Stainless Steel 405
AISI/SAE 405 · UNS S40500 · EN 1.4002, X6CrAl13 · JIS SUS405 · GB 06Cr13Al, 0Cr13Al
405 is a 12 % Cr ferritic stainless with an aluminum addition (UNS S40500, 1.4002 / X6CrAl13, SUS405) that suppresses air-hardening so the weld heat-affected zone stays soft, historically used for pressure-vessel cladding and heat treatment equipment.
Values for the Annealed condition
405 tempers and conditions
405 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault softened (typically 650–815 °C, air cooled) | Standard stocked condition for plate, sheet and bar; maximum ductility and best weld/formability. | 280 | 480 | 28 | 155 HB | — |
annealed then cold finished bar | Bar stock with tighter tolerance and higher strength; ductility and impact toughness are reduced by the cold work. | 450 | 585 | 18 | 12 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 405 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
CRA 2B | Cold Rolled, Annealed, 2B finish | Surface finish |
HRAP | Hot Rolled, Annealed and Pickled | Surface finish |
What is 405?
405 is a 12 % Cr ferritic stainless with an aluminum addition (UNS S40500, 1.4002 / X6CrAl13, SUS405) that suppresses air-hardening so the weld heat-affected zone stays soft, historically used for pressure-vessel cladding and heat treatment equipment. Annealed material gives 280 MPa yield, 480 MPa tensile, 28 % elongation and 155 HB (82 HRB) with service to 705 °C, supplied as annealed and cold-drawn bar, HRAP plate and cold-rolled 2B sheet. Drawability is below the austenitics and heavy sections can coarsen and embrittle; 409 is the cheaper titanium-stabilized ferritic where cladding is not required. 405 has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,480°C (2,696 °F). 405 has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 75% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 405 used for?
- Pressure-vessel cladding and linings
- Heat treatment fixtures
- Annealing boxes
- Furnace and heater internals
- Quenching racks and trays
- Refinery tower linings
- Tube supports and baffles
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 27 W/m·K (15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 85% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
- Low strength — 280 MPa (40.6 ksi), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades
405 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 405-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
405 has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,480°C (2,696 °F).
Mechanical13
405 has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 75% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
405 is rated for continuous service to 705°C (1,301 °F). It conducts heat at 27 W/m·K (15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 97% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
405 conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 85% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 405 takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 80% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
405's machinability is good (55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); 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. 405 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 405
Is 405 easy to machine?
Machines like annealed 410 at roughly 60% of 1212 — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp tooling and generous coolant to avoid the gummy, work-hardening surface.
Can 405 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW without hardened martensite in the HAZ; use 405Cb, 309L or 430 filler, low heat input and preheat 150–200 °C on heavy sections to limit grain coarsening embrittlement.
Can 405 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms and roll-bends adequately in the annealed condition but has less stretch than austenitics; keep bend radii ≥1.5t and avoid severe deep drawing.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 405. Every 405 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | M.4 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 140 / 170 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1.5 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 4× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better60 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair70 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
405 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A240 max | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 11.5 – 14.5 | 13 |
| Alferrite stabiliser — suppresses hardening on cooling | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| NiASTM A240 limit | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 405?
Passivate in nitric acid after pickling; takes a fair mechanical polish, but for long outdoor life it is usually painted or aluminized rather than left bare.
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).
Plating
Organic Coating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 405 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S40500
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.4002X6CrAl13
- GB (China)
- 06Cr13Al0Cr13Al
- JIS
- SUS405
How much does 405 cost?
405 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), pricier than about 58% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
405 — frequently asked
What is 405 used for?
405 is typically used for pressure-vessel cladding and linings, heat treatment fixtures, annealing boxes, furnace and heater internals, quenching racks and trays and refinery tower linings. In short: welding-grade ferritic stainless.
What is the yield strength of 405?
405 has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 75% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is 405 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades). Machines like annealed 410 at roughly 60% of 1212 — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp tooling and generous coolant to avoid the gummy, work-hardening surface.
Can 405 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW without hardened martensite in the HAZ; use 405Cb, 309L or 430 filler, low heat input and preheat 150–200 °C on heavy sections to limit grain coarsening embrittlement.
What surface finishes work on 405?
Passivate in nitric acid after pickling; takes a fair mechanical polish, but for long outdoor life it is usually painted or aluminized rather than left bare.
Can 405 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms and roll-bends adequately in the annealed condition but has less stretch than austenitics; keep bend radii ≥1.5t and avoid severe deep drawing.
What is the maximum service temperature of 405?
405 is rated for continuous use to about 705°C (1,301 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 405 cost?
405 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), pricier than about 58% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 405?
Yes — 405 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10088-2 (1.4002, X6CrAl13) — CEN (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Type 405 Stainless Steel Product Data Sheet — AK Steel / Cleveland-Cliffs (2018)
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.