Stainless Steel 1.4988
EN 1.4988
1.4988 (X8CrNiMoVNb16-13) is a vanadium- and niobium-strengthened 316-type austenitic stainless developed for high-temperature bolting and fasteners that must retain creep strength.
Reference datasheet — 1.4988 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 SA condition
1.4988 tempers and conditions
1.4988 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. SA is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SADefault Solution annealed 1080–1150 °C, rapidly cooled | Standard delivery condition for tube, plate and bar; best ductility and corrosion resistance, creep strength develops in service by fine NbC/VC precipitation. | 300 | 660 | 38 | 180 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Cheapest bar/plate form for parts that will be re-solution-annealed or machined all over; scaled surface and scattered properties. | 320 | 680 | 35 | 195 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Solution annealed and precipitation aged / stabilised ~700–800 °C | Used for creep-loaded fasteners where in-service carbide precipitation is pre-conditioned to stabilise proof strength and relaxation behaviour. | 400 | 720 | 28 | 17 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Choose for high-temperature bolting and studs needing higher proof strength and better surface/tolerance than annealed bar. | 620 | 850 | 18 | 25 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
What is 1.4988?
1.4988 (X8CrNiMoVNb16-13) is a vanadium- and niobium-strengthened 316-type austenitic stainless developed for high-temperature bolting and fasteners that must retain creep strength. Solution-annealed material gives 300 MPa yield, 660 MPa tensile, 38 % elongation and 180 HB with service to 700 °C, and is stocked as bar, hot-rolled product, cold-drawn bar and SA+aged material. The carbide-forming additions reduce machinability (rating 32) and formability (rating 60), so plan lower speeds and interstage annealing. For ordinary corrosion duty at moderate temperature, 316L is cheaper and easier to work. 1.4988 has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F). 1.4988 has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1.4988 used for?
- high-temperature bolts
- turbine fasteners
- pressure vessel studs
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
1.4988 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4988-SA; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4988 has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Mechanical16
1.4988 has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4988 is rated for continuous service to 700°C (1,292 °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
1.4988 conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 68% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4988 takes about 56 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 59% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
1.4988's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability good (60/100).
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. 1.4988 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1.4988
Is 1.4988 easy to machine?
Machine like a tough 316 but harder: 15–25 % lower speeds, sharp carbide inserts, heavy positive rake, rigid setup and copious coolant, avoid dwelling to prevent work hardening on Nb/V carbides.
Can 1.4988 be welded?
TIG/MIG/SMAW with matched Nb-bearing or 316L/318 filler, low heat input, interpass < 150 °C; keep dilution low to limit hot cracking, no post-weld anneal usually required but heavily restrained joints benefit from re-solution treatment.
Can 1.4988 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well when annealed but work hardens rapidly — allow springback and interstage annealing at 1080–1150 °C; hot work 1150–900 °C with rapid cooling to avoid sigma/carbide precipitation.
1.4988 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 | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Cr | 15.5 – 17.5 | 16.5 |
| Ni | 12.5 – 14.5 | 13.5 |
| Mo | 1.1 – 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Vcarbide former for creep strength | 0.6 – 0.85 | 0.7 |
| NbNb+Ta | 0.75 – 1.25 | 1 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1.4988?
Pickle and passivate after hot work or welding to restore the passive film; electropolish or fine mechanical polish for steam-side surfaces; not anodisable — use as-passivated or aluminised for very high-temperature scaling service.
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 1.4988 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- X8CrNiMoVNb16-13
How much does 1.4988 cost?
1.4988 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
1.4988 — frequently asked
What is 1.4988 used for?
1.4988 is typically used for high-temperature bolts, turbine fasteners and pressure vessel studs. In short: high-temperature bolting grade; nb/V creep strengthening; harder to cut than 316.
What is the yield strength of 1.4988?
1.4988 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 1.4988 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades). Machine like a tough 316 but harder: 15–25 % lower speeds, sharp carbide inserts, heavy positive rake, rigid setup and copious coolant, avoid dwelling to prevent work hardening on Nb/V carbides.
Can 1.4988 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). TIG/MIG/SMAW with matched Nb-bearing or 316L/318 filler, low heat input, interpass < 150 °C; keep dilution low to limit hot cracking, no post-weld anneal usually required but heavily restrained joints benefit from re-solution treatment.
What surface finishes work on 1.4988?
Pickle and passivate after hot work or welding to restore the passive film; electropolish or fine mechanical polish for steam-side surfaces; not anodisable — use as-passivated or aluminised for very high-temperature scaling service.
Can 1.4988 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well when annealed but work hardens rapidly — allow springback and interstage annealing at 1080–1150 °C; hot work 1150–900 °C with rapid cooling to avoid sigma/carbide precipitation.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4988?
1.4988 is rated for continuous use to about 700°C (1,292 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.4988-SA and 1.4988-CD?
SA is the default condition — standard delivery condition for tube, plate and bar; best ductility and corrosion resistance, creep strength develops in service by fine NbC/VC precipitation. CD: choose for high-temperature bolting and studs needing higher proof strength and better surface/tolerance than annealed bar. Yield strength is 300 MPa in SA versus 620 MPa in CD.
How much does 1.4988 cost?
1.4988 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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 10302 — Creep resisting steels, nickel and cobalt alloys — CEN (2008)
- DIN 17459 — Seamless circular tubes of creep-resisting austenitic steels — DIN (1992)
- EN 10088-1 — Stainless steels: list of stainless steels — CEN (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Heat-resisting austenitic stainless bar/tube datasheets (specialty steel producers) — various (2023)
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.