Steel E90C-B3 PWHT
Heat-treated state · default condition
UNS W53030
PWHT = post-weld heat treated
Standard as-supplied qualification condition and the normal service condition for 2.25Cr-1Mo piping and vessel welds.
Values for the PWHT condition
Other E90C-B3 tempers and conditions
E90C-B3 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at E90C-B3.
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 |
PWHTDefaultThis page 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 PWHT?
E90C-B3 PWHT is E90C-B3 heat treated to PWHT — standard as-supplied qualification condition and the normal service condition for 2.25Cr-1Mo piping and vessel welds. E90C-B3 PWHT 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). E90C-B3 PWHT 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).
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 PWHT properties
Typical room-temperature values for E90C-B3 PWHT; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E90C-B3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E90C-B3 PWHT 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 PWHT 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 PWHT 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 PWHT 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 PWHT 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 PWHT'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E90C-B3 PWHT
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.
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.
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 | — |
E90C-B3 PWHT — frequently asked
What is E90C-B3 PWHT used for?
E90C-B3 PWHT 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 PWHT?
E90C-B3 PWHT 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 PWHT 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 PWHT 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 PWHT?
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 PWHT 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 PWHT?
E90C-B3 PWHT 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.