Stainless Steel A286
ASTM A286 · UNS S66286 · AISI/SAE 660 · EN 1.4980, X6NiCrTiMoVB25-15-2 · GB GH2132
A286 (UNS S66286, EN 1.4980, GH2132) is an iron-base austenitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel on an Fe-25Ni-15Cr base, strengthened by γ′-Ni₃(Ti,Al) precipitation during ageing.
Values for the Solution Annealed condition
A286 tempers and conditions
A286 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. Solution 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
soft anneal ~900–930 °C, air/oil cooled | Softest condition for heavy cold forming, deep drawing or wire drawing before final solution + age. | 260 | 620 | 45 | 155 HB | — |
Solution AnnealedDefault 980–1010 °C, oil/water quenched | Standard stocked condition: soft, weldable and formable, intended to be aged after fabrication. | 310 | 690 | 40 | 170 HB | — |
solution treated + 720 °C / 16 h aged (STA) | Standard service condition for turbine discs, bolts and springs needing ~700 MPa yield up to 650–700 °C. | 725 | 1,035 | 22 | 30 HRC | 1.9 % IACS |
Cold Worked + Aged | Pick for 1100–1300 MPa bolts, springs and studs where ductility can be traded for strength. | 1,000 | 1,240 | 12 | 39 HRC | — |
What is A286?
A286 (UNS S66286, EN 1.4980, GH2132) is an iron-base austenitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel on an Fe-25Ni-15Cr base, strengthened by γ′-Ni₃(Ti,Al) precipitation during ageing. Soft and readily formed or welded in the solution-treated condition, it holds high strength, good oxidation resistance and excellent cryogenic toughness from room temperature to about 700 °C, with 650 °C maximum service on file; typical forms are bar, forgings, sheet and fastener wire. Strength and structural stability fall rapidly above 700 °C, aged material machines poorly and cold forms with difficulty, and welds are prone to strain-age cracking unless re-solution treated and re-aged. A286 has a density of 7.92 g/cm³ (0.286 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F). A286 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — weaker than 63% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 201 GPa (29.2 Msi).
What is A286 used for?
- Turbine wheels
- Aerospace fasteners and bolts
- Turbocharger shafts and wheels
- Exhaust system components
- High-temperature springs
- Gas turbine rings and casings
- Cryogenic hardware
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 6.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 12.6 W/m·K (7.28 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.9 % IACS, worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
A286 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A286-Solution Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
A286 has a density of 7.92 g/cm³ (0.286 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Mechanical13
A286 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — weaker than 63% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 201 GPa (29.2 Msi).
Thermal6
A286 is rated for continuous service to 650°C (1,202 °F). It conducts heat at 12.6 W/m·K (7.28 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.4 µm/m·K (9.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A286 conducts electricity at 1.9 % IACS, worse than 84% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 52% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A286 takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 6.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
A286's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); 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. A286 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A286
Is A286 easy to machine?
Work-hardens strongly and is gummy: use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, low speed (~20–30 m/min aged) and flood coolant; rough in solution-treated state and finish after aging.
Can A286 be welded?
GTAW/EBW with matching A286 or Ni-base filler; keep heat input low, avoid restraint and re-solution + re-age after welding to restore properties and avoid strain-age/HAZ cracking.
Can A286 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, draw and coil in the annealed/solution-treated condition — expect ~2× the forming loads of 304 and spring-back; hot work at 1000–1150 °C, then solution treat and age.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to A286. Every A286 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair25 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | M.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 150 / 180 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 | Fair60 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better55 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
A286 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 | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.35 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 13.5 – 16 | 15 |
| Ni | 24 – 27 | 25.5 |
| Mo | 1 – 1.5 | 1.25 |
| Tiγ′ former | 1.9 – 2.35 | 2.15 |
| V | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Al | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Bgrain-boundary strengthener | 0 – 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Febalance, ~53 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on A286?
Passivate (nitric or citric) or electropolish; no anodizing — silver, Ni or dry-film lubricant coatings are common on threads to prevent galling.
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 A286 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does A286 cost?
A286 is a specialty-cost stainless steel ($$$$$), pricier than about 98% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
A286 — frequently asked
What is A286 used for?
A286 is typically used for turbine wheels, aerospace fasteners and bolts, turbocharger shafts and wheels, exhaust system components, high-temperature springs and gas turbine rings and casings. In short: high-fatigue superalloy.
What is the yield strength of A286?
A286 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — weaker than 63% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is A286 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades). Work-hardens strongly and is gummy: use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, low speed (~20–30 m/min aged) and flood coolant; rough in solution-treated state and finish after aging.
Can A286 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). GTAW/EBW with matching A286 or Ni-base filler; keep heat input low, avoid restraint and re-solution + re-age after welding to restore properties and avoid strain-age/HAZ cracking.
What surface finishes work on A286?
Passivate (nitric or citric) or electropolish; no anodizing — silver, Ni or dry-film lubricant coatings are common on threads to prevent galling.
Can A286 be formed, bent or molded?
Form, draw and coil in the annealed/solution-treated condition — expect ~2× the forming loads of 304 and spring-back; hot work at 1000–1150 °C, then solution treat and age.
What is the maximum service temperature of A286?
A286 is rated for continuous use to about 650°C (1,202 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does A286 cost?
A286 is a specialty-cost stainless steel ($$$$$), pricier than about 98% 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 A286?
Yes — A286 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
- AMS 5737 / AMS 5731 — Alloy Bars, Forgings 15Cr-25.5Ni-1.2Mo-2.1Ti — SAE International (2020)
- ASTM A453/A453M Grade 660 — Bolting with Expansion Coefficients Comparable to Austenitic Stainless — ASTM (2022)
- GB/T 14992 / GJB 2612 — GH2132 — SAC (2016)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Heat-Resistant Materials — ASM International (1997)
- MMPDS-17, Chapter 6 (Heat-Resistant Alloys) — Battelle/FAA (2022)
- A286 / 1.4980 alloy datasheet — Special Metals / Aubert & Duval (2021)
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.