Stainless Steel E240
EN E240 · UNS W32410 · ASTM A5.4
E240 (W32410, AWS A5.4) is a high-manganese austenitic covered electrode that delivers elevated weld metal strength, used with high-Mn stainless base metals in the same family as E209 and E219.
Reference datasheet — E240 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.
What is E240?
E240 (W32410, AWS A5.4) is a high-manganese austenitic covered electrode that delivers elevated weld metal strength, used with high-Mn stainless base metals in the same family as E209 and E219. All-weld-metal values are 510 MPa yield, 780 MPa tensile, 26 % elongation and 230 HB, with service to 700 °C. The deposit is fully austenitic and nitrogen-bearing, so it is sensitive to solidification cracking and porosity and has the lowest elongation of the three E209/E219/E240 electrodes. Choose E219 where more weld-metal ductility or higher-temperature service is needed. E240 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F). E240 has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 78% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
What is E240 used for?
- High-strength stainless fabrication
- Cryogenic components
- Structural stainless weldments
- Welds in high-manganese austenitic stainless base metals
- Repair welds on wear-exposed austenitic parts
Advantages
- High strength — 510 MPa (74 ksi), better than 78% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
E240 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E240 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Mechanical12
E240 has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 78% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal6
E240 is rated for continuous service to 700°C (1,292 °F). It conducts heat at 14.5 W/m·K (8.38 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E240 conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 71% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E240 takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
E240's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. E240 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E240
Is E240 easy to machine?
Deposited metal work-hardens rapidly like other high-Mn austenitics — use rigid setups, positive rake carbide, heavy feed, low speed and flood coolant; grinding is usually preferred for weld dressing.
Can E240 be welded?
Run stringer beads with low heat input and interpass temperature below ~150 °C; keep electrodes dry (re-bake per maker) since the fully austenitic, N-bearing deposit is sensitive to solidification cracking and porosity.
Can E240 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought form — deposit is used as-welded; weld metal can be peened or lightly cold worked but hardens quickly.
E240 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CAWS A5.4 undiluted weld metal | ≤ 0.12 | 0.08 |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Ni | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Mnhigh-Mn austenite stabiliser | 10.5 – 13.5 | 12 |
| Nprimary strengthener | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.75 | |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.75 | |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E240?
Pickle and passivate or mechanically blend/polish to restore chromium oxide film; avoid carbon-steel contact tools to prevent iron contamination and rust staining.
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 E240 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- W32410
- ASTM
- A5.4
How much does E240 cost?
E240 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
E240 — frequently asked
What is E240 used for?
E240 is typically used for high-strength stainless fabrication, cryogenic components, structural stainless weldments, welds in high-manganese austenitic stainless base metals and repair welds on wear-exposed austenitic parts. In short: hardest high-Mn austenitic filler; highest-strength E2xx deposit; nitrogen-bearing austenitic deposit.
What is the yield strength of E240?
E240 has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Is E240 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades). Deposited metal work-hardens rapidly like other high-Mn austenitics — use rigid setups, positive rake carbide, heavy feed, low speed and flood coolant; grinding is usually preferred for weld dressing.
Can E240 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Run stringer beads with low heat input and interpass temperature below ~150 °C; keep electrodes dry (re-bake per maker) since the fully austenitic, N-bearing deposit is sensitive to solidification cracking and porosity.
What surface finishes work on E240?
Pickle and passivate or mechanically blend/polish to restore chromium oxide film; avoid carbon-steel contact tools to prevent iron contamination and rust staining.
Can E240 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought form — deposit is used as-welded; weld metal can be peened or lightly cold worked but hardens quickly.
What is the maximum service temperature of E240?
E240 is rated for continuous use to about 700°C (1,292 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does E240 cost?
E240 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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
- AWS A5.4/A5.4M — Specification for Stainless Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding — American Welding Society (2012)
- ASTM A240/A240M (Type 240, UNS S24000 base metal) — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Cr-Mn-N stainless SMAW electrode datasheets (as-welded mechanical properties) — Böhler Welding / ESAB (2022)
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.