Stainless Steel 1.4646
EN 1.4646
1.4646 (X6CrMnNiCuN18-12-4-2) is a nitrogen-strengthened, copper-bearing Cr-Mn-Ni austenitic stainless that balances strength, corrosion resistance and cold formability for fasteners and cutlery-type parts.
Reference datasheet — 1.4646 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 Annealed condition
1.4646 tempers and conditions
1.4646 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (1050–1100 °C, water quenched) | Standard stocked condition for bar, wire rod, sheet and strip; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance before forming. | 390 | 720 | 48 | 200 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Use where straightness, close tolerance and moderately raised strength are needed without a full hard temper. | 560 | 820 | 30 | 240 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Light temper rolling for springy panels and clips that still need some bending. | 620 | 900 | 25 | 28 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Half hard | Common structural temper for strip parts, clamps and cutlery blanks needing high strength with limited bending. | 800 | 1,050 | 15 | 33 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | For flat springs and blades where strength dominates and only very gentle forming is required. | 950 | 1,200 | 10 | 38 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum strength strip/wire for springs, straps and shear-cut blanks; essentially no bendability and clearly magnetic. | 1,150 | 1,350 | 6 | 42 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 1.4646 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
CHQ | Cold-heading quality annealed wire | Surface finish |
What is 1.4646?
1.4646 (X6CrMnNiCuN18-12-4-2) is a nitrogen-strengthened, copper-bearing Cr-Mn-Ni austenitic stainless that balances strength, corrosion resistance and cold formability for fasteners and cutlery-type parts. It is used as CHQ wire, cold-drawn bar and strip from annealed through quarter-, half-, three-quarter- and full-hard tempers, delivering 390 MPa yield, 720 MPa tensile, 48 % elongation and 200 HB (93 HRB) with formability rated 85. Corrosion resistance is moderate (score 55) and service is limited to about 550 °C, with machinability near 40–45 % of 1212; 1.4640 or 304 are the alternatives where welding or chloride resistance dominate. 1.4646 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F). 1.4646 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 54% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
What is 1.4646 used for?
- cold-formed fasteners
- cutlery
- decorative hardware
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 48%, better than 85% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
1.4646 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4646-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4646 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F).
Mechanical14
1.4646 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 54% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4646 is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °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
1.4646 conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 71% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4646 takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
1.4646's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability excellent (85/100).
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. 1.4646 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1.4646
Is 1.4646 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed (avoid dwelling) and flood coolant; expect ~40–45 % of 1212 speeds.
Can 1.4646 be welded?
Weldable by TIG/MIG/resistance methods with 307/209 or 308L-type filler; keep heat input low and interpass below ~150 °C, avoid pre/postheat that promotes carbide precipitation, and never weld the copper-rich grade over Cu-contaminated surfaces.
Can 1.4646 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold heading, upsetting and deep drawing thanks to Cu and N balance; use chlorinated or polymer heavy-duty lubricant and interstage anneal at 1050 °C for severe multi-blow parts.
1.4646 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CX6 designation | ≤ 0.08 | 0.06 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mn | 10.5 – 13 | 12 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Ni | 3.5 – 5 | 4 |
| Culowers work-hardening rate for cold heading | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| Naustenite stabiliser and solid-solution strengthener | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1.4646?
Passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after machining; takes a good bright polish and electropolish, and can be PVD-coated or blackened — do not anodize.
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 1.4646 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- X6CrMnNiCuN18-12-4-2
How much does 1.4646 cost?
1.4646 is a standard-cost stainless steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
1.4646 — frequently asked
What is 1.4646 used for?
1.4646 is typically used for cold-formed fasteners, cutlery and decorative hardware. In short: nitrogen-strengthened Cr-Mn austenitic; higher strength than 302Cu; good heading formability.
What is the yield strength of 1.4646?
1.4646 has a typical yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 54% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1.4646 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed (avoid dwelling) and flood coolant; expect ~40–45 % of 1212 speeds.
Can 1.4646 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weldable by TIG/MIG/resistance methods with 307/209 or 308L-type filler; keep heat input low and interpass below ~150 °C, avoid pre/postheat that promotes carbide precipitation, and never weld the copper-rich grade over Cu-contaminated surfaces.
What surface finishes work on 1.4646?
Passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after machining; takes a good bright polish and electropolish, and can be PVD-coated or blackened — do not anodize.
Can 1.4646 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold heading, upsetting and deep drawing thanks to Cu and N balance; use chlorinated or polymer heavy-duty lubricant and interstage anneal at 1050 °C for severe multi-blow parts.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4646?
1.4646 is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.4646 Annealed and 1.4646-FH?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for bar, wire rod, sheet and strip; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance before forming. FH: maximum strength strip/wire for springs, straps and shear-cut blanks; essentially no bendability and clearly magnetic. Yield strength is 390 MPa in Annealed versus 1,150 MPa in FH.
How much does 1.4646 cost?
1.4646 is a standard-cost stainless steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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 10088-1 Stainless steels — List of stainless steels — CEN (2014)
- EN 10088-3 Stainless steels — Semi-finished products, bars, rods, wire and sections — CEN (2014)
- EN 10263-5 Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading — Stainless steels — CEN (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- SMM / Mysteel (200 ) — SMM / Mysteel (2025)
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.