Stainless Steel 1.4468-SA
Heat-treated state · default condition
EN 1.4468 · UNS J93371 · ASTM A890 Grade 3A
SA = solution annealed ~1120 °C + water quench
The standard supply condition for all 1.4468 / A890 Gr 3A castings; balanced ~50/50 ferrite-austenite with full corrosion resistance.
Values for the SA condition
Other 1.4468 tempers and conditions
1.4468 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4468.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Intermediate mill condition only — unbalanced phase ratio and interdendritic nitrides give low ductility and impaired corrosion resistance; not for service. | 500 | 700 | 12 | 24 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
Weld repaired and re-solution annealed | Used for foundry-repaired castings; the mandatory re-solution treatment restores the ferrite/austenite balance in weld and HAZ. | 515 | 740 | 28 | 22 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
SADefaultThis page Solution annealed ~1120 °C + water quench | The standard supply condition for all 1.4468 / A890 Gr 3A castings; balanced ~50/50 ferrite-austenite with full corrosion resistance. | 520 | 750 | 30 | 22 HRC | — |
Hot isostatically pressed then solution annealed | Choose for pressure-retaining or fatigue-critical castings where shrinkage porosity must be closed before final solution treatment. | 530 | 770 | 33 | 22 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
What is 1.4468-SA?
1.4468-SA is 1.4468 heat treated to SA — the standard supply condition for all 1.4468 / A890 Gr 3A castings; balanced ~50/50 ferrite-austenite with full corrosion resistance. 1.4468-SA has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 79% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1.4468-SA has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 520 MPa (75.4 ksi), better than 79% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 280°C (536 °F), worse than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 25/100, worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
1.4468-SA properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4468-SA; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4468 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4468-SA has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
1.4468-SA has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 79% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4468-SA is rated for continuous service to 280°C (536 °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 13 µm/m·K (7.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4468-SA conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 84% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4468-SA takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability8
1.4468-SA's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 70% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (62/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4468-SA
Is 1.4468 easy to machine?
Machine with rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, low speed (~60–90 m/min) and heavy positive feed to cut under the work-hardened layer; flood coolant is essential.
Can 1.4468 be welded?
Weldable with GTAW/SMAW using over-alloyed 25-9-4-N filler, low interpass (<150 °C) and controlled heat input; full re-solution anneal + water quench is preferred after major repairs.
Can 1.4468 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast with generous risering and chills; always solution treat at ~1100–1140 °C and water quench to dissolve nitrides and restore ~50/50 phase balance.
What surface finishes work on 1.4468?
Pickle and passivate (HNO₃/HF) or electropolish after heat treatment to remove scale; do not anodize — shot blasting with iron media must be avoided or followed by passivation.
1.4468 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10283 1.4468; ASTM A890 Gr 3A allows 0.06 max | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.7 |
| MnA890 Gr 3A: 1.00 max | ≤ 2 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 24.5 – 26.5 | 25.5 |
| NiA890 Gr 3A: 4.0–6.0 | 5.5 – 7 | 6.2 |
| MoA890 Gr 3A: 1.75–2.50 | 2.5 – 3.5 | 3 |
| N | 0.12 – 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Febalance; grade is intentionally copper-free | balance | — |
1.4468-SA — frequently asked
What is 1.4468-SA used for?
1.4468-SA is typically used for feedwater heater parts, pump casings and valve trim. In short: copper-free CD6MN equivalent; 520 MPa cast duplex yield; high chloride pitting resistance.
What is the yield strength of 1.4468-SA?
1.4468-SA has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 79% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 1.4468-SA easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 70% of stainless steel grades). Machine with rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, low speed (~60–90 m/min) and heavy positive feed to cut under the work-hardened layer; flood coolant is essential.
Can 1.4468-SA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). Weldable with GTAW/SMAW using over-alloyed 25-9-4-N filler, low interpass (<150 °C) and controlled heat input; full re-solution anneal + water quench is preferred after major repairs.
What surface finishes work on 1.4468-SA?
Pickle and passivate (HNO₃/HF) or electropolish after heat treatment to remove scale; do not anodize — shot blasting with iron media must be avoided or followed by passivation.
Can 1.4468-SA be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast with generous risering and chills; always solution treat at ~1100–1140 °C and water quench to dissolve nitrides and restore ~50/50 phase balance.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4468-SA?
1.4468-SA is rated for continuous use to about 280°C (536 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.4468-SA and 1.4468-AC?
SA is the default condition — the standard supply condition for all 1.4468 / A890 Gr 3A castings; balanced ~50/50 ferrite-austenite with full corrosion resistance. AC: intermediate mill condition only — unbalanced phase ratio and interdendritic nitrides give low ductility and impaired corrosion resistance; not for service. Yield strength is 520 MPa in SA versus 500 MPa in AC.
Sources
- EN 10283 — Corrosion resistant steel castings (GX2CrNiMoN25-6-3, 1.4468) — CEN (2010)
- ASTM A890/A890M — Castings, Iron-Chromium-Nickel-Molybdenum Corrosion-Resistant, Duplex (Grade 3A / CD6MN) — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM A995/A995M — Castings, Austenitic-Ferritic (Duplex) Stainless Steel, for Pressure-Containing Parts — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Duplex stainless steel casting alloy data (physical & corrosion properties) — Foundry/producer datasheets (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.