page_banner

Key Differences Between ASTM A516 and ASTM A36 Steel Plates

On the global steel market, buyers are increasingly focusing on material performance and certification requirements. Two of the most frequently compared grades of carbon steel plate—ASTM A516 and ASTM A36—remain key in driving worldwide purchasing decisions in the construction, energy, and heavy manufacturing sectors. Industry experts are advising buyers to have a clear understanding of the distinctions for cost-effective and safe execution of the project.

ASTM A516 STEEL PLATE

ASTM A36 STEEL PLATE

A516 vs. A36: Two Standards, Two Purposes

Despite the fact that a516 steel vs a36 are both carbon steel plate types, they are designed for different purposes:

ASTM A516 Steel Plate: For Pressure and Temperature

ASTM A516 (Grades 60, 65, 70) is a pressure vessel quality carbon steel plate commonly used in oil and gas industries for: 

  • Boilers and pressure vessels
  • Oil & gas storage tanks
  • Industrial high-temperature equipment

ts main features include:

  • Higher tensile strength
  • Superior notch  toughness
  • Better performance at either low and high temperatures

These properties have made A516 the material of choice for applications in which pressure and thermal stress resistance is at a premium.

 

ASTM A36 Steel Plate is simply a structural steel.

ASTM A36 is the most popular structural steel plate for building and general fabrication. Typical applications are:

  • Building frames & steel structures
  • Bridges
  • Machinery parts
  • Simple structural items such as base plates and caps

Its benefit:

  • Less cost
  • Excellent weldability
  • Better suited for standard structural loads

For large-scale building work, A36 is still affordable and useful. 

Key Technical Differences at a Glance

Feature ASTM A516 (Gr 60/70) ASTM A36
Type Pressure vessel steel Structural carbon steel
Strength Higher tensile strength Standard structural strength
Temperature resistance Excellent Moderate
Toughness High (optimized for pressure) General usage
Applications Boilers, tanks, pressure vessels Buildings, bridges, fabrication
Cost Higher More economical

Why Choose ROYAL GROUP?

Global Supply, Fast Delivery: Timely delivery is undoubtedly very attractive to customers. We maintain a large inventory in China, with branches in the United States and Guatemala to ensure our services can meet this demand.

Quality Assurance: All sheets are certified by the factory (MTC) and conform to ASTM standards.

Technical Support: We can assist you with material selection, welding, and processing.

Customized Solutions: We offer a variety of thicknesses, sizes, and surface finishes to meet the specific needs of your projects.

Advice from the Experts for the Buyers

ASTM A516: For pressure containing parts of boilers and pressure vessels in the oil and natural gas industries.
ASTM A36: Application: General structural work with usual (noncritical) design conditions.

Check all documents and certificates for the compliance before dispatch.

With quality, reliable service and professional customer support, ROYAL GROUP serve customers worldwide to help international buyers to select the right materials, minimize risks and deliver projects on time and on-budget.

ROYAL GROUP

Address

Kangsheng development industry zone,
Wuqing district, Tianjin city, China.

E-mail

sales01@royalsteelgroup.com

Phone

Sales Manager: +8613652091506

Hours

Monday-Sunday: 24-hour Service

Post time: Nov-24-2025