Stainless Steel S32053 CW-1/4H
Supply condition
UNS S32053 · ASTM A240
CW-1/4H = cW 1/4 Hard
Pick when higher strength is needed in strip or small bar and full annealed ductility is not required.
Values for the CW-1/4H condition
Other S32053 tempers and conditions
S32053 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at S32053.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SADefault Solution annealed | Standard supply condition for plate, sheet, bar and tube; maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. | 380 | 750 | 45 | 14 HRC | 1.8 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for pump/valve shafts, fasteners and machined fittings needing higher yield strength and tighter tolerance. | 600 | 850 | 25 | 26 HRC | 1.8 % IACS |
CW-1/4HThis page CW 1/4 Hard | Pick when higher strength is needed in strip or small bar and full annealed ductility is not required. | 650 | 900 | 20 | 29 HRC | 1.8 % IACS |
What is S32053 CW-1/4H?
S32053 CW-1/4H is S32053 supplied in the CW-1/4H condition — pick when higher strength is needed in strip or small bar and full annealed ductility is not required. S32053 CW-1/4H has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 90% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi). S32053 CW-1/4H has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,330°C (2,426 °F). SA is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CW-1/4H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 84/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 650 MPa (94.3 ksi), better than 90% 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
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.8 % IACS, worse than 87% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
S32053 CW-1/4H properties
Typical room-temperature values for S32053 CW-1/4H; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S32053 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S32053 CW-1/4H has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,330°C (2,426 °F).
Mechanical17
S32053 CW-1/4H has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 90% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
S32053 CW-1/4H is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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 14.5 µm/m·K (8.06 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S32053 CW-1/4H conducts electricity at 1.8 % IACS, worse than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (84/100), better than 91% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S32053 CW-1/4H takes about 70 MJ of energy and emits 5.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 81% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
S32053 CW-1/4H's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S32053 CW-1/4H
Is S32053 easy to machine?
Tough, gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy feeds, low-to-moderate speeds and copious high-pressure coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can S32053 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with overalloyed Ni-base consumables (ERNiCrMo-3/-4 or ERNiCrMo-13); keep heat input and interpass temperature low, no preheat, no PWHT, and use low-heat stringer beads to avoid sigma/chi and hot cracking.
Can S32053 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but needs 1.5–2× the press force of 304 and generous springback allowance; hot work 1150–1200 °C with rapid cooling, then re-solution anneal ~1120–1180 °C and quench.
What surface finishes work on S32053?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A380/A967) or electropolish after fabrication to remove heat tint and restore full pitting resistance; takes a bright mechanical polish, no anodizing.
S32053 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 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.7 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cr | 22 – 24 | 23 |
| Ni | 24 – 26 | 25 |
| Mo | 5 – 6 | 5.5 |
| Nnitrogen strengthens and boosts pitting resistance | 0.17 – 0.22 | 0.2 |
| Febalance, ≈43–46 % | balance | — |
S32053 CW-1/4H — frequently asked
What is S32053 CW-1/4H used for?
S32053 CW-1/4H is typically used for chemical process equipment, pollution control scrubbers, marine hardware and acid handling piping. In short: good formability for superaustenitic; above duplex in chloride service; needs Ni-base weld filler.
What is the yield strength of S32053 CW-1/4H?
S32053 CW-1/4H has a typical yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 90% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is S32053 CW-1/4H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades). Tough, gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy feeds, low-to-moderate speeds and copious high-pressure coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can S32053 CW-1/4H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with overalloyed Ni-base consumables (ERNiCrMo-3/-4 or ERNiCrMo-13); keep heat input and interpass temperature low, no preheat, no PWHT, and use low-heat stringer beads to avoid sigma/chi and hot cracking.
What surface finishes work on S32053 CW-1/4H?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A380/A967) or electropolish after fabrication to remove heat tint and restore full pitting resistance; takes a bright mechanical polish, no anodizing.
Can S32053 CW-1/4H be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but needs 1.5–2× the press force of 304 and generous springback allowance; hot work 1150–1200 °C with rapid cooling, then re-solution anneal ~1120–1180 °C and quench.
What is the maximum service temperature of S32053 CW-1/4H?
S32053 CW-1/4H is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S32053-SA and S32053-CD?
SA is the default condition — standard supply condition for plate, sheet, bar and tube; maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. CD: pick for pump/valve shafts, fasteners and machined fittings needing higher yield strength and tighter tolerance. Yield strength is 380 MPa in SA versus 600 MPa in CD.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A276/A479 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A249/A213/A312 — Stainless Steel Tube and Pipe — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Superaustenitic stainless steel (23Cr-25Ni-5.5Mo-N) product data — specialty stainless producers (2022)
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.