Steel A217 WC6-A (Solution annealed)
Temper
ASTM A217 WC6 · EN 1.7357, G17CrMo5-5
Non-code intermediate condition used to soften rough castings for heavy machining or weld repair before final N+T; not the delivery condition for A217 pressure parts.
Values for the A condition
Other A217 WC6 tempers and conditions
A217 WC6 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at A217 WC6.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AThis page Solution annealed | Non-code intermediate condition used to soften rough castings for heavy machining or weld repair before final N+T; not the delivery condition for A217 pressure parts. | 265 | 480 | 28 | 140 HB | 8 % IACS |
N+T + simulated post-weld heat treatment | Ordered when the casting will see one or more shop/field PWHT cycles; test coupons are given the simulated cycles, giving slightly lower strength. | 320 | 520 | 26 | 160 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Standard supply condition for ASTM A217 WC6 pressure castings (valve bodies, fittings) — balanced strength, ductility and creep resistance. | 345 | 550 | 24 | 170 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Chosen for heavy-section castings or when higher yield strength and better toughness uniformity are required within the same A217 spec limits. | 415 | 600 | 22 | 195 HB | — |
What is A217 WC6-A?
A217 WC6-A is A217 WC6 in the A temper — non-code intermediate condition used to soften rough castings for heavy machining or weld repair before final N+T; not the delivery condition for A217 pressure parts. A217 WC6-A has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). A217 WC6-A has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% 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 — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 265 MPa (38.4 ksi), worse than 92% of steel grades
A217 WC6-A properties
Typical room-temperature values for A217 WC6-A; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A217 WC6 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A217 WC6-A has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
A217 WC6-A has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
A217 WC6-A is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 41 W/m·K (23.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 62% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A217 WC6-A conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A217 WC6-A 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
A217 WC6-A's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability poor (28/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A217 WC6-A
Is A217 WC6 easy to machine?
Machines like a 4130-class low-alloy steel at ~170 HB — carbide inserts, 120–180 m/min turning, watch for hard skin and residual sand on as-cast surfaces.
Can A217 WC6 be welded?
Weldable with matched E/ER 80S-B2 or E8018-B2 consumables; preheat/interpass 200–260 °C and 690–720 °C PWHT are required to avoid hard HAZ and hydrogen cracking.
Can A217 WC6 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand castings; good fluidity but high solidification shrinkage — needs generous risering and directional solidification, followed by full re-austenitizing heat treatment.
What surface finishes work on A217 WC6?
No anodizing; shot blast plus zinc-rich primer or heat-resistant aluminium paint for atmospheric service, or internal weld-overlay/lining for corrosive media.
A217 WC6 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 | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 1 – 1.5 | 1.25 |
| Mo | 0.45 – 0.65 | 0.55 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Wresidual | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Vresidual; total residuals ≤1.00 % | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
A217 WC6-A — frequently asked
What is A217 WC6-A used for?
A217 WC6-A is typically used for valve bodies, pump casings, pressure flanges and petrochemical piping components. In short: baseline Cr-Mo cast steel; 540 °C creep service; requires post-weld PWHT.
What is the yield strength of A217 WC6-A?
A217 WC6-A has a typical yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is A217 WC6-A easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines like a 4130-class low-alloy steel at ~170 HB — carbide inserts, 120–180 m/min turning, watch for hard skin and residual sand on as-cast surfaces.
Can A217 WC6-A be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Weldable with matched E/ER 80S-B2 or E8018-B2 consumables; preheat/interpass 200–260 °C and 690–720 °C PWHT are required to avoid hard HAZ and hydrogen cracking.
What surface finishes work on A217 WC6-A?
No anodizing; shot blast plus zinc-rich primer or heat-resistant aluminium paint for atmospheric service, or internal weld-overlay/lining for corrosive media.
Can A217 WC6-A be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand castings; good fluidity but high solidification shrinkage — needs generous risering and directional solidification, followed by full re-austenitizing heat treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of A217 WC6-A?
A217 WC6-A is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A217 WC6 N+T and A217 WC6-A?
N+T is the default condition — standard supply condition for ASTM A217 WC6 pressure castings (valve bodies, fittings) — balanced strength, ductility and creep resistance. A: non-code intermediate condition used to soften rough castings for heavy machining or weld repair before final N+T; not the delivery condition for A217 pressure parts. Yield strength is 345 MPa in N+T versus 265 MPa in A.
Sources
- ASTM A217/A217M Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Martensitic Stainless and Alloy, for Pressure-Containing Parts, Suitable for High-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 10213 — Steel castings for pressure purposes (G17CrMo5-5 / 1.7357) — CEN (2016)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Materials, Properties (Customary/Metric) — ASME (2023)
- Steel Castings Handbook — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM International (1995)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- API 941 — Steels for Hydrogen Service at Elevated Temperatures — API (2016)
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.