Steel WCB Q&T (Quenched and tempered)
Heat-treated state
GB WCB · UNS J03002 · ASTM A216 Grade WCB
Choose liquid quenching and tempering, a permitted A216 option, for thick walls or top strength-toughness combinations; yield reaches 380 MPa at higher cost and distortion risk.
Values for the Q&T condition
Other WCB tempers and conditions
WCB is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at WCB.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASTM A216 Grade WCA | Pick the lowest-carbon, lowest-strength A216 grade for pressure castings that need the best weldability and toughness with only modest strength, including parts needing extensive weld repair. | 250 | 460 | 30 | 131 HB | — |
Solution annealed | Pick the full anneal for the lowest hardness and the easiest machining and weld repair on complex castings, accepting yield reduced to 265 MPa. | 265 | 495 | 31 | 135 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Normalized and tempered | Use a 600–680 °C temper after normalizing to lower residual stress and hardness on welded valve parts or where NACE limits hardness to 22 HRC or less. | 285 | 505 | 29 | 15 HRC | 10 % IACS |
WCBDefault ASTM A216 Grade WCB, normalized (or N+T), standard valve-body grade | Choose the normalized (or normalized and tempered) default for most valve bodies, pump casings and fittings; 290 MPa yield, good weldability and low cost up to 425 °C. | 290 | 520 | 28 | 150 HB | — |
Normalized | Choose this air cool from about 900 °C, the most common delivery condition, for a uniform fine ferrite-pearlite structure meeting all A216 mechanical requirements. | 290 | 520 | 28 | 150 HB | 10 % IACS |
ASTM A216 Grade WCC | Pick the highest-yield A216 grade, with its raised manganese limit, to thin walls or lift pressure class on valves and pump casings; welding needs stricter preheat control. | 315 | 540 | 26 | 160 HB | — |
Q&TThis page Quenched and tempered | Choose liquid quenching and tempering, a permitted A216 option, for thick walls or top strength-toughness combinations; yield reaches 380 MPa at higher cost and distortion risk. | 380 | 585 | 24 | 12 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
What is WCB Q&T?
WCB Q&T is WCB heat treated to Q&T — choose liquid quenching and tempering, a permitted A216 option, for thick walls or top strength-toughness combinations; yield reaches 380 MPa at higher cost and distortion risk. WCB Q&T has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 202 GPa (29.3 Msi). WCB Q&T 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). WCB is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 76% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
WCB Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for WCB Q&T; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are WCB reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
WCB Q&T 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
WCB Q&T has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 202 GPa (29.3 Msi).
Thermal6
WCB Q&T 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
WCB Q&T conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WCB Q&T takes about 24 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability8
WCB Q&T's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with WCB Q&T
Is WCB easy to machine?
Machinability is good in the normalized condition at 137–187 HB, close to 1030 steel. The cast skin carries embedded sand, so remove it with a heavy first roughing pass or abrasive blasting; use carbide tooling with generous coolant.
Can WCB be welded?
With C ≤ 0.30 % and carbon equivalent typically ≤ 0.45, WCB welds with E7018 or ER70S-6 consumables. For heavy walls or casting repair, preheat 95–150 °C and apply post-weld heat treatment qualified to ASME Section IX.
Can WCB be formed, bent or molded?
Produced mainly by sand casting in resin-bonded or sodium-silicate sand; solidification shrinkage is about 2 %, so use adequate risers and chills to avoid shrinkage porosity. Castings must be normalized or annealed after pouring to refine the as-cast structure.
What surface finishes work on WCB?
Not anodizable. Typical protection is blasting plus epoxy or polyurethane paint, phosphating, zinc plating or nickel plating; valve sealing faces are commonly hardfaced with a Stellite weld overlay.
WCB 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CWCB max 0.30; WCA 0.25, WCC 0.25 | ≤ 0.3 | 0.25 |
| MnWCC max 1.20; +0.04 Mn per 0.01 C cut, to 1.28 (WCB) | ≤ 1 | 0.8 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Curesidual element | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Niresidual element | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Crresidual element | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Moresidual element | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Vresidual element; total residuals ≤ 1.00% | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
WCB Q&T — frequently asked
What is WCB Q&T used for?
WCB Q&T is typically used for valve bodies, pump casings, pipe fittings, flanges and pressure vessel components. In short: default pressure-casting steel; weldable to 425 °C service; lowest-cost valve body grade.
What is the yield strength of WCB Q&T?
WCB Q&T has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is WCB Q&T easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Machinability is good in the normalized condition at 137–187 HB, close to 1030 steel. The cast skin carries embedded sand, so remove it with a heavy first roughing pass or abrasive blasting; use carbide tooling with generous coolant.
Can WCB Q&T be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). With C ≤ 0.30 % and carbon equivalent typically ≤ 0.45, WCB welds with E7018 or ER70S-6 consumables. For heavy walls or casting repair, preheat 95–150 °C and apply post-weld heat treatment qualified to ASME Section IX.
What surface finishes work on WCB Q&T?
Not anodizable. Typical protection is blasting plus epoxy or polyurethane paint, phosphating, zinc plating or nickel plating; valve sealing faces are commonly hardfaced with a Stellite weld overlay.
Can WCB Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
Produced mainly by sand casting in resin-bonded or sodium-silicate sand; solidification shrinkage is about 2 %, so use adequate risers and chills to avoid shrinkage porosity. Castings must be normalized or annealed after pouring to refine the as-cast structure.
What is the maximum service temperature of WCB Q&T?
WCB Q&T 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.
What is the difference between WCB and WCB-WCA?
WCB is the default condition — choose the normalized (or normalized and tempered) default for most valve bodies, pump casings and fittings; 290 MPa yield, good weldability and low cost up to 425 °C. WCA: pick the lowest-carbon, lowest-strength A216 grade for pressure castings that need the best weldability and toughness with only modest strength, including parts needing extensive weld repair. Yield strength is 290 MPa in WCB versus 250 MPa in WCA.
Sources
- ASTM A216/A216M Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, Suitable for Fusion Welding, for High-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2018)
- ASME B16.34 Valves — Flanged, Threaded, and Welding End (pressure-temperature ratings) — ASME (2020)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Properties (Metric) — ASME (2023)
- Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM International (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.