Steel A352 Grade LC9 vs WC4
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A352 Grade LC9 and WC4 are both steel grades. A352 Grade LC9 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) against 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) for WC4, about 91% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 545 MPa (79 ksi). A352 Grade LC9 is harder — 260 HB against 163 HB for WC4 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. WC4 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 190 GPa) and WC4 runs hotter in service (540°C vs 340°C continuous). On the shop floor, WC4 machines more easily (good vs fair), WC4 welds better (good vs fair), and WC4 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than A352 Grade LC9 (premium, $$$).
A352 Grade LC9Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
WC4Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
A352 Grade LC9 vs WC4: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
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 C
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
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
Electrical Conductivity
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 20 / 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)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | A352 Grade LC9 | WC4 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 WC4 — frequently asked
Is A352 Grade LC9 stronger than WC4?
Yes. A352 Grade LC9 has a typical yield strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) against 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) for WC4 — about 91% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 545 MPa (79 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A352 Grade LC9 or WC4?
WC4 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 WC4?
WC4. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (38/100) for A352 Grade LC9; for welding the order is WC4 first (good, 55/100) 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 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.