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Steel A352 Grade LC2 vs WC1

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A352 Grade LC2 and WC1 are both steel grades. A352 Grade LC2 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for WC1, about 11% more. WC1 runs hotter in service (455°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, WC1 forms better (poor vs not recommended).

A352 Grade LC2Choose it when strength drives the design.

WC1Choose it when the part sees heat.

A352 Grade LC2 vs WC1: properties

A352 Grade LC2WC1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

530 MPa76.9 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
305 MPa44.2 ksi

Reduction in Area

50%
48%

Compressive Strength

345 MPa50 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Shear Strength

350 MPa50.8 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

225 MPa32.6 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

95 J70.1 ft·lbf
50 J36.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

83 HRB
84 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
168 HV

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Elongation at Break 28% · Hardness, Brinell 160 HB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °F
1,505°C2,741 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

38 W/m·K22 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
455°C851 °F

Min Service Temperature

-73°C-99 °F
-29°C-20 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8 % IACS
8.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
-0.61 V

Corrosion Resistance

15 / 100
12 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

50 / 100
58 / 100

Weldability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
20 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 60% · Castability 70 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 50 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.3 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

75%
80%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

68 kN·m/kg
66 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.5 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

289 kJ/m³
227 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

10.3 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
9

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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleWC1A352 Grade LC2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA352 Grade LC2WC1
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.

A352 Grade LC2 vs WC1 — frequently asked

Is A352 Grade LC2 stronger than WC1?

Yes. A352 Grade LC2 has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for WC1 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A352 Grade LC2 or WC1?

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, A352 Grade LC2 or WC1?

WC1. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (50/100) for A352 Grade LC2; for welding the order is WC1 first (very good, 70/100) then A352 Grade LC2 (good, 65/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A352 Grade LC2 and WC1 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.