Stainless Steel 1.4981-CW (Cold worked)
Supply condition
EN 1.4981
Cold-pilgered/cold-drawn tube supplied without final anneal for springy or higher-strength room-temperature duty.
Values for the CW condition
Other 1.4981 tempers and conditions
1.4981 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4981.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ATDefault Solution annealed | Standard delivery condition for tube, plate and bar; use for all creep and pressure-part service. | 290 | 620 | 42 | 175 HB | 1.9 % IACS |
As-welded deposit | Property basis for weldments left without post-weld solution treatment, which is normal for this stabilized grade. | 300 | 590 | 30 | 185 HB | 1.9 % IACS |
Stabilize-annealed | Optional Nb(C,N)-precipitating treatment used when maximum creep strength and immunity to intergranular attack are wanted. | 320 | 640 | 38 | 190 HB | 1.9 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Bar for high-temperature bolting and machined fittings where higher proof strength and close tolerance are required. | 560 | 760 | 22 | 230 HB | 1.9 % IACS |
CWThis page Cold worked | Cold-pilgered/cold-drawn tube supplied without final anneal for springy or higher-strength room-temperature duty. | 650 | 850 | 15 | 25 HRC | 1.9 % IACS |
What is 1.4981-CW?
1.4981-CW is 1.4981 supplied in the CW condition — cold-pilgered/cold-drawn tube supplied without final anneal for springy or higher-strength room-temperature duty. 1.4981-CW has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 90% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1.4981-CW has a density of 7.95 g/cm³ (0.287 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F). AT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CW is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 650 MPa (94.3 ksi), better than 90% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 15%, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.9 % IACS, worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
1.4981-CW properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4981-CW; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4981 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4981-CW has a density of 7.95 g/cm³ (0.287 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F).
Mechanical15
1.4981-CW has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 90% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal5
1.4981-CW is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 14.5 W/m·K (8.38 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4981-CW conducts electricity at 1.9 % IACS, worse than 84% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 59% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4981-CW takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 5.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability8
1.4981-CW's machinability is poor (34/100, worse than 55% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (68/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4981-CW
Is 1.4981 easy to machine?
Machine like a stabilized 316: rigid setup, sharp positive-rake carbide, low speed with heavy positive feed and flood coolant; Nb carbides are abrasive and the alloy work-hardens quickly, so avoid dwelling and re-cutting.
Can 1.4981 be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching Nb-stabilized or 16-16-2 filler; keep heat input and interpass temperature low to limit hot cracking, no post-weld solution anneal normally required.
Can 1.4981 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but with higher springback and force than 304 due to rapid work hardening; hot work at 1150–900 °C followed by solution annealing at 1050–1150 °C with rapid cooling.
What surface finishes work on 1.4981?
Pickle and passivate after hot work or welding to restore the passive film; can be ground, belt-polished or electropolished — not anodizable.
1.4981 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.04 – 0.1 | 0.07 |
| Si | ≤ 0.75 | 0.45 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Cr | 15.5 – 17.5 | 16.5 |
| Ni | 15.5 – 17.5 | 16.5 |
| Mo | 1.6 – 2 | 1.8 |
| Nbstabilizer, Nb+Ta; some specs require Nb ≥ 10×C | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Nresidual | ≤ 0.11 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4981-CW — frequently asked
What is 1.4981-CW used for?
1.4981-CW is typically used for boiler tubing, chemical reactor internals and high-temperature piping. In short: nb-stabilized creep grade; best formability, 65/100; also listed as N08811.
What is the yield strength of 1.4981-CW?
1.4981-CW has a typical yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 90% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 1.4981-CW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (34/100, worse than 55% of stainless steel grades). Machine like a stabilized 316: rigid setup, sharp positive-rake carbide, low speed with heavy positive feed and flood coolant; Nb carbides are abrasive and the alloy work-hardens quickly, so avoid dwelling and re-cutting.
Can 1.4981-CW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (68/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching Nb-stabilized or 16-16-2 filler; keep heat input and interpass temperature low to limit hot cracking, no post-weld solution anneal normally required.
What surface finishes work on 1.4981-CW?
Pickle and passivate after hot work or welding to restore the passive film; can be ground, belt-polished or electropolished — not anodizable.
Can 1.4981-CW be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but with higher springback and force than 304 due to rapid work hardening; hot work at 1150–900 °C followed by solution annealing at 1050–1150 °C with rapid cooling.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4981-CW?
1.4981-CW 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 1.4981-AT and 1.4981-CW?
AT is the default condition — standard delivery condition for tube, plate and bar; use for all creep and pressure-part service. CW: cold-pilgered/cold-drawn tube supplied without final anneal for springy or higher-strength room-temperature duty. Yield strength is 290 MPa in AT versus 650 MPa in CW.
Sources
- EN 10302 — Creep resisting steels, nickel and cobalt alloys — CEN (2008)
- EN 10088-1 — Stainless steels: list of stainless steels — CEN (2014)
- DIN 17459 — Seamless circular tubes of creep-resisting austenitic steels — DIN (1992)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Creep-resistant austenitic stainless tube and bar datasheets (1.4981 / 16-16-2 Nb) — European specialty steel producers (2022)
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.