Steel A216 WCA N+T
Heat-treated state · default condition
ASTM A216 WCA · UNS J02502
N+T = normalized and tempered
Most commonly stocked condition for A216 WCA pressure castings — best balance of strength, ductility and machinability after stress relief.
Values for the N+T condition
Other A216 WCA tempers and conditions
A216 WCA is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at A216 WCA.
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+TDefaultThis page 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 N+T?
A216 WCA N+T is A216 WCA heat treated to N+T — most commonly stocked condition for A216 WCA pressure castings — best balance of strength, ductility and machinability after stress relief. A216 WCA N+T 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). A216 WCA N+T 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).
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 N+T properties
Typical room-temperature values for A216 WCA N+T; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A216 WCA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A216 WCA N+T 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 N+T 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 N+T 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 N+T 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 N+T 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 N+T'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A216 WCA N+T
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.
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.
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 | — |
A216 WCA N+T — frequently asked
What is A216 WCA N+T used for?
A216 WCA N+T 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 N+T?
A216 WCA N+T 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 N+T 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 N+T 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 N+T?
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 N+T 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 N+T?
A216 WCA N+T 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.