Stainless Steel 1.3960
EN 1.3960
1.3960 (GX2CrNiMoN18-14-3, ASTM A743 CG3M, UNS J92999) is a low-carbon molybdenum-alloyed austenitic casting steel comparable to cast 317L, chosen for higher pitting resistance than 316-type castings (corrosion score 74).
Reference datasheet — 1.3960 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 ST condition
1.3960 tempers and conditions
1.3960 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. ST 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STDefault Solution annealed | Standard supply condition for all corrosion service — dissolves carbides/sigma and restores full intergranular corrosion resistance. | 275 | 550 | 45 | 155 HB | — |
solution treated and hot isostatically pressed | Choose for pressure-retaining or fatigue-critical castings where shrinkage microporosity must be closed. | 285 | 570 | 50 | 158 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Spheroidize annealed | Only for non-corrosive structural or ornamental use — carbide/sigma networks reduce ductility and intergranular corrosion resistance. | 290 | 520 | 28 | 170 HB | 2.1 % IACS |
centrifugally cast (ASTM A451/A452 practice), solution treated | Tubular/ring parts: denser, finer-grained wall with higher strength than static castings. | 300 | 585 | 42 | 165 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 1.3960 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
INV-ST | INV+ST | Surface finish |
What is 1.3960?
1.3960 (GX2CrNiMoN18-14-3, ASTM A743 CG3M, UNS J92999) is a low-carbon molybdenum-alloyed austenitic casting steel comparable to cast 317L, chosen for higher pitting resistance than 316-type castings (corrosion score 74). Sand, investment and centrifugal castings reach 275 MPa yield, 550 MPa tensile, 45 % elongation and 155 HB (80 HRB), with service to 700 °C and a weldability score of 80. It costs more than CF3M and is not a cold-forming grade; where chloride pitting and stress-corrosion loads are higher, step up to cast super duplex 1.4417. 1.3960 has a density of 7.95 g/cm³ (0.287 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F). 1.3960 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 77% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is 1.3960 used for?
- chemical process pumps
- valve bodies
- marine fittings
Advantages
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 80% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 74/100, better than 78% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 76% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 25/100, worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
- Low strength — 275 MPa (39.9 ksi), worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
1.3960 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.3960-ST; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.3960 has a density of 7.95 g/cm³ (0.287 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F).
Mechanical16
1.3960 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 77% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
1.3960 is rated for continuous service to 700°C (1,292 °F). It conducts heat at 14 W/m·K (8.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.2 µm/m·K (9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.3960 conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), better than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.3960 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability8
1.3960's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability poor (25/100).
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 stainless steel family
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade FabDigit runs. 1.3960 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1.3960
Is 1.3960 easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed to cut under the hardened skin, 60–110 m/min with flood coolant.
Can 1.3960 be welded?
Very good weldability with GTAW/SMAW using 317L/ER317L (or overalloyed 309LMo for dissimilar joints); no preheat, interpass <150 °C, and re-solution-treat critical corrosion parts after major weld repair.
Can 1.3960 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand, investment or centrifugal castings — control gating/risering for the wide freezing range and hold 3–12 % ferrite (FN) to limit hot cracking; not a cold-forming grade.
1.3960 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cextra-low carbon for intergranular corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si≤1.0 % in EN GX2CrNiMoN grade | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| CrASTM CG3M 18.0–21.0; EN 17.0–19.0 | 17 – 21 | 18.5 |
| NiASTM CG3M 9.0–13.0; EN grade ~12.5–14.5 | 9 – 14.5 | 13 |
| Modrives pitting resistance (PREN ≈ 30–36) | 3 – 4 | 3.3 |
| Nnitrogen alloyed in the EN GX2CrNiMoN version; optional in ASTM CG3M | 0.1 – 0.2 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1.3960?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A967 / A380) after grinding or weld repair; electropolishing gives the best pitting resistance — no anodizing.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on stainless 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).
Passivation
Organic Coating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 1.3960 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- GX2CrNiMoN18-14-3
- Similar grades
- A743 CG3MJ92999
How much does 1.3960 cost?
1.3960 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
1.3960 — frequently asked
What is 1.3960 used for?
1.3960 is typically used for chemical process pumps, valve bodies and marine fittings. In short: cast 317L pitting resistance; weldable without post-anneal; step up from CF3M.
What is the yield strength of 1.3960?
1.3960 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 77% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 1.3960 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed to cut under the hardened skin, 60–110 m/min with flood coolant.
Can 1.3960 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Very good weldability with GTAW/SMAW using 317L/ER317L (or overalloyed 309LMo for dissimilar joints); no preheat, interpass <150 °C, and re-solution-treat critical corrosion parts after major weld repair.
What surface finishes work on 1.3960?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A967 / A380) after grinding or weld repair; electropolishing gives the best pitting resistance — no anodizing.
Can 1.3960 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand, investment or centrifugal castings — control gating/risering for the wide freezing range and hold 3–12 % ferrite (FN) to limit hot cracking; not a cold-forming grade.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.3960?
1.3960 is rated for continuous use to about 700°C (1,292 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.3960-ST and 1.3960 CENT-ST?
ST is the default condition — standard supply condition for all corrosion service — dissolves carbides/sigma and restores full intergranular corrosion resistance. CENT-ST: tubular/ring parts: denser, finer-grained wall with higher strength than static castings. Yield strength is 275 MPa in ST versus 300 MPa in CENT-ST.
How much does 1.3960 cost?
1.3960 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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 A743/A743M — Castings, Iron-Chromium-Nickel, Corrosion Resistant (grade CG3M) — ASTM International (2019)
- EN 10283 — Corrosion resistant steel castings — CEN (2010)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Founders' Society of America / ACI cast stainless steel property data — SFSA (2015)
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.