Steel LCB
UNS J03003 · ASTM A352 Grade LCB
LCB is the higher-strength low-temperature cast carbon steel of ASTM A352 (UNS J03003), supplied normalized-and-tempered or quenched-and-tempered at about 285 MPa yield, 500 MPa tensile, 28 % elongation and 150 HB (80 HRB).
Reference datasheet — LCB 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
LCB tempers and conditions
LCB is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. N+T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Standard supply condition for A352 LCB valve and fitting castings; best balance of strength, toughness at -46 °C and weld-repairability. | 285 | 500 | 28 | 150 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Choose for heavy-section castings or when higher yield strength and better low-temperature CVN margin at -46 °C are required. | 340 | 545 | 27 | 165 HB | — |
What is LCB?
LCB is the higher-strength low-temperature cast carbon steel of ASTM A352 (UNS J03003), supplied normalized-and-tempered or quenched-and-tempered at about 285 MPa yield, 500 MPa tensile, 28 % elongation and 150 HB (80 HRB). It is used for valve bodies, pump casings and pressure fittings that must stay tough at sub-zero temperature while carrying more load than LCA, with impact qualification at -46 °C. Machinability is moderate (about 58 % of AISI 1212), there is no corrosion resistance, and the maximum service temperature is around 425 °C; step down to LCA when strength is not critical, or to A216 WCB for ambient-temperature service. LCB has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). LCB has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is LCB used for?
- Low-temperature valve bodies
- Pump casings for cold service
- Cryogenic pressure fittings
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 82/100, better than 81% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 285 MPa (41.3 ksi), worse than 89% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
LCB properties
Typical room-temperature values for LCB-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
LCB has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
LCB has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
LCB is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
LCB 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 LCB takes about 28 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability7
LCB's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability very good (82/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. LCB is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with LCB
Is LCB easy to machine?
Machines like normalized 1025–1030 cast steel (~65 % of AISI 1212); use sharp carbide inserts and rigid setups, watch for hard spots and sand inclusions near as-cast skin.
Can LCB be welded?
Readily weldable by SMAW/GTAW/FCAW with low-hydrogen E7018-type or ER70S consumables; preheat 100–150 °C on heavy sections and post-weld heat treat per A352 to restore -46 °C toughness.
Can LCB be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand/investment castings — design generous radii, directional solidification and risering; cold forming is not applicable.
LCB 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax per ASTM A352 LCB | ≤ 0.3 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.8 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | |
| 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 LCB?
No natural corrosion resistance — shot-blast then epoxy/zinc-rich paint, galvanize or electroless-nickel plate; machined sealing faces may be overlaid with stainless or Stellite.
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 LCB in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- J03003
- ASTM
- A352 Grade LCB
How much does LCB cost?
LCB is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
LCB — frequently asked
What is LCB used for?
LCB is typically used for low-temperature valve bodies, pump casings for cold service and cryogenic pressure fittings. In short: stronger than LCA; impact qualified at -46 °C; weldable cold-service casting.
What is the yield strength of LCB?
LCB has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is LCB easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like normalized 1025–1030 cast steel (~65 % of AISI 1212); use sharp carbide inserts and rigid setups, watch for hard spots and sand inclusions near as-cast skin.
Can LCB be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (82/100). Readily weldable by SMAW/GTAW/FCAW with low-hydrogen E7018-type or ER70S consumables; preheat 100–150 °C on heavy sections and post-weld heat treat per A352 to restore -46 °C toughness.
What surface finishes work on LCB?
No natural corrosion resistance — shot-blast then epoxy/zinc-rich paint, galvanize or electroless-nickel plate; machined sealing faces may be overlaid with stainless or Stellite.
Can LCB be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand/investment castings — design generous radii, directional solidification and risering; cold forming is not applicable.
What is the maximum service temperature of LCB?
LCB is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does LCB cost?
LCB is a standard-cost steel ($$), 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 BPVC Section II Part D — Properties (Metric) — ASME (2023)
- Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM (1995)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- UNS J03003 alloy record — SAE/ASTM Unified Numbering System (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.