ASTM A216 Grade WCB
Weldable carbon steel casting. The standard valve body material for water, steam, oil and gas lines up to moderate temperatures.
- Rp0.2 · MPa
- ≥ 250
- Rm · MPa
- 485–655
- TEMPERATURE
- −29 … +425 °C
- COST
Chemical composition
%, maximum. For each 0.01% below the carbon maximum, Mn may be increased by 0.04% (up to 1.28). Total residual elements ≤ 1.00. P and S: current editions 0.035 · older editions P 0.04, S 0.045.
Mechanical properties
| STANDARD · CONDITION | Rp0.2 MPa | Rp1.0 MPa | Rm MPa | A % | KV J |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A216 · WCB | 250 | — | 485–655 | 22 | — |
| EN 10213 · GP240GH (+N), t ≤ 100 mm | 240 | — | 420–600 | 22 | — |
Room temperature. Heat treatment: normalizing, normalizing + tempering, or quenching + tempering. Reduction of area Z ≥ 35%.
ASME B16.34 pressure-temperature ratings
| CLASS · bar | −29 … 38 °C | 100 °C | 200 °C | 300 °C | 400 °C | 500 °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 150 | 19.6 | 17.7 | 13.8 | 10.2 | 6.5 | 2.8 |
| Class 300 | 51.1 | 46.6 | 43.8 | 39.8 | 34.7 | 11.8 |
| Class 600 | 102.1 | 93.2 | 87.6 | 79.6 | 69.4 | 23.5 |
| Class 900 | 153.2 | 139.8 | 131.4 | 119.5 | 104.2 | 35.3 |
| Class 1500 | 255.3 | 233.0 | 219.0 | 199.1 | 173.6 | 58.8 |
| Class 2500 | 425.5 | 388.3 | 365.0 | 331.8 | 289.3 | 97.9 |
Standard class, bar. Material group: WCB. Greyed values are outside the material's service range (−29 … +425 °C). Flanged-end ratings end at 538 °C.
Service temperature
ASME B16.34 tables start at −29 °C. Prolonged use above 425 °C is not recommended (carbide graphitization); above that use WC6/WC9. Below −29 °C use impact-tested LCB/LCC.
This is the limit of the material itself. A valve's service temperature is usually set by the seal and seat materials; product pages give it for each seal option.
Physical properties and heat treatment
- HEAT TREATMENT
- Normalizing, normalizing + tempering, or quenching + tempering.
Media suitability GENERAL TREND
Emsal assessment. The final choice is made from corrosion tables, taking concentration, temperature, chloride content and flow velocity into account.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- Economical, high-strength body material
- Weldable, easy to repair
- Long service history in steam and hydrocarbon lines
Weaknesses
- No corrosion resistance: water lines need a corrosion allowance or coating
- Not used in seawater and acids
- Risk of brittle fracture below −29 °C
Manufacturing and use
- ECONOMY
- Low. The most economical steel option for pressure-retaining valve bodies.
- MANUFACTURING METHODS
- Sand casting · Weld repair of casting defects (permitted by the standard)
- TYPICAL VALVE PARTS
- Body · Bonnet · Flanged end
Surface protection
- Wet paintIndustrial wet paint systemEmsal standard external protection
- Epoxy powder coatingElectrostatic epoxy powder coating (oven-cured, FBE)Water lines, internal and external
- GalvanizingHot-dip galvanizingSevere outdoor environments
Used in 6 Emsal products
- 001Wafer check valveBody
- 072Flanged 3-way ball valveBody · Bonnet
- 073Flanged 4-way ball valveBody · Bonnet
- 110Wafer butterfly valveDisc
- 111Lug butterfly valveDisc
- 311Rubber expansion jointFlange
Source: ASTM A216. Values compiled and verified by Emsal Vana; for binding values, refer to the current edition of the standard and the material certificate.