Stainless Steel S33228-SA (Solution annealed)
Heat-treated state · default condition
UNS S33228 · ASTM A240
Standard supply condition for all product forms; maximum ductility, homogeneous carbide/Nb distribution before high-temperature service.
Values for the SA condition
Other S33228 tempers and conditions
S33228 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at S33228.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SADefaultThis page Solution annealed | Standard supply condition for all product forms; maximum ductility, homogeneous carbide/Nb distribution before high-temperature service. | 280 | 620 | 42 | 170 HB | — |
Cold drawn / cold pilgered and bright solution annealed tube and bar | Seamless tube, pipe and bar condition for reformer/pyrolysis tubing and machined furnace components; tight tolerance and bright surface. | 290 | 630 | 40 | 172 HB | 1.7 % IACS |
Cold worked | Occasional strip condition where extra room-temperature stiffness/spring-back is needed; the cold work is lost on first exposure above ~700 °C. | 520 | 780 | 20 | 21 HRC | 1.7 % IACS |
What is S33228-SA?
S33228-SA is S33228 heat treated to SA — standard supply condition for all product forms; maximum ductility, homogeneous carbide/Nb distribution before high-temperature service. S33228-SA has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 75% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi). S33228-SA has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,340°C (2,444 °F).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 1,100°C (2,012 °F), better than 96% 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
- High embodied carbon — 7 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Low strength — 280 MPa (40.6 ksi), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades
S33228-SA properties
Typical room-temperature values for S33228-SA; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S33228 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S33228-SA has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,340°C (2,444 °F).
Mechanical14
S33228-SA has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 75% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi).
Thermal6
S33228-SA is rated for continuous service to 1,100°C (2,012 °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 15 µm/m·K (8.33 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S33228-SA conducts electricity at 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 71% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S33228-SA takes about 90 MJ of energy and emits 7 kg of CO₂ — more than 94% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
S33228-SA's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability good (60/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S33228-SA
Is S33228 easy to machine?
Machine like 310S/800H: rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, low speed and heavy positive feed to stay under the work-hardened layer, flood coolant, avoid dwelling.
Can S33228 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching Nb-stabilized or Ni-base (ERNiCr-3 / alloy 617 type) filler; low heat input, interpass <150 °C, no preheat, no post-weld heat treatment normally required — but avoid restraint in heavy sections because of reheat (relaxation) cracking above 600 °C.
Can S33228 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but work-hardens fast — allow ~50% more press force than 304 and intermediate anneals at 1150–1200 °C with rapid cooling; hot work 1150–1200 °C, stop above 950 °C.
What surface finishes work on S33228?
Pickle in HNO₃-HF after hot work or welding to restore the Cr₂O₃-forming surface; mechanical grinding/polishing must use iron-free media, and no anodizing applies to this alloy class.
S33228 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 | 0.04 – 0.08 | 0.06 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Cr | 26 – 28 | 27 |
| Ni | 31 – 33 | 32 |
| Nbcarbide stabilization / creep strength | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Cerare earth for oxide-scale adhesion | 0.05 – 0.1 | 0.07 |
| Al | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Tiresidual limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Febalance ≈38–41 % | balance | — |
S33228-SA — frequently asked
What is S33228-SA used for?
S33228-SA is typically used for chemical process equipment, marine components, high-strength corrosion-resistant fasteners and pollution control systems. In short: 1100 °C service ceiling; nb-stabilized against sensitization; moderate chloride resistance only.
What is the yield strength of S33228-SA?
S33228-SA has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 75% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is S33228-SA easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades). Machine like 310S/800H: rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, low speed and heavy positive feed to stay under the work-hardened layer, flood coolant, avoid dwelling.
Can S33228-SA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching Nb-stabilized or Ni-base (ERNiCr-3 / alloy 617 type) filler; low heat input, interpass <150 °C, no preheat, no post-weld heat treatment normally required — but avoid restraint in heavy sections because of reheat (relaxation) cracking above 600 °C.
What surface finishes work on S33228-SA?
Pickle in HNO₃-HF after hot work or welding to restore the Cr₂O₃-forming surface; mechanical grinding/polishing must use iron-free media, and no anodizing applies to this alloy class.
Can S33228-SA be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but work-hardens fast — allow ~50% more press force than 304 and intermediate anneals at 1150–1200 °C with rapid cooling; hot work 1150–1200 °C, stop above 950 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of S33228-SA?
S33228-SA is rated for continuous use to about 1,100°C (2,012 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S33228-SA and S33228-CW?
SA is the default condition — standard supply condition for all product forms; maximum ductility, homogeneous carbide/Nb distribution before high-temperature service. CW: occasional strip condition where extra room-temperature stiffness/spring-back is needed; the cold work is lost on first exposure above ~700 °C. Yield strength is 280 MPa in SA versus 520 MPa in CW.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip (UNS S33228) — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10095 — Heat resisting steels and nickel alloys (X8CrNiNbCe32-27, 1.4877) — CEN (1999)
- Nicrofer 3228 NbCe / alloy 803-type heat resistant austenitic alloy data sheet — VDM Metals (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Heat-Resistant Austenitic Stainless Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: High-Temperature Corrosion of Fe-Ni-Cr Alloys — ASM International (2005)
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.