Stainless Steel 1.4487-SA
Heat-treated state · default condition
EN 1.4487
SA = solution annealed 1040–1120 °C, water quenched
Standard supply condition for all pressure-containing and corrosion-service CF3 castings.
Values for the SA condition
Other 1.4487 tempers and conditions
1.4487 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4487.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Non-standard, low-cost condition for non-critical, low-corrosivity parts where solution treatment is skipped. | 245 | 490 | 30 | 150 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
SADefaultThis page Solution annealed 1040–1120 °C, water quenched | Standard supply condition for all pressure-containing and corrosion-service CF3 castings. | 250 | 530 | 55 | 140 HB | — |
Solution annealed with low-temperature impact qualification | Specify for LNG/cryogenic valve and pump castings requiring documented Charpy at −196 °C. | 250 | 530 | 55 | 140 HB | — |
Centrifugally cast, solution annealed | Pick for seamless pipe/cylindrical shapes; finer, sounder structure than static sand castings. | 275 | 550 | 48 | 150 HB | — |
CF3A high-ferrite/high-strength variant, solution annealed | Choose when higher allowable stress is needed and the ferrite number is controlled (chemistry balanced to A351 CF3A). | 310 | 585 | 45 | 155 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
What is 1.4487-SA?
1.4487-SA is 1.4487 heat treated to SA — standard supply condition for all pressure-containing and corrosion-service CF3 castings. 1.4487-SA has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 91% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 1.4487-SA has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
1.4487-SA properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4487-SA; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4487 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4487-SA has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
1.4487-SA has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 91% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4487-SA is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °F). It conducts heat at 16.2 W/m·K (9.36 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4487-SA conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 56% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4487-SA takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
1.4487-SA's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability poor (20/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4487-SA
Is 1.4487 easy to machine?
Work-hardens and produces stringy chips — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy feeds, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant; avoid dwelling in the cut.
Can 1.4487 be welded?
Excellent: GTAW/SMAW/FCAW with 308L filler, no preheat and no post-weld solution treatment needed thanks to ≤0.03% C and residual δ-ferrite; keep interpass below ~150 °C.
Can 1.4487 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand/investment/centrifugal castings — design generous fillets and risers for the ~2.3% solidification shrinkage; cold forming is not applicable.
What surface finishes work on 1.4487?
Grind/blast the cast skin, then pickle-and-passivate (ASTM A967) or electropolish; not anodizable, and mechanical polish quality is limited by any subsurface porosity.
1.4487 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 |
| SiA743 allows up to 2.00 Si | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 17 – 21 | 19 |
| Ni | 8 – 12 | 10.5 |
| Moresidual only | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| NN-alloyed EN designation GX2CrNiN19-11 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4487-SA — frequently asked
What is 1.4487-SA used for?
1.4487-SA is typically used for valve bodies, pump casings and food and chemical fittings. In short: weldable cast 304L; no post-weld anneal needed; 55% elongation as cast.
What is the yield strength of 1.4487-SA?
1.4487-SA has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 91% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 1.4487-SA easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades). Work-hardens and produces stringy chips — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy feeds, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant; avoid dwelling in the cut.
Can 1.4487-SA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent: GTAW/SMAW/FCAW with 308L filler, no preheat and no post-weld solution treatment needed thanks to ≤0.03% C and residual δ-ferrite; keep interpass below ~150 °C.
What surface finishes work on 1.4487-SA?
Grind/blast the cast skin, then pickle-and-passivate (ASTM A967) or electropolish; not anodizable, and mechanical polish quality is limited by any subsurface porosity.
Can 1.4487-SA be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand/investment/centrifugal castings — design generous fillets and risers for the ~2.3% solidification shrinkage; cold forming is not applicable.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4487-SA?
1.4487-SA is rated for continuous use to about 760°C (1,400 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.4487-SA and 1.4487 SA-A?
SA is the default condition — standard supply condition for all pressure-containing and corrosion-service CF3 castings. SA-A: choose when higher allowable stress is needed and the ferrite number is controlled (chemistry balanced to A351 CF3A). Yield strength is 250 MPa in SA versus 310 MPa in SA-A.
Sources
- ASTM A743/A743M — Castings, Iron-Chromium-Nickel, Corrosion Resistant (CF3) — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM A351/A351M — Castings, Austenitic, for Pressure-Containing Parts (CF3, CF3A) — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A451/A451M — Centrifugally Cast Austenitic Steel Pipe (CPF3) — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 10283 — Corrosion resistant steel castings — CEN (2010)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Cast Stainless Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Steel Founders' Society of America — Steel Castings Handbook, Supplement 8 (High Alloy Data Sheets) — SFSA (2004)
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.