ASTM A350 LF1, LF2

ASTM A350 LF1, LF2 AND LF3 CARBON/ALLOY STEELS

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

These grades of steel are used as pipeline steels and also in the production of forged flanges. They are suitable for use down to –20ºF (LF1,) –50ºF (LF2) and –150ºF (LF3.)

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

LF1:

LF2:

 LF3:

APPLICATIONS

These steels are primarily used for pipelines and for forged flanges.

FORGING

LF1 and LF2 grades would ideally be forged at around 2250-2300ºF(1230-1260ºC) and not forged below 1650-1700ºF(900-925ºC.) LF3 grade would be forged at around 2150-2200ºF (1175-1205ºC) and not forged below 1700ºF (925ºC.)

WELDING/HEAT TREATMENT

Heat treatment of pipeline steels will no doubt be done on a continuous basis, and after welding. The structure of these steels will be initially determined by the rolling/forging process. The pipeline itself will be supplied from hot-rolled steels, the flanges etc. from forgings. The actual welding process will be primordial in ensuring the suitability and security of the pipeline and its subsequent performance. Preheat and postheat treatments are essential.
The three grades listed here are easily weldable by all tried and tested methods.

MACHINABILITY

In the case of forged fittings and flanges, these grades may be machined as required, and ongoing experience will determine if machining is best done on an as-forged structure, a normalized structure or an annealed structure. In either case, in view of the critical nature of the end use, advice should be taken from a recognized heat treatment company.