Steel A356 Grade 8 vs WC4
Steel · grade comparison
Steel A356 Grade 8 and WC4 are both steel grades. A356 Grade 8 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) for WC4, about 34% more; tensile strength follows at 655 MPa (95 ksi) vs 545 MPa (79 ksi). In exchange, WC4 is the more ductile: elongation 24% versus 20% for A356 Grade 8, and A356 Grade 8 is harder (200 HB vs 163 HB). A356 Grade 8 runs hotter in service (620°C vs 540°C continuous) and WC4 conducts heat better (42 W/m·K vs 35 W/m·K). 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, $$) than A356 Grade 8 (premium, $$$).
A356 Grade 8Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
WC4Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
A356 Grade 8 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
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
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
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
Specific Heat Capacity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | A356 Grade 8 | 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.
A356 Grade 8 vs WC4 — frequently asked
Is A356 Grade 8 stronger than WC4?
Yes. A356 Grade 8 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) for WC4 — about 34% more. Tensile strength is 655 MPa (95 ksi) vs 545 MPa (79 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A356 Grade 8 or WC4?
WC4 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while A356 Grade 8 is premium ($$$). 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, A356 Grade 8 or WC4?
WC4. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (45/100) for A356 Grade 8; for welding the order is WC4 first (good, 55/100) then A356 Grade 8 (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A356 Grade 8 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.