Steel A216 WCA
ASTM A216 WCA · UNS J02502
ASTM A216 Grade WCA (UNS J02502) is the lowest-strength grade of the A216 cast carbon steel family for fusion-welded pressure-containing parts at high temperature.
Reference datasheet — A216 WCA 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
A216 WCA tempers and conditions
A216 WCA is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. N+T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Softest condition — pick when maximum machinability and dimensional stability matter more than strength. | 235 | 435 | 33 | 115 HB | — |
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Most commonly stocked condition for A216 WCA pressure castings — best balance of strength, ductility and machinability after stress relief. | 255 | 455 | 31 | 130 HB | — |
Normalized | Standard as-supplied condition for general valve/fitting bodies; uniform fine grain with good toughness. | 265 | 465 | 30 | 135 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Used on heavier sections or when higher yield strength and low-temperature toughness are wanted within the same chemistry. | 310 | 500 | 28 | 150 HB | — |
What is A216 WCA?
ASTM A216 Grade WCA (UNS J02502) is the lowest-strength grade of the A216 cast carbon steel family for fusion-welded pressure-containing parts at high temperature. It is used for valve and fitting bodies where moderate strength is sufficient and machinability and weldability matter, and is normally supplied annealed, normalized, normalized-and-tempered or quenched-and-tempered with 255 MPa yield, 455 MPa tensile, 31 % elongation and 130 HB (72 HRB). Weldability is high (score 85) and machinability good (score 68), but the grade has no corrosion resistance of its own and is limited to 425 °C. Where higher strength is needed in the same family, move to WCB or WCC. A216 WCA has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). A216 WCA has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 31% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is A216 WCA used for?
- valve bodies
- pump casings
- pipe fittings
- general pressure parts
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 68/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 31%, better than 94% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% 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
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low strength — 255 MPa (37 ksi), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
A216 WCA properties
Typical room-temperature values for A216 WCA-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A216 WCA has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
A216 WCA has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 31% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A216 WCA is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A216 WCA conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A216 WCA takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability7
A216 WCA's machinability is good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. A216 WCA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A216 WCA
Is A216 WCA easy to machine?
Machines easily with HSS or coated carbide at ~70 % of AISI 1212; watch for hard sand/scale skin on the first cut and possible local shrinkage porosity.
Can A216 WCA be welded?
Excellent weldability with low carbon equivalent — SMAW/GTAW with E7018-class filler, preheat only for heavy sections, PWHT per ASME Sec. VIII/B16.34 when required; weld repair of castings is explicitly permitted by A216.
Can A216 WCA be formed, bent or molded?
Green-sand or no-bake sand casting with generous risering (long freezing range, ~2 % solidification shrinkage); normalize after casting to break up the as-cast dendritic structure.
A216 WCA 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 | ≤ 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Mnmay be increased to 1.10 max, +0.04 Mn per 0.01 C below 0.25 | ≤ 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Vresidual; total residuals Cu+Ni+Cr+Mo+V ≤ 1.00 % | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on A216 WCA?
No corrosion resistance of its own — shot blast then epoxy/alkyd paint, zinc or Ni-plating, or internal lining; can be phosphated or galvanized for atmospheric service.
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
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel A216 WCA in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- J02502
- ASTM
- A216 Grade WCA
How much does A216 WCA cost?
A216 WCA 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.
A216 WCA — frequently asked
What is A216 WCA used for?
A216 WCA is typically used for valve bodies, pump casings, pipe fittings and general pressure parts. In short: most weldable A216 grade; lowest-strength cast carbon steel; good machinability for castings.
What is the yield strength of A216 WCA?
A216 WCA has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 93% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is A216 WCA easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Machines easily with HSS or coated carbide at ~70 % of AISI 1212; watch for hard sand/scale skin on the first cut and possible local shrinkage porosity.
Can A216 WCA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent weldability with low carbon equivalent — SMAW/GTAW with E7018-class filler, preheat only for heavy sections, PWHT per ASME Sec. VIII/B16.34 when required; weld repair of castings is explicitly permitted by A216.
What surface finishes work on A216 WCA?
No corrosion resistance of its own — shot blast then epoxy/alkyd paint, zinc or Ni-plating, or internal lining; can be phosphated or galvanized for atmospheric service.
Can A216 WCA be formed, bent or molded?
Green-sand or no-bake sand casting with generous risering (long freezing range, ~2 % solidification shrinkage); normalize after casting to break up the as-cast dendritic structure.
What is the maximum service temperature of A216 WCA?
A216 WCA 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 A216 WCA N+T and A216 WCA-A?
N+T is the default condition — most commonly stocked condition for A216 WCA pressure castings — best balance of strength, ductility and machinability after stress relief. A: softest condition — pick when maximum machinability and dimensional stability matter more than strength. Yield strength is 255 MPa in N+T versus 235 MPa in A.
How much does A216 WCA cost?
A216 WCA 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
- ASTM A216/A216M Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, Suitable for Fusion Welding, for High-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2018)
- ASME B16.34 Valves — Flanged, Threaded, and Welding End (pressure-temperature ratings) — ASME (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM (1995)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Material Properties (physical properties of carbon steel) — ASME (2021)
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.