Steel A352 Grade LC2
ASTM A352 Grade LC2 · UNS J22500
ASTM A352 Grade LC2 is a 3-1/2% nickel low-alloy steel casting (UNS J22500) supplied normalized and tempered or quenched and tempered for low-temperature pressure-containing parts.
Reference datasheet — A352 Grade LC2 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
A352 Grade LC2 tempers and conditions
A352 Grade LC2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Standard supply condition for most LC2 valve bodies and fittings; adequate -73 °C toughness with good section-size tolerance. | 340 | 530 | 28 | 160 HB | — |
Double normalized and tempered | Used on large or heavily fed castings to refine grain after weld repair and secure repeatable -73 °C impact values. | 350 | 535 | 29 | 163 HB | 8 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Choose for heavier sections or where higher strength and upper-shelf toughness margin at -73 °C are wanted. | 400 | 580 | 26 | 180 HB | — |
What is A352 Grade LC2?
ASTM A352 Grade LC2 is a 3-1/2% nickel low-alloy steel casting (UNS J22500) supplied normalized and tempered or quenched and tempered for low-temperature pressure-containing parts. In the default N+T condition it gives 340 MPa yield, 530 MPa tensile and 28% elongation at about 160 HB (83 HRB), with impact toughness qualified to roughly -100 °F, which suits cast valve bodies and pump casings in LNG and cryogenic piping. It has no inherent corrosion resistance and must be coated; maximum service temperature is 400 °C. For colder duty, Grade LC3 (about -150 °F) or 9% Ni Grade LC9 is the usual step up. A352 Grade LC2 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). A352 Grade LC2 has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is A352 Grade LC2 used for?
- cryogenic valve bodies
- low-temperature pump casings
- LNG facility fittings
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Low strength — 340 MPa (49.3 ksi), worse than 76% of steel grades
A352 Grade LC2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A352 Grade LC2-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A352 Grade LC2 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).
Mechanical15
A352 Grade LC2 has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A352 Grade LC2 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 38 W/m·K (22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A352 Grade LC2 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A352 Grade LC2 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability7
A352 Grade LC2's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
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. A352 Grade LC2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A352 Grade LC2
Is A352 Grade LC2 easy to machine?
Machines like normalized low-alloy steel at ~55–60 % of 1212; use rigid setups and watch for hard spots or sand inclusions at the as-cast skin.
Can A352 Grade LC2 be welded?
Readily welded with matching 2.5Ni or Ni-bearing low-hydrogen consumables; preheat 100–150 °C, control interpass, and PWHT/temper at ≥593 °C to restore low-temperature toughness.
Can A352 Grade LC2 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand or investment castings; provide generous fillets and chills at section changes to avoid shrinkage porosity in pressure-boundary walls.
A352 Grade LC2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax per ASTM A352 | ≤ 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 |
| Ninominal 2-1/2 % Ni grade | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Vresidual; total residuals ≤ 1.00 % | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on A352 Grade LC2?
No anodizing; protect with shot blast plus epoxy/zinc-rich paint, galvanizing or ENP — bare surfaces rust rapidly in humid and marine 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 A352 Grade LC2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- J22500
How much does A352 Grade LC2 cost?
A352 Grade LC2 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
A352 Grade LC2 — frequently asked
What is A352 Grade LC2 used for?
A352 Grade LC2 is typically used for cryogenic valve bodies, low-temperature pump casings and LNG facility fittings. In short: 3-1/2% Ni cryogenic casting; tough to about -100 °F; weldable pressure-grade casting.
What is the yield strength of A352 Grade LC2?
A352 Grade LC2 has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 76% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is A352 Grade LC2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Machines like normalized low-alloy steel at ~55–60 % of 1212; use rigid setups and watch for hard spots or sand inclusions at the as-cast skin.
Can A352 Grade LC2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Readily welded with matching 2.5Ni or Ni-bearing low-hydrogen consumables; preheat 100–150 °C, control interpass, and PWHT/temper at ≥593 °C to restore low-temperature toughness.
What surface finishes work on A352 Grade LC2?
No anodizing; protect with shot blast plus epoxy/zinc-rich paint, galvanizing or ENP — bare surfaces rust rapidly in humid and marine service.
Can A352 Grade LC2 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand or investment castings; provide generous fillets and chills at section changes to avoid shrinkage porosity in pressure-boundary walls.
What is the maximum service temperature of A352 Grade LC2?
A352 Grade LC2 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does A352 Grade LC2 cost?
A352 Grade LC2 is a standard-cost steel ($$), 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 A352/A352M — Steel Castings, Ferritic and Martensitic, for Pressure-Containing Parts, Suitable for Low-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2023)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Materials, Properties — ASME (2023)
- 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)
- UNS J22500 alloy record — SAE/ASTM Unified Numbering System (2022)
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.