Steel WC4
GB WC4 · ASTM A217 Grade WC4
WC4 is a nickel–chromium–molybdenum low-alloy cast steel in the ASTM A217 family, supplied normalized and tempered, quenched and tempered, or annealed.
Reference datasheet — WC4 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
WC4 tempers and conditions
WC4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Soft intermediate state used for rough machining or weld repair; not an A217 acceptance condition and must be re-normalized/tempered before service. | 260 | 470 | 28 | 140 HB | 8.1 % IACS |
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Standard supply condition for A217 WC4 pressure castings of ordinary section size. | 335 | 545 | 24 | 163 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Choose for heavy sections or when upper-range strength and better low-temperature toughness are required. | 400 | 585 | 22 | 180 HB | — |
What is WC4?
WC4 is a nickel–chromium–molybdenum low-alloy cast steel in the ASTM A217 family, supplied normalized and tempered, quenched and tempered, or annealed. It is specified when carbon–moly grades run short of strength for elevated-temperature pressure duty, and is produced as sand and investment castings for valve bodies and high-pressure fittings: 335 MPa yield, 545 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation, about 163 HB and service to 540 °C. Machinability rates about 58, welding requires preheat and PWHT, and the steel has no inherent corrosion resistance. WC5 is the closest alternative with a different alloy balance. WC4 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). WC4 has a yield strength of 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) — weaker than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is WC4 used for?
- Valve bodies
- High-pressure fittings
- Power plant castings
Advantages
- High service temperature — 540°C (1,004 °F), better than 93% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
- Low strength — 335 MPa (48.6 ksi), worse than 77% of steel grades
WC4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for WC4-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
WC4 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
WC4 has a yield strength of 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) — weaker than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
WC4 is rated for continuous service to 540°C (1,004 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WC4 conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (14/100), better than 70% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WC4 takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability8
WC4's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); 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. WC4 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with WC4
Is WC4 easy to machine?
Machines like N&T 4130/8620-class steel at ~60 % of 1212 — use rigid setups and carbide inserts, and expect a hard scale skin on as-cast surfaces.
Can WC4 be welded?
P-No.4-type Cr-Mo-Ni casting: preheat 175–260 °C, use E80xx-B2/Ni-Mo consumables, and PWHT at 620–680 °C for repairs and joints.
Can WC4 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as sand/investment castings; design generous fillets and feed heavy sections to avoid shrinkage and hot tears, then normalize-and-temper.
WC4 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 | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Ni | 0.7 – 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Cr | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Mo | 0.45 – 0.65 | 0.55 |
| Curesidual element | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Vresidual element | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Wresidual element | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Fetotal residual elements (Cu+V+W) ≤ 1.00 % per A217 | balance |
What surface finishes work on WC4?
No anodizing; protect with epoxy/zinc-rich paint, phosphating or electroless nickel, and shot-blast castings before coating.
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 WC4 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A217 Grade WC4
How much does WC4 cost?
WC4 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.
WC4 — frequently asked
What is WC4 used for?
WC4 is typically used for valve bodies, high-pressure fittings and power plant castings. In short: ni-Cr-Mo pressure casting; stronger than carbon-moly grades; 540 °C service capability.
What is the yield strength of WC4?
WC4 has a typical yield strength of 335 MPa (48.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) — weaker than 77% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is WC4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like N&T 4130/8620-class steel at ~60 % of 1212 — use rigid setups and carbide inserts, and expect a hard scale skin on as-cast surfaces.
Can WC4 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). P-No.4-type Cr-Mo-Ni casting: preheat 175–260 °C, use E80xx-B2/Ni-Mo consumables, and PWHT at 620–680 °C for repairs and joints.
What surface finishes work on WC4?
No anodizing; protect with epoxy/zinc-rich paint, phosphating or electroless nickel, and shot-blast castings before coating.
Can WC4 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as sand/investment castings; design generous fillets and feed heavy sections to avoid shrinkage and hot tears, then normalize-and-temper.
What is the maximum service temperature of WC4?
WC4 is rated for continuous use to about 540°C (1,004 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between WC4 N+T and WC4-ANN?
N+T is the default condition — standard supply condition for A217 WC4 pressure castings of ordinary section size. ANN: soft intermediate state used for rough machining or weld repair; not an A217 acceptance condition and must be re-normalized/tempered before service. Yield strength is 335 MPa in N+T versus 260 MPa in ANN.
How much does WC4 cost?
WC4 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Castings Handbook — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM International (1995)
- ASME B16.34 — Valves: Flanged, Threaded, and Welding End — ASME (2020)
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.