FabDigitFabDigit

Stainless Steel CA15M-NT595

Heat-treated state · default condition

ASTM CA15M · UNS J91151

Standard ASTM A743 supply condition — best balance of strength, ductility and toughness for valve/pump castings.

Premium cost $$$

Values for the NT595 condition

Other CA15M tempers and conditions

CA15M is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at CA15M.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Solution annealed
Softest condition for heavy machining or cold straightening before final hardening.41564028180 HB—
oil/air quench, temper 650–705 °C
Soft-tempered, ≤22 HRC condition for sour service (NACE MR0175) and maximum toughness.4906902517 HRC—
Homogenized + N&T
For heavy-section or weld-repaired castings needing dendrite/segregation breakdown and uniform properties through thickness.5407102319 HRC3 % IACS
NT595DefaultThis page
austenitize ≥1010 °C, air cool, temper 595–650 °C
Standard ASTM A743 supply condition — best balance of strength, ductility and toughness for valve/pump castings.5507252220 HRC—
Spheroidize annealed
Shipping/intermediate state only — hard, brittle and residually stressed; must be tempered before service.690900641 HRC2.8 % IACS
austenitize ≥1010 °C, quench, temper 260–370 °C
Maximum strength/wear condition for pump wear rings and trim; low toughness, not for sour or impact service.8301,0351234 HRC—

What is CA15M-NT595?

CA15M-NT595 is CA15M heat treated to NT595 — standard ASTM A743 supply condition — best balance of strength, ductility and toughness for valve/pump castings. CA15M-NT595 has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 725 MPa (105 ksi) — stronger than 83% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). CA15M-NT595 has a density of 7.61 g/cm³ (0.275 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).

Advantages

  • High electrical conductivity — 3 % IACS, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
  • Easy to machine — 45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
  • High strength — 550 MPa (79.8 ksi), better than 83% of stainless steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 24.2 W/m·K (14 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of stainless steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
  • Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 85% of stainless steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 40/100, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 80 MPa·√m (72.8 ksi·√in), worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 22%, worse than 75% of stainless steel grades

CA15M-NT595 properties

Typical room-temperature values for CA15M-NT595; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are CA15M reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.

Physical3

CA15M-NT595 has a density of 7.61 g/cm³ (0.275 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).

Density7.61 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,450°C2,642 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,510°C2,750 °F

Mechanical16

CA15M-NT595 has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 725 MPa (105 ksi) — stronger than 83% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus200 GPa29 Msi
Shear Modulus78 GPa11.3 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.28
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)725 MPa105 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)550 MPa79.8 ksi
Elongation at Break22%
Reduction in Area55%
Compressive Strength560 MPa81.2 ksi
Shear Strength450 MPa65.3 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)330 MPa47.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)80 MPa·√m72.8 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)40 J29.5 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell225 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C20 HRC
Hardness, Vickers235 HV

Thermal6

CA15M-NT595 is rated for continuous service to 650°C (1,202 °F). It conducts heat at 24.2 W/m·K (14 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity24.2 W/m·K14 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)10.8 µm/m·K6 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)650°C1,202 °F
Min Service Temperature-30°C-22 °F

Electrical3

CA15M-NT595 conducts electricity at 3 % IACS, better than 95% of stainless steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity3 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity5.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m22.4 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 85% of stainless steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.3 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair45/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryPassive in air, steam, fresh water and mild organic media; resists oxidizing conditions better than reducing. Attacked by chlorides (pitting/crevice), seawater, HCl and dilute H2SO4; susceptible to hydrogen and sulfide stress cracking if hardness exceeds ~22 HRC.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of CA15M-NT595 takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)4 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content75%

Manufacturability7

CA15M-NT595's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability not recommended (10/100).

MachinabilityFair45/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)45%
WeldabilityFair40/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended10/100
CastabilityVery good70/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated95 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated26.3 MN·m/kg
Modulus of Resiliencecalculated756 kJ/m³
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated6.9 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated8

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with CA15M-NT595

Is CA15M easy to machine?

Machine in the annealed or high-temper condition with rigid setups, sharp carbide tooling, moderate speeds (60–110 m/min) and heavy coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent work hardening.

Can CA15M be welded?

Weldable with matched 410/410NiMo filler using 200–315 °C preheat, interpass control and mandatory 595–650 °C post-weld temper; underbead martensite cracks without PWHT.

Can CA15M be formed, bent or molded?

Sand or investment cast with generous risering and hot-tearing-tolerant gating; no cold forming — shape by casting plus heat treatment.

What surface finishes work on CA15M?

Takes a good mechanical polish and can be passivated in nitric acid; chrome or electroless-nickel plating requires baking to avoid hydrogen embrittlement in the hardened condition.

CA15M 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CASTM A743 CA15M≤ 0.150.12
Mn≤ 10.6
Si≤ 0.650.5
P≤ 0.040.03
S≤ 0.040.02
Cr11.5 – 1412.5
Ni≤ 10.6
Modistinguishes CA15M from CA15 (Mo 0.50 max)0.15 – 10.5
Febalance—

CA15M-NT595 — frequently asked

What is CA15M-NT595 used for?

CA15M-NT595 is typically used for steam turbine components, high-temperature valve parts, pump impellers and compressor casings. In short: mo-strengthened CA15; better hot strength than CA15; 650 °C service castings.

What is the yield strength of CA15M-NT595?

CA15M-NT595 has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 725 MPa (105 ksi) — stronger than 83% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is CA15M-NT595 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades). Machine in the annealed or high-temper condition with rigid setups, sharp carbide tooling, moderate speeds (60–110 m/min) and heavy coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent work hardening.

Can CA15M-NT595 be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Weldable with matched 410/410NiMo filler using 200–315 °C preheat, interpass control and mandatory 595–650 °C post-weld temper; underbead martensite cracks without PWHT.

What surface finishes work on CA15M-NT595?

Takes a good mechanical polish and can be passivated in nitric acid; chrome or electroless-nickel plating requires baking to avoid hydrogen embrittlement in the hardened condition.

Can CA15M-NT595 be formed, bent or molded?

Sand or investment cast with generous risering and hot-tearing-tolerant gating; no cold forming — shape by casting plus heat treatment.

What is the maximum service temperature of CA15M-NT595?

CA15M-NT595 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.

What is the difference between CA15M-NT595 and CA15M-QT315?

NT595 is the default condition — standard ASTM A743 supply condition — best balance of strength, ductility and toughness for valve/pump castings. QT315: maximum strength/wear condition for pump wear rings and trim; low toughness, not for sour or impact service. Yield strength is 550 MPa in NT595 versus 830 MPa in QT315.

Sources

  1. ASTM A743/A743M — Castings, Iron-Chromium, Iron-Chromium-Nickel, Corrosion Resistant, for General Application — ASTM International (2019)
  2. EN 10283 — Corrosion resistant steel castings (GX7CrNiMo12-1, 1.4008) — CEN (2010)
  3. Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. (cast corrosion-resistant alloys) — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM International (1995)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)

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.