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Steel A352 Grade LC2 vs WC4

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A352 Grade LC2 and WC4 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 340 MPa — strength does not separate them. A352 Grade LC2 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 24% for WC4. WC4 runs hotter in service (540°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, A352 Grade LC2 welds better (65 vs 55 out of 100).

A352 Grade LC2Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

WC4Choose it when the part sees heat.

A352 Grade LC2 vs WC4: properties

A352 Grade LC2WC4

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

530 MPa76.9 ksi
545 MPa79 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
335 MPa48.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
24%

Compressive Strength

345 MPa50 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Shear Strength

350 MPa50.8 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

225 MPa32.6 ksi
235 MPa34.1 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

95 J70.1 ft·lbf
48 J35.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
163 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

83 HRB
85 HRB

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 · Reduction in Area 50% · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.83 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °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
12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
540°C1,004 °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
7.8 % IACS

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
-0.62 V

Corrosion Resistance

15 / 100
14 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

50 / 100
58 / 100

Weldability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

10 / 100
20 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

50 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 60% · Castability 70 / 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 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 75%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

68 kN·m/kg
70 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

289 kJ/m³
281 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

10.3 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
9

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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleWC4A352 Grade LC2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA352 Grade LC2WC4
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 WC4 — frequently asked

What is the difference between A352 Grade LC2 and WC4?

Steel A352 Grade LC2 and WC4 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 340 MPa — strength does not separate them. A352 Grade LC2 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 24% for WC4.

Which is cheaper, A352 Grade LC2 or WC4?

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 WC4?

WC4. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (50/100) for A352 Grade LC2; for welding the order is A352 Grade LC2 first (good, 65/100) then WC4 (good, 55/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A352 Grade LC2 and WC4 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.