Steel A283 · supply condition · default condition
Steel A283-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other A283 tempers.
Standard stock condition for A283 plate — pick for general structural, tank and base-plate work where only mild strength is needed.
What is A283-HR?
A283-HR is A283 supplied in the HR condition — standard stock condition for A283 plate — pick for general structural, tank and base-plate work where only mild strength is needed. A283-HR has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). A283-HR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 230 MPa (33.4 ksi), worse than 97% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
A283-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for A283-HR — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A283 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A283-HR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
A283-HR has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A283-HR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A283-HR conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A283-HR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
A283-HR's machinability is good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability very good (78/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other A283 tempers and conditions
A283 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the A283 overview.
- HRDefaultStandard stock condition for A283 plate — pick for general structural, tank and base-plate work where only mild strength is needed.230 MPa yield · 120 HB
- Q&TRarely ordered; only worthwhile on thin sections since 0.24 % C max gives shallow hardenability — expect modest strength gain and reduced ductility.370 MPa yield · 155 HB
- GrDHighest-strength A283 grade (C up to 0.27 %); choose for the best strength-to-price ratio, accepting lower ductility and a higher carbon equivalent.275 MPa yield · 140 HB
- GrCDefault commercial grade — best balance of strength, weldability and price for tanks and general plate work.250 MPa yield · 128 HB
- GrBIntermediate grade between A and C; used where a slightly higher yield is wanted with still very good forming.215 MPa yield · 116 HB
- GrALowest-strength, lowest-carbon grade; pick for maximum formability and welding ease where strength is irrelevant.190 MPa yield · 105 HB
Working with A283-HR
Is A283 easy to machine?
Machines like AISI 1020 (≈70 % of 1212): free-flowing gummy chips, use sharp positive-rake tooling, generous feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge.
Can A283 be welded?
Excellent weldability with SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/SAW using E70xx-class consumables; no preheat needed for thin plate, 50–100 °C preheat prudent for Grade D or >32 mm.
Can A283 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and rolling (bend radius ≈2t for Grades A–C, 2.5–3t for D); hot form 900–1200 °C, avoid working in the 200–400 °C blue-brittle range.
What surface finishes work on A283?
Descale/blast off mill scale, then zinc-rich primer, paint, phosphate or hot-dip galvanizing; no anodizing, bare steel rusts quickly.
A283 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax by grade for ≤20 mm plate: A 0.14, B 0.17, C 0.24, D 0.27; limits rise with thickness | ≤ 0.24 | 0.18 |
| Mn0.90 max (Grades C/D); heat analysis | ≤ 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Si0.40 max when killed/semi-killed practice reported | ≤ 0.4 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Cu0.20 min only when copper-bearing steel is specified | ≥ 0.2 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
A283-HR — frequently asked
What is A283-HR used for?
A283-HR is typically used for storage tanks, low-pressure vessel shells, base plates and gussets, machine bases and frames, hoppers and chutes and structural brackets and supports. In short: low-cost structural plate.
What is the yield strength of A283-HR?
A283-HR has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is A283-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades). Machines like AISI 1020 (≈70 % of 1212): free-flowing gummy chips, use sharp positive-rake tooling, generous feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge.
Can A283-HR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability with SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/SAW using E70xx-class consumables; no preheat needed for thin plate, 50–100 °C preheat prudent for Grade D or >32 mm.
What surface finishes work on A283-HR?
Descale/blast off mill scale, then zinc-rich primer, paint, phosphate or hot-dip galvanizing; no anodizing, bare steel rusts quickly.
Can A283-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and rolling (bend radius ≈2t for Grades A–C, 2.5–3t for D); hot form 900–1200 °C, avoid working in the 200–400 °C blue-brittle range.
What is the maximum service temperature of A283-HR?
A283-HR is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A283-HR and A283-GrD?
HR is the default condition — standard stock condition for A283 plate — pick for general structural, tank and base-plate work where only mild strength is needed. GrD: highest-strength A283 grade (C up to 0.27 %); choose for the best strength-to-price ratio, accepting lower ductility and a higher carbon equivalent. Yield strength is 230 MPa in HR versus 275 MPa in GrD.
Can FabDigit make parts in A283-HR?
Yes — A283-HR is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A283/A283M — Standard Specification for Low and Intermediate Tensile Strength Carbon Steel Plates — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM A6/A6M — General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes and Sheet Piling — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Material Properties (physical property tables, carbon steel) — ASME (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.