Steel A352 Grade LC3
ASTM A352 Grade LC3 · UNS J31550
ASTM A352 Grade LC3 is a 3-1/2% nickel steel casting (UNS J31550) heat treated — normalized and tempered, double-normalized and tempered, or quenched and tempered — for superior low-temperature impact toughness.
Reference datasheet — A352 Grade LC3 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 LC3 tempers and conditions
A352 Grade LC3 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 A352 LC3 valve bodies and fittings; balances strength with -101 °C Charpy requirement. | 330 | 530 | 30 | 160 HB | 7.2 % IACS |
Double normalized and tempered | Grain-refining double normalize used when as-cast structure is coarse and extra low-temperature toughness margin is specified. | 345 | 540 | 31 | 163 HB | 7.2 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Use for heavy-section castings or when the highest low-temperature CVN margin and uniform properties through thickness are needed. | 380 | 570 | 28 | 175 HB | 7.2 % IACS |
What is A352 Grade LC3?
ASTM A352 Grade LC3 is a 3-1/2% nickel steel casting (UNS J31550) heat treated — normalized and tempered, double-normalized and tempered, or quenched and tempered — for superior low-temperature impact toughness. Default values are 330 MPa yield, 530 MPa tensile, 30% elongation and about 160 HB, with qualification down to roughly -150 °F (-101 °C), which makes it a standard cast grade for valves and fittings in LNG piping. Maximum service temperature is 340 °C and corrosion protection must be added by coating. For colder service, 9% Ni Grade LC9 is the next step. A352 Grade LC3 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 LC3 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is A352 Grade LC3 used for?
- cryogenic valve bodies
- LNG piping fittings
- low-temperature pump casings
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 93% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Low strength — 330 MPa (47.9 ksi), worse than 78% of steel grades
A352 Grade LC3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A352 Grade LC3-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A352 Grade LC3 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
A352 Grade LC3 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A352 Grade LC3 is rated for continuous service to 340°C (644 °F). It conducts heat at 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 73% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A352 Grade LC3 conducts electricity at 7.2 % IACS, worse than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A352 Grade LC3 takes about 24 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability8
A352 Grade LC3's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability poor (15/100).
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 LC3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A352 Grade LC3
Is A352 Grade LC3 easy to machine?
Machines like a normalized low-alloy steel at ~60 % of 1212; use rigid setups and carbide inserts, watch for hard skin and sand inclusions on unblasted cast surfaces.
Can A352 Grade LC3 be welded?
Readily welded/weld-repaired with low-hydrogen 3.5Ni consumables (E8018-C1/ENiCrMo-type); preheat 100–150 °C for heavy sections and re-heat-treat or PWHT per A352 S1 to restore -101 °C toughness.
Can A352 Grade LC3 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as a sand casting; design for directional solidification with adequate risering and avoid abrupt section changes, then normalize/temper to refine the as-cast grain.
A352 Grade LC3 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 | ≤ 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Ni | 3 – 4 | 3.5 |
| Crresidual element | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Moresidual element | ≤ 0.2 | 0.08 |
| Curesidual element | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Vresidual element | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Wresidual element | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Fetotal residuals Cr+Mo+Cu+V+W ≤ 1.00 % | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on A352 Grade LC3?
No anodizing; specify shot blast plus epoxy or zinc-rich paint, hot-dip galvanizing, or electroless nickel for corrosion protection in cryogenic-plant 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 LC3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- J31550
How much does A352 Grade LC3 cost?
A352 Grade LC3 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
A352 Grade LC3 — frequently asked
What is A352 Grade LC3 used for?
A352 Grade LC3 is typically used for cryogenic valve bodies, LNG piping fittings and low-temperature pump casings. In short: tough to about -150 °F; higher elongation than LC2; standard LNG valve casting.
What is the yield strength of A352 Grade LC3?
A352 Grade LC3 has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is A352 Grade LC3 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like a normalized low-alloy steel at ~60 % of 1212; use rigid setups and carbide inserts, watch for hard skin and sand inclusions on unblasted cast surfaces.
Can A352 Grade LC3 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily welded/weld-repaired with low-hydrogen 3.5Ni consumables (E8018-C1/ENiCrMo-type); preheat 100–150 °C for heavy sections and re-heat-treat or PWHT per A352 S1 to restore -101 °C toughness.
What surface finishes work on A352 Grade LC3?
No anodizing; specify shot blast plus epoxy or zinc-rich paint, hot-dip galvanizing, or electroless nickel for corrosion protection in cryogenic-plant service.
Can A352 Grade LC3 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as a sand casting; design for directional solidification with adequate risering and avoid abrupt section changes, then normalize/temper to refine the as-cast grain.
What is the maximum service temperature of A352 Grade LC3?
A352 Grade LC3 is rated for continuous use to about 340°C (644 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does A352 Grade LC3 cost?
A352 Grade LC3 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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 Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Ferritic and Martensitic, for Pressure-Containing Parts, Suitable for Low-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2021)
- ASME BPVC Section II, Part D — Properties (Metric) — 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)
- ASME B16.34 Valves — Flanged, Threaded, and Welding End — ASME (2020)
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.