Stainless Steel S41003 Q&T 600
Heat-treated state
UNS S41003 · EN 1.4003, X2CrNi12
Choose when higher yield strength with retained toughness is needed in machined or wear components.
Values for the Q&T 600 condition
Other S41003 tempers and conditions
S41003 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at S41003.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault hot rolled, annealed and pickled (HRAP / 1D plate) | Standard stocked condition for plate and structural sections — best ductility, weldability and formability. | 350 | 500 | 27 | 165 HB | — |
as-rolled plate, not annealed (1U/1C) | Lowest-cost heavy plate/section condition where surface finish and maximum ductility are not critical. | 390 | 560 | 22 | 185 HB | 2.9 % IACS |
bar, cold finished from annealed stock | Bar stock with tighter tolerance, higher strength and better chip control for turned parts and shafts. | 520 | 640 | 15 | 210 HB | 2.9 % IACS |
Q&T 600This page Q&T | Choose when higher yield strength with retained toughness is needed in machined or wear components. | 550 | 700 | 18 | 22 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
austenitised ~980 °C and air cooled, untempered | Maximum hardness/wear condition for liners and wear plate; low toughness, normally tempered before service. | 700 | 950 | 12 | 33 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
What is S41003 Q&T 600?
S41003 Q&T 600 is S41003 heat treated to Q&T 600 — choose when higher yield strength with retained toughness is needed in machined or wear components. S41003 Q&T 600 has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 83% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). S41003 Q&T 600 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T 600 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 29 W/m·K (16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 550 MPa (79.8 ksi), better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 50/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 18%, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 46/100, worse than 82% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 85 MPa·√m (77.4 ksi·√in), worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
S41003 Q&T 600 properties
Typical room-temperature values for S41003 Q&T 600; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S41003 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S41003 Q&T 600 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical16
S41003 Q&T 600 has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 83% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
S41003 Q&T 600 is rated for continuous service to 600°C (1,112 °F). It conducts heat at 29 W/m·K (16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 97% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S41003 Q&T 600 conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (46/100), worse than 82% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S41003 Q&T 600 takes about 40 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability6
S41003 Q&T 600's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S41003 Q&T 600
Is S41003 easy to machine?
Machines more easily than 304 (less work hardening, lower stickiness) — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speeds and generous coolant; expect ~55% of 1212 rating.
Can S41003 be welded?
Readily welded by GMAW/GTAW/FCAW/SAW with 309L or 316L fillers (or matching low-C 12Cr wire); low carbon keeps HAZ martensite soft, so preheat is usually unnecessary below ~20 mm but keep heat input moderate and interpass < 150 °C.
Can S41003 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends, rolls and press-brake work well with generous inside radii (≈2t) and grain-direction awareness; deep drawing is limited compared with austenitic grades, hot forming at 800–1100 °C followed by annealing is preferred for severe shapes.
What surface finishes work on S41003?
Supplied as a utility finish — pickled/blasted plate or 2B sheet; can be ground, brushed or painted (excellent paint substrate) but does not take a mirror polish as well as 304, and light surface rust staining in wet service is cosmetic rather than structural.
S41003 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A240 / EN 1.4003 max 0.030 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| SEN 1.4003 limits S to 0.015 max | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 10.5 – 12.5 | 11.5 |
| NiEN 1.4003: 0.30–1.00 | ≤ 1.5 | 0.5 |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance | — |
S41003 Q&T 600 — frequently asked
What is S41003 Q&T 600 used for?
S41003 Q&T 600 is typically used for mining chutes and bins, railway wagons, structural weldments, water treatment equipment and storage tanks. In short: cheapest weldable stainless; carbon steel replacement grade; good abrasion-corrosion balance.
What is the yield strength of S41003 Q&T 600?
S41003 Q&T 600 has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 83% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is S41003 Q&T 600 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades). Machines more easily than 304 (less work hardening, lower stickiness) — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speeds and generous coolant; expect ~55% of 1212 rating.
Can S41003 Q&T 600 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Readily welded by GMAW/GTAW/FCAW/SAW with 309L or 316L fillers (or matching low-C 12Cr wire); low carbon keeps HAZ martensite soft, so preheat is usually unnecessary below ~20 mm but keep heat input moderate and interpass < 150 °C.
What surface finishes work on S41003 Q&T 600?
Supplied as a utility finish — pickled/blasted plate or 2B sheet; can be ground, brushed or painted (excellent paint substrate) but does not take a mirror polish as well as 304, and light surface rust staining in wet service is cosmetic rather than structural.
Can S41003 Q&T 600 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends, rolls and press-brake work well with generous inside radii (≈2t) and grain-direction awareness; deep drawing is limited compared with austenitic grades, hot forming at 800–1100 °C followed by annealing is preferred for severe shapes.
What is the maximum service temperature of S41003 Q&T 600?
S41003 Q&T 600 is rated for continuous use to about 600°C (1,112 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip (UNS S41003) — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10088-1 / EN 10088-2 — Stainless steels: grades and technical delivery conditions (1.4003, X2CrNi12) — CEN (2014)
- 3CR12 utility ferritic stainless steel technical brochure — Columbus Stainless (2019)
- 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.