StacksVerified U.S. regulatory reference

49 CFR Part 178, Appendix A

Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov
DesignationChemical composition, percent-ladle analysis
Grade 1 1Grade 2 1 2 | Grade 3 2 4 5
Carbon0.10/0.20 | 0.24 maximum | 0.22 maximum.
Manganese1.10/1.60 | 0.50/1.00 | 1.25 maximum.
Phosphorus, maximum0.04 | 0.04 | 0.045.6
Sulfur, maximum0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05.
Silicon0.15/0.30 | 0.30 maximum |
Copper, maximum0.4 | |
Columbium| 0.01/0.04 |
Heat treatment authorized(3) | (3) | (3).
Maximum stress (p.s.i.)35,000 | 35,000 | 35,000.

1 Addition of other elements to obtain alloying effect is not authorized.

2 Ferritic grain size 6 or finer according to ASTM E 112-96 (IBR, see § 171.7 of this subchapter).

3 Any suitable heat treatment in excess of 1,100 °F., except that liquid quenching is not permitted.

4 Other alloying elements may be added and shall be reported.

5 For compositions with a maximum carbon content of 0.15 percent of ladle analysis, the maximum limit for manganese on ladle analysis may be 1.40 percent.

6 Rephosphorized Grade 3 steels containing no more than 0.15 percent phosphorus are permitted if carbon content does not exceed 0.15 percent and manganese does not exceed 1 percent.

ElementLimit or maximum specified (percent)Tolerance (percent) over the maximum limit or under the minimum limit
Under minimum limitOver maximum limit
CarbonTo 0.15 inclusive0.02 | 0.03
Over 0.15 to 0.40 inclusive0.03 | 0.04
ManganeseTo 0.60 inclusive0.03 | 0.03
Over 0.60 to 1.15 inclusive0.04 | 0.04
Over 1.15 to 2.50 inclusive0.05 | 0.05
Phosphorus 7All ranges| 0.01
SulfurAll ranges| 0.01
SiliconTo 0.30 inclusive0.02 | 0.03
Over 0.30 to 1.00 inclusive0.05 | 0.05
CopperTo 1.00 inclusive0.03 | 0.03
Over 1.00 to 2.00 inclusive0.05 | 0.05
NickelTo 1.00 inclusive0.03 | 0.03
Over 1.00 to 2.00 inclusive0.05 | 0.05
ChromiumTo 0.90 inclusive0.03 | 0.03
Over 0.90 to 2.10 inclusive0.05 | 0.05
MolybdenumTo 0.20 inclusive0.01 | 0.01
Over 0.20 to 0.40 inclusive0.02 | 0.02
ZirconiumAll ranges0.01 | 0.05
ColumbiumTo 0.04 inclusive0.005 | 0.01
AluminumOver 0.10 to 0.20 inclusive0.04 | 0.04
Over 0.20 to 0.30 inclusive0.05 | 0.05

7 Rephosphorized steels not subject to check analysis for phosphorus.

[Amdt. 178-3, 34 FR 12283, July 25, 1969; 34 FR 12593, Aug. 1, 1969, as amended by Amdt. 178-64, 45 FR 81573, Dec. 11, 1980; Amdt. 178-97, 55 FR 52728, Dec. 21, 1990; 68 FR 75758, Dec. 31, 2003]