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Stainless Steel S46800 Annealed 2B

Finish state

UNS S46800

Annealed 2B = annealed, cold rolled 2B finish sheet

Most common cold-rolled sheet/coil finish — smooth, mildly reflective, ready for forming and welding.

Standard cost $$

Values for the Annealed 2B condition

Other S46800 tempers and conditions

S46800 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at S46800.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Bright annealed sheet/strip (BA)
Choose when a reflective as-annealed surface is needed without mechanical polishing (appliance, hot-water tank liners).30547532156 HB2.9 % IACS
AnnealedDefault
mill annealed (ASTM A240 / A176 base condition)
Standard stocked condition for sheet, strip and plate; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance, use for forming and welding.31048032160 HB2.9 % IACS
Annealed 2BThis page
Annealed, cold rolled 2B finish sheet
Most common cold-rolled sheet/coil finish — smooth, mildly reflective, ready for forming and welding.32049031163 HB2.9 % IACS
Temper rolled / cold worked ~1/4 hard strip
Light skin-pass or cold reduction for higher yield strength and better flatness/springback control in roll-formed tube and trim.4505601813 HRC2.9 % IACS

What is S46800 Annealed 2B?

S46800 Annealed 2B is S46800 supplied in the Annealed 2B condition — most common cold-rolled sheet/coil finish — smooth, mildly reflective, ready for forming and welding. S46800 Annealed 2B has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 31% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). S46800 Annealed 2B has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Annealed 2B is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Easy to machine — 55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
  • High service temperature — 900°C (1,652 °F), better than 85% of stainless steel grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades

S46800 Annealed 2B properties

Typical room-temperature values for S46800 Annealed 2B; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S46800 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.

Physical3

S46800 Annealed 2B has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).

Density7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,510°C2,750 °F

Mechanical14

S46800 Annealed 2B has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 31% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus200 GPa29 Msi
Shear Modulus77 GPa11.2 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)490 MPa71.1 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)320 MPa46.4 ksi
Elongation at Break31%
Reduction in Area58%
Shear Strength335 MPa48.6 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)245 MPa35.5 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)40 J29.5 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell163 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B85 HRB
Hardness, Vickers172 HV

Thermal6

S46800 Annealed 2B is rated for continuous service to 900°C (1,652 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)10.4 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)900°C1,652 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

S46800 Annealed 2B conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity2.9 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 62% of stainless steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.2 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood58/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood resistance to atmospheric, hot-water, mild organic acid and automotive-condensate environments; highly resistant to chloride stress-corrosion cracking (no Ni). Not for reducing acids (HCl, dilute H2SO4) or strong halide pitting service — pitting resistance is below 316.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of S46800 Annealed 2B takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content70%

Manufacturability7

S46800 Annealed 2B's machinability is good (55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability very good (72/100).

MachinabilityGood55/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)55%
WeldabilityVery good80/100
Formability (cold)Very good72/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood65/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — stainless steel is not anodized; passivation (ASTM A967) or electropolish instead

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

Working with S46800 Annealed 2B

Is S46800 easy to machine?

Machines like Type 430/439 (~55% of AISI 1212): use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, generous feed to cut through the gummy work-hardened skin, and ample coolant.

Can S46800 be welded?

Excellent — Ti+Nb stabilization prevents chromium-carbide sensitization, so GTAW/GMAW/laser and high-speed resistance seam welding need no post-weld anneal; use matching or 409Cb/430Nb filler and keep heat input and interpass temperature low to limit grain growth.

Can S46800 be formed, bent or molded?

Good roll forming, bending and moderate deep drawing in the annealed condition; lower n-value than austenitics means less stretch, watch for ridging/roping on deep-drawn parts and allow for springback.

What surface finishes work on S46800?

Supplied 2B/BA/No.1; passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after fabrication, and remove all embedded iron — the grade takes paint and porcelain-type coatings well but cannot be anodized.

S46800 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≤ 0.030.02
Mn≤ 10.35
Si≤ 10.4
P≤ 0.040.03
S≤ 0.030
Cr18 – 2019
Nimax, residual≤ 0.50.2
N≤ 0.030.02
Tipart of dual Ti+Nb stabilization0.1 – 0.60.2
NbTi+Nb total 0.20 + 4(C+N) min, 0.80 max0.1 – 0.60.3
Febalance—

S46800 Annealed 2B — frequently asked

What is S46800 Annealed 2B used for?

S46800 Annealed 2B is typically used for automotive exhaust system components, corrosion-resistant fasteners, specialty process equipment, welded tubing and ducting, hot water tanks and vessels and heat exchanger components. In short: most formable stabilized ferritic; 900 °C service ceiling; low-nickel 400-series option.

What is the yield strength of S46800 Annealed 2B?

S46800 Annealed 2B has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 60% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is S46800 Annealed 2B easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades). Machines like Type 430/439 (~55% of AISI 1212): use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, generous feed to cut through the gummy work-hardened skin, and ample coolant.

Can S46800 Annealed 2B be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Excellent — Ti+Nb stabilization prevents chromium-carbide sensitization, so GTAW/GMAW/laser and high-speed resistance seam welding need no post-weld anneal; use matching or 409Cb/430Nb filler and keep heat input and interpass temperature low to limit grain growth.

What surface finishes work on S46800 Annealed 2B?

Supplied 2B/BA/No.1; passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after fabrication, and remove all embedded iron — the grade takes paint and porcelain-type coatings well but cannot be anodized.

Can S46800 Annealed 2B be formed, bent or molded?

Good roll forming, bending and moderate deep drawing in the annealed condition; lower n-value than austenitics means less stretch, watch for ridging/roping on deep-drawn parts and allow for springback.

What is the maximum service temperature of S46800 Annealed 2B?

S46800 Annealed 2B is rated for continuous use to about 900°C (1,652 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
  2. ASTM A176 — Stainless and Heat-Resisting Chromium Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2022)
  3. ASTM A268 / A176 welded ferritic tubing requirements — ASTM International (2020)
  4. AL 468 (UNS S46800) dual-stabilized ferritic stainless technical data — ATI (Allegheny Technologies) (2015)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  6. UNS Metals & Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (SAE HS-1086 / ASTM DS-56) — SAE/ASTM (2017)

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.