Stainless Steel 1.4361-A (Solution annealed)
Temper · default condition
EN 1.4361
Standard supply condition for all product forms; maximum corrosion resistance in nitric acid service.
Values for the A condition
Other 1.4361 tempers and conditions
1.4361 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4361.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefaultThis page Solution annealed | Standard supply condition for all product forms; maximum corrosion resistance in nitric acid service. | 275 | 620 | 45 | 165 HB | — |
As-welded deposit | Reference condition for weldments; use matching high-Si filler and low heat input, solution anneal where the service acid is most aggressive. | 300 | 600 | 30 | 180 HB | 1.9 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Choose for close-tolerance bar, pump shafts and small-bore tubing where higher strength is needed. | 470 | 720 | 28 | 17 HRC | 1.9 % IACS |
1/4 Hard | Light temper for springy clips and stiffer thin sections; corrosion performance unchanged but residual stress raises SCC caution. | 520 | 760 | 22 | 21 HRC | 1.9 % IACS |
1/2 Hard | Higher-strength strip temper for flat springs and shims; limited bending, stress relief recommended before acid service. | 650 | 900 | 14 | 28 HRC | 1.9 % IACS |
What is 1.4361-A?
1.4361-A is 1.4361 in the A temper — standard supply condition for all product forms; maximum corrosion resistance in nitric acid service. 1.4361-A has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 77% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi). 1.4361-A has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 80/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades
- High service temperature — 850°C (1,562 °F), better than 80% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 76% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.9 % IACS, worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
- Low strength — 275 MPa (39.9 ksi), worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
1.4361-A properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4361-A; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4361 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4361-A has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Mechanical14
1.4361-A has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 77% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4361-A is rated for continuous service to 850°C (1,562 °F). It conducts heat at 13.5 W/m·K (7.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4361-A conducts electricity at 1.9 % IACS, worse than 84% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), better than 88% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4361-A takes about 65 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 79% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
1.4361-A's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability very good (70/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4361-A
Is 1.4361 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough austenitic but with added abrasion from ~4 % Si — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setups, heavy flood coolant, low speeds and positive feed to avoid work-hardened glazing.
Can 1.4361 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching high-Si S30600-type or over-alloyed filler; keep heat input low, interpass below ~150 °C, no preheat, and back-purge — hot-cracking sensitivity is higher than 304L.
Can 1.4361 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms and deep draws reasonably well but work-hardens faster than 304L; hot work 1150–900 °C followed by solution anneal at 1050–1120 °C with rapid quench.
What surface finishes work on 1.4361?
Pickle and passivate (HNO3-based) or electropolish after fabrication to restore the Si-rich passive film; not anodisable, and mechanical grinding should be followed by pickling before acid service.
1.4361 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cultra-low carbon to avoid sensitisation | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Sikey alloying element for nitric-acid passivity | 3.7 – 4.3 | 4 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 0.7 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Slow S for hot workability and acid resistance | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cr | 17 – 18.5 | 17.8 |
| Nistabilises austenite against high Si | 14 – 15.5 | 14.8 |
| Moresidual only | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Nrestricted | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4361-A — frequently asked
What is 1.4361-A used for?
1.4361-A is typically used for nitric acid production vessels, chemical process piping, heat exchangers in acid service and fertilizer plant equipment. In short: nitric-acid specialist stainless; high-silicon austenitic grade; outperforms 304L in oxidizers.
What is the yield strength of 1.4361-A?
1.4361-A has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 77% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 1.4361-A easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades). Machines like a tough austenitic but with added abrasion from ~4 % Si — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setups, heavy flood coolant, low speeds and positive feed to avoid work-hardened glazing.
Can 1.4361-A be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching high-Si S30600-type or over-alloyed filler; keep heat input low, interpass below ~150 °C, no preheat, and back-purge — hot-cracking sensitivity is higher than 304L.
What surface finishes work on 1.4361-A?
Pickle and passivate (HNO3-based) or electropolish after fabrication to restore the Si-rich passive film; not anodisable, and mechanical grinding should be followed by pickling before acid service.
Can 1.4361-A be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms and deep draws reasonably well but work-hardens faster than 304L; hot work 1150–900 °C followed by solution anneal at 1050–1120 °C with rapid quench.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4361-A?
1.4361-A is rated for continuous use to about 850°C (1,562 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.4361-A and 1.4361-C850?
A is the default condition — standard supply condition for all product forms; maximum corrosion resistance in nitric acid service. C850: higher-strength strip temper for flat springs and shims; limited bending, stress relief recommended before acid service. Yield strength is 275 MPa in A versus 650 MPa in C850.
Sources
- EN 10088-1/-2/-3 Stainless steels — grade X1CrNiSi18-15-4 (1.4361) — CEN (2014)
- ASTM A240/A240M — UNS S30600 plate, sheet and strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A276 / A312 — bar and welded/seamless pipe, austenitic grades — ASTM International (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
- High-silicon austenitic stainless steel for nitric acid service (S30600-type) datasheets — Various stainless producers (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.