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Stainless Steel Haynes 556-AW (As-welded deposit)

Heat-treated state

UNS R30556 · ASTM B564/B435

Weld-metal / joint condition used for design of fabricated furnace and incinerator components; usually left as-welded without PWHT.

High cost $$$$

Values for the AW condition

Other Haynes 556 tempers and conditions

Haynes 556 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at Haynes 556.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Hot Rolled + Solution Annealed
Heavy-section plate and forgings; slightly coarser grain and marginally lower strength than thin annealed sheet.3907905010 HRC1.8 % IACS
SADefault
Solution Annealed
Standard mill condition for sheet, plate and strip; best combination of ductility, weldability and high-temperature corrosion resistance.41081548200 HB—
AWThis page
As-welded deposit
Weld-metal / joint condition used for design of fabricated furnace and incinerator components; usually left as-welded without PWHT.45077033210 HB1.8 % IACS
Cold worked
Cold-drawn wire, tube or bar where higher room-temperature strength and straightness matter; ductility and high-temperature stability are reduced.7501,0001832 HRC1.8 % IACS

What is Haynes 556-AW?

Haynes 556-AW is Haynes 556 heat treated to AW — weld-metal / joint condition used for design of fabricated furnace and incinerator components; usually left as-welded without PWHT. Haynes 556-AW has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 770 MPa (112 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 33% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). Haynes 556-AW has a density of 8.23 g/cm³ (0.297 lb/in³), heavier than 100% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). SA is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 1,050°C (1,922 °F), better than 91% of stainless steel grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 73/100, better than 77% of stainless steel grades

Limitations

  • High embodied carbon — 17 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
  • Difficult to machine — 18/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 12.6 W/m·K (7.28 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 1.8 % IACS, worse than 87% of stainless steel grades

Haynes 556-AW properties

Typical room-temperature values for Haynes 556-AW; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Haynes 556 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.

Physical3

Haynes 556-AW has a density of 8.23 g/cm³ (0.297 lb/in³), heavier than 100% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).

Density8.23 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,320°C2,408 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,355°C2,471 °F

Mechanical13

Haynes 556-AW has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 770 MPa (112 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 33% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus79 GPa11.5 Msi
Bulk Modulus180 GPa26.1 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.31
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)770 MPa112 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)450 MPa65.3 ksi
Elongation at Break33%
Reduction in Area35%
Shear Strength500 MPa72.5 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)230 MPa33.4 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)70 J51.6 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell210 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B94 HRB

Thermal5

Haynes 556-AW is rated for continuous service to 1,050°C (1,922 °F). It conducts heat at 12.6 W/m·K (7.28 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 14.1 µm/m·K (7.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity12.6 W/m·K7.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)14.1 µm/m·K7.8 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)1,050°C1,922 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

Haynes 556-AW conducts electricity at 1.8 % IACS, worse than 87% of stainless steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity1.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity9.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m37.4 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is very good (73/100), better than 77% of stainless steel grades.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good73/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent in high-temperature oxidizing, carburizing, sulfidizing and chloride-bearing combustion gases; good resistance to molten salts and to aqueous chloride pitting thanks to Cr+Mo+N. Not intended for strongly reducing hot acids (HCl, H2SO4) at high concentration.

Sustainability3

Producing a kilogram of Haynes 556-AW takes about 240 MJ of energy and emits 17 kg of CO₂ — more than 100% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)240 MJ/kg103,182 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)17 kg CO₂/kg
Typical Recycled Content40%

Manufacturability7

Haynes 556-AW's machinability is poor (18/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability fair (45/100).

MachinabilityPoor18/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)11%
WeldabilityVery good72/100
Formability (cold)Fair45/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood55/100
PolishabilityGood65/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — not an anodizable alloy; surface protection relies on its own Cr/Al oxide scale

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

Working with Haynes 556-AW

Is Haynes 556 easy to machine?

Machine like a solid-solution superalloy: rigid setup, positive rake carbide, low speed / heavy positive feed, flood coolant, avoid dwelling to prevent rapid work hardening.

Can Haynes 556 be welded?

Readily GTAW/GMAW/SMAW-welded with matching 556 filler; keep heat input low, use clean surfaces and no preheat/PWHT for normal sections.

Can Haynes 556 be formed, bent or molded?

Cold formable but springy and fast-work-hardening — allow extra power and intermediate solution anneals at 1175–1205 °C with rapid cooling; hot work 1180–1010 °C.

What surface finishes work on Haynes 556?

Grit blast or pickle to remove Cr-rich scale before service; not anodizable, and coatings are usually unnecessary since the alloy relies on its own protective oxide.

Haynes 556 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
Cr21 – 2322
Ni19 – 22.520
Co16 – 2118
Mo2.5 – 43
W2 – 3.52.5
Ta0.3 – 1.250.6
Mn0.5 – 21
Si0.2 – 0.80.4
Al0.1 – 0.50.2
C0.05 – 0.150.1
N0.1 – 0.30.2
Larare-earth addition improving oxide scale adhesion0.01 – 0.10.02
Zr0 – 0.10.02
P≤ 0.04—
S≤ 0.02—
Febalance, nominally ~29 %balance—

Haynes 556-AW — frequently asked

What is Haynes 556-AW used for?

Haynes 556-AW is typically used for waste incineration components, chemical process heaters, gas turbine hardware and industrial furnace fixtures. In short: multi-mode hot corrosion resistance; 1100 °C service ceiling; weldable with matching filler.

What is the yield strength of Haynes 556-AW?

Haynes 556-AW has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 770 MPa (112 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is Haynes 556-AW easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (18/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades). Machine like a solid-solution superalloy: rigid setup, positive rake carbide, low speed / heavy positive feed, flood coolant, avoid dwelling to prevent rapid work hardening.

Can Haynes 556-AW be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW/SMAW-welded with matching 556 filler; keep heat input low, use clean surfaces and no preheat/PWHT for normal sections.

What surface finishes work on Haynes 556-AW?

Grit blast or pickle to remove Cr-rich scale before service; not anodizable, and coatings are usually unnecessary since the alloy relies on its own protective oxide.

Can Haynes 556-AW be formed, bent or molded?

Cold formable but springy and fast-work-hardening — allow extra power and intermediate solution anneals at 1175–1205 °C with rapid cooling; hot work 1180–1010 °C.

What is the maximum service temperature of Haynes 556-AW?

Haynes 556-AW is rated for continuous use to about 1,050°C (1,922 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between Haynes 556-SA and Haynes 556-CW?

SA is the default condition — standard mill condition for sheet, plate and strip; best combination of ductility, weldability and high-temperature corrosion resistance. CW: cold-drawn wire, tube or bar where higher room-temperature strength and straightness matter; ductility and high-temperature stability are reduced. Yield strength is 410 MPa in SA versus 750 MPa in CW.

Sources

  1. HAYNES 556 alloy technical data — Haynes International (2020)
  2. ASTM B435 — UNS R30556 Sheet, Plate and Strip — ASTM (2019)
  3. ASTM B572 — UNS R30556 Rod — ASTM (2019)
  4. ASTM B622 / B626 — seamless and welded tube, UNS R30556 — ASTM (2019)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Heat-Resistant Alloys — ASM International (1990)

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.