Steel A653 · supply condition · default condition
Steel A653-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other A653 tempers.
Cheapest route for thicker gauge galvanized coil/sheet where surface appearance is secondary.
What is A653-HR?
A653-HR is A653 supplied in the HR condition — cheapest route for thicker gauge galvanized coil/sheet where surface appearance is secondary. A653-HR has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). A653-HR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 38/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 32%, better than 95% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 82/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 93% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 25/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Low strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), worse than 92% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades
A653-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for A653-HR — 5 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A653 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A653-HR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical11
A653-HR has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A653-HR is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A653-HR conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), better than 97% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A653-HR takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
A653-HR's machinability is good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability very good (82/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other A653 tempers and conditions
A653 is also supplied in 40 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the A653 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest route for thicker gauge galvanized coil/sheet where surface appearance is secondary.260 MPa yield
Working with A653-HR
Is A653 easy to machine?
Shear, punch and laser/plasma cut readily; use sharp tooling and lubricant to avoid galling of the soft zinc, and re-protect cut edges (zinc-rich paint) since bare edges rely on sacrificial throw.
Can A653 be welded?
Resistance spot and MIG/brazing are standard but zinc vaporizes — extract fumes, expect porosity/spatter, increase current and electrode dressing, or specify galvannealed (A-series) for better weldability.
Can A653 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold roll-forming, bending and drawing in CS/FS/DDS/EDDS; SS Grade 80 full-hard tolerates only simple corrugations, and HSLAS needs larger bend radii and springback compensation.
What surface finishes work on A653?
Do not anodize; phosphate or use a wash primer/chromate-free passivation before powder coat or paint. Skin-passed and chemically treated (passivated/oiled) coils are best for painting; galvannealed gives the best paint adhesion.
A653 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CCS Type B limit; SS/HSLAS allow up to 0.20–0.25 % | 0.02 – 0.15 | 0.06 |
| Mnup to 1.35 % for SS, 1.65 % for HSLAS | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| PCS Type C and SS allow up to 0.10 % | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Alaluminum-killed base metal | 0.02 – 0.08 | 0.04 |
| Cu0.20 min if copper-bearing specified | ≤ 0.2 | 0.03 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.2 | 0.02 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.06 | 0.01 |
| NbHSLAS/HSLAS-F microalloying (Nb+V+Ti) | ≤ 0.08 | 0.03 |
| VHSLAS microalloying | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| TiHSLAS-F / IF (EDDS) stabilization | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| N | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Zn (coating)hot-dip coating, not base chemistry: G60 = 180 g/m², G90 = 275 g/m², G115 = 350 g/m² total both sides; ZF/A-series is Zn–Fe alloy (~10 % Fe) | — | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
A653-HR — frequently asked
What is A653-HR used for?
A653-HR is typically used for light-gauge steel framing studs and track, HVAC ductwork, roof decking, industrial siding and wall panels, cable tray and electrical enclosures and appliance housings. In short: galvanized commercial-quality coil.
What is the yield strength of A653-HR?
A653-HR has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 41 listed tempers.
Is A653-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades). Shear, punch and laser/plasma cut readily; use sharp tooling and lubricant to avoid galling of the soft zinc, and re-protect cut edges (zinc-rich paint) since bare edges rely on sacrificial throw.
Can A653-HR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Resistance spot and MIG/brazing are standard but zinc vaporizes — extract fumes, expect porosity/spatter, increase current and electrode dressing, or specify galvannealed (A-series) for better weldability.
What surface finishes work on A653-HR?
Do not anodize; phosphate or use a wash primer/chromate-free passivation before powder coat or paint. Skin-passed and chemically treated (passivated/oiled) coils are best for painting; galvannealed gives the best paint adhesion.
Can A653-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold roll-forming, bending and drawing in CS/FS/DDS/EDDS; SS Grade 80 full-hard tolerates only simple corrugations, and HSLAS needs larger bend radii and springback compensation.
What is the maximum service temperature of A653-HR?
A653-HR is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A653-HR and A653-SS80?
HR is the default condition — cheapest route for thicker gauge galvanized coil/sheet where surface appearance is secondary. SS80: full-hard, low-ductility grade for corrugated roofing/siding and deck where only simple corrugations are formed. Yield strength is 260 MPa in HR versus 590 MPa in SS80.
Can FabDigit make parts in A653-HR?
Yes — A653-HR is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A653/A653M — Steel Sheet, Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) or Zinc-Iron Alloy-Coated (Galvannealed) by the Hot-Dip Process — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A924/A924M — General Requirements for Steel Sheet, Metallic-Coated by the Hot-Dip Process — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual / AISI S100 Commentary — American Iron and Steel Institute (2020)
- Hot-dip galvanized and galvannealed sheet product data (CS/FS/DDS/SS/HSLAS grades) — Cleveland-Cliffs / Nucor / Baosteel (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.