Steel WC11
GB WC11 · ASTM A217 Grade WC11
WC11 is a silicon-modified 1.25Cr-0.5Mo cast steel in the ASTM A217 family, available N+T, Q+T, annealed or air cooled, with elevated-temperature properties above standard WC6.
Reference datasheet — WC11 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
WC11 tempers and conditions
WC11 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. N+T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Interim softening condition for heavy machining or weld repair; must be re-normalized/tempered before pressure service. | 310 | 520 | 26 | 155 HB | 7.9 % IACS |
Spheroidize annealed | Not a delivery condition under A217 — shown only for foundry-stage reference; properties are non-uniform and unqualified. | 380 | 600 | 14 | 14 HRC | 7.7 % IACS |
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Standard supply condition for pressure-retaining valve and pipe castings; best balance of strength, toughness and creep stability. | 415 | 620 | 22 | 190 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Chosen for heavy-section castings needing uniform properties and higher toughness at the upper end of the strength band. | 470 | 670 | 21 | 205 HB | — |
What is WC11?
WC11 is a silicon-modified 1.25Cr-0.5Mo cast steel in the ASTM A217 family, available N+T, Q+T, annealed or air cooled, with elevated-temperature properties above standard WC6. It is the strongest grade of this WC group at 415 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 22 % elongation and about 190 HB, with service to 565 °C, and is supplied as sand castings for valve bodies and steam fittings. Machinability rates about 55 and weldability about 60, so 200–260 °C preheat and 690–730 °C PWHT are required. Unprotected surfaces rust quickly; WC6 is the more available alternative at lower temperature. WC11 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). WC11 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is WC11 used for?
- Steam valve bodies
- Elevated-temperature pipe fittings
- Power plant pressure castings
- Bypass and control valve bodies
- Pump casings for superheated steam
- Flanged steam line elbows
Advantages
- High service temperature — 565°C (1,049 °F), better than 96% of steel grades
WC11 properties
Typical room-temperature values for WC11-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
WC11 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
WC11 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
WC11 is rated for continuous service to 565°C (1,049 °F). It conducts heat at 40 W/m·K (23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 64% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WC11 conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (16/100), better than 79% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WC11 takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability7
WC11's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability poor (25/100).
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. WC11 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with WC11
Is WC11 easy to machine?
Machines like normalized 4130 — carbide tooling, moderate speeds, expect hard skin and sand inclusions on unmachined cast surfaces.
Can WC11 be welded?
P-No. 4 Cr-Mo: preheat 200–260 °C, low-hydrogen E8018-B2/ER80S-B2 consumables, and PWHT at 690–730 °C.
Can WC11 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand-cast with generous risering; normalize + temper after casting and after any weld repair to restore uniform properties.
WC11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.15 – 0.21 | 0.18 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Sisilicon-modified relative to WC6 | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Cr | 1 – 1.75 | 1.35 |
| Mo | 0.45 – 0.65 | 0.55 |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on WC11?
Shot-blast and paint or apply high-temperature aluminium/zinc-rich coating; no anodizing, and unprotected surfaces rust quickly.
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 WC11 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A217 Grade WC11
How much does WC11 cost?
WC11 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.
WC11 — frequently asked
What is WC11 used for?
WC11 is typically used for steam valve bodies, elevated-temperature pipe fittings, power plant pressure castings, bypass and control valve bodies, pump casings for superheated steam and flanged steam line elbows. In short: strongest WC-series casting; silicon-modified WC6; 565 °C steam service.
What is the yield strength of WC11?
WC11 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is WC11 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like normalized 4130 — carbide tooling, moderate speeds, expect hard skin and sand inclusions on unmachined cast surfaces.
Can WC11 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). P-No. 4 Cr-Mo: preheat 200–260 °C, low-hydrogen E8018-B2/ER80S-B2 consumables, and PWHT at 690–730 °C.
What surface finishes work on WC11?
Shot-blast and paint or apply high-temperature aluminium/zinc-rich coating; no anodizing, and unprotected surfaces rust quickly.
Can WC11 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand-cast with generous risering; normalize + temper after casting and after any weld repair to restore uniform properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of WC11?
WC11 is rated for continuous use to about 565°C (1,049 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between WC11 N+T and WC11-ANN?
N+T is the default condition — standard supply condition for pressure-retaining valve and pipe castings; best balance of strength, toughness and creep stability. ANN: interim softening condition for heavy machining or weld repair; must be re-normalized/tempered before pressure service. Yield strength is 415 MPa in N+T versus 310 MPa in ANN.
How much does WC11 cost?
WC11 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 — Steel Castings, Martensitic Stainless and Alloy, for Pressure-Containing Parts, Suitable for High-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2021)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Material Properties (Metric) — ASME (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 — Steel Founders' Society of America (1995)
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.