Stainless Steel CX-HIP (Hot isostatic pressed)
Print state
also Corrax-like, Corrax
Choose for fatigue- or pressure-critical parts where residual LPBF porosity must be closed before aging.
Values for the HIP condition
Other CX tempers and conditions
CX is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at CX.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HIPThis page Hot isostatic pressed | Choose for fatigue- or pressure-critical parts where residual LPBF porosity must be closed before aging. | 790 | 1,030 | 16 | 34 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
~850–900 °C, air/gas cooled to soft martensite | Resets the microstructure and homogenises AM texture before aging; softest, most machinable condition. | 800 | 1,050 | 14 | 34 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
As PrintedDefault as-built LPBF, soft martensitic condition | Pick for parts that will be machined/EDM'd first and aged afterwards; already ~33 HRC with good machinability. | 900 | 1,100 | 11 | 33 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
500–560 °C hold (partially ages the alloy) | Use to remove build stresses before plate removal; note the hold overlaps the aging window so hardness and strength rise. | 1,300 | 1,450 | 8 | 45 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Aged 560 °C | Pick when impact toughness and crack resistance matter more than peak hardness (large inserts, shock-loaded tooling). | 1,330 | 1,450 | 8 | 45 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
aged ~525 °C / 4–6 h, ≈50 HRC | Standard service condition for injection-mould inserts: peak hardness and wear resistance with minimal dimensional change. | 1,550 | 1,670 | 5 | 50 HRC | — |
What is CX-HIP?
CX-HIP is CX in the HIP condition — choose for fatigue- or pressure-critical parts where residual LPBF porosity must be closed before aging. CX-HIP has a yield strength of 790 MPa (115 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi). CX-HIP has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). As Printed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HIP is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 790 MPa (115 ksi), better than 96% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 6.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 16%, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 350°C (662 °F), worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
CX-HIP properties
Typical room-temperature values for CX-HIP; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are CX reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
CX-HIP has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
CX-HIP has a yield strength of 790 MPa (115 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi).
Thermal6
CX-HIP is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 18 W/m·K (10.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 73% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CX-HIP conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 58% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CX-HIP takes about 78 MJ of energy and emits 6.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 87% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
CX-HIP's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability poor (32/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with CX-HIP
Is CX easy to machine?
Machine in the as-printed or solution-annealed state (~33 HRC) with carbide/coated tools and rigid setups; after aging to 50 HRC switch to hard-milling, grinding or EDM.
Can CX be welded?
Weldable without preheat using matching low-carbon maraging stainless filler or TIG autogenous repair; re-age at 525 °C to restore weld-zone hardness.
Can CX be formed, bent or molded?
LPBF only in practice — print with parameter sets for 12Cr-9Ni-Al, keep build plate warm and stress relieve before plate removal; cold forming of finished parts is not viable.
What surface finishes work on CX?
Takes a mirror polish for optical mould surfaces; passivate after machining, and PVD or nitriding can be applied below the aging temperature to avoid softening.
CX 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, maraging type | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Crpassivity | 11.5 – 12.5 | 12 |
| Nimartensite + Ni-Al precipitates | 8.5 – 9.5 | 9 |
| Mopitting resistance | 1.2 – 1.6 | 1.4 |
| AlNiAl precipitation hardening | 1.4 – 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Ogas-atomized powder | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance | — |
CX-HIP — frequently asked
What is CX-HIP used for?
CX-HIP is typically used for conformally cooled injection mould inserts, mould cores and cavities, optical-grade moulding surfaces, blow and extrusion mould tooling, medical device moulding tools and tooling for corrosive polymers such as PVC. In short: printed corrosion tool steel.
What is the yield strength of CX-HIP?
CX-HIP has a typical yield strength of 790 MPa (115 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is CX-HIP easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades). Machine in the as-printed or solution-annealed state (~33 HRC) with carbide/coated tools and rigid setups; after aging to 50 HRC switch to hard-milling, grinding or EDM.
Can CX-HIP be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Weldable without preheat using matching low-carbon maraging stainless filler or TIG autogenous repair; re-age at 525 °C to restore weld-zone hardness.
What surface finishes work on CX-HIP?
Takes a mirror polish for optical mould surfaces; passivate after machining, and PVD or nitriding can be applied below the aging temperature to avoid softening.
Can CX-HIP be formed, bent or molded?
LPBF only in practice — print with parameter sets for 12Cr-9Ni-Al, keep build plate warm and stress relieve before plate removal; cold forming of finished parts is not viable.
What is the maximum service temperature of CX-HIP?
CX-HIP is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between CX As Printed and CX-HIP?
As Printed is the default condition — pick for parts that will be machined/EDM'd first and aged afterwards; already ~33 HRC with good machinability. HIP: choose for fatigue- or pressure-critical parts where residual LPBF porosity must be closed before aging. Yield strength is 900 MPa in As Printed versus 790 MPa in HIP.
Can FabDigit make parts in CX-HIP?
Yes — CX-HIP is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Uddeholm Corrax — precipitation hardening stainless mould steel — Uddeholm / voestalpine (2020)
- EOS StainlessSteel CX material data sheet — EOS GmbH (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM F3184 / ASTM F3055-series practice for PBF stainless steels (analogous requirements) — ASTM (2016)
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.