Stainless Steel 442
AISI/SAE 442 · UNS S44200
442 (UNS S44200, 1.4742) is a high-chromium ferritic stainless steel with 18–23% Cr, giving better oxidation and scaling resistance than 430 at elevated temperature without nickel.
Reference datasheet — 442 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 Annealed condition
442 tempers and conditions
442 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved after welding/forming (~750–800 °C) | Applied to welded furnace assemblies to restore ductility and reduce residual stress; avoid slow cooling through 400–550 °C. | 300 | 535 | 24 | 170 HB | 2.7 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault mill annealed (softened) condition | Default stock condition for plate, sheet, bar and tube; maximum ductility and best oxidation performance for furnace parts. | 310 | 550 | 25 | 175 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Use for machined shafts, studs and fittings needing tighter tolerance and higher strength than annealed bar. | 480 | 650 | 15 | 210 HB | 2.7 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Occasional strip condition for stiffer flat parts that need only mild bending after rolling. | 520 | 690 | 10 | 220 HB | 2.7 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 442 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
BA | Bright Annealed strip | Surface finish |
CRA-2B | Cold Rolled, Annealed, 2B finish sheet/strip | Surface finish |
HRAP | Hot Rolled, Annealed and Pickled | Surface finish |
What is 442?
442 (UNS S44200, 1.4742) is a high-chromium ferritic stainless steel with 18–23% Cr, giving better oxidation and scaling resistance than 430 at elevated temperature without nickel. It is supplied as annealed sheet, plate, bar and cold-worked strip for furnace internals and heat-treating hardware, with typical values of 310 MPa yield, 550 MPa tensile, 25% elongation, 175 HB (85 HRB) and service to 1035 °C. It is not hardenable, weldability is limited (score 42) and long exposure near 475 °C embrittles it; austenitic 309/310 is the alternative where hot strength and weldability matter. 442 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). 442 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 63% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 442 used for?
- furnace parts
- heat-treating fixtures
- high-temperature exhaust components
Advantages
- High service temperature — 1,035°C (1,895 °F), better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 48/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, better than 78% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 20.9 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 42/100, worse than 81% of stainless steel grades
442 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 442-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
442 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical13
442 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 63% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
442 is rated for continuous service to 1,035°C (1,895 °F). It conducts heat at 20.9 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
442 conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, better than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 71% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 442 takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability7
442's machinability is fair (48/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (42/100); formability fair (52/100).
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. 442 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 442
Is 442 easy to machine?
Machines like 430 at ~55 % of AISI 1212: use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feeds and generous coolant to avoid work-hardened skin and built-up edge.
Can 442 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW with 309/430Nb-type or Ni-base filler, but keep heat input low, preheat 150–250 °C on heavy sections and post-weld anneal ~760–800 °C to counter HAZ grain coarsening and 475 °C embrittlement.
Can 442 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms adequately in mild bends and shallow draws with generous bend radii (≥2t) and warm forming for severe shapes; anneal at 760–830 °C and air cool — do not expect austenitic-grade stretch.
442 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax per ASTM A176/A240 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Crhigh Cr gives the improved scaling resistance | 18 – 23 | 20.5 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| N | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 442?
Finish by pickling/passivation, electropolishing or mechanical polishing; not anodisable — for high-temperature parts a controlled pre-oxidation gives a stable adherent Cr₂O₃ scale.
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 442 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S44200
- Similar grades
- 1.4742
How much does 442 cost?
442 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.
442 — frequently asked
What is 442 used for?
442 is typically used for furnace parts, heat-treating fixtures and high-temperature exhaust components. In short: highest-temperature 4xx ferritic; nickel-free scaling resistance; limited weldability.
What is the yield strength of 442?
442 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 63% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 442 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades). Machines like 430 at ~55 % of AISI 1212: use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feeds and generous coolant to avoid work-hardened skin and built-up edge.
Can 442 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (42/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW with 309/430Nb-type or Ni-base filler, but keep heat input low, preheat 150–250 °C on heavy sections and post-weld anneal ~760–800 °C to counter HAZ grain coarsening and 475 °C embrittlement.
What surface finishes work on 442?
Finish by pickling/passivation, electropolishing or mechanical polishing; not anodisable — for high-temperature parts a controlled pre-oxidation gives a stable adherent Cr₂O₃ scale.
Can 442 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms adequately in mild bends and shallow draws with generous bend radii (≥2t) and warm forming for severe shapes; anneal at 760–830 °C and air cool — do not expect austenitic-grade stretch.
What is the maximum service temperature of 442?
442 is rated for continuous use to about 1,035°C (1,895 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 442 Annealed and 442-CD?
Annealed is the default condition — default stock condition for plate, sheet, bar and tube; maximum ductility and best oxidation performance for furnace parts. CD: use for machined shafts, studs and fittings needing tighter tolerance and higher strength than annealed bar. Yield strength is 310 MPa in Annealed versus 480 MPa in CD.
How much does 442 cost?
442 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
- ASTM A176 — Stainless and Heat-Resisting Chromium Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10095 — Heat resisting steels and nickel alloys (incl. 1.4742) — CEN (2018)
- 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing, and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
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.