Steel E90C-B3
UNS W53030
E90C-B3 is a standard-carbon 2.25Cr-1Mo composite (cored) electrode, UNS W53030, from the AWS low-alloy cored-wire family and supplied as spooled cored wire.
Reference datasheet — E90C-B3 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 PWHT condition
E90C-B3 tempers and conditions
E90C-B3 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. PWHT 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
extended subcritical stress relief, 705 °C / 8 h (heavy-wall vessel simulation) | Choose when the fabrication PWHT cycle is long or repeated (heavy-wall reactors); strength drops toward the low end but toughness and hardness are best. | 540 | 640 | 25 | 11 HRC | 8 % IACS |
PWHTDefault Post-weld heat treated | Standard as-supplied qualification condition and the normal service condition for 2.25Cr-1Mo piping and vessel welds. | 590 | 690 | 22 | 205 HB | — |
As-welded deposit | Only for temporary/non-code work or root passes before PWHT — hard, low-toughness bainitic-martensitic deposit prone to hydrogen cracking. | 760 | 880 | 15 | 33 HRC | — |
What is E90C-B3?
E90C-B3 is a standard-carbon 2.25Cr-1Mo composite (cored) electrode, UNS W53030, from the AWS low-alloy cored-wire family and supplied as spooled cored wire. It is used for higher-strength chromium-molybdenum piping, headers and pressure vessels operating up to 565 °C, where the post-weld heat treated deposit provides 590 MPa yield, 690 MPa tensile, 22 % elongation and about 205 HB. Post-weld heat treatment is mandatory: the as-welded deposit runs 300–350 HB and must not be left in that condition for code service. The deposit has no atmospheric corrosion resistance (corrosion score 18) and requires coating; for creep-strength-enhanced 9Cr base metals use E90C-B9 instead. E90C-B3 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). E90C-B3 has a yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is E90C-B3 used for?
- 2.25Cr-1Mo reactor vessels
- Power plant piping
- Hydrocracker equipment
- Refinery process vessels
Advantages
- High service temperature — 565°C (1,049 °F), better than 96% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- High strength — 590 MPa (85.6 ksi), better than 76% of steel grades
E90C-B3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for E90C-B3-PWHT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E90C-B3 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical16
E90C-B3 has a yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
E90C-B3 is rated for continuous service to 565°C (1,049 °F). It conducts heat at 37 W/m·K (21.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 71% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.4 µm/m·K (6.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E90C-B3 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), better than 83% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E90C-B3 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
E90C-B3's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); 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. E90C-B3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E90C-B3
Is E90C-B3 easy to machine?
Machine or grind weld caps after PWHT (≈200 HB); as-welded deposit at 300–350 HB needs carbide tooling and low feeds.
Can E90C-B3 be welded?
Gas-shielded (75-80 % Ar/CO₂ or 100 % CO₂ per classification) spray or pulsed transfer; preheat/interpass 200–250 °C, keep hydrogen low, and PWHT 690–720 °C — never leave the joint in the as-welded state for code service.
Can E90C-B3 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form; the consumable itself is drawn wire — control feedability and avoid crushed/kinked liners with cored wire.
E90C-B3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cstandard-carbon B3 (vs. L-grade ≤0.05) | 0.05 – 0.12 | 0.09 |
| Mnweld-metal analysis for composite electrodes | 0.4 – 1.25 | 0.7 |
| Si | 0.25 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Cr | 2.3 – 2.7 | 2.4 |
| Mo | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Nirestricted for temper-embrittlement control | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Cuincludes copper coating | ≤ 0.35 | 0.1 |
| Plow P for X-factor control | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E90C-B3?
Wire-brush/grind and blast to remove oxide before painting or aluminising; cannot be anodized and offers no atmospheric corrosion protection uncoated.
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 E90C-B3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- W53030
- Also called
- AWS E90C-B3AWS E62C-B3
How much does E90C-B3 cost?
E90C-B3 is a high-cost steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
E90C-B3 — frequently asked
What is E90C-B3 used for?
E90C-B3 is typically used for 2.25Cr-1Mo reactor vessels, power plant piping, hydrocracker equipment and refinery process vessels. In short: creep-resistant Cr-Mo deposit; 565 °C service capability; PWHT mandatory for code work.
What is the yield strength of E90C-B3?
E90C-B3 has a typical yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 76% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is E90C-B3 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine or grind weld caps after PWHT (≈200 HB); as-welded deposit at 300–350 HB needs carbide tooling and low feeds.
Can E90C-B3 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Gas-shielded (75-80 % Ar/CO₂ or 100 % CO₂ per classification) spray or pulsed transfer; preheat/interpass 200–250 °C, keep hydrogen low, and PWHT 690–720 °C — never leave the joint in the as-welded state for code service.
What surface finishes work on E90C-B3?
Wire-brush/grind and blast to remove oxide before painting or aluminising; cannot be anodized and offers no atmospheric corrosion protection uncoated.
Can E90C-B3 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form; the consumable itself is drawn wire — control feedability and avoid crushed/kinked liners with cored wire.
What is the maximum service temperature of E90C-B3?
E90C-B3 is rated for continuous use to about 565°C (1,049 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between E90C-B3 PWHT and E90C-B3-AW?
PWHT is the default condition — standard as-supplied qualification condition and the normal service condition for 2.25Cr-1Mo piping and vessel welds. AW: only for temporary/non-code work or root passes before PWHT — hard, low-toughness bainitic-martensitic deposit prone to hydrogen cracking. Yield strength is 590 MPa in PWHT versus 760 MPa in AW.
How much does E90C-B3 cost?
E90C-B3 is a high-cost steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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 A5.28/A5.28M — Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding — American Welding Society (2020)
- ASME BPVC Section II, Part C (SFA-5.28) and Part D (2.25Cr-1Mo physical properties) — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (Cr-Mo steel weldments) — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels (2.25Cr-1Mo) — ASM International (1990)
- Metal-cored 2.25Cr-1Mo wire datasheets (Lincoln Electric, Böhler Welding, Kobelco) — various (2023)
- API RP 941 — Steels for Hydrogen Service at Elevated Temperatures — API (2016)
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.