Steel WC5 Q+T
Heat-treated state
GB WC5 · ASTM A217 Grade WC5
Q+T = quenched and tempered
Chosen when higher yield strength and better low-temperature Charpy values are wanted in heavy-wall castings; still meets the same A217 tensile band.
Values for the Q+T condition
Other WC5 tempers and conditions
WC5 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at WC5.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fully annealed (austenitized, furnace cooled) and tempered | Softest permitted A217 condition; used when maximum machinability and dimensional stability matter more than strength, and for castings needing extensive weld repair. | 300 | 510 | 27 | 155 HB | 7.9 % IACS |
Normalized, tempered and post-weld stress relieved | Condition delivered after weld repair or fabrication welding; PWHT at ~620–690 °C restores toughness in the HAZ with a slight drop in yield strength. | 315 | 535 | 25 | 165 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Standard commercial condition for A217 WC5 valve bodies and pressure castings; balanced strength and toughness with uniform properties in thick sections. | 330 | 550 | 24 | 170 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
Q+TThis page Quenched and tempered | Chosen when higher yield strength and better low-temperature Charpy values are wanted in heavy-wall castings; still meets the same A217 tensile band. | 420 | 605 | 22 | 190 HB | 7.7 % IACS |
What is WC5 Q+T?
WC5 Q+T is WC5 heat treated to Q+T — chosen when higher yield strength and better low-temperature Charpy values are wanted in heavy-wall castings; still meets the same A217 tensile band. WC5 Q+T has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 605 MPa (87.7 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 202 GPa (29.3 Msi). WC5 Q+T 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). N+T is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q+T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 540°C (1,004 °F), better than 93% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 13/100, worse than 90% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
WC5 Q+T properties
Typical room-temperature values for WC5 Q+T; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are WC5 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
WC5 Q+T 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).
Mechanical16
WC5 Q+T has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 605 MPa (87.7 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 202 GPa (29.3 Msi).
Thermal6
WC5 Q+T is rated for continuous service to 540°C (1,004 °F). It conducts heat at 41 W/m·K (23.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 62% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WC5 Q+T conducts electricity at 7.7 % IACS, worse than 65% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WC5 Q+T takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability8
WC5 Q+T's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability good (57/100); formability not recommended (13/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with WC5 Q+T
Is WC5 easy to machine?
Machines like normalized 4130/4140 at ~55–60 % of AISI 1212; use rigid setups, carbide inserts and moderate speeds, and expect hard spots near unfed sections and chill zones.
Can WC5 be welded?
Weldable with matching low-alloy (E9018-B3/ER80S-D2 class) consumables; preheat 150–250 °C, control interpass temperature, and PWHT at 620–690 °C to avoid HAZ hardening and hydrogen cracking.
Can WC5 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand castings; design generous fillets and directional solidification with risers on the Mo-bearing sections, and always heat treat before pressure testing.
What surface finishes work on WC5?
No anodizing; shot blast then paint, aluminum/zinc metallize, or electroless nickel for atmospheric protection; internal weld overlay (309/Inconel) used for corrosive process sides.
WC5 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 | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Ni | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Cr | 0.5 – 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Mo | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Vresidual limit | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Curesidual limit | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Wresidual limit | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
WC5 Q+T — frequently asked
What is WC5 Q+T used for?
WC5 Q+T is typically used for valve bodies, pump casings and piping components. In short: toughness-oriented Ni-Cr-Mo casting; 540 °C pressure service; WC4 alternative alloy balance.
What is the yield strength of WC5 Q+T?
WC5 Q+T has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 605 MPa (87.7 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is WC5 Q+T easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Machines like normalized 4130/4140 at ~55–60 % of AISI 1212; use rigid setups, carbide inserts and moderate speeds, and expect hard spots near unfed sections and chill zones.
Can WC5 Q+T be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (57/100). Weldable with matching low-alloy (E9018-B3/ER80S-D2 class) consumables; preheat 150–250 °C, control interpass temperature, and PWHT at 620–690 °C to avoid HAZ hardening and hydrogen cracking.
What surface finishes work on WC5 Q+T?
No anodizing; shot blast then paint, aluminum/zinc metallize, or electroless nickel for atmospheric protection; internal weld overlay (309/Inconel) used for corrosive process sides.
Can WC5 Q+T be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand castings; design generous fillets and directional solidification with risers on the Mo-bearing sections, and always heat treat before pressure testing.
What is the maximum service temperature of WC5 Q+T?
WC5 Q+T 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.
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 — Properties (Metric) — ASME (2023)
- ASME B16.34 — Valves: Flanged, Threaded and Welding End — ASME (2020)
- 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)
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.