with an EN 10204 Type 3.1 mill test certificate carrying full heat traceability.
Chemical Composition for Carbon Steel A36 Round Bar
Element
Symbol
Min
Max
Unit
Carbon
C
-
0.26 (diameter up to 20 mm)
%
Carbon
C
-
0.27 (over 20 to 40 mm)
%
Carbon
C
-
0.28 (over 40 to 100 mm)
%
Carbon
C
-
0.29 (over 100 mm)
%
Manganese
Mn
0.60
0.90 (required over 20 mm diameter)
%
Phosphorus
P
-
0.040
%
Sulphur
S
-
0.050
%
Silicon
Si
-
0.40
%
Copper (when copper steel is specified)
Cu
0.20
-
%
Chemical Composition
View the chemical composition and applicable material limits for CS A36 Round Bar
ASTM A36/A36M controls composition loosely because the specification is driven by mechanical performance. Carbon is capped on a sliding scale that rises with section size, from 0.26% maximum for bars up to 20 mm diameter to 0.29% maximum above 100 mm. Larger sections are allowed slightly more carbon because the reduced hot working they receive lowers their as-rolled strength.
Manganese in the range 0.60-0.90% is mandatory for bars over 20 mm diameter. It raises strength and hardenability, refines the pearlite and ties up sulphur as manganese sulphide, which prevents hot shortness during rolling. Silicon up to 0.40% acts as a deoxidiser and adds modest solid-solution strengthening.
Phosphorus is limited to 0.040% and sulphur to 0.050%. Both are residuals from the steelmaking charge. Phosphorus strengthens ferrite but promotes cold brittleness, while sulphur reduces through-thickness ductility and impact energy. Copper may be specified with a 0.20% minimum when improved atmospheric corrosion resistance is wanted.
The absence of deliberate alloying keeps the calculated carbon equivalent near 0.40, which is the principal reason A36 welds so readily. Because the chemistry window is wide, the actual heat analysis on the mill certificate should be checked when the fabricator needs to fix a welding procedure, calculate preheat or confirm suitability for hot dip galvanising.
Mechanical Properties for Carbon Steel A36 Round Bar
Mechanical Property
Value
Unit
Tensile Strength
400 - 550
MPa
Tensile Strength
58 - 80
ksi
Yield Strength minimum (diameter up to 200 mm)
250
MPa
Yield Strength minimum (diameter up to 200 mm)
36
ksi
Yield Strength minimum (diameter over 200 mm)
220
MPa
Elongation in 200 mm minimum
20
%
Elongation in 50 mm minimum
23
%
Hardness typical
119 - 162
HB
Modulus of Elasticity typical
200
GPa
Shear Modulus typical
79
GPa
Impact Energy
Not required by ASTM A36 / A36M
-
Mechanical Properties
Check the key mechanical properties and performance requirements of CS A36 Round Bar
Unlike the AISI plain carbon grades, ASTM A36/A36M imposes mandatory mechanical requirements. The tensile strength must fall within the specified range of 400-550 MPa, not merely exceed a minimum, and the yield point must be at least 250 MPa for bars up to 200 mm diameter. For bars over 200 mm the minimum yield is reduced to 220 MPa. Elongation must be at least 20% measured over 200 mm or 23% over 50 mm.
Testing is carried out to ASTM A370 on specimens taken and prepared in accordance with ASTM A6/A6M. One tension test is normally required per heat, with additional tests where sections differ significantly in size. Charpy impact testing is not a requirement of A36 and must be ordered as a supplementary requirement if the design calls for a defined toughness at low temperature.
The upper limit on tensile strength matters in seismic and plastic design, where an unexpectedly strong member can shift failure to a connection that was designed to remain elastic. Because the bar is supplied as rolled, properties reflect the rolling reduction and cooling rate rather than a heat treatment, so heavier sections tend toward the lower end of the strength range. Where higher strength is needed at a similar carbon equivalent, ASTM A572 Grade 50 is the usual alternative.
Dimension / Sizes for Carbon Steel A36 Round Bar
Dimension / Size
Value
Unit
Diameter (hot-finished)
6 - 200 (larger to order)
mm
Diameter (cold-finished)
Not covered by ASTM A36
mm
Standard Length (random)
3 - 6
m
Custom / Cut-to-Length
Available on request, typically 0.1 - 12
m
Diameter Tolerance (hot-finished)
Per ASTM A6 / A6M for hot-rolled bars
-
Diameter Tolerance (cold-finished)
Not applicable
-
Length Tolerance
Per applicable product standard or as agreed on order
-
Straightness Tolerance
Per applicable product standard or as agreed on order
-
Out-of-Round / Circularity
Controlled by the ordered tolerance class
-
End Condition
Saw cut, sheared, chamfered or centre-drilled as ordered
-
Surface Finish
Hot rolled, hot rolled and descaled, cold drawn, peeled, turned, ground or polished
-
Available Size Range
6 - 200 (larger to order)
mm
Cut-to-Length Availability
Yes, subject to minimum order quantity
-
Applicable Dimensional Standard
ASTM A6 / A6M
-
Dimensions & Sizes
Explore available diameters, lengths, and dimensional requirements for CS A36 Round Bar
Pricing for Carbon Steel A36 Round Bar
Round Bar Prices are generally quoted per kilograms or meters tonnes and can fluctuate with the global raw material and market prices. The final price will depend on a variety of factors, including the grade size, diameter, length, surface finish, the quantity and whether the bars are cut to length or in standard lengths.
For smaller quantities, we can also quote per metre or per piece basis once the required dimensions have been confirmed. Container-loads or orders that are larger in size are typically priced per tonne, based upon the specifications required and the supply conditions.
Please provide your desired dimensions, grades, length number, and end for a current quote including the lead time applicable and details for certification.
Pricing
Get current Carbon Steel A36 Round Bar pricing based on size, quantity, grade, finish, and delivery requirements.
Why Choose Us
Euro Steel Bars is an international distributor, stockist and exporter of stainless round steel bars that cover carbon, stainless alloy, special grades. We stock a variety of sizes and grades. We guarantee every order with mill test certificates as well as full quality-assurance documentation. Our name speaks to our roots: European-sourced materials that is backed by the certificates and rigor that buyers from Asia as well as the Gulf and Africa are looking for.
Each bar we deliver is accompanied by EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates as well as complete documentation of quality, so what you receive corresponds to what’s written in the documents. We carry a selection of sizes and grades ready for transport, and cut length upon the request of customers, which results in quicker lead times, whether you’re ordering just a one-off spec or a complete project tonnage.
We operate an actual wholesale business that is that is supported with an internationally-operated supply chain therefore we are able to serve fabricators sourcing one grade the same way in the same way as an EPC contractor who is placing a large order. Our clients include manufacturers, fabricators EPC construction companies, engineers oil and gas projects as well as construction companies. we design our inventory as well as documentation to show what buyers need to bring projects forward.
Our customers trust us across Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, Italy and South Africa. If you’re looking to source an Gulf energy project, or a construction project within Southeast Asia, you get the same quality of certified material, the exact documentation, and the exact delivery procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
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