Stainless Steel CF16F
ASTM CF16F · UNS J92701
CF16F (UNS J92701) is the free-machining member of the CF cast austenitic stainless family, alloyed with selenium to break chips in castings that require heavy drilling, tapping and turning.
Reference datasheet — CF16F 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 HT condition
CF16F tempers and conditions
CF16F is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. HT 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HTDefault Solution heat treated (≈1040 °C, water quenched) per ASTM A743 | Standard supply condition for A743 CF-16F castings; use when the mechanical minimums and best available corrosion resistance are required. | 240 | 505 | 38 | 150 HB | — |
Spheroidize annealed | Non-standard shop condition for lightly loaded, non-corrosive machined parts; carbides at grain boundaries lower ductility and corrosion resistance, so A743 acceptance requires the HT condition. | 250 | 500 | 25 | 160 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
What is CF16F?
CF16F (UNS J92701) is the free-machining member of the CF cast austenitic stainless family, alloyed with selenium to break chips in castings that require heavy drilling, tapping and turning. It is used for machined valve trim, fittings and small precision castings, supplied heat-treated or as-cast, with typical properties of 240 MPa yield, 505 MPa tensile, 38 % elongation and 150 HB and service to 650 °C. The trade-offs are reduced corrosion resistance (55/100) and poor weldability caused by selenium and phosphorus. Use CF8 where welding or full corrosion performance is required. CF16F has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). CF16F has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is CF16F used for?
- Machined valve trim
- Fittings requiring extensive drilling/tapping
- Small precision castings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 240 MPa (34.8 ksi), worse than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 50/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 92% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
CF16F properties
Typical room-temperature values for CF16F-HT; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
CF16F has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical15
CF16F has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
CF16F is rated for continuous service to 650°C (1,202 °F). It conducts heat at 16.2 W/m·K (9.36 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CF16F conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 71% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CF16F takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability8
CF16F's machinability is good (55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. CF16F is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with CF16F
Is CF16F easy to machine?
Best-machining member of the CF family — run 30–50 % higher feeds/speeds than CF8, use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setups and flood coolant; still work-hardens if dwelled.
Can CF16F be welded?
Avoid fusion welding: selenium and high phosphorus promote hot cracking and porosity; if repair is unavoidable use 309/312 filler, low heat input, and re-solution treat.
Can CF16F be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast with generous risering; good fluidity for thin valve/fitting sections, then solution treat at ~1040 °C and water quench.
CF16F 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 | ≤ 0.16 | 0.12 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| Si | ≤ 2 | 1.3 |
| Pdeliberately high to aid chip breaking | ≤ 0.17 | 0.12 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sefree-machining addition | 0.2 – 0.35 | 0.28 |
| Cr | 18 – 21 | 19.5 |
| Ni | 9 – 12 | 10.5 |
| Moresidual only | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on CF16F?
Pickle and passivate (nitric or citric) after machining; expect Se-inclusion streaking on mirror polish and slightly lower passive-film quality than CF8.
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 CF16F in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- J92701
How much does CF16F cost?
CF16F 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.
CF16F — frequently asked
What is CF16F used for?
CF16F is typically used for machined valve trim, fittings requiring extensive drilling/tapping and small precision castings. In short: best-machining CF grade; free-machining cast austenitic; not for welded parts.
What is the yield strength of CF16F?
CF16F has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is CF16F easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades). Best-machining member of the CF family — run 30–50 % higher feeds/speeds than CF8, use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setups and flood coolant; still work-hardens if dwelled.
Can CF16F be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Avoid fusion welding: selenium and high phosphorus promote hot cracking and porosity; if repair is unavoidable use 309/312 filler, low heat input, and re-solution treat.
What surface finishes work on CF16F?
Pickle and passivate (nitric or citric) after machining; expect Se-inclusion streaking on mirror polish and slightly lower passive-film quality than CF8.
Can CF16F be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast with generous risering; good fluidity for thin valve/fitting sections, then solution treat at ~1040 °C and water quench.
What is the maximum service temperature of CF16F?
CF16F 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 CF16F-HT and CF16F-AC?
HT is the default condition — standard supply condition for A743 CF-16F castings; use when the mechanical minimums and best available corrosion resistance are required. AC: non-standard shop condition for lightly loaded, non-corrosive machined parts; carbides at grain boundaries lower ductility and corrosion resistance, so A743 acceptance requires the HT condition. Yield strength is 240 MPa in HT versus 250 MPa in AC.
How much does CF16F cost?
CF16F 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 A743/A743M — Castings, Iron-Chromium, Iron-Chromium-Nickel, Corrosion Resistant, for General Application (grade CF-16F) — ASTM International (2021)
- SAE/ASTM Unified Numbering System for Metals and Alloys (UNS J92701) — SAE/ASTM (2017)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — Cast Corrosion-Resistant Alloys — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Founders' Society of America — High Alloy Data Sheets, Corrosion Series — SFSA (2004)
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.