Stainless Steel S32050-AW (As-welded deposit)
Heat-treated state
UNS S32050 · ASTM A240
Property basis for fabricated joints — weld metal must be over-alloyed to keep the joint's pitting resistance at base-metal level.
Values for the AW condition
Other S32050 tempers and conditions
S32050 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at S32050.
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 | — |
AWThis page 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 |
What is S32050-AW?
S32050-AW is S32050 heat treated to AW — property basis for fabricated joints — weld metal must be over-alloyed to keep the joint's pitting resistance at base-metal level. S32050-AW has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi). S32050-AW 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 18/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 11.5 W/m·K (6.64 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.8 % IACS, worse than 87% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
S32050-AW properties
Typical room-temperature values for S32050-AW; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S32050 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S32050-AW 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-AW has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
S32050-AW 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-AW conducts electricity at 1.8 % IACS, worse than 87% 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 S32050-AW 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-AW's machinability is poor (18/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (62/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S32050-AW
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.
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.
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 | — |
S32050-AW — frequently asked
What is S32050-AW used for?
S32050-AW 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-AW?
S32050-AW has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is S32050-AW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (18/100, worse than 99% 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-AW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). 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-AW?
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-AW 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-AW?
S32050-AW 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.