Stainless Steel 1.4581
EN 1.4581
1.4581 (GX5CrNiMoNb19-11-2, A351 CF8M) is a niobium-stabilized, molybdenum-bearing cast austenitic stainless steel — the stabilized counterpart of CF8M.
Reference datasheet — 1.4581 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the SA condition
1.4581 tempers and conditions
1.4581 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. SA is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SADefault Solution annealed 1050–1150 °C, water quenched | Standard supply condition for pump casings, valve bodies and fittings per EN 10213. | 250 | 520 | 35 | 160 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Spheroidize annealed | Only for non-pressure, non-corrosive decorative or structural parts; carbides/interdendritic phases remain, corrosion and toughness are reduced. | 250 | 490 | 25 | 175 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Centrifugally cast, solution annealed | Choose for tubes/rings and sleeves where the denser, finer centrifugal structure raises strength and soundness. | 270 | 560 | 38 | 170 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
What is 1.4581?
1.4581 (GX5CrNiMoNb19-11-2, A351 CF8M) is a niobium-stabilized, molybdenum-bearing cast austenitic stainless steel — the stabilized counterpart of CF8M. Stabilization avoids the post-weld solution anneal and suits sensitization-prone or elevated-temperature service to 700 °C; it is supplied as sand, investment or centrifugal castings in the solution-annealed condition. Default properties are 250 MPa yield, 520 MPa tensile, 35 % elongation and 160 HB, with corrosion resistance scored 72. For hotter service without Mo use 1.4552 (CF8C); for higher chloride pitting resistance step up to 1.4557. 1.4581 has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). 1.4581 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 91% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is 1.4581 used for?
- High-temperature valve bodies
- Chemical process pump casings
- Cast flanges and fittings
- Hot process gas manifolds
- Pressure-containing housings for steam service
- Pump impellers and wear rings
Advantages
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 80% 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
1.4581 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4581-SA; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4581 has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
1.4581 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 91% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4581 is rated for continuous service to 700°C (1,292 °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 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4581 conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 73% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4581 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
1.4581's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability poor (20/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the stainless steel family
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade FabDigit runs. 1.4581 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1.4581
Is 1.4581 easy to machine?
Work-hardens and tears: use rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, positive rake, low speed / heavy feed and copious coolant; avoid dwelling.
Can 1.4581 be welded?
Excellent — Nb stabilization allows welding without post-weld solution anneal; use ER347/ER318 (Nb-bearing) or 316L filler with low heat input.
Can 1.4581 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand, investment or centrifugal castings; keep sections uniform, feed heavily (long freezing range) and solution anneal + water quench after casting or major weld repair.
1.4581 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, Nb-stabilized | ≤ 0.07 | 0.05 |
| Si | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 18 – 20 | 19 |
| Ni | 9 – 12 | 10.5 |
| Mo | 2 – 2.5 | 2.2 |
| Nb≥ 8×C, stabilizing addition | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1.4581?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish; shot blast/pickle to remove casting scale — not anodizable, plating rarely needed.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on stainless steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Organic Coating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 1.4581 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- GX5CrNiMoNb19-11-2
- Similar grades
- A351 CF8M
How much does 1.4581 cost?
1.4581 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1.4581 — frequently asked
What is 1.4581 used for?
1.4581 is typically used for high-temperature valve bodies, chemical process pump casings, cast flanges and fittings, hot process gas manifolds, pressure-containing housings for steam service and pump impellers and wear rings. In short: stabilized CF8M casting; weld without re-annealing; 700 °C service with Mo.
What is the yield strength of 1.4581?
1.4581 has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 91% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 1.4581 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Work-hardens and tears: use rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, positive rake, low speed / heavy feed and copious coolant; avoid dwelling.
Can 1.4581 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Excellent — Nb stabilization allows welding without post-weld solution anneal; use ER347/ER318 (Nb-bearing) or 316L filler with low heat input.
What surface finishes work on 1.4581?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish; shot blast/pickle to remove casting scale — not anodizable, plating rarely needed.
Can 1.4581 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as sand, investment or centrifugal castings; keep sections uniform, feed heavily (long freezing range) and solution anneal + water quench after casting or major weld repair.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4581?
1.4581 is rated for continuous use to about 700°C (1,292 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.4581-SA and 1.4581 SA-CENT?
SA is the default condition — standard supply condition for pump casings, valve bodies and fittings per EN 10213. SA-CENT: choose for tubes/rings and sleeves where the denser, finer centrifugal structure raises strength and soundness. Yield strength is 250 MPa in SA versus 270 MPa in SA-CENT.
How much does 1.4581 cost?
1.4581 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 10213 — Steel castings for pressure purposes — CEN (2016)
- EN 10283 — Corrosion resistant steel castings — CEN (2010)
- ASTM A351/A351M — Castings, austenitic, for pressure-containing parts — ASTM (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- EN 10088-1 physical property tables for austenitic stainless steels — CEN (2014)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.