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Steel A335 P91 Annealed

Temper

ASTM A335 P91

Softened, over-tempered condition supplied for deep machining or cold bending; must be re-normalized and tempered afterwards because creep strength is lost.

CNC machiningSheet metalStandard cost $$

Values for the Annealed condition

Other A335 P91 tempers and conditions

A335 P91 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at A335 P91.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
AnnealedThis page
full/subcritical anneal (~800–900 °C, slow cool) for machining or intermediate forming
Softened, over-tempered condition supplied for deep machining or cold bending; must be re-normalized and tempered afterwards because creep strength is lost.33056028170 HB—
Normalized and tempered
The only code-acceptable delivery condition for A335 P91 pressure piping — tempered martensite with balanced creep strength, toughness and 190–250 HB hardness.4906602320 HRC26 W/m·K
Quenched and tempered
Used on heavy-wall pipe, forgings and valve bodies where liquid quenching is needed to get full martensite through-thickness; gives slightly higher strength than N&T at some cost in toughness.5307002022 HRC—
HRDefault
Hot rolled
Mill intermediate state only: air-cooled hot-worked P91 is partly martensitic with erratic hardness and is not acceptable for ASTM A335 delivery without normalizing and tempering.7009501431 HRC—
air cooled from 1040–1080 °C
Intermediate mill/shop condition only: as-normalized P91 is untempered martensite, hard and brittle, and must be tempered before service or pressure testing.1,0001,3501044 HRC—

What is A335 P91 Annealed?

A335 P91 Annealed is A335 P91 in the Annealed temper — softened, over-tempered condition supplied for deep machining or cold bending; must be re-normalized and tempered afterwards because creep strength is lost. A335 P91 Annealed has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 218 GPa (31.6 Msi). A335 P91 Annealed has a density of 7.77 g/cm³ (0.281 lb/in³), lighter than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Annealed is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Good corrosion resistance — 28/100, better than 94% of steel grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
  • High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% of steel grades
  • Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Poor heat conductor — 26 W/m·K (15 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of steel grades
  • High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 87% of steel grades
  • Low strength — 330 MPa (47.9 ksi), worse than 78% of steel grades

A335 P91 Annealed properties

Typical room-temperature values for A335 P91 Annealed; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A335 P91 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

A335 P91 Annealed has a density of 7.77 g/cm³ (0.281 lb/in³), lighter than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).

Density7.77 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,450°C2,642 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,505°C2,741 °F

Mechanical16

A335 P91 Annealed has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 218 GPa (31.6 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus218 GPa31.6 Msi
Shear Modulus84 GPa12.2 Msi
Bulk Modulus180 GPa26.1 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)560 MPa81.2 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)330 MPa47.9 ksi
Elongation at Break28%
Reduction in Area70%
Compressive Strength490 MPa71.1 ksi
Shear Strength400 MPa58 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)300 MPa43.5 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)150 J111 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell170 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C31 HRC
Hardness, Vickers178 HV

Thermal6

A335 P91 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 26 W/m·K (15 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity26 W/m·K15 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)10.8 µm/m·K6 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)450°C842 °F
Min Service Temperature-30°C-22 °F

Electrical2

A335 P91 Annealed has an electrical resistivity of 6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is poor (28/100), better than 94% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.55 V
Corrosion ResistancePoor28/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood resistance to dry high-temperature steam and oxidation to ~600 °C and to hot hydrogen/H2S refinery service; rusts freely in humid air and water, and steam-side oxide spalling becomes limiting above ~620 °C.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of A335 P91 Annealed takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water65 L/kg7.8 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

A335 P91 Annealed's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability good (55/100).

MachinabilityGood58/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)62%
WeldabilityFair45/100
Formability (cold)Good55/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair35/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use aluminized/chromized diffusion coatings or high-temperature paint instead

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

Working with A335 P91 Annealed

Is A335 P91 easy to machine?

Machines like a 215 HB Cr-Mo steel — rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds and heavy coolant; avoid overheating that could locally temper or re-harden the surface.

Can A335 P91 be welded?

Use matching 9Cr-1Mo-V consumables with 200–300 °C preheat/interpass, cool to below ~100 °C before PWHT, then mandatory 750–770 °C temper; keep Ni+Mn low to protect the Ac1 and check hardness 190–250 HB after PWHT.

Can A335 P91 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot form above ~900 °C or cold bend only in the softened condition; any hot working or cold strain over ~5–20 % requires full re-normalize and temper to restore creep strength.

What surface finishes work on A335 P91?

Not anodizable; protect with high-temperature aluminium/silicone paint, aluminizing or chromizing, and pickle/blast weld scale before insulation to limit under-insulation corrosion.

A335 P91 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
C0.08 – 0.120.1
Mn0.3 – 0.60.45
P≤ 0.020.01
S≤ 0.010
Si0.2 – 0.50.35
Cr8 – 9.58.8
Mo0.85 – 1.050.95
V0.18 – 0.250.21
Nbcolumbium0.06 – 0.10.08
N0.03 – 0.070.05
Nimax; Ni+Mn ≤ 1.0 recommended by EPRI≤ 0.40.2
Al≤ 0.020.01
Ti≤ 0.01
Zr≤ 0.01
Febalance

A335 P91 Annealed — frequently asked

What is A335 P91 Annealed used for?

A335 P91 Annealed is typically used for boilers, power plant headers and pipework. In short: creep-resistant power pipe.

What is the yield strength of A335 P91 Annealed?

A335 P91 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is A335 P91 Annealed easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like a 215 HB Cr-Mo steel — rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds and heavy coolant; avoid overheating that could locally temper or re-harden the surface.

Can A335 P91 Annealed be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Use matching 9Cr-1Mo-V consumables with 200–300 °C preheat/interpass, cool to below ~100 °C before PWHT, then mandatory 750–770 °C temper; keep Ni+Mn low to protect the Ac1 and check hardness 190–250 HB after PWHT.

What surface finishes work on A335 P91 Annealed?

Not anodizable; protect with high-temperature aluminium/silicone paint, aluminizing or chromizing, and pickle/blast weld scale before insulation to limit under-insulation corrosion.

Can A335 P91 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?

Hot form above ~900 °C or cold bend only in the softened condition; any hot working or cold strain over ~5–20 % requires full re-normalize and temper to restore creep strength.

What is the maximum service temperature of A335 P91 Annealed?

A335 P91 Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Can FabDigit make parts in A335 P91 Annealed?

Yes — A335 P91 Annealed is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. ASTM A335/A335M — Seamless Ferritic Alloy-Steel Pipe for High-Temperature Service — ASTM International (2023)
  2. ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Properties (Metric) — ASME (2023)
  3. GB/T 5310 — Seamless steel tubes for high pressure boilers (10Cr9Mo1VNbN) — SAC (2017)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. EPRI Guidelines and Specifications for Grade 91 Steel (Creep-Strength-Enhanced Ferritic Steels) — EPRI (2015)
  6. Grade 91 / T91-P91 seamless tube datasheet — Vallourec (2020)

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.