Stainless Steel 12Kh18N12M3TL
ASTM CF8M
12Kh18N12M3TL is a molybdenum- and titanium-bearing GOST cast austenitic stainless steel, the equivalent of ASTM CF8M with added Ti stabilization for chloride and high-temperature service.
Reference datasheet — 12Kh18N12M3TL 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 ST condition
12Kh18N12M3TL tempers and conditions
12Kh18N12M3TL is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. ST 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STDefault Solution annealed | Standard delivery condition for pressure-containing castings: maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. | 245 | 500 | 32 | 170 HB | — |
As fabricated | Only for non-critical, low-corrosion-duty parts; carbides and dendritic segregation remain from casting. | 250 | 470 | 20 | 180 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Solution treated then stabilizing anneal 850–900 °C | Choose for welded castings in hot acid or 450–700 °C service where intergranular attack must be suppressed by full Ti-carbide precipitation. | 250 | 490 | 28 | 175 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Hot isostatically pressed then solution treated | For fatigue- or leak-critical pump and valve castings where microporosity must be closed. | 255 | 520 | 40 | 170 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
What is 12Kh18N12M3TL?
12Kh18N12M3TL is a molybdenum- and titanium-bearing GOST cast austenitic stainless steel, the equivalent of ASTM CF8M with added Ti stabilization for chloride and high-temperature service. The Mo raises pitting resistance (corrosion score 72) while the Ti suppresses sensitization, giving 245 MPa yield, 500 MPa tensile, 32 % elongation, 170 HB and service to 600 °C. Supplied as sand, investment or HIP-treated castings only. Machining runs at roughly 40 % of AISI 1212 rates, and cost is higher than the Mo-free grades — use 12Kh18N9TL / CF8C where chlorides are absent. 12Kh18N12M3TL 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). 12Kh18N12M3TL has a yield strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 94% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is 12Kh18N12M3TL used for?
- marine valve castings
- chemical process pump housings
- high-temperature corrosive service
Limitations
- Low strength — 245 MPa (35.5 ksi), worse than 94% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
12Kh18N12M3TL properties
Typical room-temperature values for 12Kh18N12M3TL-ST; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
12Kh18N12M3TL 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
12Kh18N12M3TL has a yield strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 94% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
12Kh18N12M3TL is rated for continuous service to 600°C (1,112 °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 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
12Kh18N12M3TL conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 73% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 12Kh18N12M3TL takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 66% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
12Kh18N12M3TL's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. 12Kh18N12M3TL is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 12Kh18N12M3TL
Is 12Kh18N12M3TL easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening like 316 castings — use sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, rigid setups and flood coolant; expect ~40 % of AISI 1212 speeds and skin-scale abrasion on the as-cast surface.
Can 12Kh18N12M3TL be welded?
Readily welded with ER316L/ER318 (Ti- or Nb-bearing) filler, no preheat, low interpass temperature; the Ti and residual delta ferrite prevent sensitization and hot cracking, and full solution treatment after major repairs is preferred.
Can 12Kh18N12M3TL be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast at ~1550–1580 °C with generous risering to counter the wide freezing range and ~2.2 % solidification shrinkage; not a wrought-forming grade.
12Kh18N12M3TL 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CGOST 977-88 maximum | ≤ 0.12 | 0.1 |
| Si | 0.2 – 1 | 0.6 |
| Mnsome sources allow up to 2.0 | 0.2 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Cr | 16 – 19 | 17.5 |
| Ni | 11 – 13 | 12 |
| Mo | 3 – 4 | 3.4 |
| Tistabilizer, typically ≥ 5×C | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 12Kh18N12M3TL?
Pickle and passivate (nitric or citric) after grinding to restore the passive film; can be electropolished, shot-blasted or mechanically polished, but casting porosity limits mirror finishes — anodizing is not applicable.
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 12Kh18N12M3TL in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- CF8M
How much does 12Kh18N12M3TL cost?
12Kh18N12M3TL is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
12Kh18N12M3TL — frequently asked
What is 12Kh18N12M3TL used for?
12Kh18N12M3TL is typically used for marine valve castings, chemical process pump housings and high-temperature corrosive service. In short: mo-bearing cast austenitic; stabilized CF8M equivalent; best chloride resistance in family.
What is the yield strength of 12Kh18N12M3TL?
12Kh18N12M3TL has a typical yield strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 94% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 12Kh18N12M3TL easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening like 316 castings — use sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, rigid setups and flood coolant; expect ~40 % of AISI 1212 speeds and skin-scale abrasion on the as-cast surface.
Can 12Kh18N12M3TL be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily welded with ER316L/ER318 (Ti- or Nb-bearing) filler, no preheat, low interpass temperature; the Ti and residual delta ferrite prevent sensitization and hot cracking, and full solution treatment after major repairs is preferred.
What surface finishes work on 12Kh18N12M3TL?
Pickle and passivate (nitric or citric) after grinding to restore the passive film; can be electropolished, shot-blasted or mechanically polished, but casting porosity limits mirror finishes — anodizing is not applicable.
Can 12Kh18N12M3TL be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast at ~1550–1580 °C with generous risering to counter the wide freezing range and ~2.2 % solidification shrinkage; not a wrought-forming grade.
What is the maximum service temperature of 12Kh18N12M3TL?
12Kh18N12M3TL is rated for continuous use to about 600°C (1,112 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 12Kh18N12M3TL-ST and 12Kh18N12M3TL-F?
ST is the default condition — standard delivery condition for pressure-containing castings: maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. F: only for non-critical, low-corrosion-duty parts; carbides and dendritic segregation remain from casting. Yield strength is 245 MPa in ST versus 250 MPa in F.
How much does 12Kh18N12M3TL cost?
12Kh18N12M3TL is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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
- GOST 977-88 — Steel castings. General specifications — Gosstandart (1988)
- ASTM A351/A351M — Castings, Austenitic, for Pressure-Containing Parts (CF8M) — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Castings Handbook — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM (1995)
- Russian/CIS grade databases for 12Х18Н12М3ТЛ (mechanical and heat-treatment data) — various metallurgical references (2020)
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.