Stainless Steel S32803
UNS S32803
S32803 is a high-chromium, high-molybdenum superferritic stainless steel developed for downhole oilfield tubing, giving strong chloride pitting resistance (corrosion score 82) without the chloride stress-corrosion cracking risk of austenitic grades.
Reference datasheet — S32803 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 ANN condition
S32803 tempers and conditions
S32803 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. ANN is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cold Rolled + Annealed | Choose for sheet fabrication (tube shells, liners) where a smooth pickled or bright surface is required. | 510 | 630 | 26 | 185 HB | 2.6 % IACS |
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard stocked condition for tubing, pipe and plate; best corrosion resistance and toughness. | 520 | 640 | 25 | 195 HB | — |
Cold Worked 80 ksi | Entry strength level for corrosion-resistant-alloy downhole tubing where collapse/burst demands are moderate. | 600 | 720 | 20 | 22 HRC | 2.6 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for tighter tolerance and better straightness/surface with a modest strength increase over annealed. | 620 | 740 | 18 | 21 HRC | 2.6 % IACS |
Cold Worked 110 ksi | Common oilfield strength level for deep wells; balance of load capacity and residual ductility. | 800 | 880 | 15 | 28 HRC | 2.6 % IACS |
Cold Worked 125 ksi | Highest routinely supplied strength level; check hardness caps and CVN for sour-service qualification. | 900 | 970 | 13 | 31 HRC | 2.6 % IACS |
What is S32803?
S32803 is a high-chromium, high-molybdenum superferritic stainless steel developed for downhole oilfield tubing, giving strong chloride pitting resistance (corrosion score 82) without the chloride stress-corrosion cracking risk of austenitic grades. Annealed stock provides 520 MPa yield, 640 MPa tensile, 25% elongation and 195 HB (92 HRB), with cold-worked strength levels (CW-80, CW-110, CW-125), cold-drawn bar and 2B sheet also on file. Service is capped near 300 °C by ferritic embrittlement, welding is limited to thin wall, and machinability is low (28); duplex 2205 is the usual alternative for thicker welded sections. S32803 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). S32803 has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 79% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is S32803 used for?
- oil country tubular goods (OCTG)
- downhole completion tubing
- sour service components
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 82/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 520 MPa (75.4 ksi), better than 79% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.6 % IACS, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 70 MPa·√m (63.7 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 45/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
S32803 properties
Typical room-temperature values for S32803-ANN; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S32803 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical15
S32803 has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 79% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
S32803 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 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S32803 conducts electricity at 2.6 % IACS, better than 77% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 90% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S32803 takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 80% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
S32803's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (50/100).
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. S32803 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S32803
Is S32803 easy to machine?
Tough and work-hardening: use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy flood coolant, slow speeds and constant feed to avoid work-hardened glaze; expect ~35 % of AISI 1212 rates.
Can S32803 be welded?
GTAW/autogenous or matching high-alloy/Ni-base filler with argon shielding and strict low heat input; no post-weld grain refinement is possible, so restrict to thin wall and avoid the 475–600 °C range.
Can S32803 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form thin-wall product with generous radii and allowance for higher yield and lower ductility than austenitic grades; hot work 900–1100 °C followed by anneal, never finish between 400–600 °C.
S32803 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cextra-low carbon typical of superferritics; confirm against mill certificate | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Ninterstitials (C+N) held low for toughness and intergranular corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Crapproximate 28 % Cr class level | 27.5 – 29.5 | 28.5 |
| Moapproximate; drives pitting/crevice resistance (PREN ≈ 38–42) | 2 – 3.5 | 2.8 |
| Nismall addition for toughness while remaining fully ferritic | ≤ 2.5 | 1 |
| Ti+Nbstabilisers to tie up C and N; nominal, grade-dependent | 0.1 – 0.8 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Febalance; composition above is the nominal 28Cr–3Mo superferritic envelope — verify against the UNS registration / mill certificate before design | balance |
What surface finishes work on S32803?
Pickle and passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after any thermal work; polishes well to a bright finish, no anodising, and avoid iron contamination from carbon-steel tooling.
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
How much does S32803 cost?
S32803 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
S32803 — frequently asked
What is S32803 used for?
S32803 is typically used for oil country tubular goods (OCTG), downhole completion tubing and sour service components. In short: superferritic OCTG grade; no chloride SCC risk; 300 °C service ceiling.
What is the yield strength of S32803?
S32803 has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 79% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is S32803 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades). Tough and work-hardening: use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy flood coolant, slow speeds and constant feed to avoid work-hardened glaze; expect ~35 % of AISI 1212 rates.
Can S32803 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). GTAW/autogenous or matching high-alloy/Ni-base filler with argon shielding and strict low heat input; no post-weld grain refinement is possible, so restrict to thin wall and avoid the 475–600 °C range.
What surface finishes work on S32803?
Pickle and passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after any thermal work; polishes well to a bright finish, no anodising, and avoid iron contamination from carbon-steel tooling.
Can S32803 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form thin-wall product with generous radii and allowance for higher yield and lower ductility than austenitic grades; hot work 900–1100 °C followed by anneal, never finish between 400–600 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of S32803?
S32803 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 S32803-ANN and S32803 CW-125?
ANN is the default condition — standard stocked condition for tubing, pipe and plate; best corrosion resistance and toughness. CW-125: highest routinely supplied strength level; check hardness caps and CVN for sour-service qualification. Yield strength is 520 MPa in ANN versus 900 MPa in CW-125.
How much does S32803 cost?
S32803 is a high-cost stainless steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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 A268/A268M — Seamless and Welded Ferritic and Martensitic Stainless Steel Tubing — ASTM International (2022)
- ANSI/NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156-3 — Cracking-resistant CRAs for H2S-containing environments — NACE/ISO (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (superferritic stainless steels) — ASM International (1990)
- Superferritic stainless tubing datasheets (26-3-3 / 29-4C / 29-4-2 class) used as property analogues — various mills (2020)
- ASTM A967/A967M — Chemical Passivation Treatments for Stainless Steel Parts — ASTM International (2017)
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.