By Shape

By Grades

Comparisons

Finish

Maintenance

A242 | Weathering Steel

A242 | Weathering Steel

A242 Weathering Steel is a high-strength, low-alloy steel designed to resist atmospheric corrosion. “A242” refers to its ASTM standard. It forms a protective rust layer when exposed to the elements, reducing the need for painting. A242 offers durability, toughness, weldability, and is used in bridges, buildings, and outdoor structures. Equivalent grades include E36WA4, S355J2WP, and A588.

Description

What is A242?

A242 is a low-alloy steel made of 0.25-0.55% copper and 0.20-0.50% chromium. It comes in solid plates or sections and resists corrosion. When exposed to air, it forms a protective iron oxide layer, reducing the need for paint. It is processed through hot rolling and used in outdoor structures like bridges and buildings.

Why Choose A242 Weathering Steel?

A242 Weathering Steel is a great choice for outdoor structures like bridges or facades. We recommend A242 for its protective rust layer, reducing maintenance and eliminating the need for paint. It can withstand continuous temperatures up to 800°F, and its durability in tough weather makes it cost-effective. Its easy fabrication also saves time and costs.
Compared to other weathering steels, A242 offers better toughness and corrosion resistance. Its performance against atmospheric corrosion is much better than carbon steels like A36 and A572-50, whether or not they contain copper. When properly exposed to the atmosphere, A242 is ideal for unpainted applications.
If stronger corrosion resistance and strength are needed, A588, S355J2WP, and Corten-B are available, offering flexibility for different environments while maintaining weather resistance.

Product Specification

Category Details
Quality Standard ASTM A242/A242M
Certifications ASTM G101, ISO 9001, EN 10025 S355J2WP, BV, SGS
Thickness 6-100mm
Width 900-4800mm
Length 3000-25000mm
Weight Depends on length and width
Outer diameter (OD) Pipes:60 mm to 100 mm, Bars: 10 mm to 150 mm
Inner diameter (ID) Pipes: 5 mm to 15 mm​
Tolerances Thickness: ±0.25 mm to ±1.0 mm, Width: ±2 mm to ±4 mm, Length: ±5 mm to ±10 mm
Technology Hot Rolling
Processing Service Welding, Punching, Cutting, Bending, Decoiling
Shapes Weathering Steel Plate, Weathering Steel Sheet, Pipes, Profiles
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) 5 tons (according to the actual tonnage)
Lead Time Typically 7-20 days (The larger the ordered tonnage, the longer the delivery time)
Price Terms & Payment Based on customer requirements, T/T, L/C
Ports Qingdao, Lianyungang, Dalian
Export Countries Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Europe, Russia, South America, Middle East, etc.
Shipping Method Offers Sea, Air and Customized Shipping

Chemical Compositions

ElementA242 Type 1 Content (%)A242 Type 2 Content (%)
Carbon, C≤ 0.15≤ 0.15
Chromium, Cr0.40 – 0.650.40 – 0.70
Copper, Cu0.20 – 0.400.30 – 0.50
Manganese, Mn0.20 – 0.500.20 – 0.60
Nickel, Ni≤ 0.20≤ 0.20
Phosphorus, P0.07 – 0.150.08 – 0.15
Silicon, Si0.15 – 0.300.15 – 0.30
Sulfur, S≤ 0.05≤ 0.05

Mechanical Properties

PropertyType 1 (≤ 16mm)Type 1 (> 16mm)Type 2 (≤ 16mm)Type 2 (> 16mm)
Tensile Strength480 MPa (70 ksi)460 MPa (67 ksi)480 MPa (70 ksi)460 MPa (67 ksi)
Yield Strength345 MPa (50 ksi)315 MPa (46 ksi)345 MPa (50 ksi)315 MPa (46 ksi)
Elongation (2 in / 50 mm)21%18%21%18%
Brinell Hardness170-190 HB170-190 HB170-190 HB170-190 HB
Rockwell Hardness84-92 HRB84-92 HRB84-92 HRB84-92 HRB
Vickers Hardness175-200 HV175-200 HV175-200 HV175-200 HV
Elastic Modulus190-210 GPa190-210 GPa190-210 GPa190-210 GPa

Data After Normalizing Processing

 

PropertyType 1 (≤ 16mm) (Normalized)Type 1 (> 16mm) (Normalized)Type 2 (≤ 16mm) (Normalized)Type 2 (> 16mm) (Normalized)
Tensile Strength500 MPa (72 ksi)480 MPa (70 ksi)500 MPa (72 ksi)480 MPa (70 ksi)
Yield Strength365 MPa (53 ksi)335 MPa (49 ksi)365 MPa (53 ksi)335 MPa (49 ksi)
Elongation (2 in / 50 mm)20%18%20%18%
Brinell Hardness185-200 HB185-200 HB185-200 HB185-200 HB
Rockwell Hardness88-95 HRB88-95 HRB88-95 HRB88-95 HRB
Vickers Hardness190-210 HV190-210 HV190-210 HV190-210 HV
Elastic Modulus200 GPa200 GPa200 GPa200 GPa

Industries & Applications

IndustriesProducts
Bridges and InfrastructureBridge decking, support beams, guardrails, trusses, pedestrian walkways
Building FacadesExterior wall panels, cladding, window frames, roofing, decorative facades
Railway and TransportRailway cars, container sides, transport frames, coupler housings, platform decking
Energy and PowerPower line poles, wind turbine structures, transformer housings, cooling towers, equipment housings
Marine and CoastalDock structures, marine pilings, coastal barriers, port cranes, bulkheads
Agriculture EquipmentGrain bins, storage tanks, equipment frames, fencing, machinery panels
Industrial EquipmentConveyor frames, processing tanks, protective casings, ventilation systems, loading platforms
Sculptures and ArtMonuments, outdoor sculptures, art installations, large statues, architectural structures
Highway SafetyGuardrails, median barriers, traffic signs, signal poles, safety barriers

Packing

SteelPRO Group ensures A242 weathering steel is expertly packed for safe transport and handling. Our method addresses key challenges in packing A242 steel:

  • Protective Coating: A weather-resistant layer is applied to prevent corrosion during transit, especially for overseas shipping where humidity control is critical.
  • Durable Strapping and Securing: We use heavy-duty steel or polyester straps to secure materials, reducing the risk of shifting or damage, even in long-haul transport.
  • Moisture Control and Wrapping: Each shipment includes moisture-resistant wrapping to shield the steel from direct water exposure, essential for maintaining the integrity of the rust-protective layer.
  • Custom Palletizing: Our packing teams create customized pallets and supports for various steel shapes, from plates to bars, ensuring stability and easy unloading at destination sites.

SteelPRO Group’s packing process ensures our A242 weathering steel arrives in optimal condition, ready for immediate use.

Machining

A242 Heat Treatment Product Options

We provide A242 weathering steel in a variety of heat-treated forms to suit different application needs:

  • Normalized A242: Available in plates and bars, normalized at 900°C for enhanced strength and uniformity, ideal for structural use.
  • Annealed A242: Offered in sheets and sections, annealed at 700–750°C to improve formability, suitable for custom applications.
  • Tempered A242: Provided in coil and strip forms, tempered at 200–600°C for added resilience, used in impact-resistant parts.
  • Hot-Rolled A242: Available as plates, bars, and tubes in its untreated form, suitable for general weathering applications.
  • Surface Options: Mill-finished and pre-rusted surfaces meet aesthetic needs, widely used in architectural designs.

A242 Surface Finish

To optimize performance, we offer a range of surface finishes tailored to A242 weathering steel applications:

  • Shot Blasting: Provides a clean, roughened surface for enhanced adhesion of coatings or paint.
  • Pickling: Removes scale and impurities, resulting in a smooth, uniform surface ideal for further processing.
  • Oil Coating: Adds a thin layer of protective oil, reducing oxidation during storage and transit.
  • Anti-Fingerprint Coating: Adds a transparent protective layer to reduce smudging and surface marks, commonly used in visible applications.
  • Passivation: Enhances corrosion resistance by forming a protective oxide layer, ideal for extended outdoor use.
  • Phosphating: Creates a corrosion-resistant base layer that improves paint adhesion, commonly used in construction and automotive parts.

Custom surface treatment requirements can be accommodated upon request.

Disclaimer 
The above information on heat treatment options and surface finish processes for A242 steel reflects the services provided by SteelPRO Group. The suitability of these services for your specific applications may vary depending on project requirements and conditions. We recommend consulting with our technical team or a metallurgical expert to ensure the right treatment and finishing are selected for optimal performance. SteelPRO Group assumes no liability for the application of this information without proper consultation.

A242 Weathering Steel Supplier

The workers are visiting factory

As a trusted supplier of A242 Weathering Steel, we offer comprehensive support across price, product range, quality, and logistics to meet your project needs:

  • Competitive Pricing and Client Focus: We provide fair pricing while ensuring responsive support throughout your project, helping you achieve cost efficiency without compromising quality.
  • Complete Product Range with Precision Options: Our A242 Weathering Steel selection covers plates, bars, coils, and sheets, with customization options for cutting, bending, and forming to meet exact specifications.
  • Strict Quality Assurance and Certifications: Every batch undergoes rigorous testing, and we ensure certification according to standards like ASTM and EN, guaranteeing durability and compliance with industry requirements.
  • Custom Solutions, Secure Packaging, and Reliable Logistics: We deliver tailored A242 solutions with safe packaging to prevent transit damage and provide efficient logistics, keeping you informed at every delivery stage.

With our expertise and commitment to quality, we are equipped to support both small-scale and large-scale A242 Weathering Steel projects.

Our Service

SteelPRO Group – manufacturer and solution provider for special steel, offering multi-industry application solutions and customised services, 100% quality free, accompanying customers in their growth!

Our Quality Control

  • Roundness
  • Tolerance
  • Microstructure
  • Non-Destructive Testing
  • Destructive Testing
  • Process Control

Service Integration Processing

  • Welding
  • Metal Fabrication
  • CNC Machining
  • Lathe
  • Forming

What Is The Maximum Thickness Available For A242 Weathering Steel?

The maximum thickness for A242 can vary by supplier and equipment, but we typically offer up to 100 mm. Specific requirements can be custom-produced.

How Is A242 Priced Compared To Other Weathering Steels?

A242 is competitively priced relative to other high-performance weathering steels due to its composition and production scale, providing cost-effectiveness for large projects.

Does A242 Require Special Handling For Storage?

Yes, to maintain its weathering properties, A242 should be stored in a dry environment. We recommend using protective wrapping if extended storage is necessary.

Can Orders Be Adjusted Mid-Production If Specifications Change?

Yes, we offer flexible solutions. If adjustments are minor, we can usually incorporate them mid-production; significant changes may require additional lead time.

What Is The Expected Durability In Coastal Or High-Humidity Environments?

A242 performs well in corrosive environments but benefits from a pre-rusted or sealed finish in high-humidity areas to maximize longevity.

Are Documentation And Production Records Available Upon Request?

Yes, we provide complete documentation, including production records and quality inspection reports, to support traceability and compliance.

CONTACT

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

CONTACT

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Certifications

Other Products

Scroll to Top

Send Message

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Receive our related cases

Subscribe to our case study

As reference to your projects!
Case study Page 1
Case study Page 2
Case study Page 3
Case study Page 4
Case study Page 5
Case study Page 6
Case study Page 7
Case study Page 8
Case study Page 9
Case study Page 10
Case study Page 11
Case study Page 12
Case study Page 13