Refractory Metal FeCr-LC C0.50
Grade · default condition
ASTM A99 · ISO 5448
Default stocked low-carbon ferrochrome: lowest-cost LC grade for stainless, bearing and alloy-steel heats with a moderate carbon budget.
Values for the C0.50 condition
Other FeCr-LC tempers and conditions
FeCr-LC is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at FeCr-LC.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C0.50DefaultThis page low-carbon ferrochromium FeCr55C0.5 (GB/T 5683) | Default stocked low-carbon ferrochrome: lowest-cost LC grade for stainless, bearing and alloy-steel heats with a moderate carbon budget. | — | 200 | 0.1 | 48 HRC | — |
low-carbon ferrochromium | Widely traded low-carbon grade for alloy structural steels and stainless where 0.25 % C tolerance is acceptable. | — | 215 | 0.2 | 45 HRC | 1.6 % IACS |
low-carbon ferrochromium | Economical low-carbon grade for general low-carbon alloy-steel and stainless charges. | — | 230 | 0.2 | 43 HRC | 1.7 % IACS |
low-carbon ferrochromium | Common trade grade balancing cost against a tight carbon ceiling for stainless and tool-steel melting. | — | 245 | 0.3 | 40 HRC | 1.7 % IACS |
micro-carbon ferrochromium | Standard micro-carbon grade for low-carbon stainless and electrical/precision steel heats. | — | 265 | 0.4 | 35 HRC | 1.8 % IACS |
micro-carbon ferrochromium | Pick when melting ultra-low-carbon stainless (304L/316L, ferritics) or superalloys where any carbon pickup is unacceptable. | — | 280 | 0.5 | 33 HRC | 1.9 % IACS |
What is FeCr-LC C0.50?
FeCr-LC C0.50 is FeCr-LC in the C0.50 grade — default stocked low-carbon ferrochrome: lowest-cost LC grade for stainless, bearing and alloy-steel heats with a moderate carbon budget. FeCr-LC C0.50 has a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi), weaker than 97% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 0.1% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi). FeCr-LC C0.50 has a density of 7.2 g/cm³ (0.26 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 1,620°C (2,948 °F).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 5.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of refractory metal grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 3/100, worse than 99% of refractory metal grades
- Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 99% of refractory metal grades
- Low fracture toughness — 9 MPa·√m (8.19 ksi·√in), worse than 98% of refractory metal grades
- Limited formability — 1/100, worse than 98% of refractory metal grades
- Limited ductility — 0.1%, worse than 97% of refractory metal grades
FeCr-LC C0.50 properties
Typical room-temperature values for FeCr-LC C0.50; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are FeCr-LC reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among refractory metal grades.
Physical3
FeCr-LC C0.50 has a density of 7.2 g/cm³ (0.26 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 1,620°C (2,948 °F).
Mechanical10
FeCr-LC C0.50 has a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi), weaker than 97% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 0.1% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi).
Thermal5
FeCr-LC C0.50 is rated for continuous service to 850°C (1,562 °F). It conducts heat at 16 W/m·K (9.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of refractory metal grades. Thermal expansion is 9.5 µm/m·K (5.28 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
FeCr-LC C0.50 conducts electricity at 1.6 % IACS, worse than 96% of refractory metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 86% of refractory metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of FeCr-LC C0.50 takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 99% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability4
FeCr-LC C0.50's machinability is not recommended (3/100, worse than 99% of refractory metal grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (1/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with FeCr-LC C0.50
Is FeCr-LC easy to machine?
Not machinable — hard, brittle carbide-bearing ferroalloy supplied crushed and screened; size reduction is by jaw crusher and screening, not cutting.
Can FeCr-LC be welded?
Not a weldable product form; it is dissolved as an alloying addition in EAF/AOD/ladle melts (also used in cored wire and hardfacing electrode coatings).
Can FeCr-LC be formed, bent or molded?
No cold or hot forming; cast into chills, crushed to 10–50 mm or 50–100 mm, with fines briquetted for ladle trimming.
What surface finishes work on FeCr-LC?
No surface finishing applies; keep lump dry and covered to avoid rusting of fines and to control moisture-related hydrogen pickup in the melt.
FeCr-LC chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CrGB/T 5683 FeCr55 series; export grades often 60–65 % Cr | 52 – 65 | 57 |
| Cgrade-defining ceiling: 0.03 / 0.06 / 0.10 / 0.15 / 0.25 / 0.50 % | ≤ 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Sisub-grades A/B/C at ≤1.0 / ≤1.5 / ≤2.0 % | ≤ 2 | 1 |
| P0.03 % typical max, 0.04 % for lower sub-grades | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Nnot always specified; higher in some AOD-refined material | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance | — |
FeCr-LC C0.50 — frequently asked
What is FeCr-LC C0.50 used for?
FeCr-LC C0.50 is typically used for low-carbon stainless steel production, precision alloy steel making and vacuum induction melting charge. In short: low-carbon chromium addition; graded C0.03 to C0.50; highest-melting ferrochrome grade.
What is the tensile strength of FeCr-LC C0.50?
FeCr-LC C0.50 has a typical tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 97% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is FeCr-LC C0.50 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (3/100, worse than 99% of refractory metal grades). Not machinable — hard, brittle carbide-bearing ferroalloy supplied crushed and screened; size reduction is by jaw crusher and screening, not cutting.
Can FeCr-LC C0.50 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Not a weldable product form; it is dissolved as an alloying addition in EAF/AOD/ladle melts (also used in cored wire and hardfacing electrode coatings).
What surface finishes work on FeCr-LC C0.50?
No surface finishing applies; keep lump dry and covered to avoid rusting of fines and to control moisture-related hydrogen pickup in the melt.
Can FeCr-LC C0.50 be formed, bent or molded?
No cold or hot forming; cast into chills, crushed to 10–50 mm or 50–100 mm, with fines briquetted for ladle trimming.
What is the maximum service temperature of FeCr-LC C0.50?
FeCr-LC C0.50 is rated for continuous use to about 850°C (1,562 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- GB/T 5683 (Ferrochromium) (2008)
- ISO 5448 Ferrochromium — Specification and conditions of delivery — ISO (1981)
- ASTM A101 Standard Specification for Ferrochromium — ASTM International (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 3: Alloy Phase Diagrams (Fe-Cr, Fe-Cr-C) — ASM International (1992)
- Handbook of Ferroalloys — Theory and Technology (ferrochrome chapters) — Butterworth-Heinemann/Elsevier (2013)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.