# A36 steel equivalents

A36 steel is nearest to EN 1.0038 (S235JR), JIS SS400 and China GB Q235B. These are nearest equivalents, not identical grades: the governing standard or mill certificate decides.

| System | Designation |
|---|---|
| AISI / ASTM / SAE | A36 |
| EN steel name | S235JR |
| EN steel number | 1.0038 |
| JIS | SS400 |
| China GB | Q235B |

Family: Structural carbon steel

## What it is

A common structural carbon steel for plate, bar and rolled sections. It is weldable and formable. The nearest equivalents are close but specify different minimum strengths, so they are not drop-in replacements on a structural drawing.

## Typical uses

Building frames, base plates, brackets, gussets, machinery frames and general fabrication.

## Machining notes

Machinable but not made for it: hot-rolled mill scale is abrasive and the surface can be gummy. Remove scale before precision work.

## Related grades

- A572 Grade 50 steel (1.0045): Higher-strength structural grade
- 1020 steel (1.0402): Plain low-carbon bar grade

Equivalents are nearest matches, not identical grades. The governing standard or mill certificate decides.

## FAQ

**What is the European equivalent of A36 steel?**
The nearest EN grade is 1.0038, steel name S235JR.

**What is the JIS equivalent of A36 steel?**
The nearest Japanese grade is SS400.

**What is the Chinese GB equivalent of A36 steel?**
The nearest Chinese GB grade is Q235B.

**Is 1.0038 the same as A36?**
1.0038 (S235JR) is the nearest European equivalent of A36, not an identical grade. Composition limits and required properties differ in detail, so check the governing standard or the mill certificate when it matters.

**What is A36 used for?**
Building frames, base plates, brackets, gussets, machinery frames and general fabrication.

Source page: https://machinistcharts.com/material/a36-steel/
Updated: 2026-10-06
Publisher: MachinistCharts (https://machinistcharts.com)