Stainless Steel 1.4432-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state
EN 1.4432
Representative properties of welded joints used as-welded without post-weld solution treatment — normal practice for this low-carbon grade.
Values for the AW condition
Other 1.4432 tempers and conditions
1.4432 is listed in 12 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4432.
Compare all 12 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forged + solution annealed (bar, ring, flange) | Condition for forged flanges, valve bodies and thick rings supplied to EN 10222-5 / ASTM A182 F316L practice. | 270 | 540 | 45 | 150 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
ADefault Solution annealed | Standard stocked condition for plate, bar, pipe and forgings — maximum corrosion resistance, formability and toughness. | 290 | 570 | 50 | 150 HB | — |
AWThis page As-welded deposit | Representative properties of welded joints used as-welded without post-weld solution treatment — normal practice for this low-carbon grade. | 320 | 550 | 35 | 175 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Cold worked strip/sheet, strength class Rm 700–850 MPa | Lowest EN 10088-2 cold-worked class; use when moderate extra strength is needed with usable ductility. | 430 | 770 | 25 | 22 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Use to reduce residual stress in cold-drawn bar/tube (SCC risk reduction) while keeping most of the cold-worked strength. | 470 | 680 | 28 | 15 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for machined parts and fasteners needing tighter tolerance, better surface and roughly 1.6× the annealed yield. | 500 | 700 | 25 | 17 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Quarter hard | US-spec quarter-hard sheet/strip when a defined minimum 515 MPa yield is required. | 550 | 900 | 12 | 25 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Cold worked strip/sheet, strength class Rm 850–1000 MPa | Mid cold-worked class for springs, clamps and structural strip where formability can be sacrificed. | 600 | 920 | 15 | 28 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Half hard | US-spec half-hard sheet/strip for structural stampings needing ≥760 MPa yield. | 790 | 1,070 | 7 | 32 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Cold worked strip, strength class Rm 1000–1150 MPa | High cold-worked class for thin strip springs and flat wire; bending capability is very limited. | 820 | 1,070 | 8 | 33 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Cold worked thin strip, strength class Rm ≥1150 MPa | Maximum cold-rolled strength class, thin gauge only — for flat springs and shims, essentially non-formable. | 950 | 1,220 | 4 | 37 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum-strength US cold-rolled condition; select only for flat, essentially unformed parts. | 1,010 | 1,310 | 4 | 38 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
What is 1.4432-AW?
1.4432-AW is 1.4432 heat treated to AW — representative properties of welded joints used as-welded without post-weld solution treatment — normal practice for this low-carbon grade. 1.4432-AW has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 198 GPa (28.7 Msi). 1.4432-AW has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F). A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 82/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
1.4432-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4432-AW; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4432 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4432-AW has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F).
Mechanical16
1.4432-AW has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 198 GPa (28.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4432-AW is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4432-AW conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 68% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4432-AW takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability6
1.4432-AW's machinability is fair (36/100, better than 57% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability good (65/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4432-AW
Is 1.4432 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening: use rigid setups, positive-rake coated carbide, high feed with reduced speed (~60–120 m/min), copious coolant and no dwelling to avoid glazing.
Can 1.4432 be welded?
Excellent with GTAW/GMAW/SMAW using 316L/318 or over-alloyed 317L filler; keep interpass temperature low, use Ar-based backing gas, no post-weld anneal needed thanks to ≤0.03 % C.
Can 1.4432 be formed, bent or molded?
Deep drawable and bendable in the annealed state but needs ~50 % more press force than carbon steel and generous springback allowance; intermediate anneal for severe multi-stage draws.
What surface finishes work on 1.4432?
Pickle and passivate (nitric or citric) after welding/grinding to restore the passive film; takes 2B, brushed, BA and mirror polish finishes well; electropolishing is standard for pharma/semiconductor surfaces. Not anodizable.
1.4432 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow carbon, resists sensitization | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S0.030 max allowed for machining grades in some deliveries | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| N | ≤ 0.11 | 0.05 |
| Cr | 16.5 – 18.5 | 17.5 |
| Ni | 10.5 – 13 | 11.5 |
| Monarrower, higher band than 1.4404/316L | 2.5 – 3 | 2.8 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4432-AW — frequently asked
What is 1.4432-AW used for?
1.4432-AW is typically used for pharmaceutical piping, marine hardware, chemical processing vessels and food equipment. In short: top-of-range Mo 316L; weldable without post-weld anneal; below 6Mo in chlorides.
What is the yield strength of 1.4432-AW?
1.4432-AW has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is 1.4432-AW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (36/100, better than 57% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening: use rigid setups, positive-rake coated carbide, high feed with reduced speed (~60–120 m/min), copious coolant and no dwelling to avoid glazing.
Can 1.4432-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent with GTAW/GMAW/SMAW using 316L/318 or over-alloyed 317L filler; keep interpass temperature low, use Ar-based backing gas, no post-weld anneal needed thanks to ≤0.03 % C.
What surface finishes work on 1.4432-AW?
Pickle and passivate (nitric or citric) after welding/grinding to restore the passive film; takes 2B, brushed, BA and mirror polish finishes well; electropolishing is standard for pharma/semiconductor surfaces. Not anodizable.
Can 1.4432-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Deep drawable and bendable in the annealed state but needs ~50 % more press force than carbon steel and generous springback allowance; intermediate anneal for severe multi-stage draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4432-AW?
1.4432-AW is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.4432-A and 1.4432-FH?
A is the default condition — standard stocked condition for plate, bar, pipe and forgings — maximum corrosion resistance, formability and toughness. FH: maximum-strength US cold-rolled condition; select only for flat, essentially unformed parts. Yield strength is 290 MPa in A versus 1,010 MPa in FH.
Sources
- EN 10088-1/-2/-3 Stainless steels — grade X2CrNiMo17-12-3 (1.4432) — CEN (2014)
- ASTM A240 / A666 / A182 (316L equivalents) — ASTM International (2023)
- GB/T 20878 / GB/T 4237 — 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties of Stainless Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Outokumpu Supra 316L/4432 datasheet & Corrosion Handbook — Outokumpu (2022)
- Sandvik / Alleima austenitic grade data (316L, 3R60) — Alleima (2023)
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.