Steel E90C-K3
E90C-K3 is a Ni-Cr-Mo alloyed composite cored electrode giving roughly 90 ksi tensile weld metal for quenched-and-tempered higher-strength structural steels.
Reference datasheet — E90C-K3 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 AW condition
E90C-K3 tempers and conditions
E90C-K3 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. AW 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Post-weld heat treated | Apply post-weld stress relief at 605–620 °C for 1 h on thick-wall joints needing dimensional stability and toughness; check that the softened 545 MPa yield still meets the 90 ksi class. | 545 | 640 | 25 | 14 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
As-welded, 100 % CO₂ shielding | Choose 100 % CO₂ shielding to lower cost when slightly reduced alloy recovery is acceptable; as-welded strength falls to 580 MPa yield and low-temperature impact values drop. | 580 | 660 | 21 | 18 HRC | 8 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Use the as-welded, M21 mixed-gas all-weld-metal condition tested to AWS A5.28 as the standard supply and acceptance state for most high-strength steel structural welds. | 610 | 690 | 22 | 20 HRC | — |
What is E90C-K3?
E90C-K3 is a Ni-Cr-Mo alloyed composite cored electrode giving roughly 90 ksi tensile weld metal for quenched-and-tempered higher-strength structural steels. It is selected when low-temperature toughness matters, with 610 MPa yield, 690 MPa tensile, 22 % elongation and 220 HB (20 HRC), supplied as spooled cored wire for semi-automatic and robotic welding. Maximum service temperature is 400 °C and machinability is moderate (score 40). The deposit is not corrosion resistant and must be coated; E90C-D2 is the lower-alloy, lower-cost alternative where notch toughness is less critical. E90C-K3 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-K3 has a yield strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is E90C-K3 used for?
- High-strength structural steel
- Offshore platform fabrication
- Heavy machinery frames
- Pressure vessel repair
Advantages
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 79% of steel grades
- High strength — 610 MPa (88.5 ksi), better than 77% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
E90C-K3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for E90C-K3-AW; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E90C-K3 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).
Mechanical15
E90C-K3 has a yield strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
E90C-K3 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 38 W/m·K (22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E90C-K3 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E90C-K3 takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
E90C-K3's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); 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-K3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E90C-K3
Is E90C-K3 easy to machine?
As-welded deposit is about 200–230 HB and cuts with coated carbide tooling; set cutting speeds as for quenched-and-tempered 4140. Machinability improves slightly after PWHT.
Can E90C-K3 be welded?
GMAW with metal-cored wire under M21 shielding (75–80 % Ar + CO₂) or straight CO₂, spray or pulsed transfer. On Q&T high-strength steel preheat 100–150 °C according to base-metal carbon equivalent, keep interpass ≤250 °C and control heat input to 1.0–2.5 kJ/mm to balance strength and toughness.
Can E90C-K3 be formed, bent or molded?
No forming step applies to a filler metal; feedability is good and deposition rate is higher than solid wire, which suits semi-automatic and robotic welding and multi-pass thick-plate grooves.
E90C-K3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CAWS A5.28 K3 class | ≤ 0.15 | 0.07 |
| Mn | 0.75 – 2.25 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.8 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Ni | 1.25 – 2.6 | 1.9 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Mo | 0.25 – 0.65 | 0.45 |
| V | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Cuincludes copper coating | ≤ 0.35 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E90C-K3?
Remove silicon islands and grind the weld. Finished assemblies must be painted, thermal-sprayed with zinc or plated for corrosion protection; anodizing is not possible.
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-K3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- AWS E90C-K3AWS E62C-K3
How much does E90C-K3 cost?
E90C-K3 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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-K3 — frequently asked
What is E90C-K3 used for?
E90C-K3 is typically used for high-strength structural steel, offshore platform fabrication, heavy machinery frames and pressure vessel repair. In short: best low-temperature toughness here; ni-Cr-Mo 90 ksi deposit; high deposition cored wire.
What is the yield strength of E90C-K3?
E90C-K3 has a typical yield strength of 610 MPa (88.5 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-K3 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades). As-welded deposit is about 200–230 HB and cuts with coated carbide tooling; set cutting speeds as for quenched-and-tempered 4140. Machinability improves slightly after PWHT.
Can E90C-K3 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). GMAW with metal-cored wire under M21 shielding (75–80 % Ar + CO₂) or straight CO₂, spray or pulsed transfer. On Q&T high-strength steel preheat 100–150 °C according to base-metal carbon equivalent, keep interpass ≤250 °C and control heat input to 1.0–2.5 kJ/mm to balance strength and toughness.
What surface finishes work on E90C-K3?
Remove silicon islands and grind the weld. Finished assemblies must be painted, thermal-sprayed with zinc or plated for corrosion protection; anodizing is not possible.
Can E90C-K3 be formed, bent or molded?
No forming step applies to a filler metal; feedability is good and deposition rate is higher than solid wire, which suits semi-automatic and robotic welding and multi-pass thick-plate grooves.
What is the maximum service temperature of E90C-K3?
E90C-K3 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-K3-AW and E90C-K3 PWHT?
AW is the default condition — use the as-welded, M21 mixed-gas all-weld-metal condition tested to AWS A5.28 as the standard supply and acceptance state for most high-strength steel structural welds. PWHT: apply post-weld stress relief at 605–620 °C for 1 h on thick-wall joints needing dimensional stability and toughness; check that the softened 545 MPa yield still meets the 90 ksi class. Yield strength is 610 MPa in AW versus 545 MPa in PWHT.
How much does E90C-K3 cost?
E90C-K3 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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)
- 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 low-alloy wire datasheets (E90C-K3 class) — Lincoln Electric / ESAB / Kobelco (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.