Steel E90C-D2 PWHT
Heat-treated state
UNS W19230
PWHT = 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.
Values for the PWHT 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PWHTThis page 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. | 545 | 640 | 25 | 11 HRC | 8 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Standard as-deposited condition with 75–80 % Ar / balance CO₂ shielding — best combination of strength, toughness and low spatter. | 580 | 670 | 22 | 205 HB | — |
AW-CO₂ | Choose when only CO₂ gas is available (common in China); slightly higher strength but somewhat lower toughness and more spatter/silicon islands. | 600 | 690 | 20 | 18 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
What is E90C-D2 PWHT?
E90C-D2 PWHT is E90C-D2 heat treated to PWHT — use for pressure-vessel and thick-section work requiring post-weld stress relief — strength drops modestly, ductility and low-temperature toughness improve. E90C-D2 PWHT has a yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). E90C-D2 PWHT 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; PWHT is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% 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
- High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades
E90C-D2 PWHT properties
Typical room-temperature values for E90C-D2 PWHT; 23 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 PWHT 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).
Mechanical14
E90C-D2 PWHT has a yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
E90C-D2 PWHT is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 43 W/m·K (24.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 51% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E90C-D2 PWHT conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E90C-D2 PWHT takes about 33 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability5
E90C-D2 PWHT's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E90C-D2 PWHT
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Cundiluted weld metal analysis per AWS A5.28 D2 | ≤ 0.12 | 0.08 |
| Mn | 1.6 – 2.1 | 1.85 |
| Si | ≤ 0.8 | 0.55 |
| Moprimary strengthening addition of the D2 family | 0.4 – 0.65 | 0.5 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Vresidual | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Cuincludes any copper coating | ≤ 0.35 | 0.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Febalance; verify exact limits against the current edition of AWS A5.28/A5.28M and the producer CMTR | balance | — |
E90C-D2 PWHT — frequently asked
What is E90C-D2 PWHT used for?
E90C-D2 PWHT 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 PWHT?
E90C-D2 PWHT has a typical yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is E90C-D2 PWHT easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% 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 PWHT 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 PWHT?
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 PWHT 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 PWHT?
E90C-D2 PWHT is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °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
- AWS A5.28/A5.28M — Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Rods for Gas Shielded Arc Welding — American Welding Society (2020)
- AWS D1.1/D1.1M Structural Welding Code — Steel — American Welding Society (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- 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.