Stainless Steel 1.4618-AT
Precip hard
EN 1.4618
Pick for maximum ductility before deep cold heading, multi-station forming or after intermediate anneals.
Values for the AT condition
Other 1.4618 tempers and conditions
1.4618 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4618.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot rolled | Pick for thicker sections, hot-rolled wire rod feedstock and bar to be machined or re-drawn; rougher surface, lowest strength. | 300 | 640 | 50 | 180 HB | — |
ATThis page solution annealed (softest supply condition) | Pick for maximum ductility before deep cold heading, multi-station forming or after intermediate anneals. | 320 | 650 | 50 | 185 HB | — |
CRDefault Cold rolled | Default stocked flat product: cold-rolled strip for stamped, drawn or cold-headed fastener blanks with a smooth 2B surface. | 350 | 680 | 45 | 195 HB | — |
Stress relieved | Post-forming low-temperature treatment to relax heading stresses and restore magnetic/corrosion behaviour on finished parts. | 420 | 700 | 35 | 14 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
cold drawn to a specified tensile strength range (1/4-hard equivalent) | Choose when a defined intermediate strength/head-forming balance is needed for partly headed or thread-rolled parts. | 520 | 780 | 28 | 21 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
cold drawn wire / bar (cold heading quality, coated) | Standard cold-heading wire condition: drawn to size with lubricant carrier for screws, bolts and self-tapping fasteners. | 600 | 800 | 22 | 22 HRC | — |
Half hard | Use where spring-back, stiffness or hardness matters more than formability, e.g. clips, washers and roll-formed profiles. | 750 | 950 | 12 | 29 HRC | — |
What is 1.4618-AT?
1.4618-AT is 1.4618 in the AT condition — pick for maximum ductility before deep cold heading, multi-station forming or after intermediate anneals. 1.4618-AT has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1.4618-AT 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). CR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AT is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
1.4618-AT properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4618-AT; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4618 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4618-AT 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
1.4618-AT has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4618-AT is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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
1.4618-AT conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (57/100), worse than 66% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4618-AT takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 80% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability7
1.4618-AT's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (58/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4618-AT
Is 1.4618 easy to machine?
Machines somewhat more freely than 304 thanks to the low work-hardening Cu addition, but still gummy — use rigid setups, positive rake carbide, high feed, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant; resulphurised lots improve chip break.
Can 1.4618 be welded?
Weldable by TIG/MIG/resistance methods with 307/308L-type or Cr-Mn filler; keep heat input low and avoid interpass overheating because the high C and Cu raise hot-cracking and sensitization risk — no post-weld anneal on fasteners means reduced corrosion margin at welds.
Can 1.4618 be formed, bent or molded?
Its main strength: low work-hardening rate gives excellent multi-station cold heading, thread rolling and deep drawing with lower tool loads and fewer intermediate anneals than 18-8 grades.
What surface finishes work on 1.4618?
Passivate or electropolish after forming to restore the chromium oxide film; takes a good mechanical polish or bright anneal, but manganese-rich surfaces stain more readily than 304 so avoid chloride-laden environments and never anodize.
1.4618 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cthe '9' in X9 | 0.06 – 0.12 | 0.09 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mnpartial Ni substitute | 7 – 9 | 8 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Sresulphurised variants supplied for improved machining | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Ni | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Culowers work-hardening rate for cold heading | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| N | ≤ 0.11 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4618-AT — frequently asked
What is 1.4618-AT used for?
1.4618-AT is typically used for cold-headed fasteners, rivets, decorative trim and free-machined small parts. In short: low-nickel Cr-Mn austenitic; low work-hardening for heading; cheaper 18-8 substitute.
What is the yield strength of 1.4618-AT?
1.4618-AT has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1.4618-AT easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades). Machines somewhat more freely than 304 thanks to the low work-hardening Cu addition, but still gummy — use rigid setups, positive rake carbide, high feed, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant; resulphurised lots improve chip break.
Can 1.4618-AT be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (58/100). Weldable by TIG/MIG/resistance methods with 307/308L-type or Cr-Mn filler; keep heat input low and avoid interpass overheating because the high C and Cu raise hot-cracking and sensitization risk — no post-weld anneal on fasteners means reduced corrosion margin at welds.
What surface finishes work on 1.4618-AT?
Passivate or electropolish after forming to restore the chromium oxide film; takes a good mechanical polish or bright anneal, but manganese-rich surfaces stain more readily than 304 so avoid chloride-laden environments and never anodize.
Can 1.4618-AT be formed, bent or molded?
Its main strength: low work-hardening rate gives excellent multi-station cold heading, thread rolling and deep drawing with lower tool loads and fewer intermediate anneals than 18-8 grades.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4618-AT?
1.4618-AT is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.4618-CR and 1.4618-C?
CR is the default condition — default stocked flat product: cold-rolled strip for stamped, drawn or cold-headed fastener blanks with a smooth 2B surface. C: standard cold-heading wire condition: drawn to size with lubricant carrier for screws, bolts and self-tapping fasteners. Yield strength is 350 MPa in CR versus 600 MPa in C.
Sources
- EN 10263-5 — Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion: stainless steels — CEN (2017)
- EN 10088-1/-3 — Stainless steels: list of grades, semi-finished products, bars, rods, wire — CEN (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Cold-heading stainless wire grade datasheets (Cr-Mn-Ni-Cu austenitics) — European stainless wire producers (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.