Steel LCA
UNS J02504 · ASTM A352 Grade LCA
LCA is the lowest-strength low-temperature cast carbon steel of ASTM A352 (UNS J02504), normalized-and-tempered or quenched-and-tempered to about 250 MPa yield, 470 MPa tensile, 30 % elongation and 150 HB (80 HRB).
Reference datasheet — LCA 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 N+T condition
LCA tempers and conditions
LCA is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. N+T 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Standard supply condition for A352 LCA valve and fitting castings; best balance of toughness at -32 °C, machinability and cost. | 250 | 470 | 30 | 150 HB | — |
Normalized | Occasionally supplied for thin, lightly stressed castings; A352 still requires the tempering step for pressure parts, so use only where the purchase spec permits. | 260 | 490 | 27 | 156 HB | 10 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Chosen for heavier section castings where a quench refines the structure and lifts low-temperature CVN margin above the -32 °C requirement. | 290 | 505 | 28 | 163 HB | — |
What is LCA?
LCA is the lowest-strength low-temperature cast carbon steel of ASTM A352 (UNS J02504), normalized-and-tempered or quenched-and-tempered to about 250 MPa yield, 470 MPa tensile, 30 % elongation and 150 HB (80 HRB). It is chosen for valve bodies and fittings in cold-service piping that must retain impact toughness down to about -30 °C (impact qualified at -32 °C), and its low carbon content gives excellent weldability. Upper service temperature is around 425 °C and there is no corrosion resistance, so coatings are required; where higher strength is needed at the same low temperature, A352 LCB is the direct step up. LCA has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). LCA has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is LCA used for?
- Low-temperature valve bodies
- Cryogenic piping fittings
- Pressure castings for cold service
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 93% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 94% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
LCA properties
Typical room-temperature values for LCA-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
LCA has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
LCA has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
LCA is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
LCA conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of LCA takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability8
LCA's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. LCA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with LCA
Is LCA easy to machine?
Machines like normalized WCB at ~60 % of AISI 1212; use sharp carbide inserts and expect abrasive scale/sand on unmachined cast surfaces.
Can LCA be welded?
Excellent weldability (C ≤ 0.25 %, low CE); use low-hydrogen E7018/ER70S consumables, preheat 100–150 °C on heavy sections and PWHT ≥ 595 °C to restore -32 °C toughness.
Can LCA be formed, bent or molded?
Sand-cast with generous risers and chills; good fluidity but ~2 % solidification shrinkage, so gate for directional solidification and normalize to break up as-cast dendritic structure.
LCA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cladle analysis | ≤ 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Vresidual; total residuals ≤ 1.00 % | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on LCA?
Not anodizable — shot-blast then epoxy/zinc-rich paint, phosphate, electroless nickel or hot-dip galvanize for atmospheric and cold-service exposure.
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 LCA in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- J02504
- ASTM
- A352 Grade LCA
How much does LCA cost?
LCA 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.
LCA — frequently asked
What is LCA used for?
LCA is typically used for low-temperature valve bodies, cryogenic piping fittings and pressure castings for cold service. In short: cold-service cast steel; most weldable A352 grade; tough to -32 °C.
What is the yield strength of LCA?
LCA has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is LCA easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like normalized WCB at ~60 % of AISI 1212; use sharp carbide inserts and expect abrasive scale/sand on unmachined cast surfaces.
Can LCA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent weldability (C ≤ 0.25 %, low CE); use low-hydrogen E7018/ER70S consumables, preheat 100–150 °C on heavy sections and PWHT ≥ 595 °C to restore -32 °C toughness.
What surface finishes work on LCA?
Not anodizable — shot-blast then epoxy/zinc-rich paint, phosphate, electroless nickel or hot-dip galvanize for atmospheric and cold-service exposure.
Can LCA be formed, bent or molded?
Sand-cast with generous risers and chills; good fluidity but ~2 % solidification shrinkage, so gate for directional solidification and normalize to break up as-cast dendritic structure.
What is the maximum service temperature of LCA?
LCA 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 LCA N+T and LCA-N?
N+T is the default condition — standard supply condition for A352 LCA valve and fitting castings; best balance of toughness at -32 °C, machinability and cost. N: occasionally supplied for thin, lightly stressed castings; A352 still requires the tempering step for pressure parts, so use only where the purchase spec permits. Yield strength is 250 MPa in N+T versus 260 MPa in N.
How much does LCA cost?
LCA 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
- ASTM A352/A352M — Steel Castings, Ferritic and Martensitic, for Pressure-Containing Parts, Suitable for Low-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2023)
- ASME B16.34 — Valves, Flanged, Threaded and Welding End — ASME (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM (1995)
- UNS J02504 alloy record (Metals & Alloys in the Unified Numbering System) — SAE/ASTM (2017)
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.