Steel LCA-N (Normalized)
Heat-treated state
UNS J02504 · ASTM A352 Grade LCA
Occasionally supplied for thin, lightly stressed castings; A352 still requires the tempering step for pressure parts, so use only where the purchase spec permits.
Values for the N condition
Other LCA tempers and conditions
LCA is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at LCA.
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 | — |
NThis page 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-N?
LCA-N is LCA heat treated to 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. LCA-N has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). LCA-N 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). N+T is the default condition FabDigit quotes; N is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- 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
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 27%, better than 86% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 83/100, better than 82% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), worse than 92% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 18/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 62 MPa·√m (56.4 ksi·√in), worse than 76% of steel grades
LCA-N properties
Typical room-temperature values for LCA-N; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are LCA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
LCA-N 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-N has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
LCA-N 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-N 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-N 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-N's machinability is good (56/100, better than 71% of steel grades); weldability very good (83/100); formability poor (18/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with LCA-N
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.
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.
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 | — |
LCA-N — frequently asked
What is LCA-N used for?
LCA-N 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-N?
LCA-N has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is LCA-N easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (56/100, better than 71% 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-N be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (83/100). 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-N?
Not anodizable — shot-blast then epoxy/zinc-rich paint, phosphate, electroless nickel or hot-dip galvanize for atmospheric and cold-service exposure.
Can LCA-N 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-N?
LCA-N 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.