What Is ASTM A352 LCC?

Quick Answer

ASTM A352 LCC is a higher-strength variant of LCB cast carbon steel for low-temperature pressure service. Both grades are impact tested at -46°C (-50°F), but LCC provides a higher minimum yield strength of 275 MPa (40 ksi) vs 245 MPa (35 ksi) for LCB. Specify LCC when the pressure design requires higher allowable stress at low temperatures.

LCC vs LCB: Head-to-Head

Property	LCB	LCC
Specification	ASTM A352 / ASME SA-352	ASTM A352 / ASME SA-352
Carbon	0.30% max	0.25% max
Manganese	1.00% max	1.20% max
Silicon	0.60% max	0.60% max
Tensile strength	450-620 MPa (65-90 ksi)	485-655 MPa (70-95 ksi)
Yield strength (min)	245 MPa (35 ksi)	275 MPa (40 ksi)
Elongation (min)	24%	22%
Impact test temp	-46°C (-50°F)	-46°C (-50°F)
Impact energy (min)	20.3 J avg	20.3 J avg
Heat treatment	N+T or Q+T	N+T or Q+T
Service temp range	-46°C to 345°C	-46°C to 345°C

Chemistry and Strength Differences

LCC mirrors the chemistry philosophy of ASTM A216 WCC vs WCB: lower carbon (0.25% max vs 0.30%) and higher manganese (1.20% vs 1.00%). The lower carbon improves weldability and toughness. The higher manganese compensates for strength, delivering a 12% higher minimum yield strength than LCB.

The practical impact: LCC allows thinner valve body walls for the same design pressure, reducing weight and material cost. For large-bore valves (NPS 16 and above) in cold-climate service, the weight savings can be significant.

Applications

LCC serves the same low-temperature applications as LCB, selected when higher allowable stress is advantageous:

• LNG terminals: regasification unit isolation and control valves
• Gas processing plants: NGL fractionation, demethanizer, and deethanizer circuit valves
• Arctic pipeline stations: mainline block valves and pig launcher/receiver valves
• Depressurization systems: blowdown valves subject to Joule-Thomson cooling
• Cryogenic storage: tank isolation valves operating above -46°C

LCC pairs with ASTM A350 LF2 forged flanges, A333 Grade 6 seamless pipes, and A420 WPL6 buttweld fittings in low-temperature piping classes.

Testing Requirements

Every A352 LCC casting undergoes mandatory Charpy V-notch impact testing at -46°C. The average of three specimens must reach 20.3 J (15 ft-lbs) minimum, with no individual specimen below 16.3 J (12 ft-lbs). Heat treatment (normalize + temper or quench + temper) is mandatory; as-cast material is not permitted.

Mill test certificates per EN 10204 3.1 must document chemistry, mechanical properties, heat treatment condition, and impact test results. Radiographic examination per ASME B16.34 is standard for valve castings. Hydrostatic testing follows the applicable API or ASME valve standard. The casting process requires careful control of pouring temperature and cooling rate to achieve the fine-grained microstructure needed for low-temperature toughness.

Read the full guide to valve materials