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Stainless Steel 1.4905-N (Normalized)

Heat-treated state

EN 1.4905

Transient condition after normalizing or after welding — hard and brittle; tempering at 730–780 °C is mandatory before use.

High cost $$$$

Values for the N condition

Other 1.4905 tempers and conditions

1.4905 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4905.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Solution annealed
Intermediate machining/forming condition for bar and forging stock; must be re-normalized and tempered before service.40062025200 HB—
NTDefault
normalized (1040–1090 °C) and tempered (730–780 °C)
Standard delivery condition for tubes, pipe and plate; tempered martensite giving the certified creep and impact properties.5207002220 HRC—
Quenched and tempered
Used for thick turbine/valve forgings where accelerated cooling is needed to obtain full martensite through-section.5607502022 HRC3 % IACS
As-welded deposit
Condition of matching E911 weld deposits before the mandatory 750–770 °C PWHT; hard, low-toughness, never left in service.8001,0001040 HRC2.8 % IACS
NThis page
Normalized
Transient condition after normalizing or after welding — hard and brittle; tempering at 730–780 °C is mandatory before use.9001,2501043 HRC2.8 % IACS

What is 1.4905-N?

1.4905-N is 1.4905 heat treated to N — transient condition after normalizing or after welding — hard and brittle; tempering at 730–780 °C is mandatory before use. 1.4905-N has a yield strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 216 GPa (31.3 Msi). 1.4905-N has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). NT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; N is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 900 MPa (131 ksi), better than 98% of stainless steel grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 2.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 98% of stainless steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of stainless steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 2.8 % IACS, better than 79% of stainless steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
  • Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
  • Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 98% of stainless steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 35 MPa·√m (31.9 ksi·√in), worse than 98% of stainless steel grades

1.4905-N properties

Typical room-temperature values for 1.4905-N; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4905 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.

Physical3

1.4905-N has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).

Density7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,490°C2,714 °F

Mechanical16

1.4905-N has a yield strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 216 GPa (31.3 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus216 GPa31.3 Msi
Shear Modulus84 GPa12.2 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,250 MPa181 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)900 MPa131 ksi
Elongation at Break10%
Reduction in Area35%
Compressive Strength940 MPa136 ksi
Shear Strength750 MPa109 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)480 MPa69.6 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)35 MPa·√m31.9 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)10 J7.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell400 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C43 HRC
Hardness, Vickers420 HV

Thermal6

1.4905-N is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)10.8 µm/m·K6 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)450°C842 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

1.4905-N conducts electricity at 2.8 % IACS, better than 79% of stainless steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity2.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m24.4 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 99% of stainless steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.4 V
Corrosion ResistancePoor30/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood resistance to high-temperature steam oxidation and flue gas up to ~600–620 °C; rusts in humid air and is attacked by chlorides, acids and seawater — not a corrosion-resistant stainless in aqueous service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 1.4905-N takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 99% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)36 MJ/kg15,477 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.9 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water70 L/kg8.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content40%

Manufacturability7

1.4905-N's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (5/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended12/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)15%
WeldabilityPoor20/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended5/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityPoor30/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use oxidation-resistant coatings, aluminizing or chromizing instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 1.4905-N

Is 1.4905 easy to machine?

Machine in the annealed or tempered condition with rigid setups, sharp carbide tooling, low speed/high feed and copious coolant — work-hardening and poor chip-breaking make it slower than plain alloy steel.

Can 1.4905 be welded?

Use matching E911/9Cr-1Mo-W consumables with 200–300 °C preheat/interpass, control interpass below ~350 °C, cool to ~100 °C before the mandatory 750–770 °C PWHT to restore toughness.

Can 1.4905 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot form at 1100–900 °C followed by full re-normalizing and tempering; cold bending is limited and requires post-form stress relief.

What surface finishes work on 1.4905?

Not corrosion resistant in wet service — protect with paint, aluminizing or chromizing; pickle/passivate only per boiler-cleaning practice.

1.4905 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C0.09 – 0.130.11
Si0.1 – 0.50.2
Mn0.3 – 0.60.45
P≤ 0.02—
S≤ 0.01—
Cr8.5 – 9.59
Mo0.9 – 1.11
W0.9 – 1.11
V0.18 – 0.250.22
Nb0.06 – 0.10.08
N0.05 – 0.090.07
Ni≤ 0.40.2
Almax, soluble Al≤ 0.02—
Bmax (residual)≤ 5×10⁻⁴—
Febalance—

1.4905-N — frequently asked

What is 1.4905-N used for?

1.4905-N is typically used for steam turbine rotors, boiler tubes and headers, high-temperature bolting and power plant piping. In short: 9Cr creep-resistant steel; 600 °C steam service; mandatory post-weld heat treatment.

What is the yield strength of 1.4905-N?

1.4905-N has a typical yield strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is 1.4905-N easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades). Machine in the annealed or tempered condition with rigid setups, sharp carbide tooling, low speed/high feed and copious coolant — work-hardening and poor chip-breaking make it slower than plain alloy steel.

Can 1.4905-N be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Use matching E911/9Cr-1Mo-W consumables with 200–300 °C preheat/interpass, control interpass below ~350 °C, cool to ~100 °C before the mandatory 750–770 °C PWHT to restore toughness.

What surface finishes work on 1.4905-N?

Not corrosion resistant in wet service — protect with paint, aluminizing or chromizing; pickle/passivate only per boiler-cleaning practice.

Can 1.4905-N be formed, bent or molded?

Hot form at 1100–900 °C followed by full re-normalizing and tempering; cold bending is limited and requires post-form stress relief.

What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4905-N?

1.4905-N is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between 1.4905-NT and 1.4905-N?

NT is the default condition — standard delivery condition for tubes, pipe and plate; tempered martensite giving the certified creep and impact properties. N: transient condition after normalizing or after welding — hard and brittle; tempering at 730–780 °C is mandatory before use. Yield strength is 520 MPa in NT versus 900 MPa in N.

Sources

  1. EN 10216-2 — Seamless steel tubes for pressure purposes, non-alloy and alloy steels with specified elevated temperature properties — CEN (2020)
  2. EN 10222-2 — Steel forgings for pressure purposes, ferritic and martensitic steels for elevated temperature — CEN (2017)
  3. VdTÜV-Werkstoffblatt 522 — X11CrMoWVNb9-1 (E911) — VdTÜV (2004)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. Creep-strength enhanced ferritic (CSEF) steel property compilations for P91/P92/E911 — EPRI / ECCC (2018)

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.