Steel A217 WC1-A (Solution annealed)
Temper
ASTM A217 WC1
Pick when maximum machinability, lowest residual stress and softest structure are wanted for heavily machined or thick-section castings.
Values for the A condition
Other A217 WC1 tempers and conditions
A217 WC1 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at A217 WC1.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AThis page 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-A?
A217 WC1-A is A217 WC1 in the A temper — pick when maximum machinability, lowest residual stress and softest structure are wanted for heavily machined or thick-section castings. A217 WC1-A has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 31% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). A217 WC1-A 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). N+T is the default condition FabDigit quotes; A is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 31%, better than 94% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 90% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 265 MPa (38.4 ksi), worse than 92% 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-A properties
Typical room-temperature values for A217 WC1-A; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A217 WC1 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A217 WC1-A 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-A has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 31% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
A217 WC1-A 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-A 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-A 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-A's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A217 WC1-A
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.
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.
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 | — |
A217 WC1-A — frequently asked
What is A217 WC1-A used for?
A217 WC1-A 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-A?
A217 WC1-A has a typical yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is A217 WC1-A easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% 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-A 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-A?
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-A 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-A?
A217 WC1-A 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.