Stainless Steel 253 MA-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state
UNS S30815 · EN 1.4835, X9CrNiSiNCe21-9-2
Property level to assume for undiluted weld metal in fabricated furnace assemblies; slightly higher strength and lower ductility than base metal.
Values for the AW condition
Other 253 MA tempers and conditions
253 MA is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 253 MA.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forged and solution annealed | For heavy sections, roller-hearth furnace rolls, grate bars and forged fittings where a homogeneous recrystallised structure is required. | 340 | 660 | 42 | 185 HB | 2 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault Solution Annealed (1050–1150 °C, rapid cool) | Standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar and tube destined for furnace and high-temperature service. | 350 | 680 | 45 | 180 HB | 2 % IACS |
AWThis page As-welded deposit | Property level to assume for undiluted weld metal in fabricated furnace assemblies; slightly higher strength and lower ductility than base metal. | 420 | 660 | 32 | 195 HB | 2 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Choose for small-diameter bar and fastener stock needing closer tolerance and higher room-temperature strength; strength gain is lost after high-temperature service. | 560 | 800 | 25 | 24 HRC | 2 % IACS |
What is 253 MA-AW?
253 MA-AW is 253 MA heat treated to AW — property level to assume for undiluted weld metal in fabricated furnace assemblies; slightly higher strength and lower ductility than base metal. 253 MA-AW has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 253 MA-AW has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 1,100°C (2,012 °F), better than 96% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 5.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2 % IACS, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
253 MA-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for 253 MA-AW; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 253 MA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
253 MA-AW has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Mechanical16
253 MA-AW has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
253 MA-AW is rated for continuous service to 1,100°C (2,012 °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 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
253 MA-AW conducts electricity at 2 % IACS, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 52% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 253 MA-AW takes about 56 MJ of energy and emits 5.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 59% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability6
253 MA-AW's machinability is poor (34/100, worse than 55% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 253 MA-AW
Is 253 MA easy to machine?
Cut at ~70–80 % of 304 speeds with rigid setups, positive-rake coated carbide, heavy constant feed and generous coolant — the Si+N alloying makes it gummy and strongly work-hardening.
Can 253 MA be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching 253 MA or 22.12.HT filler, low heat input, no preheat and no post-weld heat treatment required for most furnace fabrications.
Can 253 MA be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms like a high-strength austenitic (allow ~30 % higher press loads and more springback than 304); hot forming 1150–900 °C followed by solution annealing at 1050–1150 °C and rapid cooling.
What surface finishes work on 253 MA?
Pickle in HNO3-HF or blast to remove high-temperature scale; passivates naturally, takes standard mechanical polishing but is not anodizable and rarely plated.
253 MA 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 | 0.05 – 0.1 | 0.08 |
| Sikey scale former with Ce | 1.4 – 2 | 1.7 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.8 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 20 – 22 | 21 |
| Ni | 10 – 12 | 11 |
| Nraises proof and creep strength | 0.14 – 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Cerare-earth addition improving scale adhesion | 0.03 – 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance | — |
253 MA-AW — frequently asked
What is 253 MA-AW used for?
253 MA-AW is typically used for furnace rollers, boiler hangers, incinerator components and kiln parts. In short: scaling resistance to 1150 °C; creep-strong heat-resistant austenitic; matching filler available.
What is the yield strength of 253 MA-AW?
253 MA-AW has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 253 MA-AW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (34/100, worse than 55% of stainless steel grades). Cut at ~70–80 % of 304 speeds with rigid setups, positive-rake coated carbide, heavy constant feed and generous coolant — the Si+N alloying makes it gummy and strongly work-hardening.
Can 253 MA-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching 253 MA or 22.12.HT filler, low heat input, no preheat and no post-weld heat treatment required for most furnace fabrications.
What surface finishes work on 253 MA-AW?
Pickle in HNO3-HF or blast to remove high-temperature scale; passivates naturally, takes standard mechanical polishing but is not anodizable and rarely plated.
Can 253 MA-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms like a high-strength austenitic (allow ~30 % higher press loads and more springback than 304); hot forming 1150–900 °C followed by solution annealing at 1050–1150 °C and rapid cooling.
What is the maximum service temperature of 253 MA-AW?
253 MA-AW is rated for continuous use to about 1,100°C (2,012 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 253 MA Annealed and 253 MA-CD?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar and tube destined for furnace and high-temperature service. CD: choose for small-diameter bar and fastener stock needing closer tolerance and higher room-temperature strength; strength gain is lost after high-temperature service. Yield strength is 350 MPa in Annealed versus 560 MPa in CD.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip (UNS S30815) — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10095 — Heat resisting steels and nickel alloys (1.4835) — CEN (1999)
- 253 MA heat-resistant austenitic stainless steel datasheet — Outokumpu (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.