Stainless Steel 1.4878 Annealed
Temper · default condition
EN 1.4878 · UNS S32100 · AISI/SAE 321 · ASTM A240 TP321 · JIS SUS321
Default stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, pipe and fittings; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance.
Values for the Annealed condition
Other 1.4878 tempers and conditions
1.4878 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4878.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefaultThis page solution annealed (1020–1120 °C, rapid cool) | Default stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, pipe and fittings; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance. | 255 | 600 | 48 | 155 HB | — |
Hardened | Buy this designation when ASME Section VIII/B31.3 elevated-temperature allowables above 540 °C are required; 1.4878 inherently meets the H carbon range. | 255 | 600 | 45 | 160 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Low-temperature relief of cold-work residual stress on formed or machined parts without losing strength or risking sensitization. | 520 | 730 | 30 | 14 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn bar for fasteners and machined parts needing higher yield strength and better surface/tolerance than annealed bar. | 550 | 760 | 28 | 17 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light temper-rolled sheet for springy brackets and clips still needing moderate bendability. | 570 | 900 | 14 | 25 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Half hard | Half-hard strip when high yield strength matters more than forming, e.g. shims and structural clips. | 800 | 1,060 | 10 | 32 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum-strength thin strip for flat springs and diaphragms; bending only in a limited direction. | 980 | 1,250 | 5 | 38 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
What is 1.4878 Annealed?
1.4878 Annealed is 1.4878 in the Annealed temper — default stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, pipe and fittings; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance. 1.4878 Annealed has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — weaker than 87% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi). 1.4878 Annealed has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,398°C (2,548 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 48%, better than 85% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- High service temperature — 850°C (1,562 °F), better than 80% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 255 MPa (37 ksi), worse than 87% of stainless steel grades
1.4878 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4878 Annealed; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4878 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4878 Annealed has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,398°C (2,548 °F).
Mechanical16
1.4878 Annealed has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — weaker than 87% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4878 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 850°C (1,562 °F). It conducts heat at 15.9 W/m·K (9.19 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 55% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4878 Annealed conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (63/100), better than 53% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4878 Annealed takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
1.4878 Annealed's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability very good (72/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4878 Annealed
Is 1.4878 easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening like 304 — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed, no dwelling, and generous emulsion or high-pressure coolant; expect ~45 % of AISI 1212 rates.
Can 1.4878 be welded?
Excellent with GTAW/GMAW/SMAW using ER347 or ER321 filler; no post-weld solution anneal needed thanks to Ti stabilization, keep interpass below ~150 °C and avoid high heat input to limit distortion.
Can 1.4878 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms, bends, spins and deep draws well but hardens fast — allow 20–40 % more press force than mild steel and interstage anneal at 1020–1080 °C for severe draws; hot work at 1150–900 °C.
What surface finishes work on 1.4878?
Pickle (HNO₃/HF) or passivate per ASTM A967 after welding; electropolish or mechanical polish for hygienic surfaces — Ti carbonitride inclusions can cause faint streaks in mirror finishes; do not anodize.
1.4878 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chigher C than 1.4541 for creep strength | 0.04 – 0.1 | 0.07 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Ni | 9 – 12 | 10.5 |
| Ti≥ 5 × C; stabilizer forming TiC | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.45 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4878 Annealed — frequently asked
What is 1.4878 Annealed used for?
1.4878 Annealed is typically used for exhaust systems, aircraft manifolds, high-temperature piping, expansion bellows and welded pressure vessels. In short: ti-stabilised weld-safe 18-10; 850 °C service temperature; no post-weld anneal needed.
What is the yield strength of 1.4878 Annealed?
1.4878 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — weaker than 87% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1.4878 Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening like 304 — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed, no dwelling, and generous emulsion or high-pressure coolant; expect ~45 % of AISI 1212 rates.
Can 1.4878 Annealed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent with GTAW/GMAW/SMAW using ER347 or ER321 filler; no post-weld solution anneal needed thanks to Ti stabilization, keep interpass below ~150 °C and avoid high heat input to limit distortion.
What surface finishes work on 1.4878 Annealed?
Pickle (HNO₃/HF) or passivate per ASTM A967 after welding; electropolish or mechanical polish for hygienic surfaces — Ti carbonitride inclusions can cause faint streaks in mirror finishes; do not anodize.
Can 1.4878 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms, bends, spins and deep draws well but hardens fast — allow 20–40 % more press force than mild steel and interstage anneal at 1020–1080 °C for severe draws; hot work at 1150–900 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4878 Annealed?
1.4878 Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 850°C (1,562 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.4878 Annealed and 1.4878-FH?
Annealed is the default condition — default stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, pipe and fittings; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance. FH: maximum-strength thin strip for flat springs and diaphragms; bending only in a limited direction. Yield strength is 255 MPa in Annealed versus 980 MPa in FH.
Sources
- EN 10088-1/-2/-3 Stainless steels — X8CrNiTi18-10 (1.4878) — CEN (2014)
- ASTM A240/A240M — TP321/TP321H plate, sheet and strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A276 / A312 / A666 — stainless bar, pipe and cold-rolled strip tempers — ASTM International (2022)
- GB/T 20878 / GB/T 4237 — 06Cr18Ni11Ti (321) — SAC (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Outokumpu / Sandvik stainless steel grade datasheets (4878, 321H) — Outokumpu, Alleima (2023)
- SMM / Mysteel — SMM / Mysteel (2025)
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.