Steel A352 Grade LC9
ASTM A352 Grade LC9 · UNS J31300
ASTM A352 Grade LC9 is a 9% nickel steel casting (UNS J31300) supplied quenched and tempered, double-normalized and tempered, or Q&T plus PWHT for the coldest A352 service.
Reference datasheet — A352 Grade LC9 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 QT condition
A352 Grade LC9 tempers and conditions
A352 Grade LC9 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. QT 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
quenched and tempered, then post-weld stress relieved after weld repair | Condition of weld-repaired castings re-tempered below the original tempering temperature; expect the low end of the strength band and slight toughness scatter at the weld. | 610 | 875 | 22 | 23 HRC | 3.8 % IACS |
Double normalized and tempered | Alternative A352 route for heavy or complex-section castings where liquid quenching risks distortion or cracking; slightly lower strength, similar cryogenic toughness. | 615 | 880 | 23 | 24 HRC | — |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard supply condition for LNG valve and pump castings; best combination of 125 ksi strength and −196 °C Charpy energy. | 640 | 900 | 22 | 26 HRC | — |
What is A352 Grade LC9?
ASTM A352 Grade LC9 is a 9% nickel steel casting (UNS J31300) supplied quenched and tempered, double-normalized and tempered, or Q&T plus PWHT for the coldest A352 service. It delivers 640 MPa yield, 900 MPa tensile and 22% elongation at about 260 HB (26 HRC), with toughness down to roughly -320 °F, which is why it is specified for LNG valve bodies and pipeline fittings. Machinability (38) and weldability (45) are the lowest in the A352 family, nickel-base fillers are required, and maximum service temperature is 340 °C. LC3 or LC4 is adequate and cheaper above about -115 °C. A352 Grade LC9 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,440°C (2,624 °F). A352 Grade LC9 has a yield strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi).
What is A352 Grade LC9 used for?
- LNG storage/pipeline fittings
- cryogenic valve bodies
- gas processing equipment
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 145 MPa·√m (132 ksi·√in), better than 95% of steel grades
- High strength — 640 MPa (92.8 ksi), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 2.7 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 29 W/m·K (16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 84% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
A352 Grade LC9 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A352 Grade LC9-QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A352 Grade LC9 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,440°C (2,624 °F).
Mechanical16
A352 Grade LC9 has a yield strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi).
Thermal6
A352 Grade LC9 is rated for continuous service to 340°C (644 °F). It conducts heat at 29 W/m·K (16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 84% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.3 µm/m·K (5.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
A352 Grade LC9 has an electrical resistivity of 4.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (16/100), better than 79% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A352 Grade LC9 takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.7 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
A352 Grade LC9's machinability is fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); 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 LC9 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A352 Grade LC9
Is A352 Grade LC9 easy to machine?
Machine like a 260 HB Q&T alloy steel: rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speed with generous coolant; the material work-hardens and produces tough, stringy chips.
Can A352 Grade LC9 be welded?
Weld with low heat input using nickel-base fillers (ENiCrMo-6 / ERNiCrMo-3-type) to preserve cryogenic toughness; keep interpass temperature low, avoid magnetic arc blow, and re-temper below the original tempering temperature if PWHT is required.
Can A352 Grade LC9 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand or investment castings — design generous fillets and directional solidification, and expect a double normalize/quench plus temper cycle with dimensional allowance for distortion.
A352 Grade LC9 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 | ≤ 0.13 | 0.08 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Si | ≤ 0.45 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Niprincipal alloying element for cryogenic toughness | 8.5 – 10 | 9 |
| Crresidual element limit | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Moresidual element limit | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Curesidual element limit | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Vresidual element limit | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on A352 Grade LC9?
No inherent corrosion resistance: shot blast then epoxy or metallize exterior surfaces; machined sealing faces can be polished or hard-faced, and plating is possible with normal low-alloy-steel hydrogen-bake precautions.
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 LC9 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- J31300
How much does A352 Grade LC9 cost?
A352 Grade LC9 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 LC9 — frequently asked
What is A352 Grade LC9 used for?
A352 Grade LC9 is typically used for LNG storage/pipeline fittings, cryogenic valve bodies and gas processing equipment. In short: coldest A352 cast grade; tough to about -320 °F; highest strength, lowest machinability.
What is the yield strength of A352 Grade LC9?
A352 Grade LC9 has a typical yield strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is A352 Grade LC9 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades). Machine like a 260 HB Q&T alloy steel: rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speed with generous coolant; the material work-hardens and produces tough, stringy chips.
Can A352 Grade LC9 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weld with low heat input using nickel-base fillers (ENiCrMo-6 / ERNiCrMo-3-type) to preserve cryogenic toughness; keep interpass temperature low, avoid magnetic arc blow, and re-temper below the original tempering temperature if PWHT is required.
What surface finishes work on A352 Grade LC9?
No inherent corrosion resistance: shot blast then epoxy or metallize exterior surfaces; machined sealing faces can be polished or hard-faced, and plating is possible with normal low-alloy-steel hydrogen-bake precautions.
Can A352 Grade LC9 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand or investment castings — design generous fillets and directional solidification, and expect a double normalize/quench plus temper cycle with dimensional allowance for distortion.
What is the maximum service temperature of A352 Grade LC9?
A352 Grade LC9 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.
What is the difference between A352 Grade LC9-QT and A352 Grade LC9-DNT?
QT is the default condition — standard supply condition for LNG valve and pump castings; best combination of 125 ksi strength and −196 °C Charpy energy. DNT: alternative A352 route for heavy or complex-section castings where liquid quenching risks distortion or cracking; slightly lower strength, similar cryogenic toughness. Yield strength is 640 MPa in QT versus 615 MPa in DNT.
How much does A352 Grade LC9 cost?
A352 Grade LC9 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 (2023)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Properties (Metric), 9Ni steel allowable stresses and physical properties — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (9 % Ni cryogenic steels) — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM (1995)
- ASTM E140 — Standard Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals — ASTM International (2019)
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.