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Stainless Steel F6b-ANN (Annealed)

Heat-treated state

UNS S41026 · ASTM A182 Gr F6b

Pick for rough machining, deep hole drilling or cold straightening before final quench-and-temper; not a code-qualified delivery condition for A182 F6b.

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Values for the ANN condition

Other F6b tempers and conditions

F6b is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at F6b.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
ANNThis page
Annealed
Pick for rough machining, deep hole drilling or cold straightening before final quench-and-temper; not a code-qualified delivery condition for A182 F6b.32054028175 HB—
Normalized and tempered
Air-cooled route used on very heavy forgings where oil quenching risks cracking; slightly lower strength and toughness scatter than full Q&T.6007802024 HRC3 % IACS
QTDefault
Quenched and tempered
Standard stocked condition for F6b flanges, valve bodies and fittings — meets the 110 ksi / 90 ksi minimum with balanced toughness.6608102026 HRC—
Q&T high-strength
Ordered when the fitting must match a 130 ksi class body or trim; higher strength at the cost of impact toughness and SSC resistance — not for sour service.8009501631 HRC—

What is F6b-ANN?

F6b-ANN is F6b heat treated to ANN — pick for rough machining, deep hole drilling or cold straightening before final quench-and-temper; not a code-qualified delivery condition for A182 F6b. F6b-ANN has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). F6b-ANN has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,480°C (2,696 °F). QT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; ANN is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High electrical conductivity — 3 % IACS, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
  • Easy to machine — 50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 24.9 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of stainless steel grades

Limitations

  • Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 35/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 75 MPa·√m (68.3 ksi·√in), worse than 81% of stainless steel grades

F6b-ANN properties

Typical room-temperature values for F6b-ANN; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are F6b reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.

Physical3

F6b-ANN has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,480°C (2,696 °F).

Density7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,480°C2,696 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,530°C2,786 °F

Mechanical16

F6b-ANN has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus200 GPa29 Msi
Shear Modulus78 GPa11.3 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.28
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)540 MPa78.3 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)320 MPa46.4 ksi
Elongation at Break28%
Reduction in Area65%
Compressive Strength660 MPa95.7 ksi
Shear Strength490 MPa71.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)250 MPa36.3 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)75 MPa·√m68.3 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)70 J51.6 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell175 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C26 HRC
Hardness, Vickers280 HV

Thermal6

F6b-ANN is rated for continuous service to 480°C (896 °F). It conducts heat at 24.9 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 9.9 µm/m·K (5.5 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity24.9 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)9.9 µm/m·K5.5 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion260 J/g112 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)480°C896 °F
Min Service Temperature-29°C-20 °F

Electrical3

F6b-ANN conducts electricity at 3 % IACS, better than 95% of stainless steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity3 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity5.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m22.4 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.32 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair40/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in fresh water, steam, mild organic acids, crude oil and dry CO₂/H₂S per NACE limits; poor in chlorides, seawater, reducing acids (HCl, H₂SO₄) — prone to pitting and hydrogen/sulfide stress cracking above ~22 HRC.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of F6b-ANN takes about 46 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 88% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)46 MJ/kg19,776 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.4 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content60%

Manufacturability6

F6b-ANN's machinability is fair (50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability fair (45/100).

MachinabilityFair50/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)54%
WeldabilityFair35/100
Formability (cold)Fair45/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with F6b-ANN

Is F6b easy to machine?

Machine in the annealed state where possible; in Q&T condition use rigid setups, sharp carbide, moderate speed (~60–90 m/min) and heavy positive feeds to avoid work-hardened glazing.

Can F6b be welded?

Weldable with 410/410NiMo or austenitic 309 filler but requires 200–300 °C preheat, controlled interpass and a 650–760 °C post-weld temper to avoid untempered-martensite cracking.

Can F6b be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge at 1150–1200 °C, finish above ~900 °C and slow-cool or anneal immediately; cold forming is limited to minor straightening in the annealed condition.

What surface finishes work on F6b?

Takes a good mechanical/electro-polish and passivates in nitric acid; hard chrome or nitriding is used for wear faces — avoid electroplating without hydrogen bake-out above 28 HRC.

F6b 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C≤ 0.150.1
Mn≤ 10.6
Si≤ 10.4
P≤ 0.020.02
S≤ 0.020.01
Cr11.5 – 13.512.5
Niimproves hardenability and toughness vs plain 4101 – 21.5
Mo0.4 – 0.60.5
Febalance—

F6b-ANN — frequently asked

What is F6b-ANN used for?

F6b-ANN is typically used for forged flanges, valve bodies and fittings. In short: ASTM A182 forging grade; flange and fitting 410; pressure-rated martensitic bar.

What is the yield strength of F6b-ANN?

F6b-ANN has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is F6b-ANN easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades). Machine in the annealed state where possible; in Q&T condition use rigid setups, sharp carbide, moderate speed (~60–90 m/min) and heavy positive feeds to avoid work-hardened glazing.

Can F6b-ANN be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Weldable with 410/410NiMo or austenitic 309 filler but requires 200–300 °C preheat, controlled interpass and a 650–760 °C post-weld temper to avoid untempered-martensite cracking.

What surface finishes work on F6b-ANN?

Takes a good mechanical/electro-polish and passivates in nitric acid; hard chrome or nitriding is used for wear faces — avoid electroplating without hydrogen bake-out above 28 HRC.

Can F6b-ANN be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge at 1150–1200 °C, finish above ~900 °C and slow-cool or anneal immediately; cold forming is limited to minor straightening in the annealed condition.

What is the maximum service temperature of F6b-ANN?

F6b-ANN is rated for continuous use to about 480°C (896 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between F6b-QT and F6b-ANN?

QT is the default condition — standard stocked condition for F6b flanges, valve bodies and fittings — meets the 110 ksi / 90 ksi minimum with balanced toughness. ANN: pick for rough machining, deep hole drilling or cold straightening before final quench-and-temper; not a code-qualified delivery condition for A182 F6b. Yield strength is 660 MPa in QT versus 320 MPa in ANN.

Sources

  1. ASTM A182/A182M — Forged or Rolled Alloy and Stainless Steel Pipe Flanges, Fittings, Valves and Parts — ASTM International (2023)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  3. ASM Specialty Handbook — Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
  4. NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156-3 — Cracking-resistant CRAs for H₂S service — NACE/ISO (2015)
  5. GB/T 1220 (1Cr13/2Cr13 ) — SAC (2007)

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.