Stainless Steel Nitronic 50
UNS S20910 · AISI/SAE XM-19 · EN 1.3964
Nitronic 50 (UNS S20910, XM-19) is a nitrogen- and manganese-strengthened austenitic stainless steel with 21–23 % Cr, 11.5–13.5 % Ni, 2 % Mo and Nb/V microalloying.
Values for the Solution Annealed condition
Nitronic 50 tempers and conditions
Nitronic 50 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. Solution Annealed 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mill annealed / hot finished and annealed | General mill-annealed product (bar, plate, tube) meeting ASTM minimums; pick when softness and weldability matter more than strength. | 430 | 780 | 45 | 210 HB | — |
Solution AnnealedDefault 1040–1120 °C solution anneal, rapid cool | Standard stocked condition for bar, plate and forgings: maximum corrosion resistance and ductility with ~450 MPa yield. | 450 | 800 | 45 | 217 HB | — |
Hot Rolled / Hot Worked (as-hot-finished, unannealed) | Large-section hot-finished bar supplied per ASTM A276 Condition B when only strength minimums are required. | 500 | 830 | 38 | 22 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Cold Drawn / Strain Hardened (ASTM A479 Cond. S) | Cold-drawn bar and wire for fasteners and shafting where higher yield and better surface finish/straightness are needed. | 760 | 965 | 25 | 30 HRC | — |
High Strength | Proprietary high-strength condition for pump shafts, valve stems and downhole tools needing ~790 MPa yield with retained corrosion resistance. | 795 | 1,035 | 20 | 33 HRC | — |
What is Nitronic 50?
Nitronic 50 (UNS S20910, XM-19) is a nitrogen- and manganese-strengthened austenitic stainless steel with 21–23 % Cr, 11.5–13.5 % Ni, 2 % Mo and Nb/V microalloying. In the annealed condition its 450 MPa yield is about twice that of 316L, with clearly better pitting, crevice and stress-corrosion-cracking resistance, so it is specified as bar, forgings and sheet for seawater pump shafts, valve stems, fasteners and downhole tools. Limits are severe work hardening and poor machinability (about 25 % of 1212), high cold-forming loads, and precipitation of sensitizing phases during long high-temperature exposure; service is limited to 800 °C. Nitronic 50 has a density of 7.88 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 59% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,343°C (2,449 °F). Nitronic 50 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
What is Nitronic 50 used for?
- Valve stems and valve internals
- Seawater and marine propeller shafts
- Pump shafts and housings
- Downhole and wellhead tool components
- Marine and chemical-plant fasteners
- Chemical process equipment parts
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 76% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 12.5 W/m·K (7.22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
Nitronic 50 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Nitronic 50-Solution Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
Nitronic 50 has a density of 7.88 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 59% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,343°C (2,449 °F).
Mechanical15
Nitronic 50 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal5
Nitronic 50 is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 12.5 W/m·K (7.22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 15.3 µm/m·K (8.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Nitronic 50 conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 84% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Nitronic 50 takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
Nitronic 50's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (55/100).
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. Nitronic 50 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Nitronic 50
Is Nitronic 50 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening: use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed (no dwell), slow speeds ~25–40 m/min and flood coolant; expect ~25% of 1212 rates.
Can Nitronic 50 be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching Nitronic 50 or AWS ER209/E209 filler, no preheat, low interpass, no PWHT normally required; avoid 500–850 °C holds.
Can Nitronic 50 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms like a heavy-work-hardening austenitic — allow 2× the press force of 304 and intermediate anneals at 1040–1120 °C for severe draws; hot work 1150–1230 °C.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to Nitronic 50. Every Nitronic 50 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair28 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | M.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 150 / 180 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1.5 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 4× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better70 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
Nitronic 50 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 |
| Mn | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 20.5 – 23.5 | 22 |
| Ni | 11.5 – 13.5 | 12.5 |
| Mo | 1.5 – 3 | 2.2 |
| Nprimary strengthener | 0.2 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Nb | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| V | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Febalance ≈ 55–58% | balance |
What surface finishes work on Nitronic 50?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after machining/pickling; takes a good mirror polish, and PVD/hard chrome are used on shaft journals for wear.
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).
Plating
Organic Coating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel Nitronic 50 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S20910
- AISI / SAE
- XM-19
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.3964
How much does Nitronic 50 cost?
Nitronic 50 is a specialty-cost stainless steel ($$$$$), pricier than about 98% 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.
Nitronic 50 — frequently asked
What is Nitronic 50 used for?
Nitronic 50 is typically used for valve stems and valve internals, seawater and marine propeller shafts, pump shafts and housings, downhole and wellhead tool components, marine and chemical-plant fasteners and chemical process equipment parts. In short: high-strength aerospace stainless.
What is the yield strength of Nitronic 50?
Nitronic 50 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Nitronic 50 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening: use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed (no dwell), slow speeds ~25–40 m/min and flood coolant; expect ~25% of 1212 rates.
Can Nitronic 50 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching Nitronic 50 or AWS ER209/E209 filler, no preheat, low interpass, no PWHT normally required; avoid 500–850 °C holds.
What surface finishes work on Nitronic 50?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after machining/pickling; takes a good mirror polish, and PVD/hard chrome are used on shaft journals for wear.
Can Nitronic 50 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms like a heavy-work-hardening austenitic — allow 2× the press force of 304 and intermediate anneals at 1040–1120 °C for severe draws; hot work 1150–1230 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of Nitronic 50?
Nitronic 50 is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed and Nitronic 50-HS?
Solution Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for bar, plate and forgings: maximum corrosion resistance and ductility with ~450 MPa yield. HS: proprietary high-strength condition for pump shafts, valve stems and downhole tools needing ~790 MPa yield with retained corrosion resistance. Yield strength is 450 MPa in Solution Annealed versus 795 MPa in HS.
How much does Nitronic 50 cost?
Nitronic 50 is a specialty-cost stainless steel ($$$$$), pricier than about 98% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Nitronic 50?
Yes — Nitronic 50 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A276/A479 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes (UNS S20910) — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A240 / A312 — Plate and Pipe, UNS S20910 (XM-19) — ASTM International (2022)
- Nitronic 50 (XM-19) Alloy Data Sheet — Electralloy / G.O. Carlson (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.