Steel A352 Grade LC4
ASTM A352 Grade LC4 · UNS J41500
ASTM A352 Grade LC4 is a 4-1/2% nickel alloy steel casting (UNS J41500) for cryogenic pressure-containing components that must stay tough at very low service temperatures.
Reference datasheet — A352 Grade LC4 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 LC4 tempers and conditions
A352 Grade LC4 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. N+T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normalized, tempered and post-weld stress relieved | Condition after weld repair or fabrication welding; stress relief below the tempering temperature preserves cryogenic toughness. | 320 | 525 | 30 | 165 HB | 4.9 % IACS |
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Standard supply condition for LC4 valve and pump castings; best balance of -115 °C toughness, ductility and cost. | 330 | 540 | 30 | 170 HB | — |
Double normalized and tempered | Specified when extra grain refinement is needed to pass -115 °C Charpy in thick or weld-repaired castings. | 345 | 550 | 31 | 172 HB | 4.9 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Chosen for heavy-section castings where quenching restores uniform low-temperature impact energy and higher yield strength. | 380 | 585 | 28 | 185 HB | 4.9 % IACS |
What is A352 Grade LC4?
ASTM A352 Grade LC4 is a 4-1/2% nickel alloy steel casting (UNS J41500) for cryogenic pressure-containing components that must stay tough at very low service temperatures. Typical properties are 330 MPa yield, 540 MPa tensile, 30% elongation and about 170 HB, with impact qualification to roughly -115 °C; conditions on file include N+T, Q+T, DN+T and N+T+SR. Maximum service temperature is 340 °C and the alloy offers no corrosion resistance of its own. LC3 is the cheaper choice when -101 °C is enough; LC9 covers colder duty. A352 Grade LC4 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 LC4 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 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 LC4 used for?
- Cryogenic vessel fittings
- Low-temperature valve bodies
- LNG and ethane plant piping components
- Refrigerated pump and compressor casings
- Cold-service flanges and bonnets
- Air-separation plant pressure fittings
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 150 MPa·√m (136.5 ksi·√in), better than 96% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 93% of steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
- Low strength — 330 MPa (47.9 ksi), worse than 78% of steel grades
A352 Grade LC4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A352 Grade LC4-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A352 Grade LC4 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 LC4 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
A352 Grade LC4 is rated for continuous service to 340°C (644 °F). It conducts heat at 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.3 µm/m·K (6.28 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
A352 Grade LC4 has an electrical resistivity of 3.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A352 Grade LC4 takes about 33 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability7
A352 Grade LC4's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability poor (20/100).
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 LC4 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A352 Grade LC4
Is A352 Grade LC4 easy to machine?
Machines like a 4-5% Ni low-alloy steel at ~60% of 1212; use rigid setups, sharp carbide and moderate speeds because the tough austenitizing-free matrix work-hardens and gums at low feeds.
Can A352 Grade LC4 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/GTAW using nickel-alloy or matching consumables, 100–150 °C preheat, controlled interpass and PWHT below the tempering temperature to protect -115 °C impact values.
Can A352 Grade LC4 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand-cast with generous risering and controlled pouring temperature; gray-to-fine microstructure requires normalizing to break up as-cast dendritic structure before impact testing.
A352 Grade LC4 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 | 0.4 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Niprincipal cryogenic toughness addition | 4 – 5 | 4.5 |
| Fe | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on A352 Grade LC4?
No inherent corrosion resistance — shot blast and apply epoxy/zinc-rich primer or insulate; can be electroless nickel or hard-chrome plated on seating surfaces.
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 LC4 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- J41500
How much does A352 Grade LC4 cost?
A352 Grade LC4 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 LC4 — frequently asked
What is A352 Grade LC4 used for?
A352 Grade LC4 is typically used for cryogenic vessel fittings, low-temperature valve bodies, LNG and ethane plant piping components, refrigerated pump and compressor casings, cold-service flanges and bonnets and air-separation plant pressure fittings. In short: 4-1/2% Ni cryogenic casting; tough to about -115 °C; between LC3 and LC9.
What is the yield strength of A352 Grade LC4?
A352 Grade LC4 has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is A352 Grade LC4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like a 4-5% Ni low-alloy steel at ~60% of 1212; use rigid setups, sharp carbide and moderate speeds because the tough austenitizing-free matrix work-hardens and gums at low feeds.
Can A352 Grade LC4 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/GTAW using nickel-alloy or matching consumables, 100–150 °C preheat, controlled interpass and PWHT below the tempering temperature to protect -115 °C impact values.
What surface finishes work on A352 Grade LC4?
No inherent corrosion resistance — shot blast and apply epoxy/zinc-rich primer or insulate; can be electroless nickel or hard-chrome plated on seating surfaces.
Can A352 Grade LC4 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand-cast with generous risering and controlled pouring temperature; gray-to-fine microstructure requires normalizing to break up as-cast dendritic structure before impact testing.
What is the maximum service temperature of A352 Grade LC4?
A352 Grade LC4 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 LC4 cost?
A352 Grade LC4 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 Steel Castings, Ferritic and Martensitic, for Pressure-Containing Parts, Suitable for Low-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2018)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Material 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)
- ASME B31.3 Process Piping — Low Temperature Material Requirements — ASME (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.