Steel Maraging 250 Cold Drawn
Supply condition
UNS K92900 · AISI/SAE 18Ni250 · ASTM A538 Grade B · EN 18Ni-250, 1.6359
Use for small-diameter bar and wire where drawn tolerance and extra unaged strength are wanted before the age cycle.
Values for the Cold Drawn condition
Other Maraging 250 tempers and conditions
Maraging 250 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at Maraging 250.
- HIP
- Annealed
- Stress Relieved
- As Printed
- Cold Drawn
- Aged
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot isostatic pressed | Use when internal porosity and fatigue scatter in printed or cast parts must be closed out; leaves the alloy soft and ready for aging. | 800 | 1,000 | 16 | 30 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault solution annealed ~815 °C, air cooled (soft martensite) | Standard as-supplied condition for bar, plate and sheet: soft and tough for machining, forming and welding before aging. | 810 | 1,010 | 18 | 30 HRC | 26 W/m·K |
printed part stress-relieved / re-solutioned (~815–900 °C) | Choose for printed or welded parts that must be machined flat and distortion-free before the final maraging age. | 860 | 1,050 | 14 | 32 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
laser powder-bed fusion, no post heat treatment | Green additive condition: usable strength but residual stress and anisotropy; normally aged or solution-treated + aged before service. | 950 | 1,130 | 12 | 34 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Cold DrawnThis page cold drawn annealed bar/wire (unaged) | Use for small-diameter bar and wire where drawn tolerance and extra unaged strength are wanted before the age cycle. | 1,000 | 1,150 | 10 | 34 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
480 °C / 3–6 h maraging after solution anneal | Pick for the final service condition: ~1750–1800 MPa with high toughness and almost no distortion or scale from the age cycle. | 1,730 | 1,790 | 10 | 50 HRC | 20 W/m·K |
What is Maraging 250 Cold Drawn?
Maraging 250 Cold Drawn is Maraging 250 supplied in the Cold Drawn condition — use for small-diameter bar and wire where drawn tolerance and extra unaged strength are wanted before the age cycle. Maraging 250 Cold Drawn has a yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) — stronger than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 181 GPa (26.3 Msi). Maraging 250 Cold Drawn 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Cold Drawn is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- High strength — 1,000 MPa (145 ksi), better than 92% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 25/100, better than 92% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 76% of steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 7 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low stiffness — 181 GPa (26.3 Msi), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of steel grades
Maraging 250 Cold Drawn properties
Typical room-temperature values for Maraging 250 Cold Drawn; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Maraging 250 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
Maraging 250 Cold Drawn 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).
Mechanical15
Maraging 250 Cold Drawn has a yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) — stronger than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 181 GPa (26.3 Msi).
Thermal6
Maraging 250 Cold Drawn is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.1 µm/m·K (5.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Maraging 250 Cold Drawn conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (25/100), better than 92% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Maraging 250 Cold Drawn takes about 90 MJ of energy and emits 7 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
Maraging 250 Cold Drawn's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Maraging 250 Cold Drawn
Is Maraging 250 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed condition with sharp carbide tooling, rigid setups and generous coolant (about 45 % of 1212); finish-machine before the 480 °C age, which causes only ~0.05 % predictable shrinkage.
Can Maraging 250 be welded?
Excellent — GTAW/EBW with matching filler, no preheat, low interpass heat and no hydrogen concern; age the weldment after welding to restore joint strength.
Can Maraging 250 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form, spin or deep-draw only in the annealed state; hot work 900–1200 °C and always re-solution anneal at ~815 °C before aging.
What surface finishes work on Maraging 250?
Cannot be anodized; protect the Cr-free surface by nickel or cadmium plating, nitriding (which the age cycle can share), black oxide or paint — it polishes to a mirror finish for die and mold work.
Maraging 250 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ni | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Co | 7 – 8.5 | 7.8 |
| Mo | 4.6 – 5.2 | 4.9 |
| Tiprimary age-hardening addition (Ni3Ti) | 0.3 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Al | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Ckept low for toughness | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| P | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Bgrain-refining addition, optional | ≤ 0 | 0 |
| Zroptional | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Caoptional | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance | — |
Maraging 250 Cold Drawn — frequently asked
What is Maraging 250 Cold Drawn used for?
Maraging 250 Cold Drawn is typically used for rocket motor cases, centrifuge rotors, aerospace structural fittings, die-casting and injection mould inserts, high-load shafts and couplings and load cells and flexures. In short: premium aerospace maraging bar.
What is the yield strength of Maraging 250 Cold Drawn?
Maraging 250 Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) — stronger than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Maraging 250 Cold Drawn easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition with sharp carbide tooling, rigid setups and generous coolant (about 45 % of 1212); finish-machine before the 480 °C age, which causes only ~0.05 % predictable shrinkage.
Can Maraging 250 Cold Drawn be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Excellent — GTAW/EBW with matching filler, no preheat, low interpass heat and no hydrogen concern; age the weldment after welding to restore joint strength.
What surface finishes work on Maraging 250 Cold Drawn?
Cannot be anodized; protect the Cr-free surface by nickel or cadmium plating, nitriding (which the age cycle can share), black oxide or paint — it polishes to a mirror finish for die and mold work.
Can Maraging 250 Cold Drawn be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form, spin or deep-draw only in the annealed state; hot work 900–1200 °C and always re-solution anneal at ~815 °C before aging.
What is the maximum service temperature of Maraging 250 Cold Drawn?
Maraging 250 Cold Drawn 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 Maraging 250 Annealed and Maraging 250 Aged?
Annealed is the default condition — standard as-supplied condition for bar, plate and sheet: soft and tough for machining, forming and welding before aging. Aged: pick for the final service condition: ~1750–1800 MPa with high toughness and almost no distortion or scale from the age cycle. Yield strength is 810 MPa in Annealed versus 1,730 MPa in Aged.
Can FabDigit make parts in Maraging 250 Cold Drawn?
Yes — Maraging 250 Cold Drawn is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- AMS 6512 — Steel, Maraging, Bars, Forgings, 18Ni-8Co-5Mo (250 grade) — SAE International (2018)
- MIL-S-46850 — Steel, Bar, Plate, Sheet, Maraging, 18 Ni — US DoD (1991)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (Maraging Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- Vascomax C250 / Maraging C250 alloy datasheet — Carpenter Technology (2023)
- MMPDS-2023 typical property tables, 18Ni maraging steels — Battelle/FAA (2023)
- Maraging steel LPBF process and property data — EOS / SLM Solutions (2022)
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.