Cleveland-Cliffs / AK Steel ARMCO Pure Iron Product Data Bulletin (07/2022): Table 1 typical physical properties, Table 2 typical mechanical properties after SRA/recrystallization anneal.
ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards.
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Is Iron stronger than Steel A992?
Steel A992 is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against 186 MPa for Iron (2.07x).
Which is lighter, Iron or Steel A992?
Steel A992 is lighter: 7,850 kg/m³ against 7,860 kg/m³ for Iron.
Which is stiffer, Iron or Steel A992?
Iron is stiffer: Young's modulus 207 GPa against 200 GPa for Steel A992, so the same part in Iron deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Iron or Steel A992?
For the same stiffness or strength: Iron is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Steel A992 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Iron
Steel A992
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
3% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2% heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
1% heavier
Strong rod or tie
2.07x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
1.63x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
44% heavier
lighter
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which conducts heat better, Iron or Steel A992?
Iron conducts heat better: 73.2 W/m·K against 48 W/m·K for Steel A992.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel A992 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 13.7 µm/m·K for Iron.