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Stainless Steel S32615 Annealed

Temper · default condition

UNS S32615

Standard supply condition for plate, sheet, tube and bar — maximum corrosion resistance in hot sulfuric acid service.

High cost $$$$

Values for the Annealed condition

Other S32615 tempers and conditions

S32615 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at S32615.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Hot Finished
Use for heavy bar, forged valve and pump bodies where section size prevents cold finishing.28560038175 HB1.8 % IACS
AnnealedDefaultThis page
solution annealed and quenched (ASTM A240/A312/A276)
Standard supply condition for plate, sheet, tube and bar — maximum corrosion resistance in hot sulfuric acid service.30062040180 HB1.8 % IACS
As-welded deposit
Represents welded joints in acid vessels; expect slightly lower ductility and preferential attack risk unless post-weld pickled and passivated.33059028195 HB1.8 % IACS
Cold drawn
Choose for straight, close-tolerance bar and fasteners where higher strength is needed; corrosion performance slightly reduced by cold-work stresses unless stress relieved.5207502222 HRC1.8 % IACS

What is S32615 Annealed?

S32615 Annealed is S32615 in the Annealed temper — standard supply condition for plate, sheet, tube and bar — maximum corrosion resistance in hot sulfuric acid service. S32615 Annealed has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 68% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi). S32615 Annealed has a density of 7.6 g/cm³ (0.275 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F).

Advantages

  • Good corrosion resistance — 82/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
  • Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
  • High service temperature — 850°C (1,562 °F), better than 80% of stainless steel grades

Limitations

  • Poor heat conductor — 12 W/m·K (6.93 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 1.8 % IACS, worse than 87% of stainless steel grades

S32615 Annealed properties

Typical room-temperature values for S32615 Annealed; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S32615 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.

Physical3

S32615 Annealed has a density of 7.6 g/cm³ (0.275 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F).

Density7.6 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,350°C2,462 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,400°C2,552 °F

Mechanical16

S32615 Annealed has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 68% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus190 GPa27.6 Msi
Shear Modulus73 GPa10.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus158 GPa22.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)620 MPa89.9 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)300 MPa43.5 ksi
Elongation at Break40%
Reduction in Area55%
Compressive Strength300 MPa43.5 ksi
Shear Strength400 MPa58 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)250 MPa36.3 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)200 MPa·√m182 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)90 J66.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell180 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B88 HRB
Hardness, Vickers190 HV

Thermal5

S32615 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 850°C (1,562 °F). It conducts heat at 12 W/m·K (6.93 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity12 W/m·K6.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)16 µm/m·K8.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)850°C1,562 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

S32615 Annealed conducts electricity at 1.8 % IACS, worse than 87% of stainless steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity1.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity9.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m37.4 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 90% of stainless steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.15 V
Corrosion ResistanceVery good82/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryOutstanding in hot, concentrated (>85%) sulfuric acid, oleum and other strongly oxidizing acids thanks to a silicon-rich passive film; also good in nitric acid. Poor to moderate in dilute/mid-strength sulfuric, hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids and only moderate chloride pitting/crevice resistance (low Mo).

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of S32615 Annealed takes about 72 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 83% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)72 MJ/kg30,954 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)5.2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water210 L/kg25.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content40%

Manufacturability7

S32615 Annealed's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 70% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability good (60/100).

MachinabilityPoor30/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)35%
WeldabilityGood55/100
Formability (cold)Good60/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — stainless steel is passivated/pickled (ASTM A380/A967), not anodized

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated82 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated25 MN·m/kg
Modulus of Resiliencecalculated237 kJ/m³
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated3.2 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated2

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with S32615 Annealed

Is S32615 easy to machine?

Machines like a tough austenitic but the 5% Si makes it abrasive and gummy — use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, low speeds/heavy positive feeds and copious coolant to avoid work hardening.

Can S32615 be welded?

GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching high-Si S32615 filler; keep interpass temperature low (<150 °C), low heat input and minimal restraint to avoid hot cracking; no post-weld heat treatment normally required.

Can S32615 be formed, bent or molded?

Cold formable but stiffer and less ductile than 304/316 due to Si; hot working in the 1050–1150 °C range with rapid cooling from >1050 °C, and avoid finishing below ~950 °C to prevent edge cracking.

What surface finishes work on S32615?

Pickle and passivate (ASTM A380/A967) after welding or heat treatment to restore the silicon-rich passive film; not anodizable, mechanical polishing or electropolishing is used for smooth acid-side surfaces.

S32615 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C≤ 0.070.03
Sikey alloying element for hot H2SO4 resistance4.8 – 65.3
Mn≤ 20.6
P≤ 0.05—
S≤ 0.03—
Cr16.5 – 19.518
Ni19 – 2220
Mo0.3 – 1.50.8
Cu1.5 – 2.51.9
Febalance—

S32615 Annealed — frequently asked

What is S32615 Annealed used for?

S32615 Annealed is typically used for sulfuric acid process equipment, acid handling components, acid coolers and heat exchanger tubing, acid distributors and downcomers, pump and valve wetted parts for concentrated acid and acid storage tank internals and piping. In short: hot sulfuric acid specialist; highest corrosion score here; abrasive, hard to machine.

What is the yield strength of S32615 Annealed?

S32615 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 68% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is S32615 Annealed easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 70% of stainless steel grades). Machines like a tough austenitic but the 5% Si makes it abrasive and gummy — use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, low speeds/heavy positive feeds and copious coolant to avoid work hardening.

Can S32615 Annealed be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching high-Si S32615 filler; keep interpass temperature low (<150 °C), low heat input and minimal restraint to avoid hot cracking; no post-weld heat treatment normally required.

What surface finishes work on S32615 Annealed?

Pickle and passivate (ASTM A380/A967) after welding or heat treatment to restore the silicon-rich passive film; not anodizable, mechanical polishing or electropolishing is used for smooth acid-side surfaces.

Can S32615 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?

Cold formable but stiffer and less ductile than 304/316 due to Si; hot working in the 1050–1150 °C range with rapid cooling from >1050 °C, and avoid finishing below ~950 °C to prevent edge cracking.

What is the maximum service temperature of S32615 Annealed?

S32615 Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 850°C (1,562 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between S32615 Annealed and S32615-CD?

Annealed is the default condition — standard supply condition for plate, sheet, tube and bar — maximum corrosion resistance in hot sulfuric acid service. CD: choose for straight, close-tolerance bar and fasteners where higher strength is needed; corrosion performance slightly reduced by cold-work stresses unless stress relieved. Yield strength is 300 MPa in Annealed versus 520 MPa in CD.

Sources

  1. ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
  2. ASTM A312/A312M — Seamless, Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes — ASTM International (2022)
  3. ASTM A276/A479 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2022)
  4. High-silicon austenitic stainless steel for concentrated sulfuric acid (UNS S32615) datasheet — Sandvik / Alleima (2022)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)

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.