M270M Gr.250 Preheat — H8, Low HI, > 60 mm: 325°F
Fracture-critical preheat requirement for M270M Gr.250 / M270 Gr.36 at > 60 mm (> 2½ in) thickness with H8 hydrogen designation, per AASHTO/AWS D1.5:2025, the Bridge Welding Code.
M270M Gr.250 / M270 Gr.36
AASHTO M270M Gr.250 (M270 Gr.36) is the metric/US customary designation for the basic structural bridge steel with 250 MPa (36 ksi) minimum yield. It is the direct bridge equivalent of ASTM A709 Gr.36, procured under AASHTO M270 with mandatory Charpy V-notch testing per temperature zone. Used for secondary bridge members — lateral bracing, diaphragm plates, floor beam stiffeners, and bearing components where Gr.345 strength is not needed. Non-fracture-critical preheat follows Table 6.3 Group 1; fracture-critical follows Tables 12.4/12.5 with hydrogen and heat input as additional variables.
Understanding the FC Preheat for M270M Gr.250 / M270 Gr.36
Basic 250 MPa (36 ksi) bridge steel for secondary members. Under D1.5 fracture-critical requirements (Clause 12), the combination of H8 hydrogen designation and this heat input band requires 325°F minimum preheat at > 60 mm (> 2½ in). Lower hydrogen levels (H4 < H8 < H16) allow lower preheat because less hydrogen enters the weld deposit. Similarly, higher heat input reduces preheat requirements because slower cooling rates give hydrogen more time to diffuse out.
Where M270M Gr.250 / M270 Gr.36 Is Used
Specified for secondary bridge members under AASHTO LRFD — lateral bracing angles, diaphragm plates, floor beam stiffeners, bearing seat components, and railing posts. Gr.250 (36) requires CVN testing per AASHTO temperature zone, distinguishing it from plain ASTM A36 by guaranteeing fracture resistance at the bridge design service temperature. Transverse stiffener fillet welds and floor beam web-to-flange joints are high-frequency fabrication details. Temperature zones (1 through 3) determine CVN test temperature: Zone 1 at 21°C (70°F) for moderate climates, Zone 2 at 4°C (40°F) for cold, Zone 3 at -12°C (10°F) for severe cold.
H8 Hydrogen Control for M270M Gr.250 / M270 Gr.36
H8 designation (8 mL/100g max) on Gr.250 (36) provides a balanced approach between preheat economy and consumable availability. Most structural SMAW electrodes and FCAW wires carry H8 classification as the standard low-hydrogen tier. For secondary bridge members, H8 is typically the default specification unless the Engineer specifically mandates H4.
Why Preheat Matters at > 60 mm (> 2½ in)
Material over 65 mm (2-1/2 in) includes the heaviest bridge girder flanges and box-section walls. Table 6.3 requires 110°C (225°F) for both groups at this thickness. Extended preheat soak time is necessary to achieve uniform through-thickness temperature. FC preheat for the heaviest sections reaches 180–200°C (350–400°F) at the H16 hydrogen level.
M270M Gr.250 / M270 Gr.36 at > 60 mm (> 2½ in)
Gr.250 (36) above 65 mm is rare — typically only in large bearing assemblies or rehabilitation projects repairing older bridges where original plate was overspecified. Preheat soak-through at 225°F requires flame heating on both sides for 15–20 minutes on plate this thick. The cost of preheat compliance at this thickness often triggers a design review to consider switching to Gr.345 which achieves the same capacity with thinner, lighter sections.
Other Bridge Steels at H8 1.2–2.0 kJ/mm · > 60 mm (> 2½ in)
| Steel | Table | Preheat |
|---|---|---|
| M270M Gr.345 / M270 Gr.50 | A | 325°F (160°C) |
| M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W | B | 375°F (190°C) |
| M270M HPS345W / M270 HPS50W | B | 375°F (190°C) |
| M270M HPS485W / M270 HPS70W | B | 375°F (190°C) |
M270M Gr.250 / M270 Gr.36 at H8 1.2–2.0 kJ/mm
Try Different Combinations
Use the D1.5 Bridge Preheat Calculator to look up any AASHTO M270 steel, hydrogen level, and heat input combination. Also see the D1.1 Preheat Calculator for structural steel.
Related Guides
For fracture-critical M270M Gr.250 / M270 Gr.36 welded with H8-designated consumables at > 60 mm (> 2½ in) thickness and 1.2–2.0 kJ/mm heat input, the minimum preheat is 325°F (160°C) per D1.5 Table 12.4/12.5.
Non-fracture-critical (Table 6.3) preheat is a simple thickness-based lookup. Fracture-critical (Tables 12.4–12.8) adds hydrogen level and heat input as variables, typically requiring higher preheat. For FC members, the hydrogen designator on the consumable classification directly determines the minimum preheat.
Higher heat input means slower cooling rates, giving hydrogen more time to diffuse out of the weld zone. At 1.2–2.0 kJ/mm, the 325°F preheat balances the hydrogen level and cooling rate. Moving to a higher heat input band would typically reduce the required preheat for the same hydrogen level and thickness.
Table 6.3 converges at 110°C (225°F) for both groups at this thickness because the dominant factor becomes hydrogen diffusion distance through the thick section rather than the steel’s hardenability. Even Group 1 steels need substantial preheat at 65+ mm to keep cooling rates slow enough for safe hydrogen escape.
D1.5:2025 reference data. Not affiliated with AWS or AASHTO.