Steel A216 WCA vs A356 Grade 1
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A216 WCA and A356 Grade 1 are both steel grades. A356 Grade 1 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 255 MPa (37 ksi) for A216 WCA, about 18% more; tensile strength follows at 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 455 MPa (66 ksi). In exchange, A216 WCA is the more ductile: elongation 31% versus 26% for A356 Grade 1, and A356 Grade 1 is harder (150 HB vs 130 HB).
A216 WCAChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
A356 Grade 1Choose it when strength drives the design.
A216 WCA vs A356 Grade 1: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 78 GPa11.3 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 425°C797 °F · Min Service Temperature -29°C-20 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 10 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 70% · Formability (cold) 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.5 MN·m/kg
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | A216 WCA | A356 Grade 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
A216 WCA vs A356 Grade 1 — frequently asked
Is A356 Grade 1 stronger than A216 WCA?
Yes. A356 Grade 1 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) against 255 MPa (37 ksi) for A216 WCA — about 18% more. Tensile strength is 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) vs 455 MPa (66 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A216 WCA or A356 Grade 1?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, A216 WCA or A356 Grade 1?
A216 WCA, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 68/100 against 60/100 for A356 Grade 1; for welding the order is A216 WCA first (excellent, 85/100) then A356 Grade 1 (very good, 78/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A216 WCA and A356 Grade 1 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.