Steel A217 WC1
ASTM A217 WC1
A217 Gr.
Reference datasheet — A217 WC1 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
A217 WC1 tempers and conditions
A217 WC1 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. N+T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Pick when maximum machinability, lowest residual stress and softest structure are wanted for heavily machined or thick-section castings. | 265 | 470 | 31 | 140 HB | — |
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Standard supply condition for A217 WC1 pressure castings — best balance of creep strength, toughness and dimensional stability. | 290 | 500 | 28 | 150 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Used for thicker or more highly stressed valve bodies where uniform properties and higher yield strength with good toughness are needed. | 345 | 545 | 27 | 165 HB | — |
What is A217 WC1?
A217 Gr. WC1 is a carbon–0.5 % molybdenum cast steel for elevated-temperature pressure service and the entry grade of the ASTM A217 family. It is specified for steam valve bodies and fittings to 500 °C, with 290 MPa yield, 500 MPa tensile, 28 % elongation and about 150 HB (80 HRB) after normalizing and tempering. Compared with the Cr-Mo grades it welds more easily (weldability 70), machines better (58) and costs less, but creep strength and oxidation resistance are lower and it has no corrosion resistance bare. WC9 (2.25Cr-1Mo) is the next step for hotter service. A217 WC1 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). A217 WC1 has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is A217 WC1 used for?
- steam valve bodies
- power plant fittings
- moderate-temperature pressure castings
Advantages
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 90% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 290 MPa (42.1 ksi), worse than 88% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
A217 WC1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A217 WC1-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A217 WC1 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
A217 WC1 has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
A217 WC1 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
A217 WC1 has an electrical resistivity of 1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A217 WC1 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability7
A217 WC1's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); 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. A217 WC1 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A217 WC1
Is A217 WC1 easy to machine?
Machines like a medium-carbon cast steel (~65 % of B1112); use rigid setups and carbide tooling, watch for hard scale/sand at the as-cast skin.
Can A217 WC1 be welded?
Readily welded with E/ER 80S-D2 or E7018-A1 (C-½Mo) consumables; preheat 120–200 °C and post-weld heat treat at 620–680 °C for pressure service.
Can A217 WC1 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as sand/investment castings; provide generous risers and 2–3 % solidification shrinkage allowance, then mandatory normalize or quench + temper.
A217 WC1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA217 WC1 max | ≤ 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Mo | 0.45 – 0.65 | 0.55 |
| Crresidual element limit | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Niresidual element limit | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Curesidual element limit | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Wresidual element limit; total residuals ≤ 1.00 % | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A217 WC1?
No natural corrosion resistance — shot blast and paint, aluminize or zinc-coat for atmospheric service; scale-free surface needed before dye-penetrant or MT inspection.
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 A217 WC1 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A217 Gr. WC1
How much does A217 WC1 cost?
A217 WC1 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.
A217 WC1 — frequently asked
What is A217 WC1 used for?
A217 WC1 is typically used for steam valve bodies, power plant fittings and moderate-temperature pressure castings. In short: easiest-welding A217 grade; lowest-cost hot-service casting; best machinability in family.
What is the yield strength of A217 WC1?
A217 WC1 has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is A217 WC1 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like a medium-carbon cast steel (~65 % of B1112); use rigid setups and carbide tooling, watch for hard scale/sand at the as-cast skin.
Can A217 WC1 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily welded with E/ER 80S-D2 or E7018-A1 (C-½Mo) consumables; preheat 120–200 °C and post-weld heat treat at 620–680 °C for pressure service.
What surface finishes work on A217 WC1?
No natural corrosion resistance — shot blast and paint, aluminize or zinc-coat for atmospheric service; scale-free surface needed before dye-penetrant or MT inspection.
Can A217 WC1 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as sand/investment castings; provide generous risers and 2–3 % solidification shrinkage allowance, then mandatory normalize or quench + temper.
What is the maximum service temperature of A217 WC1?
A217 WC1 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A217 WC1 N+T and A217 WC1-A?
N+T is the default condition — standard supply condition for A217 WC1 pressure castings — best balance of creep strength, toughness and dimensional stability. A: pick when maximum machinability, lowest residual stress and softest structure are wanted for heavily machined or thick-section castings. Yield strength is 290 MPa in N+T versus 265 MPa in A.
How much does A217 WC1 cost?
A217 WC1 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 A217/A217M — Steel Castings, Martensitic Stainless and Alloy, for Pressure-Containing Parts, Suitable for High-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2021)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Material Properties (SA-217 WC1) — ASME (2023)
- Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM (1995)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 16253 (ZG20Mo) — SAC (2019)
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.