Stainless Steel ZG0Cr18Ni9
ASTM CF3
ZG0Cr18Ni9 is a low-carbon Chinese cast austenitic stainless steel equivalent to ASTM CF3, with carbon held at 0.03 % maximum to resist sensitization.
Reference datasheet — ZG0Cr18Ni9 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 ST condition
ZG0Cr18Ni9 tempers and conditions
ZG0Cr18Ni9 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. ST is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STDefault Solution annealed | Standard supplied condition for all pressure-containing castings; maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. | 245 | 525 | 55 | 140 HB | — |
As fabricated | Only for non-pressure, non-corrosive decorative or structural parts; carbides and casting stresses remain, corrosion resistance is degraded. | 250 | 490 | 35 | 150 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
As-welded deposit | The reason this ultra-low-carbon grade exists: casting repaired or welded into an assembly and put into service without re-solutioning. | 250 | 510 | 45 | 150 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
hot isostatically pressed then solution treated | Choose for fatigue- or leak-critical castings (pump/valve bodies, subsea parts) where internal microporosity must be closed. | 255 | 545 | 60 | 145 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
What is ZG0Cr18Ni9?
ZG0Cr18Ni9 is a low-carbon Chinese cast austenitic stainless steel equivalent to ASTM CF3, with carbon held at 0.03 % maximum to resist sensitization. It is chosen for castings that stay in the as-welded condition, offering 245 MPa yield, 525 MPa tensile, 55 % elongation, 140 HB and corrosion score 70. Typical forms are sand, investment and HIP-consolidated castings for valve and pump duty. Maximum service temperature is limited to 425 °C, and machining is gummy; for hotter service use the stabilized ZG1Cr18Ni9Ti / CF8C or standard-carbon ZG1Cr18Ni9 / CF8. ZG0Cr18Ni9 has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). ZG0Cr18Ni9 has a yield strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — weaker than 94% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is ZG0Cr18Ni9 used for?
- welded valve castings
- pump housings
- food and pharmaceutical process castings
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 245 MPa (35.5 ksi), worse than 94% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
ZG0Cr18Ni9 properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZG0Cr18Ni9-ST; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ZG0Cr18Ni9 has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
ZG0Cr18Ni9 has a yield strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — weaker than 94% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
ZG0Cr18Ni9 is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 16.2 W/m·K (9.36 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZG0Cr18Ni9 conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 68% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZG0Cr18Ni9 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 75%.
Manufacturability8
ZG0Cr18Ni9's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. ZG0Cr18Ni9 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ZG0Cr18Ni9
Is ZG0Cr18Ni9 easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed (no dwelling), 60–120 m/min, flood coolant; cast skin/sand inclusions dull the first cut.
Can ZG0Cr18Ni9 be welded?
Excellent — GTAW/SMAW with ER308L/E308L filler, no preheat, low interpass (<150 °C); the ≤0.03 % C plus 5–20 FN ferrite lets repairs stay in service without post-weld solution annealing.
Can ZG0Cr18Ni9 be formed, bent or molded?
Wide freezing range needs generous risers, chills on heavy sections and a solidification simulation; keep ferrite 8–18 FN to avoid hot cracking while staying below sigma-formation risk.
ZG0Cr18Ni9 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cultra-low carbon for sensitization resistance | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 2 | 1.2 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 17 – 21 | 19 |
| Ni | 8 – 12 | 9.5 |
| Moresidual only | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on ZG0Cr18Ni9?
Passivate (nitric or citric per ASTM A967) after machining; shot blast + pickling to remove scale; electropolishable for sanitary service, but porosity limits true mirror polish.
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
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel ZG0Cr18Ni9 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- CF3
How much does ZG0Cr18Ni9 cost?
ZG0Cr18Ni9 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
ZG0Cr18Ni9 — frequently asked
What is ZG0Cr18Ni9 used for?
ZG0Cr18Ni9 is typically used for welded valve castings, pump housings and food and pharmaceutical process castings. In short: low-carbon cast austenitic; best as-welded corrosion resistance; CF3 equivalent.
What is the yield strength of ZG0Cr18Ni9?
ZG0Cr18Ni9 has a typical yield strength of 245 MPa (35.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — weaker than 94% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZG0Cr18Ni9 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed (no dwelling), 60–120 m/min, flood coolant; cast skin/sand inclusions dull the first cut.
Can ZG0Cr18Ni9 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent — GTAW/SMAW with ER308L/E308L filler, no preheat, low interpass (<150 °C); the ≤0.03 % C plus 5–20 FN ferrite lets repairs stay in service without post-weld solution annealing.
What surface finishes work on ZG0Cr18Ni9?
Passivate (nitric or citric per ASTM A967) after machining; shot blast + pickling to remove scale; electropolishable for sanitary service, but porosity limits true mirror polish.
Can ZG0Cr18Ni9 be formed, bent or molded?
Wide freezing range needs generous risers, chills on heavy sections and a solidification simulation; keep ferrite 8–18 FN to avoid hot cracking while staying below sigma-formation risk.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZG0Cr18Ni9?
ZG0Cr18Ni9 is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ZG0Cr18Ni9-ST and ZG0Cr18Ni9-F?
ST is the default condition — standard supplied condition for all pressure-containing castings; maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. F: only for non-pressure, non-corrosive decorative or structural parts; carbides and casting stresses remain, corrosion resistance is degraded. Yield strength is 245 MPa in ST versus 250 MPa in F.
How much does ZG0Cr18Ni9 cost?
ZG0Cr18Ni9 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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 A351/A351M Castings, Austenitic, for Pressure-Containing Parts (CF3) — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- 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; 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.