Stainless Steel Nitronic 50 · heat-treated state · default condition
Stainless Steel Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed
Properties of the Solution Annealed condition, compared with the other Nitronic 50 tempers.
Standard stocked condition for bar, plate and forgings: maximum corrosion resistance and ductility with ~450 MPa yield.
What is Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed?
Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed is Nitronic 50 heat treated to Solution Annealed — standard stocked condition for bar, plate and forgings: maximum corrosion resistance and ductility with ~450 MPa yield. Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed 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). Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed 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).
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 84% 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 Solution Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed — 15 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Nitronic 50 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed 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 Solution Annealed 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 Solution Annealed 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 Solution Annealed 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 Solution Annealed 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 Solution Annealed's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 80% 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.
Other Nitronic 50 tempers and conditions
Nitronic 50 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Nitronic 50 overview.
- Solution AnnealedDefaultStandard stocked condition for bar, plate and forgings: maximum corrosion resistance and ductility with ~450 MPa yield.450 MPa yield · 217 HB
- HSProprietary high-strength condition for pump shafts, valve stems and downhole tools needing ~790 MPa yield with retained corrosion resistance.795 MPa yield · 33 HRC
- Cold DrawnCold-drawn bar and wire for fasteners and shafting where higher yield and better surface finish/straightness are needed.760 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- Hot RolledLarge-section hot-finished bar supplied per ASTM A276 Condition B when only strength minimums are required.500 MPa yield · 240 HB
- AnnealedGeneral mill-annealed product (bar, plate, tube) meeting ASTM minimums; pick when softness and weldability matter more than strength.430 MPa yield · 210 HB
Working with Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed
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.
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.
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 | — |
Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed — frequently asked
What is Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed used for?
Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed 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 Solution Annealed?
Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed 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 Solution Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 80% 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 Solution Annealed 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 Solution Annealed?
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 Solution Annealed 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 Solution Annealed?
Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed?
Yes — Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.