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Steel A352 Grade LC9 vs WC1

Steel · grade comparison

Steel A352 Grade LC9 and WC1 are both steel grades. A352 Grade LC9 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for WC1, about 110% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi). In exchange, WC1 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 22% for A352 Grade LC9, and A352 Grade LC9 is harder (260 HB vs 160 HB). WC1 is stiffer (205 GPa vs 190 GPa) and WC1 runs hotter in service (455°C vs 340°C continuous). On the shop floor, WC1 machines more easily (good vs fair), WC1 welds better (very good vs fair), and WC1 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than A352 Grade LC9 (premium, $$$).

A352 Grade LC9Choose it when strength drives the design.

WC1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

A352 Grade LC9 vs WC1: properties

A352 Grade LC9WC1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

190 GPa27.6 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

74 GPa10.7 Msi
80 GPa11.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

155 GPa22.5 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

900 MPa131 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

640 MPa92.8 ksi
305 MPa44.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
28%

Compressive Strength

630 MPa91.4 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Shear Strength

540 MPa78.3 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

375 MPa54.4 ksi
210 MPa30.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

145 MPa·√m132 ksi·√in
130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

155 J114 ft·lbf
50 J36.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

260 HB
160 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

26 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

268 HV
168 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
84 HRB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 48%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,440°C2,624 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,500°C2,732 °F
1,505°C2,741 °F

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

29 W/m·K16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10.3 µm/m·K5.7 µin/in·°F
12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

340°C644 °F
455°C851 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °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 Resistivity

4.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m17.7 µΩ·in
2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in

Electrical Conductivity

—
8.5 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
-0.61 V

Corrosion Resistance

16 / 100
12 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

38 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

45%
60%

Weldability

45 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 20 / 100 · Polishability 50 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.7 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

65 L/kg7.8 gal/lb
55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

60%
80%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

115 kN·m/kg
66 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.2 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,078 kJ/m³
227 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

7.9 mm²/s
11.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

13
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 LC9

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityA352 Grade LC9WC1
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$ 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 LC9 vs WC1 — frequently asked

Is A352 Grade LC9 stronger than WC1?

Yes. A352 Grade LC9 has a typical yield strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for WC1 — about 110% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 520 MPa (75.4 ksi).

Which is cheaper, A352 Grade LC9 or WC1?

WC1 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while A352 Grade LC9 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, A352 Grade LC9 or WC1?

WC1. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (38/100) for A352 Grade LC9; for welding the order is WC1 first (very good, 70/100) then A352 Grade LC9 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A352 Grade LC9 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.