A36 Steel Uses

Tubes

• While A36's tensile strength limits its use as rebars for reinforced concrete and masonry, A36 tubes work well as basic support structures. Because hollow pipe offers more strength per unit mass than a solid member, A36 tubes stand easily as columns and supports for billboards, road signs, and lampposts. A36 tubes also serve as casing pipes, encasing and protecting underground utility lines. However, with casing pipes for load-bearing concrete pilings -- such as those used for bridges and building foundations -- higher-grade steel is recommended.

Wide Flange Beams and Structural Tees

• Wide flange beams and structural tees are support structures distinguished by their I- and T-shaped cross-sections, respectively. Designed to provide maximum resistance against shear and compressive stresses and against bending moment, wide flanges and structural tees are ideal for beams and columns in structures that bear heavy loads. A36 I- and T-beams are used widely for bridges, roads, and many outdoor applications. While equally suitable for small- to medium-scale building construction, A36 beams are not recommended for very large buildings such as high rises, where their poor high-temperature performance could constitute a major hazard in case of fire or high heat.

Angles and Channels

• Angles and channels, structural steel members with L- and [-shaped profiles, respectively, often serve as bracing or finishing elements. A36 angles of varying configurations are commonly used as trimming for floors and doorways and as weatherproofing material. Steel angles also provide sturdy bracing for a variety of purposes, including shelves, desks, bleachers, workbenches, work cubicles, and public restroom stalls. A36 channels can bear heavier loads than angles and serve both as light framing and as beams or girders. Steel channels are also often employed as supports for loads hanging from roof or floor frames.

Plates and Sheets

• A36 steel plates, usually measuring ¼ to 2 inches thick, play an important role in construction, industrial, marine, and military applications. They are used in the construction of stadiums, airports, warehouses, railway stations, ships, offshore facilities, military vehicles and buildings, and pressure vessels such as boilers and gas tanks. A36 steel sheets, on the other hand, are choice material for air conditioning units, road signs, and building cladding. Perforated A36 sheet metal also works well for soundproofing, screen doors, filters, vents, and animal enclosures.