Stainless Steel CF3A
ASTM CF3A · UNS J92500
CF3A (UNS J92500) is the higher-strength version of low-carbon CF3, a 19Cr-9Ni cast austenitic stainless steel permitted under ASTM A351 with tighter mechanical property requirements.
Reference datasheet — CF3A 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
CF3A tempers and conditions
CF3A is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. SA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SADefault Solution annealed | The only heat-treatment condition supplied under ASTM A351 — full carbide solution plus quench for maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. | 285 | 565 | 48 | 155 HB | — |
hot isostatically pressed then solution annealed | Pick for pressure-boundary or nuclear castings where internal microporosity must be closed to improve ductility, impact and fatigue life. | 290 | 580 | 55 | 158 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
What is CF3A?
CF3A (UNS J92500) is the higher-strength version of low-carbon CF3, a 19Cr-9Ni cast austenitic stainless steel permitted under ASTM A351 with tighter mechanical property requirements. It retains the ≤0.03 % carbon of CF3 for intergranular corrosion resistance and weldability while meeting 285 MPa yield, 565 MPa tensile and 48 % elongation at 155 HB (82 HRB), supplied solution annealed (SA) or solution annealed plus HIP. Maximum service temperature is 425 °C and the corrosion resistance score is 65. Machinability is poor (score 38) because of work hardening; for chloride service, the Mo-bearing CF3M or CF10M is the nearer alternative. CF3A 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). CF3A has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is CF3A used for?
- valve bodies
- pump casings
- corrosive-service fittings
- food and pharma equipment
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 48%, better than 85% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
CF3A properties
Typical room-temperature values for CF3A-SA; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
CF3A 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
CF3A has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
CF3A is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °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
CF3A conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 56% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CF3A takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability8
CF3A's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability poor (30/100).
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. CF3A is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with CF3A
Is CF3A easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant to avoid glazing.
Can CF3A be welded?
Excellent with 308L/309L filler by GTAW/SMAW/FCAW; the ≤0.03 %C means no post-weld solution anneal is normally needed, keep interpass low and ferrite in the 5–20 FN range.
Can CF3A be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast with good fluidity; provide generous risers and chills for heavy sections, then solution anneal above 1040 °C and water quench.
CF3A 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow carbon for as-welded corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| Si | ≤ 2 | 1.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Cr | 17 – 21 | 19 |
| Nikept low-side to develop the δ-ferrite needed for the 'A' strength level | 8 – 12 | 9.5 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on CF3A?
Grit-blast and pickle/passivate per ASTM A380/A967; electropolishing gives a bright hygienic surface — no anodizing.
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 CF3A in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- J92500
How much does CF3A cost?
CF3A 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.
CF3A — frequently asked
What is CF3A used for?
CF3A is typically used for valve bodies, pump casings, corrosive-service fittings and food and pharma equipment. In short: low-carbon CF3, higher strength; no post-weld anneal needed; high-ductility austenitic casting.
What is the yield strength of CF3A?
CF3A has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is CF3A easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant to avoid glazing.
Can CF3A be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent with 308L/309L filler by GTAW/SMAW/FCAW; the ≤0.03 %C means no post-weld solution anneal is normally needed, keep interpass low and ferrite in the 5–20 FN range.
What surface finishes work on CF3A?
Grit-blast and pickle/passivate per ASTM A380/A967; electropolishing gives a bright hygienic surface — no anodizing.
Can CF3A be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast with good fluidity; provide generous risers and chills for heavy sections, then solution anneal above 1040 °C and water quench.
What is the maximum service temperature of CF3A?
CF3A is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between CF3A-SA and CF3A SA-HIP?
SA is the default condition — the only heat-treatment condition supplied under ASTM A351 — full carbide solution plus quench for maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. SA-HIP: pick for pressure-boundary or nuclear castings where internal microporosity must be closed to improve ductility, impact and fatigue life. Yield strength is 285 MPa in SA versus 290 MPa in SA-HIP.
How much does CF3A cost?
CF3A 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 A351/A351M Castings, Austenitic, for Pressure-Containing Parts — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A743/A744 Castings, Iron-Chromium-Nickel, Corrosion Resistant — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Cast Stainless Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM (1995)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.