Stainless Steel 1.4600 TR/CW
Supply condition
EN 1.4600
Cold-worked strip supplied to a higher strength level for stiff, lightly formed panels and clamps.
Values for the TR/CW condition
What is 1.4600 TR/CW?
1.4600 TR/CW is 1.4600 supplied in the TR/CW condition — cold-worked strip supplied to a higher strength level for stiff, lightly formed panels and clamps. 1.4600 TR/CW has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 75% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi). 1.4600 TR/CW has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 88% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 480 MPa (69.6 ksi), better than 75% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 70 MPa·√m (63.7 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
1.4600 TR/CW properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4600 TR/CW; 6 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4600 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4600 TR/CW has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical16
1.4600 TR/CW has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 75% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4600 TR/CW is rated for continuous service to 600°C (1,112 °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 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4600 TR/CW conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 97% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4600 TR/CW takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 80% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
1.4600 TR/CW's machinability is good (55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4600 TR/CW
Is 1.4600 easy to machine?
Machines like a soft 12Cr ferritic — sharp positive-rake tools, rigid setups and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and work-hardened skins; roughly 60 % of AISI 1212 speed.
Can 1.4600 be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L/309L or matching Ti-stabilized filler; keep heat input low and interpass below ~150 °C to limit HAZ grain coarsening, no post-weld anneal normally needed thanks to Ti stabilization.
Can 1.4600 be formed, bent or molded?
Good bending and roll forming in thin gauges with generous bend radii (≥1t) and roping avoided by cross-rolled blanks; deep drawing is limited compared with austenitic 304.
What surface finishes work on 1.4600?
Cannot be anodized; passivate or electropolish for cleanliness, or shot-blast/phosphate and paint for outdoor use where the 11–12 PREN is insufficient.
1.4600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cextra-low carbon | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mnpartial nickel substitute | 1 – 2 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 10.5 – 12.5 | 11.5 |
| Nitoughness addition | 0.3 – 1 | 0.6 |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Tistabilizer, typically ≥4×(C+N)+0.15 | 0.15 – 0.8 | 0.35 |
| Fe | balance |
1.4600 TR/CW — frequently asked
What is 1.4600 TR/CW used for?
1.4600 TR/CW is typically used for automotive exhaust brackets, household appliance panels, low-corrosion structural parts and trim components. In short: low-cost stabilized ferritic; welds without post-weld anneal; mild corrosion service only.
What is the yield strength of 1.4600 TR/CW?
1.4600 TR/CW has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Is 1.4600 TR/CW easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades). Machines like a soft 12Cr ferritic — sharp positive-rake tools, rigid setups and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and work-hardened skins; roughly 60 % of AISI 1212 speed.
Can 1.4600 TR/CW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L/309L or matching Ti-stabilized filler; keep heat input low and interpass below ~150 °C to limit HAZ grain coarsening, no post-weld anneal normally needed thanks to Ti stabilization.
What surface finishes work on 1.4600 TR/CW?
Cannot be anodized; passivate or electropolish for cleanliness, or shot-blast/phosphate and paint for outdoor use where the 11–12 PREN is insufficient.
Can 1.4600 TR/CW be formed, bent or molded?
Good bending and roll forming in thin gauges with generous bend radii (≥1t) and roping avoided by cross-rolled blanks; deep drawing is limited compared with austenitic 304.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4600 TR/CW?
1.4600 TR/CW is rated for continuous use to about 600°C (1,112 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- EN 10088-2 Stainless steels — Technical delivery conditions for sheet/plate and strip for general purposes — CEN (2014)
- EN 10088-1 Stainless steels — List of stainless steels — CEN (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Ferritic 12 % Cr stainless steel sheet datasheets (1.4003 / 1.4512 family) — 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.