Stainless Steel E2553-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state · default condition
UNS W39553 · ASTM A5.4
Standard delivery condition for SMAW joints and overlays; use with controlled heat input (0.5–2.0 kJ/mm) and interpass ≤150 °C.
Values for the AW condition
Other E2553 tempers and conditions
E2553 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at E2553.
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 |
AWDefaultThis page 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-AW?
E2553-AW is E2553 heat treated to AW — standard delivery condition for SMAW joints and overlays; use with controlled heat input (0.5–2.0 kJ/mm) and interpass ≤150 °C. E2553-AW 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). E2553-AW 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).
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-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for E2553-AW; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E2553 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
E2553-AW 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-AW 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-AW 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-AW 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-AW 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-AW'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E2553-AW
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.
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.
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 | — |
E2553-AW — frequently asked
What is E2553-AW used for?
E2553-AW 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-AW?
E2553-AW 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-AW 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-AW 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-AW?
Pickle and passivate (nitric-hydrofluoric paste) or blast with clean stainless grit to restore the passive film; avoid carbon-steel tooling contamination.
Can E2553-AW 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-AW?
E2553-AW 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.