Stainless Steel S21460
UNS S21460 · AISI/SAE XM-14
S21460 (XM-14) is a nitrogen-strengthened Cr-Mn-Ni austenitic stainless from the 200-series family, using manganese and interstitial nitrogen in place of part of the nickel to raise strength.
Reference datasheet — S21460 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the A condition
S21460 tempers and conditions
S21460 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Default stocked condition for bar, plate and wire — maximum ductility, best corrosion resistance and lowest permeability. | 450 | 830 | 45 | 210 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Light temper rolling — added strength while retaining enough ductility for bending and moderate forming. | 620 | 930 | 25 | 25 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Cold drawn / cold finished bar | Choose for high-strength shafting and machined structural parts where the extra ~50% yield strength and tighter tolerances of cold drawing are wanted. | 725 | 1,000 | 20 | 26 HRC | — |
Cold worked fastener wire / cold-headed bolt condition | Cold-drawn wire for cold-headed high-strength non-magnetic bolts and screws — the main commercial use of XM-14. | 760 | 1,030 | 18 | 28 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
Half hard | Springy sheet temper for brackets, clips and structural panels needing ~800 MPa yield. | 830 | 1,080 | 12 | 32 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | High-strength temper for flat springs and shims; only simple, generous-radius bends are possible. | 1,000 | 1,240 | 8 | 37 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum cold-worked strength for spring strip and wear-facing shims; essentially no formability and slight ferromagnetic response possible. | 1,170 | 1,380 | 5 | 41 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S21460 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
HRAP | Hot rolled, annealed and pickled | Surface finish |
What is S21460?
S21460 (XM-14) is a nitrogen-strengthened Cr-Mn-Ni austenitic stainless from the 200-series family, using manganese and interstitial nitrogen in place of part of the nickel to raise strength. Annealed material holds about 450 MPa yield and 830 MPa tensile with 45% elongation at 210 HB (95 HRB), and it is stocked mainly as bar, wire and cold-worked fastener material in tempers from annealed through full hard. Chloride corrosion resistance is below 316, machinability is low because the alloy work-hardens rapidly, and service is limited to about 760 °C; S21900 (Nitronic 40) is the nearest widely available alternative. S21460 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,375°C (2,507 °F). S21460 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
What is S21460 used for?
- fasteners
- structural hardware
- non-magnetic components
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 76% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 52/100, worse than 76% of stainless steel grades
S21460 properties
Typical room-temperature values for S21460-A; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S21460 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,375°C (2,507 °F).
Mechanical15
S21460 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
S21460 is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °F). It conducts heat at 14.5 W/m·K (8.38 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S21460 conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 76% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S21460 takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability7
S21460's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability good (60/100).
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. S21460 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S21460
Is S21460 easy to machine?
Treat like Nitronic-type alloys: rigid setups, 30–50% of 304 surface speeds, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed and flood coolant to avoid work-hardened glazing.
Can S21460 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with over-alloyed high-Mn or 309L-type filler, low heat input, no preheat, argon shielding without hydrogen; watch nitrogen porosity and hot cracking, and post-weld pickle/passivate.
Can S21460 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but flow stress and springback are roughly double 304 — size presses ~1.8×, use generous radii, and intermediate anneal at 1040–1120 °C with rapid cooling for severe draws.
S21460 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 | ≤ 0.12 | 0.08 |
| Mn | 14 – 16 | 15 |
| Si | 0.3 – 1 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 17 – 18.5 | 17.8 |
| Niadded vs S21400 for cryogenic toughness | 5 – 6 | 5.5 |
| Nprimary solid-solution strengthener | 0.35 – 0.5 | 0.42 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on S21460?
Not anodizable; finish by mechanical polishing, electropolishing or nitric/citric passivation (ASTM A967); electroplating requires an activated Wood's nickel strike.
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).
Passivation
Organic Coating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel S21460 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- AISI / SAE
- XM-14
How much does S21460 cost?
S21460 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
S21460 — frequently asked
What is S21460 used for?
S21460 is typically used for fasteners, structural hardware and non-magnetic components. In short: nitrogen-strengthened 200-series; higher strength than 304; non-magnetic fastener bar.
What is the yield strength of S21460?
S21460 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is S21460 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades). Treat like Nitronic-type alloys: rigid setups, 30–50% of 304 surface speeds, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed and flood coolant to avoid work-hardened glazing.
Can S21460 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). GTAW/GMAW with over-alloyed high-Mn or 309L-type filler, low heat input, no preheat, argon shielding without hydrogen; watch nitrogen porosity and hot cracking, and post-weld pickle/passivate.
What surface finishes work on S21460?
Not anodizable; finish by mechanical polishing, electropolishing or nitric/citric passivation (ASTM A967); electroplating requires an activated Wood's nickel strike.
Can S21460 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but flow stress and springback are roughly double 304 — size presses ~1.8×, use generous radii, and intermediate anneal at 1040–1120 °C with rapid cooling for severe draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of S21460?
S21460 is rated for continuous use to about 760°C (1,400 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S21460-A and S21460-FH?
A is the default condition — default stocked condition for bar, plate and wire — maximum ductility, best corrosion resistance and lowest permeability. FH: maximum cold-worked strength for spring strip and wear-facing shims; essentially no formability and slight ferromagnetic response possible. Yield strength is 450 MPa in A versus 1,170 MPa in FH.
How much does S21460 cost?
S21460 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
Sources
- ASTM A276/A276M — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A493 — Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rod for Cold Heading and Cold Forging — ASTM International (2021)
- SAE J1086 / Metals & Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS S21460) — SAE International / ASTM (2017)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.