Steel E80C-W2
E80C-W2 is a Cu-Ni-Cr alloyed composite metal-cored electrode in the low-alloy flux-cored filler family, formulated to match the atmospheric corrosion resistance and patina color of weathering steels such as ASTM A588 and A242.
Reference datasheet — E80C-W2 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.
E80C-W2 tempers and conditions
E80C-W2 is supplied in one standard condition, PWHT.
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways E80C-W2 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
AW-C1Default | As Welded | Surface finish |
AW-M21 | As Welded | Surface finish |
What is E80C-W2?
E80C-W2 is a Cu-Ni-Cr alloyed composite metal-cored electrode in the low-alloy flux-cored filler family, formulated to match the atmospheric corrosion resistance and patina color of weathering steels such as ASTM A588 and A242. Deposits give 505 MPa yield, 600 MPa tensile, 25 % elongation and about 185 HB, suiting bridges and exposed architectural steelwork left unpainted. Corrosion resistance is moderate (score 30) — it patinas rather than resists like stainless. Single-pass welds on weathering steel can be made with plain carbon wire, so W2 is reserved for multipass exposed joints where color match matters. E80C-W2 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). E80C-W2 has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is E80C-W2 used for?
- Weathering steel bridges
- Exposed structural steel
- Architectural weathering steel
- Rail car construction
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 30/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 77% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
E80C-W2 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E80C-W2 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical13
E80C-W2 has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
E80C-W2 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 40 W/m·K (23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 64% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E80C-W2 conducts electricity at 7.2 % IACS, worse than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), better than 95% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E80C-W2 takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
E80C-W2's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. E80C-W2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E80C-W2
Is E80C-W2 easy to machine?
As-deposited ~185 HB weld metal machines like normalized 4130 — carbide tools, moderate speeds; grind flush before NDT if required.
Can E80C-W2 be welded?
Run DCEP with 100 % CO₂ or 75–80 % Ar/CO₂, 20–30 L/min; keep preheat/interpass per A588 thickness (typ. 20–110 °C) and interpass ≤250 °C; single-pass welds on weathering steel may be made with plain carbon wire, multipass exposed joints should use W2 for color/corrosion match.
Can E80C-W2 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product — deposit shape is set by joint design; avoid heavy cold straightening of finished welds.
E80C-W2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cweld metal analysis, AWS A5.29 | ≤ 0.12 | 0.06 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 1.3 | 1.05 |
| Si | 0.35 – 0.8 | 0.55 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Ni | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Cr | 0.45 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Cugives the weathering/patina behaviour | 0.3 – 0.75 | 0.5 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| V | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E80C-W2?
Leave bare so the weld patinas with the A588/Q355NH base metal, or blast and paint the whole assembly; do not grind bright and leave a mixed surface, as patina color match then takes longer.
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 E80C-W2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- AWS E80C-W2AWS E55C-W2
How much does E80C-W2 cost?
E80C-W2 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
E80C-W2 — frequently asked
What is E80C-W2 used for?
E80C-W2 is typically used for weathering steel bridges, exposed structural steel, architectural weathering steel and rail car construction. In short: weathering steel color match; cu-Ni-Cr patina deposit; for exposed multipass joints.
What is the yield strength of E80C-W2?
E80C-W2 has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 65% of steel grades.
Is E80C-W2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). As-deposited ~185 HB weld metal machines like normalized 4130 — carbide tools, moderate speeds; grind flush before NDT if required.
Can E80C-W2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Run DCEP with 100 % CO₂ or 75–80 % Ar/CO₂, 20–30 L/min; keep preheat/interpass per A588 thickness (typ. 20–110 °C) and interpass ≤250 °C; single-pass welds on weathering steel may be made with plain carbon wire, multipass exposed joints should use W2 for color/corrosion match.
What surface finishes work on E80C-W2?
Leave bare so the weld patinas with the A588/Q355NH base metal, or blast and paint the whole assembly; do not grind bright and leave a mixed surface, as patina color match then takes longer.
Can E80C-W2 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product — deposit shape is set by joint design; avoid heavy cold straightening of finished welds.
What is the maximum service temperature of E80C-W2?
E80C-W2 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does E80C-W2 cost?
E80C-W2 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), 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
- AWS A5.29/A5.29M — Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding — American Welding Society (2010)
- AWS A5.36/A5.36M — Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Flux Cored Electrodes (open classification) — American Welding Society (2016)
- ASTM A588/A588M — High-Strength Low-Alloy Structural Steel with Atmospheric Corrosion Resistance — ASTM (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (weathering steels) — ASM International (2005)
- Weathering-steel cored wire datasheets (Lincoln Electric, ESAB, Hobart, / ) — various (2023)
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.