Stainless Steel E2553
UNS W39553 · ASTM A5.4
E2553 (W39553, AWS A5.4) is a 25 % Cr duplex/super-duplex covered electrode matched to alloy 255 (S32550) type base metals, with a balanced ferritic-austenitic deposit.
Reference datasheet — E2553 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 AW condition
E2553 tempers and conditions
E2553 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. AW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution Annealed | Choose when the weldment is solution annealed with the S32550 casting/forging to restore phase balance and maximise pitting resistance. | 560 | 780 | 28 | 24 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
E2553-17 | Use for smoother bead appearance and higher deposition rate on fillet/flat work; slightly more fluid slag than -16. | 615 | 815 | 22 | 26 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Standard delivery condition for SMAW joints and overlays; use with controlled heat input (0.5–2.0 kJ/mm) and interpass ≤150 °C. | 620 | 820 | 22 | 27 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
E2553-16 | Most common general-purpose covering: good arc stability and slag release on AC or DC, all positions. | 620 | 820 | 22 | 27 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
E2553-15 | Pick for maximum weld-metal toughness and low hydrogen on thick sections and root passes; DC only. | 630 | 830 | 23 | 27 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
What is E2553?
E2553 (W39553, AWS A5.4) is a 25 % Cr duplex/super-duplex covered electrode matched to alloy 255 (S32550) type base metals, with a balanced ferritic-austenitic deposit. It is selected for high strength combined with strong chloride pitting resistance in seawater and process service, giving 620 MPa yield, 820 MPa tensile, 22 % elongation and 265 HB (27 HRC). Service is limited to 250 °C to avoid embrittlement, heat input and PWHT must be controlled to prevent sigma phase, and the deposit is difficult to machine or straighten. E2209 is the nearest choice for 22 % Cr duplex base metals. E2553 has a density of 7.81 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F). E2553 has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is E2553 used for?
- seawater equipment
- chemical tankers
- oil and gas piping
- pump and valve overlay
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 85/100, better than 92% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), better than 88% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 22%, worse than 75% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 90 MPa·√m (81.9 ksi·√in), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades
E2553 properties
Typical room-temperature values for E2553-AW; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E2553 has a density of 7.81 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Mechanical16
E2553 has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
E2553 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.8 µm/m·K (7.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E2553 conducts electricity at 2.1 % IACS, worse than 73% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 92% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E2553 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability6
E2553's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); 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. E2553 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E2553
Is E2553 easy to machine?
Machine deposits like super-duplex: rigid setup, sharp carbide, low speed / heavy feed to cut under the work-hardened layer, flood coolant.
Can E2553 be welded?
SMAW with DCEP (or AC for -16/-17); heat input 0.5–2.0 kJ/mm, interpass ≤150 °C, no preheat needed on typical sections, redry electrodes 250–300 °C /1–2 h; avoid PWHT below 1050 °C to prevent sigma phase.
Can E2553 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form; weld beads are ground/dressed rather than formed — cold straightening of deposits is impractical at ~620 MPa yield.
E2553 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 | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Cr | 24 – 27 | 25.5 |
| Ni | 6.5 – 8.5 | 7.5 |
| Mo | 2.9 – 3.9 | 3.4 |
| Cu | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| N | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 1.5 | 0.9 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E2553?
Pickle and passivate (nitric-hydrofluoric paste) or blast with clean stainless grit to restore the passive film; avoid carbon-steel tooling contamination.
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 E2553 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- W39553
- ASTM
- A5.4
- Also called
- S32550 filler
How much does E2553 cost?
E2553 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.
E2553 — frequently asked
What is E2553 used for?
E2553 is typically used for seawater equipment, chemical tankers, oil and gas piping and pump and valve overlay. In short: super-duplex chloride resistance; highest-strength duplex electrode; matched to alloy 255.
What is the yield strength of E2553?
E2553 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is E2553 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades). Machine deposits like super-duplex: rigid setup, sharp carbide, low speed / heavy feed to cut under the work-hardened layer, flood coolant.
Can E2553 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). SMAW with DCEP (or AC for -16/-17); heat input 0.5–2.0 kJ/mm, interpass ≤150 °C, no preheat needed on typical sections, redry electrodes 250–300 °C /1–2 h; avoid PWHT below 1050 °C to prevent sigma phase.
What surface finishes work on E2553?
Pickle and passivate (nitric-hydrofluoric paste) or blast with clean stainless grit to restore the passive film; avoid carbon-steel tooling contamination.
Can E2553 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form; weld beads are ground/dressed rather than formed — cold straightening of deposits is impractical at ~620 MPa yield.
What is the maximum service temperature of E2553?
E2553 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between E2553-AW and E2553-SA?
AW is the default condition — standard delivery condition for SMAW joints and overlays; use with controlled heat input (0.5–2.0 kJ/mm) and interpass ≤150 °C. SA: choose when the weldment is solution annealed with the S32550 casting/forging to restore phase balance and maximise pitting resistance. Yield strength is 620 MPa in AW versus 560 MPa in SA.
How much does E2553 cost?
E2553 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 A790 / ASTM A995 (UNS S32550 base metal requirements) — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (duplex stainless weld metals) — ASM International (1993)
- Super duplex SMAW electrode datasheets (25Cr-Cu type) — Böhler Welding / voestalpine, Avesta Welding (2022)
- UNS S32550 / Alloy 255 physical and corrosion property data — IMOA Duplex Stainless Steels Practical Guide (2014)
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.