Steel 18Ni(190)
also T-190, VascoMax 190
The lowest-strength member of the 18% Ni maraging family (~190 ksi UTS), offering the best fracture toughness and ductility in the series while retaining the simple age-hardening treatment; used where toughness matters more than absolute strength.
Reference datasheet — 18Ni(190) 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 Aged condition
18Ni(190) tempers and conditions
18Ni(190) is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. Aged 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Soft, tough nickel-martensite as supplied for machining, forming and welding before aging. | 800 | 1,000 | 18 | 29 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
As-welded deposit | Condition of a weldment before the mandatory 480 °C re-age; strength is well below the aged parent and should not be used as a design basis. | 860 | 1,050 | 12 | 31 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn bar and wire for tighter tolerance and better surface before aging; strain hardening also raises the final aged strength. | 1,030 | 1,170 | 10 | 34 HRC | 3 % IACS |
AgedDefault Solution annealed + aged 480 °C / 3–6 h, air cool | Standard delivered-strength condition: ~190 ksi UTS with the best toughness of the 18 % Ni maraging series and almost no distortion during aging. | 1,280 | 1,330 | 14 | 40 HRC | 3.8 % IACS |
Vacuum induction melted + vacuum arc remelted | Order this melt route for aerospace/critical rotating parts: lowest inclusion content, best transverse ductility and fracture toughness at the same nominal strength. | 1,300 | 1,340 | 15 | 40 HRC | 3.8 % IACS |
Cold worked then aged 480 °C | Pick when extra strength is needed from thin bar, strip or wire; ductility and toughness drop relative to the plain aged condition. | 1,450 | 1,500 | 8 | 45 HRC | — |
What is 18Ni(190)?
The lowest-strength member of the 18% Ni maraging family (~190 ksi UTS), offering the best fracture toughness and ductility in the series while retaining the simple age-hardening treatment; used where toughness matters more than absolute strength. 18Ni(190) has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,413°C (2,575 °F). 18Ni(190) has a yield strength of 1,280 MPa (186 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,330 MPa (193 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi).
What is 18Ni(190) used for?
- fracture-critical aerospace fittings
- tooling requiring high toughness
- pressure vessel components
- rocket motor cases (lower-load variants)
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 155 MPa·√m (141.1 ksi·√in), better than 97% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- High strength — 1,280 MPa (186 ksi), better than 95% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 25/100, better than 92% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 4.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 20.9 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.8 % IACS, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
18Ni(190) properties
Typical room-temperature values for 18Ni(190)-Aged; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
18Ni(190) has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,413°C (2,575 °F).
Mechanical16
18Ni(190) has a yield strength of 1,280 MPa (186 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,330 MPa (193 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi).
Thermal6
18Ni(190) is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 20.9 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.1 µm/m·K (5.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
18Ni(190) conducts electricity at 3.8 % IACS, worse than 84% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (25/100), better than 92% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 18Ni(190) takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 94% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
18Ni(190)'s machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); 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 steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 18Ni(190) is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 18Ni(190)
Is 18Ni(190) easy to machine?
Rough machine in the annealed condition (~30 HRC) with sharp carbide tools, rigid setups and generous coolant; finish after aging where only ~0.05 % growth occurs, using slow, positive-rake cuts.
Can 18Ni(190) be welded?
Excellent GTAW/EBW/laser weldability with matching filler, no preheat and low heat input; keep the joint clean and re-age at 480 °C after welding to restore strength.
Can 18Ni(190) be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend, deep-draw or cold-draw only in the solution-annealed state; hot work 1150–900 °C, then re-anneal at 815 °C before aging.
18Ni(190) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ckept very low; carbon degrades toughness | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Ni | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Copromotes Mo precipitation | 8 – 9 | 8.5 |
| MoNi3Mo / Fe2Mo aging precipitates | 2.8 – 3.4 | 3.1 |
| Tilower Ti than 250/300 grades — sets the 190 ksi level | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Al | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| P | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Bgrain-boundary addition, optional | ≤ 0 | 0 |
| Zroptional | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Caoptional deoxidizer | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 18Ni(190)?
No anodizing; protect with cadmium, nickel or electroless-nickel plating, phosphate or paint, and bake after any plating/pickling to avoid hydrogen embrittlement — nitriding gives a hard 65+ HRC case during aging.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on 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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 18Ni(190) in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- T-190VascoMax 190
How much does 18Ni(190) cost?
18Ni(190) is a high-cost 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.
18Ni(190) — frequently asked
What is 18Ni(190) used for?
18Ni(190) is typically used for fracture-critical aerospace fittings, tooling requiring high toughness, pressure vessel components and rocket motor cases (lower-load variants). In short: toughest 18Ni maraging grade; weldable ultra-high-strength steel; near-zero ageing distortion.
What is the yield strength of 18Ni(190)?
18Ni(190) has a typical yield strength of 1,280 MPa (186 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,330 MPa (193 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 18Ni(190) easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades). Rough machine in the annealed condition (~30 HRC) with sharp carbide tools, rigid setups and generous coolant; finish after aging where only ~0.05 % growth occurs, using slow, positive-rake cuts.
Can 18Ni(190) be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent GTAW/EBW/laser weldability with matching filler, no preheat and low heat input; keep the joint clean and re-age at 480 °C after welding to restore strength.
What surface finishes work on 18Ni(190)?
No anodizing; protect with cadmium, nickel or electroless-nickel plating, phosphate or paint, and bake after any plating/pickling to avoid hydrogen embrittlement — nitriding gives a hard 65+ HRC case during aging.
Can 18Ni(190) be formed, bent or molded?
Form, bend, deep-draw or cold-draw only in the solution-annealed state; hot work 1150–900 °C, then re-anneal at 815 °C before aging.
What is the maximum service temperature of 18Ni(190)?
18Ni(190) is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 18Ni(190) Aged and 18Ni(190)-ANN?
Aged is the default condition — standard delivered-strength condition: ~190 ksi UTS with the best toughness of the 18 % Ni maraging series and almost no distortion during aging. ANN: soft, tough nickel-martensite as supplied for machining, forming and welding before aging. Yield strength is 1,280 MPa in Aged versus 800 MPa in ANN.
How much does 18Ni(190) cost?
18Ni(190) is a high-cost 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 A538/A538M — Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Precipitation Hardening (Maraging), 18 % Nickel — ASTM International (2019)
- AMS 6512 / AMS 6520 — 18Ni maraging steel bar, plate and sheet — SAE International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1, Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — Maraging Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Carbon and Alloy Steels — ASM International (1996)
- VascoMax / Marval 18 Ni maraging steel technical data — Carpenter / Aubert & Duval (2020)
- MMPDS-17 maraging steel design allowables (18Ni series) — Battelle (2022)
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.