Stainless Steel 1.4948
EN 1.4948
A controlled low-carbon (0.04–0.06%) 18Cr-10Ni austenitic stainless similar to 304 but with tighter carbon range for improved high-temperature strength and weldability; commonly specified for boiler and pressure vessel components in Europe.
Reference datasheet — 1.4948 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 AT condition
1.4948 tempers and conditions
1.4948 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. AT 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forged + solution annealed (EN 10222-5 forgings) | Flanges, valve bodies and headers forged then solution annealed; slightly lower guaranteed properties in heavy sections. | 245 | 570 | 48 | 145 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
ATDefault solution annealed (~1050 °C, water quenched) | Standard delivery condition for plate, tube, bar and forgings; best corrosion resistance and ductility, the condition covered by EN 10028-7 / ASME code values. | 260 | 590 | 52 | 150 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Choose for straight, close-tolerance bar and instrument tubing where higher yield and better chip control than annealed are wanted. | 450 | 700 | 30 | 16 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Cold-rolled temper for springy or higher-strength structural sheet parts that are not exposed to sensitising temperatures. | 570 | 900 | 12 | 25 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Half hard | Higher-strength cold-rolled temper for clamps, straps and stampings with only mild bending. | 800 | 1,070 | 8 | 32 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum cold-rolled strength for flat springs and shims; essentially no formability and strongly ferromagnetic from deformation martensite. | 1,010 | 1,320 | 4 | 41 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 1.4948 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
TUBE-AT | Seamless tube, solution annealed | Supply form |
1D | Hot rolled, solution annealed and pickled plate | Surface finish |
2B | Cold rolled, annealed and skin-passed sheet | Surface finish |
What is 1.4948?
A controlled low-carbon (0.04–0.06%) 18Cr-10Ni austenitic stainless similar to 304 but with tighter carbon range for improved high-temperature strength and weldability; commonly specified for boiler and pressure vessel components in Europe. 1.4948 has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). 1.4948 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — weaker than 84% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 52% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1.4948 used for?
- pressure vessels
- boiler tubing
- process piping
- heat exchangers
- food processing equipment
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 220 MPa·√m (200.2 ksi·√in), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 52%, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
1.4948 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4948-AT; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4948 has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
1.4948 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — weaker than 84% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 52% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4948 is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °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 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4948 conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 52% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4948 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
1.4948's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); 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. 1.4948 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1.4948
Is 1.4948 easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, high-pressure coolant; ~45% of AISI 1212.
Can 1.4948 be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 308H filler to keep elevated-temperature strength; no preheat, keep interpass low, avoid prolonged 425–850 °C exposure to limit carbide sensitisation.
Can 1.4948 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability (deep drawing, roll bending, tube bending) but high springback and rapid work hardening; hot work 1150–900 °C then solution anneal at 1040–1100 °C with rapid cooling.
1.4948 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ccontrolled range for creep strength | 0.04 – 0.08 | 0.06 |
| Si | ≤ 0.75 | 0.45 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S≤0.030 in ASTM S30409 | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18.2 |
| Ni | 8 – 11 | 9.3 |
| N | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1.4948?
Pickle/passivate after welding to restore the passive film; electropolish or mechanically polish to No.4/No.8; not anodisable, plating rarely needed.
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 1.4948 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- X6CrNi18-10
- Similar grades
- 304HS3040906Cr19Ni10
How much does 1.4948 cost?
1.4948 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.
1.4948 — frequently asked
What is 1.4948 used for?
1.4948 is typically used for pressure vessels, boiler tubing, process piping, heat exchangers and food processing equipment. In short: high-temperature 304 variant; controlled carbon for creep strength; standard boiler and vessel grade.
What is the yield strength of 1.4948?
1.4948 has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — weaker than 84% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1.4948 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, high-pressure coolant; ~45% of AISI 1212.
Can 1.4948 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 308H filler to keep elevated-temperature strength; no preheat, keep interpass low, avoid prolonged 425–850 °C exposure to limit carbide sensitisation.
What surface finishes work on 1.4948?
Pickle/passivate after welding to restore the passive film; electropolish or mechanically polish to No.4/No.8; not anodisable, plating rarely needed.
Can 1.4948 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability (deep drawing, roll bending, tube bending) but high springback and rapid work hardening; hot work 1150–900 °C then solution anneal at 1040–1100 °C with rapid cooling.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4948?
1.4948 is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.4948-AT and 1.4948-FH?
AT is the default condition — standard delivery condition for plate, tube, bar and forgings; best corrosion resistance and ductility, the condition covered by EN 10028-7 / ASME code values. FH: maximum cold-rolled strength for flat springs and shims; essentially no formability and strongly ferromagnetic from deformation martensite. Yield strength is 260 MPa in AT versus 1,010 MPa in FH.
How much does 1.4948 cost?
1.4948 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 10028-7 Flat products for pressure purposes — stainless steels — CEN (2016)
- EN 10216-5 Seamless steel tubes for pressure purposes — stainless steels — CEN (2021)
- EN 10222-5 Steel forgings for pressure purposes — austenitic stainless — CEN (2017)
- ASTM A240/A213 (304H, S30409, TP304H) — ASTM International (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties of Stainless Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Outokumpu Steel Handbook / Core 304H (1.4948) datasheet — Outokumpu (2023)
- Sandvik 3R12H / TP304H tube datasheet — Alleima (Sandvik) (2022)
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.