Stainless Steel Nitronic 60
UNS S21800 · also Alloy 218
Nitronic 60 (UNS S21800, XM-12) is a nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel with high manganese and unusually high silicon (~4 %), which gives it roughly twice the yield strength of 304 in the annealed condition plus outstanding resistance to galling, metal-to-metal wear and seizing without any hardening heat treatment.
Values for the Solution Annealed condition
Nitronic 60 tempers and conditions
Nitronic 60 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
as-rolled bar and plate, annealed and descaled | Economical condition for large-diameter bar, forging stock and heavy plate where surface finish and tight tolerance are not required. | 400 | 700 | 55 | 205 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Solution AnnealedDefault 1010–1120 °C, rapid cool (standard bar/plate condition) | Default stocked condition for bar, plate and forgings: maximum ductility and corrosion resistance with ~2× the yield strength of 304 and full galling resistance. | 414 | 717 | 60 | 210 HB | — |
mill-annealed sheet, strip and wire | Pick for sheet, strip, screen wire and formed parts where cold formability and weldability matter more than strength. | 448 | 745 | 55 | 16 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
light draw for tolerance and higher strength | Choose for precision-diameter bar, valve stems and pins needing ~700 MPa yield with good surface finish and straightness. | 760 | 965 | 25 | 30 HRC | — |
heavily drawn/strain-hardened bar and wire | Use where maximum strength and wear resistance are needed (fasteners, springs, high-load pins); ductility and toughness are reduced. | 1,000 | 1,170 | 15 | 35 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
What is Nitronic 60?
Nitronic 60 (UNS S21800, XM-12) is a nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel with high manganese and unusually high silicon (~4 %), which gives it roughly twice the yield strength of 304 in the annealed condition plus outstanding resistance to galling, metal-to-metal wear and seizing without any hardening heat treatment. It is the standard choice for valve stems and trim, fastener and bushing pairs, pins, shafts and screens where two stainless surfaces must slide against each other, and its general corrosion and oxidation resistance is comparable to or slightly better than 304/316 in many environments. Limits are its high work-hardening rate (poor machinability, high forming loads), only moderate chloride-pitting resistance versus true duplex or 6Mo alloys, and a price several times that of 304. Nitronic 60 has a density of 7.63 g/cm³ (0.276 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,343°C (2,449 °F). Nitronic 60 has a yield strength of 414 MPa (60 ksi) and a tensile strength of 717 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 60% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 60% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
What is Nitronic 60 used for?
- Anti-galling fasteners and threaded parts
- Valve stems, seats and trim
- Bushings, pins and wear pads
- Pump and mixer shafts
- Screens and wear plates
- Marine deck hardware
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 60%, better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- High service temperature — 870°C (1,598 °F), better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 12.9 W/m·K (7.45 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
Nitronic 60 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Nitronic 60-Solution Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
Nitronic 60 has a density of 7.63 g/cm³ (0.276 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,343°C (2,449 °F).
Mechanical14
Nitronic 60 has a yield strength of 414 MPa (60 ksi) and a tensile strength of 717 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 60% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 60% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal5
Nitronic 60 is rated for continuous service to 870°C (1,598 °F). It conducts heat at 12.9 W/m·K (7.45 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 15.5 µm/m·K (8.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Nitronic 60 conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 62% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Nitronic 60 takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
Nitronic 60's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability good (58/100).
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 60 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Nitronic 60
Is Nitronic 60 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — run 30–50 % of 304 speeds with rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed to stay under the hardened skin, and copious high-lubricity coolant.
Can Nitronic 60 be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching Nitronic 60 filler (or 209/240 types); no preheat or post-weld heat treatment needed, keep interpass temperature low and use low heat input to limit distortion.
Can Nitronic 60 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms and bends well when allowance is made for the high work-hardening rate (higher press loads, generous bend radii, intermediate anneals for severe draws); hot works at 1010–1200 °C.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to Nitronic 60. Every Nitronic 60 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 | Better58 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better72 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
Nitronic 60 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 | ≤ 0.1 | 0.06 |
| Mn | 7 – 9 | 8 |
| Sihigh Si gives the galling/wear resistance | 3.5 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Ni | 8 – 9 | 8.5 |
| Ninterstitial strengthener | 0.08 – 0.18 | 0.13 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on Nitronic 60?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish for best corrosion performance; takes a good mechanical polish, and no coating is needed for anti-galling function — do not attempt anodizing.
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 60 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S21800
- Trade names
- Alloy 218
- Other
- A276
How much does Nitronic 60 cost?
Nitronic 60 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 60 — frequently asked
What is Nitronic 60 used for?
Nitronic 60 is typically used for anti-galling fasteners and threaded parts, valve stems, seats and trim, bushings, pins and wear pads, pump and mixer shafts, screens and wear plates and marine deck hardware. In short: high-hardness galling resistant.
What is the yield strength of Nitronic 60?
Nitronic 60 has a typical yield strength of 414 MPa (60 ksi) and a tensile strength of 717 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 60% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Nitronic 60 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — run 30–50 % of 304 speeds with rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed to stay under the hardened skin, and copious high-lubricity coolant.
Can Nitronic 60 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching Nitronic 60 filler (or 209/240 types); no preheat or post-weld heat treatment needed, keep interpass temperature low and use low heat input to limit distortion.
What surface finishes work on Nitronic 60?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish for best corrosion performance; takes a good mechanical polish, and no coating is needed for anti-galling function — do not attempt anodizing.
Can Nitronic 60 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms and bends well when allowance is made for the high work-hardening rate (higher press loads, generous bend radii, intermediate anneals for severe draws); hot works at 1010–1200 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of Nitronic 60?
Nitronic 60 is rated for continuous use to about 870°C (1,598 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Nitronic 60 cost?
Nitronic 60 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 60?
Yes — Nitronic 60 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/A276M — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes (UNS S21800) — ASTM International (2017)
- ASTM A479/A479M — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes for Boilers and Pressure Vessels — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- Nitronic 60 (UNS S21800) Product Data Bulletin — AK Steel / Armco (Cleveland-Cliffs) (2019)
- Nitronic 60 High-Strength Anti-Galling Stainless Bar — Universal Stainless / Electralloy (2021)
- 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.