Steel WC1
GB WC1 · ASTM A217 Grade WC1
WC1 is a carbon–0.5Mo cast steel covered by the ASTM A217 family, supplied normalized and tempered, annealed and tempered, or quenched and tempered.
Reference datasheet — WC1 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
WC1 tempers and conditions
WC1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full annealed and tempered | Pick when maximum dimensional stability, lowest residual stress and easiest machining of a thick, complex casting matter more than strength. | 275 | 480 | 31 | 149 HB | — |
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Standard supply condition for A217 WC1 valve/pump bodies and steam piping castings: good strength/toughness balance with stable elevated-temperature properties. | 305 | 520 | 28 | 160 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Choose for heavy-section castings needing the highest and most uniform strength plus better low-temperature toughness within the WC1 chemistry. | 360 | 570 | 26 | 180 HB | — |
What is WC1?
WC1 is a carbon–0.5Mo cast steel covered by the ASTM A217 family, supplied normalized and tempered, annealed and tempered, or quenched and tempered. Engineers use it for pressure-retaining sand castings — valve bodies, pump casings and piping fittings — where plain carbon steel loses creep strength; the default condition gives 305 MPa yield, 520 MPa tensile, 28 % elongation and about 160 HB (84 HRB). Service is limited to roughly 455 °C and the alloy has no corrosion resistance, so coating or overlay is required. Machinability rates about 58 and weldability about 70, the highest of the WC series; WC6 is the next step up for temperature. WC1 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). WC1 has a yield strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is WC1 used for?
- Valve bodies
- Pump casings
- Steam piping fittings
- Petrochemical pressure parts
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 455°C (851 °F), better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 305 MPa (44.2 ksi), worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
WC1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for WC1-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
WC1 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).
Mechanical16
WC1 has a yield strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
WC1 is rated for continuous service to 455°C (851 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WC1 conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, better than 63% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WC1 takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability7
WC1's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); 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. WC1 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with WC1
Is WC1 easy to machine?
Machines like a 0.20 %C low-alloy steel at ~60 % of 1212; use rigid setups and sharp carbide, and expect abrasive scale/sand on unblasted as-cast surfaces.
Can WC1 be welded?
P-No.3 material — weld with E7018-A1/ER80S-D2 class consumables, preheat 100–150 °C and apply PWHT at 620–680 °C to restore toughness and relieve stress.
Can WC1 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand castings; good fluidity but high solidification shrinkage, so generous risering and directional solidification are required.
WC1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A217 max | ≤ 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Mocreep-strengthening addition | 0.45 – 0.65 | 0.55 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.35 | 0.15 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Vresidual; total residuals ≤1.00 % | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Wresidual | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on WC1?
Not anodizable; protect with shot blast plus epoxy/alkyd paint, zinc metallizing or electroless nickel for aqueous service, and machine sealing faces for gaskets.
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 WC1 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A217 Grade WC1
How much does WC1 cost?
WC1 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
WC1 — frequently asked
What is WC1 used for?
WC1 is typically used for valve bodies, pump casings, steam piping fittings and petrochemical pressure parts. In short: most weldable A217 grade; lowest-alloy WC casting; carbon-moly creep entry point.
What is the yield strength of WC1?
WC1 has a typical yield strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 84% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is WC1 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like a 0.20 %C low-alloy steel at ~60 % of 1212; use rigid setups and sharp carbide, and expect abrasive scale/sand on unblasted as-cast surfaces.
Can WC1 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). P-No.3 material — weld with E7018-A1/ER80S-D2 class consumables, preheat 100–150 °C and apply PWHT at 620–680 °C to restore toughness and relieve stress.
What surface finishes work on WC1?
Not anodizable; protect with shot blast plus epoxy/alkyd paint, zinc metallizing or electroless nickel for aqueous service, and machine sealing faces for gaskets.
Can WC1 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand castings; good fluidity but high solidification shrinkage, so generous risering and directional solidification are required.
What is the maximum service temperature of WC1?
WC1 is rated for continuous use to about 455°C (851 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does WC1 cost?
WC1 is a standard-cost steel ($$), 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 A217/A217M Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Martensitic Stainless and Alloy, for Pressure-Containing Parts, Suitable for High-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2021)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Materials, Properties — ASME (2023)
- 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)
- ASME B31.1 Power Piping (graphitization guidance for C-1/2Mo) — ASME (2022)
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.