Steel WCC
GB WCC · UNS J02503 · ASTM A216 Grade WCC
WCC is the higher-strength grade of the ASTM A216 carbon steel casting family (UNS J02503) for fusion-welded pressure-containing parts, supplied normalized and tempered, normalized, annealed or quenched and tempered.
Reference datasheet — WCC 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
WCC tempers and conditions
WCC 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Use the annealed state when machinability and dimensional stability matter most and strength need only reach the standard minimum, with yield down to 290 MPa. | 290 | 505 | 28 | 155 HB | 9.8 % IACS |
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Pick this standard normalized and tempered delivery condition for pressure castings such as valve bodies and bonnets; it gives the best balance of 315 MPa yield and toughness. | 315 | 540 | 25 | 180 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
Normalized | Choose normalizing alone as the economical route for thin-wall or less demanding castings; strength is slightly higher and toughness slightly lower than after tempering. | 320 | 550 | 24 | 185 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Pick quenching with tempering at 590 °C or above for thick-wall high-pressure valve bodies or where higher yield of 380 MPa and low-temperature toughness are required. | 380 | 585 | 24 | 197 HB | — |
What is WCC?
WCC is the higher-strength grade of the ASTM A216 carbon steel casting family (UNS J02503) for fusion-welded pressure-containing parts, supplied normalized and tempered, normalized, annealed or quenched and tempered. It is specified over WCB when 315 MPa yield, 540 MPa tensile and 25 % elongation at about 180 HB are required, typically as sand-cast valve bodies, pump casings and fittings for high-pressure piping. As a P-No. 1 steel it welds readily, but it has no alloy corrosion resistance and service is limited to about 425 °C; A217 WC6 is the usual step up for hotter duty. WCC 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). WCC has a yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 82% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is WCC used for?
- High-pressure valve bodies
- Pump casings
- Fittings for elevated pressure service
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 77% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 72/100, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low strength — 315 MPa (45.7 ksi), worse than 82% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
WCC properties
Typical room-temperature values for WCC-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
WCC 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
WCC has a yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 82% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
WCC 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 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WCC 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 WCC takes about 27 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 59% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability8
WCC's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); 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. WCC is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with WCC
Is WCC easy to machine?
Machinability is moderate — roughly 60 % of AISI 1212 in the normalized and tempered condition. Break through the hard sand skin and oxide layer on the first cut with coated carbide, moderate cutting speeds and generous coolant.
Can WCC be welded?
A P-No. 1 material weldable by SMAW, GTAW or GMAW with E7018 or ER70S-class filler. Preheat 100–150 °C for heavy walls and repair welds, and apply post-weld heat treatment as required by ASTM A216.
Can WCC be formed, bent or molded?
Casts well in sand moulds, including resin-bonded sand and lost-foam processes; solidification shrinkage is about 2 %, so size risers and chills to control shrinkage porosity and keep wall-thickness transitions gradual. There is no cold forming route.
WCC 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cgate analysis; +0.04% Mn per 0.01% C cut, Mn max 1.40% | ≤ 0.25 | 0.22 |
| Mnmay be increased to 1.40% max | ≤ 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 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; Cu+Ni+Cr+Mo+V total ≤ 1.00% | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on WCC?
Not anodizable. Blast clean, then apply epoxy or polyurethane paint, zinc plating or phosphating for corrosion protection; sealing faces are commonly overlaid with Stellite or stainless hardfacing.
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 WCC in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- J02503
- ASTM
- A216 Grade WCC
How much does WCC cost?
WCC 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.
WCC — frequently asked
What is WCC used for?
WCC is typically used for high-pressure valve bodies, pump casings and fittings for elevated pressure service. In short: stronger than WCB; P-No. 1 weldable casting; 425 °C pressure service.
What is the yield strength of WCC?
WCC has a typical yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 82% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is WCC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machinability is moderate — roughly 60 % of AISI 1212 in the normalized and tempered condition. Break through the hard sand skin and oxide layer on the first cut with coated carbide, moderate cutting speeds and generous coolant.
Can WCC be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). A P-No. 1 material weldable by SMAW, GTAW or GMAW with E7018 or ER70S-class filler. Preheat 100–150 °C for heavy walls and repair welds, and apply post-weld heat treatment as required by ASTM A216.
What surface finishes work on WCC?
Not anodizable. Blast clean, then apply epoxy or polyurethane paint, zinc plating or phosphating for corrosion protection; sealing faces are commonly overlaid with Stellite or stainless hardfacing.
Can WCC be formed, bent or molded?
Casts well in sand moulds, including resin-bonded sand and lost-foam processes; solidification shrinkage is about 2 %, so size risers and chills to control shrinkage porosity and keep wall-thickness transitions gradual. There is no cold forming route.
What is the maximum service temperature of WCC?
WCC 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 WCC N+T and WCC-A?
N+T is the default condition — pick this standard normalized and tempered delivery condition for pressure castings such as valve bodies and bonnets; it gives the best balance of 315 MPa yield and toughness. A: use the annealed state when machinability and dimensional stability matter most and strength need only reach the standard minimum, with yield down to 290 MPa. Yield strength is 315 MPa in N+T versus 290 MPa in A.
How much does WCC cost?
WCC 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 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 — ASME (2020)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Material Properties — ASME (2023)
- 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; 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.