Stainless Steel S32506
UNS S32506
S32506 (2506) is a duplex stainless steel with composition and performance between standard 2205 and super duplex 2507, supplied under UNS/ASTM duplex specifications.
Reference datasheet — S32506 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 SA condition
S32506 tempers and conditions
S32506 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. SA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
forged fittings/flanges, solution annealed and quenched | For flanges, valve bodies and fittings (ASTM A182 style supply) where section sizes are heavy. | 540 | 740 | 30 | 24 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
hot finished seamless pipe/tube, solution annealed | ASTM A790 hot-finished seamless duplex pipe for oil & gas gathering and heat-exchanger service. | 545 | 750 | 30 | 25 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
SADefault Solution annealed and quenched | Standard supply condition for plate, seamless/welded pipe and bar; best combination of toughness and corrosion resistance. | 550 | 760 | 32 | 24 HRC | — |
cold drawn tube/bar, then solution annealed | Choose for tight dimensional tolerance and good surface on tube/bar while retaining full annealed corrosion resistance. | 570 | 780 | 30 | 25 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Cold worked | Higher strength bar and small tube where NACE hardness limits (≤28 HRC) do not apply; toughness and formability are reduced. | 750 | 900 | 18 | 32 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S32506 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
WLD-SA | Welded + SA | Supply form |
What is S32506?
S32506 (2506) is a duplex stainless steel with composition and performance between standard 2205 and super duplex 2507, supplied under UNS/ASTM duplex specifications. It is used where higher strength and pitting resistance are needed without full super-duplex cost: 550 MPa yield, 760 MPa tensile, 32% elongation and about 250 HB (24 HRC) solution annealed, as plate, hot-finished and cold-drawn bar, forgings and welded product. Availability is narrower than 2205 and service is limited to roughly 300 °C by sigma-phase embrittlement; machining is slow and welding demands strict heat-input control. S32750 is the nearest higher grade. S32506 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F). S32506 has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 83% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is S32506 used for?
- pressure vessels
- pump and valve components
- chemical processing
Advantages
- High strength — 550 MPa (79.8 ksi), better than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 76/100, better than 80% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
S32506 properties
Typical room-temperature values for S32506-SA; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S32506 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F).
Mechanical16
S32506 has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 83% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
S32506 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 16 W/m·K (9.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 13 µm/m·K (7.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S32506 conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (76/100), better than 80% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S32506 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 66% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability8
S32506's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 70% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. S32506 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S32506
Is S32506 easy to machine?
Machine like 2205 but slightly harder: rigid setups, positive-rake coated carbide, low speed / heavy constant feed, ample coolant, avoid dwelling to prevent work hardening.
Can S32506 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW/SAW with 25.10.4L (2507-type) or matching duplex filler, nitrogen-added backing gas, heat input roughly 0.5–2.0 kJ/mm and interpass ≤150 °C to keep 35–65% ferrite; no PWHT (a full solution anneal + quench is the only correct heat treatment).
Can S32506 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming needs ~2× the force of 304 with large springback allowance; hot forming 950–1150 °C followed by mandatory solution anneal and water quench.
S32506 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 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.8 |
| Si | ≤ 0.9 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0 |
| Cr | 24 – 26 | 25 |
| Ni | 5.5 – 7.2 | 6.3 |
| Mo | 3 – 3.5 | 3.2 |
| N | 0.08 – 0.2 | 0.14 |
| W | 0.05 – 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on S32506?
Pickle (HNO3/HF) and passivate after welding or hot work to remove heat tint; electropolishing gives best pitting performance; not anodizable — mechanical polishing or PVD/paint if decorative finish is required.
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 S32506 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- 2506
How much does S32506 cost?
S32506 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.
S32506 — frequently asked
What is S32506 used for?
S32506 is typically used for pressure vessels, pump and valve components and chemical processing. In short: between 2205 and 2507; high-strength duplex; sub-super-duplex cost.
What is the yield strength of S32506?
S32506 has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 83% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is S32506 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 70% of stainless steel grades). Machine like 2205 but slightly harder: rigid setups, positive-rake coated carbide, low speed / heavy constant feed, ample coolant, avoid dwelling to prevent work hardening.
Can S32506 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). GTAW/GMAW/SAW with 25.10.4L (2507-type) or matching duplex filler, nitrogen-added backing gas, heat input roughly 0.5–2.0 kJ/mm and interpass ≤150 °C to keep 35–65% ferrite; no PWHT (a full solution anneal + quench is the only correct heat treatment).
What surface finishes work on S32506?
Pickle (HNO3/HF) and passivate after welding or hot work to remove heat tint; electropolishing gives best pitting performance; not anodizable — mechanical polishing or PVD/paint if decorative finish is required.
Can S32506 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming needs ~2× the force of 304 with large springback allowance; hot forming 950–1150 °C followed by mandatory solution anneal and water quench.
What is the maximum service temperature of S32506?
S32506 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 S32506-SA and S32506-CW?
SA is the default condition — standard supply condition for plate, seamless/welded pipe and bar; best combination of toughness and corrosion resistance. CW: higher strength bar and small tube where NACE hardness limits (≤28 HRC) do not apply; toughness and formability are reduced. Yield strength is 550 MPa in SA versus 750 MPa in CW.
How much does S32506 cost?
S32506 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 A790/A790M — Seamless and Welded Ferritic/Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipe — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A789/A789M — Seamless and Welded Ferritic/Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubing for General Service — ASTM International (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Practical Guidelines for the Fabrication of Duplex Stainless Steels — IMOA (2014)
- Duplex stainless steel pipe/plate datasheets (2205/2506/2507 family) — Sandvik / Outokumpu (2022)
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.