Steel A352 Grade LC3 Q+T
Heat-treated state
ASTM A352 Grade LC3 · UNS J31550
Q+T = quenched and tempered
Use for heavy-section castings or when the highest low-temperature CVN margin and uniform properties through thickness are needed.
Values for the Q+T condition
Other A352 Grade LC3 tempers and conditions
A352 Grade LC3 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at A352 Grade LC3.
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 |
Q+TThis page 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 Q+T?
A352 Grade LC3 Q+T is A352 Grade LC3 heat treated to Q+T — use for heavy-section castings or when the highest low-temperature CVN margin and uniform properties through thickness are needed. A352 Grade LC3 Q+T has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). A352 Grade LC3 Q+T 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; Q+T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 13/100, worse than 90% of steel grades
A352 Grade LC3 Q+T properties
Typical room-temperature values for A352 Grade LC3 Q+T; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A352 Grade LC3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A352 Grade LC3 Q+T 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 Q+T has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A352 Grade LC3 Q+T 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 Q+T 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 Q+T 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 Q+T's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability good (68/100); formability not recommended (13/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A352 Grade LC3 Q+T
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.
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.
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 | — |
A352 Grade LC3 Q+T — frequently asked
What is A352 Grade LC3 Q+T used for?
A352 Grade LC3 Q+T 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 Q+T?
A352 Grade LC3 Q+T has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is A352 Grade LC3 Q+T easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% 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 Q+T be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (68/100). 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 Q+T?
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 Q+T 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 Q+T?
A352 Grade LC3 Q+T 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.