Stainless Steel S32506-SA
Heat-treated state · default condition
UNS S32506
SA = solution annealed and quenched
Standard supply condition for plate, seamless/welded pipe and bar; best combination of toughness and corrosion resistance.
Values for the SA condition
Other S32506 tempers and conditions
S32506 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at S32506.
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 |
SADefaultThis page 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 |
What is S32506-SA?
S32506-SA is S32506 heat treated to SA — standard supply condition for plate, seamless/welded pipe and bar; best combination of toughness and corrosion resistance. S32506-SA 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). S32506-SA 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).
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-SA properties
Typical room-temperature values for S32506-SA; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S32506 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S32506-SA 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-SA 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-SA 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-SA 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-SA 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-SA'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S32506-SA
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.
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.
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 | — |
S32506-SA — frequently asked
What is S32506-SA used for?
S32506-SA 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-SA?
S32506-SA 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-SA 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-SA 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-SA?
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-SA 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-SA?
S32506-SA 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.