Stainless Steel 1.4874-AC (Spheroidize annealed)
Heat-treated state · default condition
EN 1.4874
Standard commercial supply condition for heat-resistant castings; carbide network retained for maximum hot hardness and wear resistance.
Values for the AC condition
Other 1.4874 tempers and conditions
1.4874 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4874.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed ~1100–1150 °C, rapid cooled | Choose when maximum ductility/toughness and a homogenised matrix are needed before machining or for thermally cycled parts. | 270 | 520 | 12 | 14 HRC | 1.8 % IACS |
ACDefaultThis page Spheroidize annealed | Standard commercial supply condition for heat-resistant castings; carbide network retained for maximum hot hardness and wear resistance. | 300 | 560 | 6 | 20 HRC | 1.8 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Specify for critical fatigue- or thermal-fatigue-loaded castings where internal shrinkage porosity must be eliminated. | 310 | 600 | 10 | 19 HRC | 1.8 % IACS |
Solution annealed and aged/stabilised ~750–850 °C | Pick for maximum hot hardness and dimensional stability in valve seats and long-life hot-section parts, at the cost of room-temperature ductility. | 340 | 600 | 4 | 25 HRC | 1.9 % IACS |
What is 1.4874-AC?
1.4874-AC is 1.4874 heat treated to AC — standard commercial supply condition for heat-resistant castings; carbide network retained for maximum hot hardness and wear resistance. 1.4874-AC has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 180 GPa (26.1 Msi). 1.4874-AC has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 1,000°C (1,832 °F), better than 88% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 18/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 35 MPa·√m (31.9 ksi·√in), worse than 98% of stainless steel grades
1.4874-AC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4874-AC; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4874 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4874-AC has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Mechanical17
1.4874-AC has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 180 GPa (26.1 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4874-AC is rated for continuous service to 1,000°C (1,832 °F). It conducts heat at 14 W/m·K (8.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4874-AC conducts electricity at 1.8 % IACS, worse than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 71% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4874-AC takes about 90 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — more than 94% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability8
1.4874-AC's machinability is poor (18/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4874-AC
Is 1.4874 easy to machine?
Machine with rigid setups, negative-rake carbide or CBN at low speed and heavy feed; interrupted cuts and grinding are common for valve-seat faces because of the hard carbide network.
Can 1.4874 be welded?
Only for repair — preheat 250–400 °C, Ni-base or matching high-alloy filler, low heat input and slow cooling; the high carbon makes the alloy crack-sensitive.
Can 1.4874 be formed, bent or molded?
Casting-only alloy: sand, shell, investment or centrifugal casting with generous feeding; no cold or hot forming after solidification.
What surface finishes work on 1.4874?
Shot-blast and grind gates; aluminising, chromising or thermal-spray coatings extend life in sulphurous or carburising atmospheres — no anodising applies.
1.4874 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chigh C for carbide-strengthened hot hardness | 0.45 – 0.55 | 0.5 |
| Siaids oxidation resistance and fluidity | ≤ 2 | 1 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1 |
| Pimpurity limit | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Simpurity limit | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Croxidation resistance | 19 – 22 | 20 |
| Niaustenite stabiliser | 19 – 22 | 20 |
| Cohot strength / hot hardness | 18 – 22 | 20 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4874-AC — frequently asked
What is 1.4874-AC used for?
1.4874-AC is typically used for exhaust valve seat inserts, furnace grate bars, high-temperature wear components and boiler and incinerator fittings. In short: highest hot hardness here; cobalt-strengthened cast grade; lowest machinability, score 18.
What is the yield strength of 1.4874-AC?
1.4874-AC has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 1.4874-AC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (18/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades). Machine with rigid setups, negative-rake carbide or CBN at low speed and heavy feed; interrupted cuts and grinding are common for valve-seat faces because of the hard carbide network.
Can 1.4874-AC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Only for repair — preheat 250–400 °C, Ni-base or matching high-alloy filler, low heat input and slow cooling; the high carbon makes the alloy crack-sensitive.
What surface finishes work on 1.4874-AC?
Shot-blast and grind gates; aluminising, chromising or thermal-spray coatings extend life in sulphurous or carburising atmospheres — no anodising applies.
Can 1.4874-AC be formed, bent or molded?
Casting-only alloy: sand, shell, investment or centrifugal casting with generous feeding; no cold or hot forming after solidification.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4874-AC?
1.4874-AC is rated for continuous use to about 1,000°C (1,832 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.4874-AC and 1.4874-SA?
AC is the default condition — standard commercial supply condition for heat-resistant castings; carbide network retained for maximum hot hardness and wear resistance. SA: choose when maximum ductility/toughness and a homogenised matrix are needed before machining or for thermally cycled parts. Yield strength is 300 MPa in AC versus 270 MPa in SA.
Sources
- EN 10295 — Heat resistant steel castings — CEN (2002)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (heat-resistant castings) — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Castings Handbook (SFSA), high-alloy chapter — Steel Founders' Society of America (1995)
- European heat-resistant casting foundry alloy sheets (GX-series) — various foundries (2020)
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.