Stainless Steel 1.4520-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state
EN 1.4520 · UNS S43035 · AISI/SAE 439
Reference condition for fabricated assemblies — Ti stabilization keeps corrosion performance, but HAZ grain growth lowers toughness and ductility.
Values for the AW condition
Other 1.4520 tempers and conditions
1.4520 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4520.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AWThis page As-welded deposit | Reference condition for fabricated assemblies — Ti stabilization keeps corrosion performance, but HAZ grain growth lowers toughness and ductility. | 280 | 440 | 18 | 160 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Use when extra stiffness/springback is wanted in flat parts with only light bending. | 450 | 550 | 12 | 14 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Higher strength and better surface/tolerance for automatic machining; ductility markedly reduced. | 480 | 580 | 14 | 18 HRC | — |
What is 1.4520-AW?
1.4520-AW is 1.4520 heat treated to AW — reference condition for fabricated assemblies — Ti stabilization keeps corrosion performance, but HAZ grain growth lowers toughness and ductility. 1.4520-AW has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — weaker than 75% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi). 1.4520-AW has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 52/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 80% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 18%, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Low strength — 280 MPa (40.6 ksi), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades
1.4520-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4520-AW; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4520 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4520-AW has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical14
1.4520-AW has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — weaker than 75% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4520-AW is rated for continuous service to 815°C (1,499 °F). It conducts heat at 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4520-AW conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (53/100), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4520-AW takes about 40 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability7
1.4520-AW's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4520-AW
Is 1.4520 easy to machine?
Cuts like 430 but gummier — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, heavy feed and generous coolant; Ti carbonitrides abrade tooling, so expect ~55–60 % of 1212 speed.
Can 1.4520 be welded?
Excellent for a ferritic: GTAW/GMAW/laser or autogenous resistance welding with low heat input; Ti stabilization avoids sensitization so no post-weld anneal is needed, but keep interpass low and use Ar (no N2) shielding to limit HAZ grain growth.
Can 1.4520 be formed, bent or molded?
Deep drawable (r̄ ≈ 1.4–1.8, low springback vs austenitics) and free of delayed cracking since there is no martensite; watch ridging/roping on drawn panels and avoid very tight bend radii on hot-rolled plate.
What surface finishes work on 1.4520?
Supplied 2B, BA or No.4; passivate per ASTM A967 after machining, electropolish or PVD-coat for decorative use — do not anodize, and avoid iron contamination which causes rust staining.
1.4520 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 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0 |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| TiTi ≥ 4×(C+N)+0.15 (stabilization) | 0.15 – 0.8 | 0.35 |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Niresidual, not specified in all standards | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4520-AW — frequently asked
What is 1.4520-AW used for?
1.4520-AW is typically used for automotive trim, exhaust components, kitchen equipment and architectural panels. In short: nickel-free 304 substitute; deep-drawable ferritic sheet; 815 °C service rating.
What is the yield strength of 1.4520-AW?
1.4520-AW has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — weaker than 75% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 1.4520-AW easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades). Cuts like 430 but gummier — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, heavy feed and generous coolant; Ti carbonitrides abrade tooling, so expect ~55–60 % of 1212 speed.
Can 1.4520-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Excellent for a ferritic: GTAW/GMAW/laser or autogenous resistance welding with low heat input; Ti stabilization avoids sensitization so no post-weld anneal is needed, but keep interpass low and use Ar (no N2) shielding to limit HAZ grain growth.
What surface finishes work on 1.4520-AW?
Supplied 2B, BA or No.4; passivate per ASTM A967 after machining, electropolish or PVD-coat for decorative use — do not anodize, and avoid iron contamination which causes rust staining.
Can 1.4520-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Deep drawable (r̄ ≈ 1.4–1.8, low springback vs austenitics) and free of delayed cracking since there is no martensite; watch ridging/roping on drawn panels and avoid very tight bend radii on hot-rolled plate.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4520-AW?
1.4520-AW is rated for continuous use to about 815°C (1,499 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- EN 10088-1/-2 Stainless steels — grades and technical delivery conditions for sheet/plate — CEN (2014)
- ASTM A240/A240M (UNS S43035) — ASTM (2022)
- ASTM A268/A268M seamless and welded ferritic stainless tubing (TP439) — ASTM (2021)
- GB/T 3280 (10Cr17Ti) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Outokumpu / Aperam ferritic stainless (4520, 4510, 439) data sheets — Outokumpu; Aperam (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.