Steel 25L
GOST 25L
GOST 25L is a low-carbon cast steel of about 0.25 % C from the Russian GOST cast steel series, typically supplied at 250 MPa yield, 470 MPa tensile, 21 % elongation and about 145 HB (78 HRB).
Reference datasheet — 25L is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the N+T condition
25L tempers and conditions
25L is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. N+T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
no heat treatment | Cheapest condition for lightly loaded, non-critical parts where coarse as-cast grain and residual stresses are acceptable. | 220 | 430 | 15 | 135 HB | 10 % IACS |
Annealed | Choose for maximum machinability, minimum residual stress and best dimensional stability before finish machining. | 225 | 440 | 23 | 130 HB | — |
Stress relieved | Used after weld repair or heavy machining to remove residual stress without altering the as-cast/normalized microstructure. | 235 | 450 | 20 | 138 HB | 10 % IACS |
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Default supply condition per GOST 977-88: refined grain plus stress relief, best all-round toughness/weld-repair behaviour. | 250 | 470 | 21 | 145 HB | — |
Normalized | Standard grain-refining treatment when slightly higher strength than annealed is wanted and stress relief is not critical. | 255 | 470 | 20 | 150 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Pick for the highest strength and impact toughness of this grade in thinner sections; hardenability is limited by the low carbon and lack of alloying. | 360 | 580 | 17 | 185 HB | — |
What is 25L?
GOST 25L is a low-carbon cast steel of about 0.25 % C from the Russian GOST cast steel series, typically supplied at 250 MPa yield, 470 MPa tensile, 21 % elongation and about 145 HB (78 HRB). Engineers select it for general machine parts and weld-fabricated cast assemblies because its carbon equivalent of roughly 0.45 gives excellent weldability, with machinability rated 58; it is available as-cast, annealed, normalized, N+T, QT and stress-relieved. Service is limited to about 425 °C and there is no inherent corrosion resistance, so coating is mandatory. Step up to 35L when higher strength matters more than weldability. 25L has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). 25L has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 25L used for?
- machine housings
- general structural castings
- pipe fittings
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 94% of steel grades
25L properties
Typical room-temperature values for 25L-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
25L has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical15
25L has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
25L is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
25L conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 25L takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability8
25L's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 25L is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 25L
Is 25L easy to machine?
Machines like normalized 1025/1030 steel at ~68 % of AISI 1212; use rigid setups and carbide tooling, watch for hard sand-burn skin and occasional shrinkage porosity on first cut.
Can 25L be welded?
Excellent weldability (CE ≈ 0.45): SMAW/GMAW with low-hydrogen E7018-class consumables, preheat 100–150 °C for sections over ~30 mm, PWHT 600–650 °C after major repair.
Can 25L be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or shell cast with generous risering — solidification shrinkage ~2 % and a wide freezing range make heavy sections prone to centreline porosity; normalize after casting to refine dendritic grain.
25L 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.22 – 0.3 | 0.25 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.52 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 0.35 – 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Smax, depends on acceptance group | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on 25L?
Shot blast to remove scale, then paint, zinc-rich primer, hot-dip galvanize or phosphate; hard chrome or nitriding can be applied to wear faces, no anodizing.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does 25L cost?
25L is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
25L — frequently asked
What is 25L used for?
25L is typically used for machine housings, general structural castings and pipe fittings. In short: most weldable GOST cast steel; low CE, easy weld repair; moderate strength general grade.
What is the yield strength of 25L?
25L has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 25L easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like normalized 1025/1030 steel at ~68 % of AISI 1212; use rigid setups and carbide tooling, watch for hard sand-burn skin and occasional shrinkage porosity on first cut.
Can 25L be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent weldability (CE ≈ 0.45): SMAW/GMAW with low-hydrogen E7018-class consumables, preheat 100–150 °C for sections over ~30 mm, PWHT 600–650 °C after major repair.
What surface finishes work on 25L?
Shot blast to remove scale, then paint, zinc-rich primer, hot-dip galvanize or phosphate; hard chrome or nitriding can be applied to wear faces, no anodizing.
Can 25L be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or shell cast with generous risering — solidification shrinkage ~2 % and a wide freezing range make heavy sections prone to centreline porosity; normalize after casting to refine dendritic grain.
What is the maximum service temperature of 25L?
25L is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 25L N+T and 25L-QT?
N+T is the default condition — default supply condition per GOST 977-88: refined grain plus stress relief, best all-round toughness/weld-repair behaviour. QT: pick for the highest strength and impact toughness of this grade in thinner sections; hardenability is limited by the low carbon and lack of alloying. Yield strength is 250 MPa in N+T versus 360 MPa in QT.
How much does 25L cost?
25L is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- GOST 977-88 Steel castings — General specifications — Gosstandart (1988)
- ASTM A27/A27M Steel Castings, Carbon, for General Application — ASTM (2020)
- Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM (1995)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Marochnik / Russian steel grade database — 25Л — Marochnik Stalei (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.