Stainless Steel S32050
UNS S32050 · ASTM A240
S32050 is a nitrogen-alloyed, high Cr-Ni-Mo superaustenitic stainless to ASTM A240, with strong resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-bearing process and marine environments.
Reference datasheet — S32050 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 Annealed condition
S32050 tempers and conditions
S32050 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault Solution Annealed (1100–1180 °C, rapid quench) | Default supply condition for plate, sheet, pipe and fittings — maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. | 400 | 780 | 48 | 200 HB | — |
As-welded deposit | Property basis for fabricated joints — weld metal must be over-alloyed to keep the joint's pitting resistance at base-metal level. | 400 | 720 | 35 | 210 HB | 1.8 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Choose for higher strength fasteners, shafts and small-bore tubing where full annealed ductility is not required. | 690 | 900 | 28 | 26 HRC | 1.9 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S32050 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
CRAP | Cold Rolled, Solution Annealed Sheet/Strip | Surface finish |
HRAP | Hot Rolled, Solution Annealed and Pickled Plate | Surface finish |
What is S32050?
S32050 is a nitrogen-alloyed, high Cr-Ni-Mo superaustenitic stainless to ASTM A240, with strong resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-bearing process and marine environments. In the annealed condition it provides 400 MPa yield, 780 MPa tensile, 48 % elongation and about 200 HB, supplied as plate, hot- and cold-rolled annealed-pickled sheet and cold-drawn bar. Service is limited to 425 °C, welding requires over-alloyed nickel-base filler, and machining is slow; S31254 is the usual alternative when 6Mo-class performance is sufficient. S32050 has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F). S32050 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is S32050 used for?
- chemical process vessels
- marine and offshore equipment
- flue-gas handling
- seawater piping
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 82/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 48%, better than 85% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 11.5 W/m·K (6.64 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.9 % IACS, worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
S32050 properties
Typical room-temperature values for S32050-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S32050 has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,320°C (2,408 °F).
Mechanical15
S32050 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 48% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
S32050 is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 11.5 W/m·K (6.64 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 14.8 µm/m·K (8.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S32050 conducts electricity at 1.9 % IACS, worse than 84% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 90% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S32050 takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 5.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 84% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
S32050's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); 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. S32050 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S32050
Is S32050 easy to machine?
Machine like a 6Mo superaustenitic: rigid setup, positive-rake sharp carbide, low speed (~30–60 m/min) with heavy positive feed to cut under the work-hardened layer, flood high-lubricity coolant, avoid dwelling.
Can S32050 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with over-alloyed Ni-base filler (ERNiCrMo-3, -4 or -13); no preheat, keep interpass low, low heat input, no PWHT — never use matching-composition filler or the weld pits first.
Can S32050 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms and deep draws well but needs ~50 % more press force than 304 with high springback; hot work 1150–900 °C followed by full solution anneal and quench to redissolve sigma/chi phase.
S32050 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow carbon to avoid sensitization | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Cr | 22 – 24 | 23 |
| Nistabilizes austenite, SCC resistance | 20 – 23 | 21.5 |
| Mopitting/crevice resistance | 6 – 6.8 | 6.4 |
| Nraises strength and PREN | 0.21 – 0.32 | 0.26 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.4 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on S32050?
Pickle and passivate after hot work or welding to remove heat tint (heat tint locally destroys the pitting resistance); electropolish or mechanical polish for hygienic and high-purity service; not anodized.
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 S32050 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A240
How much does S32050 cost?
S32050 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
S32050 — frequently asked
What is S32050 used for?
S32050 is typically used for chemical process vessels, marine and offshore equipment, flue-gas handling and seawater piping. In short: nitrogen-strengthened 6Mo class; 425 °C service limit; deep-drawable superaustenitic.
What is the yield strength of S32050?
S32050 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is S32050 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades). Machine like a 6Mo superaustenitic: rigid setup, positive-rake sharp carbide, low speed (~30–60 m/min) with heavy positive feed to cut under the work-hardened layer, flood high-lubricity coolant, avoid dwelling.
Can S32050 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with over-alloyed Ni-base filler (ERNiCrMo-3, -4 or -13); no preheat, keep interpass low, low heat input, no PWHT — never use matching-composition filler or the weld pits first.
What surface finishes work on S32050?
Pickle and passivate after hot work or welding to remove heat tint (heat tint locally destroys the pitting resistance); electropolish or mechanical polish for hygienic and high-purity service; not anodized.
Can S32050 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms and deep draws well but needs ~50 % more press force than 304 with high springback; hot work 1150–900 °C followed by full solution anneal and quench to redissolve sigma/chi phase.
What is the maximum service temperature of S32050?
S32050 is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S32050 Annealed and S32050-CD?
Annealed is the default condition — default supply condition for plate, sheet, pipe and fittings — maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. CD: choose for higher strength fasteners, shafts and small-bore tubing where full annealed ductility is not required. Yield strength is 400 MPa in Annealed versus 690 MPa in CD.
How much does S32050 cost?
S32050 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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 A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A312/A312M — Seamless, Welded and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A479/A480 — Bar and Flat-Rolled Requirements for Stainless Steel — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- High-alloy austenitic (6Mo) stainless steel datasheets and corrosion tables — Outokumpu / Alleima (Sandvik Materials Technology) (2023)
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.