Stainless Steel ER2553-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state · default condition
UNS S39553
Standard condition for GTAW/GMAW joints in 255/2507 base metal — use with controlled heat input and ≤150 °C interpass.
Values for the AW condition
Other ER2553 tempers and conditions
ER2553 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at ER2553.
- SA
- AW
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed 1080–1120 °C, water quenched | Pick when the weldment or overlay can be re-solution-annealed to dissolve sigma/secondary phases and restore balanced 50/50 ferrite-austenite. | 560 | 800 | 27 | 24 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
AWDefaultThis page As-welded deposit | Standard condition for GTAW/GMAW joints in 255/2507 base metal — use with controlled heat input and ≤150 °C interpass. | 600 | 830 | 22 | 27 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
What is ER2553-AW?
ER2553-AW is ER2553 heat treated to AW — standard condition for GTAW/GMAW joints in 255/2507 base metal — use with controlled heat input and ≤150 °C interpass. ER2553-AW has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 86% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). ER2553-AW has a density of 7.81 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 84/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 600 MPa (87 ksi), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 280°C (536 °F), worse than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 22%, worse than 75% of stainless steel grades
ER2553-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for ER2553-AW; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ER2553 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ER2553-AW has a density of 7.81 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F).
Mechanical17
ER2553-AW has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 86% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
ER2553-AW is rated for continuous service to 280°C (536 °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 13 µm/m·K (7.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ER2553-AW conducts electricity at 2.1 % IACS, worse than 73% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (84/100), better than 91% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ER2553-AW takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 4.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability8
ER2553-AW's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (35/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ER2553-AW
Is ER2553 easy to machine?
Weld metal machines like super duplex — very work-hardening; use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, low speed (~40–60 m/min) and heavy positive feed with flood coolant.
Can ER2553 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW/SAW on 255, S32550, S32750 and dissimilar joints; keep heat input ~0.5–1.5 kJ/mm, interpass ≤150 °C, no preheat, use Ar+2–3 % N₂ backing to keep ferrite 35–55 FN.
Can ER2553 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as drawn wire; the deposit itself has limited cold formability and high springback — bending of duplex weldments should be done above 3t radius.
What surface finishes work on ER2553?
Remove all heat tint by pickling paste or mechanical cleaning plus HNO₃ passivation; not anodizable — electropolish for maximum pitting resistance.
ER2553 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 | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 24 – 27 | 25.5 |
| Ni | 4.5 – 6.5 | 5.6 |
| Mo | 2.9 – 3.9 | 3.4 |
| CuCu improves resistance in reducing acids | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| N | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cu+othertotal of other elements per AWS A5.9 | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
ER2553-AW — frequently asked
What is ER2553-AW used for?
ER2553-AW is typically used for super duplex piping, offshore platforms and chemical tankers. In short: super duplex filler wire; matched to 255 and 2507; high-chloride weld deposits.
What is the yield strength of ER2553-AW?
ER2553-AW has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 86% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is ER2553-AW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades). Weld metal machines like super duplex — very work-hardening; use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, low speed (~40–60 m/min) and heavy positive feed with flood coolant.
Can ER2553-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). GTAW/GMAW/SAW on 255, S32550, S32750 and dissimilar joints; keep heat input ~0.5–1.5 kJ/mm, interpass ≤150 °C, no preheat, use Ar+2–3 % N₂ backing to keep ferrite 35–55 FN.
What surface finishes work on ER2553-AW?
Remove all heat tint by pickling paste or mechanical cleaning plus HNO₃ passivation; not anodizable — electropolish for maximum pitting resistance.
Can ER2553-AW be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as drawn wire; the deposit itself has limited cold formability and high springback — bending of duplex weldments should be done above 3t radius.
What is the maximum service temperature of ER2553-AW?
ER2553-AW is rated for continuous use to about 280°C (536 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ER2553-AW and ER2553-SA?
AW is the default condition — standard condition for GTAW/GMAW joints in 255/2507 base metal — use with controlled heat input and ≤150 °C interpass. SA: pick when the weldment or overlay can be re-solution-annealed to dissolve sigma/secondary phases and restore balanced 50/50 ferrite-austenite. Yield strength is 600 MPa in AW versus 560 MPa in SA.
Sources
- AWS A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods — American Welding Society (2017)
- ASTM A276/A479 & UNS S32550 chemistry cross-reference — ASTM International (2020)
- Ferralium 255 / UNS S32550 alloy datasheet — Langley Alloys (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Practical Guidelines for the Fabrication of Duplex Stainless Steels — IMOA (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.