Stainless Steel CF16Fa
ASTM CF16Fa
CF16Fa is a free-machining cast austenitic stainless steel closely related to CF16F, with a molybdenum addition that lifts machinability (72/100) while holding corrosion resistance at 60/100.
Reference datasheet — CF16Fa 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 SA condition
CF16Fa tempers and conditions
CF16Fa is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. SA is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SADefault Solution annealed | Standard supply condition for corrosion-resistant castings — carbides dissolved and quenched for maximum ductility and corrosion resistance. | 240 | 500 | 42 | 150 HB | — |
Hot isostatically pressed then solution annealed | Choose when internal shrinkage porosity must be closed for pressure-tight or fatigue-loaded valve/pump bodies. | 245 | 520 | 48 | 150 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Spheroidize annealed | Lowest-cost condition for non-critical, low-corrosion-duty parts where sensitized grain boundaries and lower ductility are acceptable. | 260 | 510 | 25 | 165 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
What is CF16Fa?
CF16Fa is a free-machining cast austenitic stainless steel closely related to CF16F, with a molybdenum addition that lifts machinability (72/100) while holding corrosion resistance at 60/100. It is cast for machined fittings and precision valve components in the solution-annealed, as-cast or SA+HIP condition, with typical values of 240 MPa yield, 500 MPa tensile, 42 % elongation, 150 HB (80 HRB) and service to 650 °C. The free-machining additives rule out structural welding, and with no common UNS or EN designation availability depends on the foundry; CF16F is the nearest alternative. CF16Fa 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). CF16Fa has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is CF16Fa used for?
- Machined fittings
- Precision valve components
- Valve trim and stems
- Instrument housings with tapped ports
- Threaded adapters and couplings
- Small pump and meter bodies
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 99% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Low strength — 240 MPa (34.8 ksi), worse than 96% 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
CF16Fa properties
Typical room-temperature values for CF16Fa-SA; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
CF16Fa 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).
Mechanical16
CF16Fa has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
CF16Fa 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 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CF16Fa conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 58% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CF16Fa takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 76% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
CF16Fa's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 99% 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. CF16Fa is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with CF16Fa
Is CF16Fa easy to machine?
Excellent for a stainless casting — run sharp carbide at 25–45 % higher speed than CF8M with positive rake and good chip-breaking; sulfides give short chips and clean threads.
Can CF16Fa be welded?
Not recommended for structural welds; sulfur/selenium promotes hot cracking — if repair is unavoidable use low-heat-input GTAW with 309/312 filler and re-solution-anneal.
Can CF16Fa be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast with generous risering; austenitic solidification shrinkage ~2.1 % and low thermal conductivity require directional feeding of heavy sections.
CF16Fa 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 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Sfree-machining addition; some heats substitute Se 0.20–0.35 (CF16F) | 0.2 – 0.4 | 0.28 |
| Cr | 18 – 21 | 19.5 |
| Ni | 9 – 12 | 10.5 |
| Mooptional/residual Mo permitted, aids machinability and corrosion | ≤ 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on CF16Fa?
Passivate (nitric or citric, ASTM A967) after machining; mirror polishing and electropolishing are limited by inclusion pull-out, so specify a satin/bead-blast finish where cosmetics matter.
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
How much does CF16Fa cost?
CF16Fa 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.
CF16Fa — frequently asked
What is CF16Fa used for?
CF16Fa is typically used for machined fittings, precision valve components, valve trim and stems, instrument housings with tapped ports, threaded adapters and couplings and small pump and meter bodies. In short: free-machining moly cast stainless; better machinability than CF8M; machined fittings grade.
What is the yield strength of CF16Fa?
CF16Fa has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is CF16Fa easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 99% of stainless steel grades). Excellent for a stainless casting — run sharp carbide at 25–45 % higher speed than CF8M with positive rake and good chip-breaking; sulfides give short chips and clean threads.
Can CF16Fa be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not recommended for structural welds; sulfur/selenium promotes hot cracking — if repair is unavoidable use low-heat-input GTAW with 309/312 filler and re-solution-anneal.
What surface finishes work on CF16Fa?
Passivate (nitric or citric, ASTM A967) after machining; mirror polishing and electropolishing are limited by inclusion pull-out, so specify a satin/bead-blast finish where cosmetics matter.
Can CF16Fa be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast with generous risering; austenitic solidification shrinkage ~2.1 % and low thermal conductivity require directional feeding of heavy sections.
What is the maximum service temperature of CF16Fa?
CF16Fa 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 CF16Fa-SA and CF16Fa-AC?
SA is the default condition — standard supply condition for corrosion-resistant castings — carbides dissolved and quenched for maximum ductility and corrosion resistance. AC: lowest-cost condition for non-critical, low-corrosion-duty parts where sensitized grain boundaries and lower ductility are acceptable. Yield strength is 240 MPa in SA versus 260 MPa in AC.
How much does CF16Fa cost?
CF16Fa 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 — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM A744/A744M — Castings, Corrosion Resistant, for Severe Service — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM (1995)
- ASTM A967/A967M — Chemical Passivation Treatments for Stainless Steel Parts — ASTM International (2017)
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.