ASTM A709/A709M-03

1.1 This specification covers carbon and high-strength low-alloy steel structural shapes, plates, and bars and quenched and tempered alloy steel for structural plates intended for use in bridges. Eight grades are available in four yield strength levels as follows:

1.1.1 Grades 36 [250], 50 [345], 50S [345S], 50W [345W], 100 [690], and 100W [690W] are also included in Specifications A 36/A 36M, A 572/A 572M, A 992/A 992M, A 588/A 588M, and A 514/A 514M, respectively. When the supplementary requirements of this specification are specified, they exceed the requirements of Specifications A 36/A 36M, A 572/A 572M, A 992/A 992M, A 588/A 588M, and A 514/A 514M.

1.1.2 Grades 50W [345W], HPS 50W [HPS 345], HPS 70W [HPS 485W], and 100W [690W] have enhanced atmospheric corrosion resistance (see 11.1.2). Product availability is shown in Table 1.

1.2 Grade HPS 70W [HPS 485W], 100 [690], or 100W [690W] shall not be substituted for Grades 36 [250], 50 [345], 50S [345S], 50W [345W], or HPS 50W [HPS 345W]. Grade 50W [345W], or HPS 50W [HPS 345W] shall not be substituted for Grades 36 [250], 50 [345] or 50S [345S] without agreement between the purchaser and the supplier.

1.3 When the steel is to be welded, it is presupposed that a welding procedure suitable for the grade of steel and intended use or service will be utilized. See Appendix X3 of Specification A 6/A 6M for information on weldability.

1.4 Supplementary requirements are available but shall apply only when specified by the purchaser at the time of ordering.

1.5 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units are to be regarded as standard. Within the text, the SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with this specification.

1.6 For structural products produced from coil and furnished without heat treatment or with stress relieving only, the additional requirements, including additional testing requirements and the reporting of additional test results, of Specification A 6/A 6M apply.