Stainless Steel 445 Annealed-2B
Heat-treated state · default condition
AISI/SAE 445 · UNS S44500
Annealed-2B = annealed, cold rolled 2B finish
Standard stocked cold-rolled sheet/coil condition for tanks, tubing and appliance panels.
Values for the Annealed-2B condition
Other 445 tempers and conditions
445 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at 445.
- Annealed-2B
- TR-1/4H
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed-2BDefaultThis page Annealed, cold rolled 2B finish | Standard stocked cold-rolled sheet/coil condition for tanks, tubing and appliance panels. | 330 | 480 | 30 | 170 HB | — |
Temper rolled, 1/4 hard strip | Pick for springy flat parts, clips and stiffened panels where extra yield strength beats formability. | 480 | 560 | 12 | 210 HB | — |
What is 445 Annealed-2B?
445 Annealed-2B is 445 heat treated to Annealed-2B — standard stocked cold-rolled sheet/coil condition for tanks, tubing and appliance panels. 445 Annealed-2B has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 445 Annealed-2B 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).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 48/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 60 MPa·√m (54.6 ksi·√in), worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
445 Annealed-2B properties
Typical room-temperature values for 445 Annealed-2B; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 445 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
445 Annealed-2B 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).
Mechanical15
445 Annealed-2B has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
445 Annealed-2B is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 22 W/m·K (12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
445 Annealed-2B conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 84% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 445 Annealed-2B takes about 46 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 88% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
445 Annealed-2B's machinability is fair (48/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (62/100); formability very good (72/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 445 Annealed-2B
Is 445 easy to machine?
Machines like a soft ferritic stainless — lower work hardening than 304, but use sharp positive-rake tools, rigid setups and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge; ~50 % of 1212 rates.
Can 445 be welded?
Nb/Ti stabilized so no sensitization filler is mandatory; use low heat input, GTAW/laser with pure Ar backing on thin gauge, autogenous or 316L/2209-type filler, and keep interpass low to limit HAZ grain coarsening and embrittlement.
Can 445 be formed, bent or molded?
Good for bending, roll forming and shallow stamping (r/t down to ~1); avoid severe deep draws — limited n-value and possible ridging/roping, so orient blanks and use draw beads.
What surface finishes work on 445?
Passivate or electropolish after fabrication for full pitting resistance; not anodizable, takes bright, brushed or mirror mechanical polishes, and can be PVD coated or painted after abrasive keying.
445 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cultra-low carbon | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0 |
| Cr | 21 – 23 | 22 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| Mo | 0.6 – 1.2 | 1 |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Nb+Tistabilizers; typically (Nb+Ti) ≥ 0.20 + 4(C+N) | 0.1 – 0.8 | 0.45 |
| Fe | balance | — |
445 Annealed-2B — frequently asked
What is 445 Annealed-2B used for?
445 Annealed-2B is typically used for hot water heaters, food and beverage equipment and chemical process piping. In short: best-pitting ferritic stainless; nickel-free 304 substitute; 22Cr-1Mo stabilized grade.
What is the yield strength of 445 Annealed-2B?
445 Annealed-2B has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 57% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is 445 Annealed-2B easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades). Machines like a soft ferritic stainless — lower work hardening than 304, but use sharp positive-rake tools, rigid setups and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge; ~50 % of 1212 rates.
Can 445 Annealed-2B be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). Nb/Ti stabilized so no sensitization filler is mandatory; use low heat input, GTAW/laser with pure Ar backing on thin gauge, autogenous or 316L/2209-type filler, and keep interpass low to limit HAZ grain coarsening and embrittlement.
What surface finishes work on 445 Annealed-2B?
Passivate or electropolish after fabrication for full pitting resistance; not anodizable, takes bright, brushed or mirror mechanical polishes, and can be PVD coated or painted after abrasive keying.
Can 445 Annealed-2B be formed, bent or molded?
Good for bending, roll forming and shallow stamping (r/t down to ~1); avoid severe deep draws — limited n-value and possible ridging/roping, so orient blanks and use draw beads.
What is the maximum service temperature of 445 Annealed-2B?
445 Annealed-2B is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A268/A268M — Seamless and Welded Ferritic Stainless Steel Tubing — ASTM International (2022)
- POSCO 445NF / high-purity ferritic stainless steel datasheet — POSCO (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Ferritic stainless steel physical/mechanical property compilations — ISSF / Ensinger-type material databases (2022)
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.