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Steel E90C-D2 AW-CO2

Finish state

UNS W19230

AW-CO2 = aW-CO₂

Choose when only CO₂ gas is available (common in China); slightly higher strength but somewhat lower toughness and more spatter/silicon islands.

Standard cost $$

Values for the AW-CO2 condition

Other E90C-D2 tempers and conditions

E90C-D2 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at E90C-D2.

Compare all 3 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Post-weld heat treated
Use for pressure-vessel and thick-section work requiring post-weld stress relief — strength drops modestly, ductility and low-temperature toughness improve.5456402511 HRC8 % IACS
AWDefault
As-welded deposit
Standard as-deposited condition with 75–80 % Ar / balance CO₂ shielding — best combination of strength, toughness and low spatter.58067022205 HB—
AW-CO2This page
AW-CO₂
Choose when only CO₂ gas is available (common in China); slightly higher strength but somewhat lower toughness and more spatter/silicon islands.6006902018 HRC7.8 % IACS

What is E90C-D2 AW-CO2?

E90C-D2 AW-CO2 is E90C-D2 supplied in the AW-CO2 condition — choose when only CO₂ gas is available (common in China); slightly higher strength but somewhat lower toughness and more spatter/silicon islands. E90C-D2 AW-CO2 has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). E90C-D2 AW-CO2 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). AW is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW-CO2 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
  • High strength — 600 MPa (87 ksi), better than 77% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
  • High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades

E90C-D2 AW-CO2 properties

Typical room-temperature values for E90C-D2 AW-CO2; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E90C-D2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

E90C-D2 AW-CO2 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,460°C2,660 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,510°C2,750 °F

Mechanical14

E90C-D2 AW-CO2 has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)690 MPa100 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)600 MPa87 ksi
Elongation at Break20%
Reduction in Area50%
Shear Strength430 MPa62.4 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)285 MPa41.3 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)55 J40.6 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell215 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B96 HRB
Hardness, Vickers225 HV

Thermal6

E90C-D2 AW-CO2 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-30°C-22 °F

Electrical3

E90C-D2 AW-CO2 conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity7.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.62 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended13/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo inherent corrosion resistance — rusts in moist air and seawater; requires paint, galvanizing or metallizing. Attacked by acids; adequate in dry, neutral and alkaline environments.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of E90C-D2 AW-CO2 takes about 33 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)33 MJ/kg14,187 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water65 L/kg7.8 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content35%

Manufacturability5

E90C-D2 AW-CO2's machinability is fair (47/100, worse than 58% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability fair (38/100).

MachinabilityFair47/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)52%
WeldabilityExcellent90/100
Formability (cold)Fair38/100
PolishabilityFair45/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with E90C-D2 AW-CO2

Is E90C-D2 easy to machine?

As-deposited beads at ~200 HB machine like normalized Mn-Mo steel — carbide tooling, moderate speeds; expect hard spots at fusion lines and slag/oxide islands that chip inserts.

Can E90C-D2 be welded?

GMAW/metal-cored process with 75–80 % Ar-CO₂ (or 100 % CO₂), DCEP, spray or pulsed transfer; preheat 100–150 °C on thick or high-carbon-equivalent base metal, keep interpass ≤ 250 °C and heat input moderate to protect toughness.

Can E90C-D2 be formed, bent or molded?

Not a wrought product — supplied as spooled wire; deposit shape is set by joint design, and weld metal has limited cold-forming capacity.

What surface finishes work on E90C-D2?

Nearly slag-free deposits need only light brushing of silicon islands; weld metal rusts freely and must be blasted then painted, metallized or galvanized for outdoor service.

E90C-D2 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Cundiluted weld metal analysis per AWS A5.28 D2≤ 0.120.08
Mn1.6 – 2.11.85
Si≤ 0.80.55
Moprimary strengthening addition of the D2 family0.4 – 0.650.5
Niresidual≤ 0.150.05
Crresidual≤ 0.150.05
Vresidual≤ 0.050.01
Cuincludes any copper coating≤ 0.350.1
P≤ 0.030.01
S≤ 0.030.01
Febalance; verify exact limits against the current edition of AWS A5.28/A5.28M and the producer CMTRbalance—

E90C-D2 AW-CO2 — frequently asked

What is E90C-D2 AW-CO2 used for?

E90C-D2 AW-CO2 is typically used for high-strength low-alloy structural steel, heavy equipment fabrication, mining and construction machinery and structural steel repair. In short: economical 90 ksi HSLA filler; near slag-free cored deposit; tougher than plain carbon fillers.

What is the yield strength of E90C-D2 AW-CO2?

E90C-D2 AW-CO2 has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.

Is E90C-D2 AW-CO2 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (47/100, worse than 58% of steel grades). As-deposited beads at ~200 HB machine like normalized Mn-Mo steel — carbide tooling, moderate speeds; expect hard spots at fusion lines and slag/oxide islands that chip inserts.

Can E90C-D2 AW-CO2 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). GMAW/metal-cored process with 75–80 % Ar-CO₂ (or 100 % CO₂), DCEP, spray or pulsed transfer; preheat 100–150 °C on thick or high-carbon-equivalent base metal, keep interpass ≤ 250 °C and heat input moderate to protect toughness.

What surface finishes work on E90C-D2 AW-CO2?

Nearly slag-free deposits need only light brushing of silicon islands; weld metal rusts freely and must be blasted then painted, metallized or galvanized for outdoor service.

Can E90C-D2 AW-CO2 be formed, bent or molded?

Not a wrought product — supplied as spooled wire; deposit shape is set by joint design, and weld metal has limited cold-forming capacity.

What is the maximum service temperature of E90C-D2 AW-CO2?

E90C-D2 AW-CO2 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.

What is the difference between E90C-D2-AW and E90C-D2 PWHT?

AW is the default condition — standard as-deposited condition with 75–80 % Ar / balance CO₂ shielding — best combination of strength, toughness and low spatter. PWHT: use for pressure-vessel and thick-section work requiring post-weld stress relief — strength drops modestly, ductility and low-temperature toughness improve. Yield strength is 580 MPa in AW versus 545 MPa in PWHT.

Sources

  1. AWS A5.28/A5.28M — Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding — American Welding Society (2020)
  2. AWS D1.1/D1.1M Structural Welding Code — Steel — American Welding Society (2020)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. Metal-cored 90 ksi low-alloy wire (D2 type) all-weld-metal data — Lincoln Electric / Hobart / Kobelco (2023)

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.