Ferritic Stainless Steel Tubes Ferrite Stainless Steel

Austenitic | Martensitic | Ferritic | Duplex | Super Duplex | Superaustenitic | Superferritic | Precipitation Hardening
Ferritic Stainless Steel Tubes, in principle, ferrite at all temperatures. This is achieved by a low content of austenitic forming elements, mainly nickel, and a high content of ferrite forming elements, mainly chromium. Ferritic types, such as 4003 and 4016, are mainly used for household utensils, catering equipment and other purposes where corrosion conditions are not particularly demanding.

Steel with high chromium content, such as 4762 with 24% chromium, are used at high temperature where their resistance to sulphurous flue gages is an advantage. However, the risk of 475 °C embrittlement and precipitation of brittle sigma phase in high-chromium steel must always be taken into consideration. Ferritic stainless steel, such as 4521 with extremely low carbon and nitrogen contents, find greatest use where there is a risk of stress-corrosion cracking.

Ferritic stainless steel have slightly higher yield strength (Rp 0.2) than austenitic steels, but they have less elongation at fracture. Another characteristic that distinguishes ferritic steel from austenitic material is that ferritic steel have much lower strain hardening.

Ferritic grades have been developed to provide a group of stainless steel to resist corrosion and oxidation, while being highly resistant to stress corrosion cracking. These steels are magnetic but cannot be hardened or strengthened by heat treatment. They can be cold worked and softened by annealing. As a group, they are more corrosive resistant than the martensitic grades, but generally inferior to the austenitic grades. Like martensitic grades, these are straight chromium steels with no nickel. They are used for decorative trim, sinks, and automotive applications, particularly exhaust systems.

Mainly Standard include:

ASTM A268
 Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Ferritic and Martensitic Stainless Steel Tubing for General Service
JIS G3463 Stainless Steel for Boiler and Heat Exchanger Tubes
GB/T 30065 Welded ferritic stainless steel tubes for feedwater heater
GB/T 30066 Welded ferritic stainless steel tubes for heat-exchanger and condenser

420 Stainless Steel Tube
Type 430The basic ferritic grade, with a little less corrosion resistance than Type 304. This type combines high resistance to such corrosives as nitric acid, sulfur gases, and many organic and food acids.
Type 405Has lower chromium and added aluminum to prevent hardening when cooled from high temperatures. Typical applications include heat exchangers.
Type 409Contains the lowest chromium content of all stainless steels and is also the least expensive. Originally designed for muffler stock and also used for exterior parts in non-critical corrosive environments.
Type 434Has molybdenum added for improved corrosion resistance. Typical applications include automotive trim and fasteners.
Type 436Type 436 has columbium added for corrosion and heat resistance. Typical applications include deep-drawn parts.
Type 442Has increased chromium to improve scaling resistance. Typical applications include furnace and heater parts.
Type 446Contains even more chromium added to further improve corrosion and scaling resistance at high temperatures. Especially good for oxidation resistance in sulfuric atmospheres.

Ferritic Stainless Steel / Super Ferritic Stainless Steel Comparison Chart

GBISO Unified
Digital Code
ASTM / ASMEUNS CodeEN CodeCompany
Commercial Grade
06Cr13AlS11348405S405001.4002
 409 409LS409001.4512 
0Cr13SiAl1.4724SIC9(Sanyo)/
1C256(Sandvik)
10Cr17S11710430S430001.4016
022Cr18TiS11863439S430351.451
019Cr19Mo2NbTiS11972444S444001.4521
0Cr18SiAl1.4742SIC10(Sanyo)/
1C356(Sandvik)
0Cr24SiAl1.4762SIC12(Sanyo)
16Cr25NS12550TP446-1/TP446-2S446001.47622C52/2C48(Sandvik)
1Cr25TiQS25T(Sanyo)
00Cr27Mo3Ni2TiNbS44660S44660Sea-Cure(Plymouth Tube)
00Cr29Mo4TiNbS44735S44735AL29-4C(ATI)
00Cr29Mo4Ni2TiNbS44736S44736AL29-4-2(ATI)
S44300S443001.4522443

Ferritic Stainless Steel, which are part of the 400 series of stainless alloys, have chromium as their major alloying element and are typically low in carbon content. Ductility and formability are less than that of the austenitic grades. The corrosion resistance is comparable to that of the austenitic grades in certain applications. Thermal conductivity is about half that of carbon steels. Ferritic stainless steel are magnetic, they generally have good ductility and can be welded or fabricated without difficulty. These grades can be processed to develop an aesthetically pleasing, bright finish and, hence, are sometimes used for automotive trim and appliance molding. They also find use in functional applications where cost is a major factor, e.g., automotive exhaust systems, catalytic converters, radiator caps, and chimney liners. These grades can be hardened by cold rolling, but cannot be hardened as much as the austenitic alloys.

Stainless Steel – Ferritic

lloy
(UNS Designation)
End UseComposition
nominal wt%
SpecificationDensity
lb/in3 (g/cm3)
Tensile
Strength
ksi. (MPa)
0.2% Yield
Strength
ksi. (MPa)
Elong-
ation %
Hardness
AL 18CrCb
S44100
Exhaust system componentC 0.03 max, Mn 1.0 max, P 0.04 max, S 0.03 max, Si 1.0 max, Cr 17.5-19.5, Ni 1.0 max, Ti 0.10-0.50, Cb (0.3+(9/C))min-0.9 max, N 0.03 max, Fe Balance0.278
(7.70)
60min
(415 min)
38 min
(260 min)
25 min88 Rockwell B max
ATI 409 HP
S40900, S40910
/S40920
/S40930
Exhaust systems, mufflers, manifolds, exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, tail pipes, thermostats fuel filters, culverts, home heating systems, electrical transformer cases, caskets, heat exchanger tubing, farm equipment, blades, vanes in standby power generation turbines and jet engine sound-deadening devices at airportsC 0.03 max, Mn 1.0 max, P 0.04 max, S 0.02 max, Si 1.0 max, Cr 10.5-11.7, Ni 0.5, N 0.03, Ti 0.05 min, (Ti+Cb) [0.08+8x(C+N)] min-0.75 max, Fe BalanceASTM A 176 ASTM A240/A240M ASME SA-240/SA-240M ASTM A2680.280
(7.75)
55 min
(380 min)
25 min
(170 min)
20 min88 Rockwell B max
AL 409 Cb
S41045
Exhaust componentsC 0.03 max, Mn 1.0 max, P 0.045 max, S 0.03 max, Si 1.0 max, Cr 12.0-13.0, Ni 0.5 max, N 0.03 max, Cb 9x(C+N) min-0.60 max.ASTM A240 ASTM A2680.280
(7.75)
55 min
(380 min)
30 min
(205 min)
22 min80 Rockwell B max
AL 410S
S41008
Tower packing, distillation trays, automotive exhaust components, and other high-temperature applicationsC 0.08 max, Mn 1.0 max, P 0.04 max, S 0.03 max, Si 1.0 max, Cr 11.5-13.5, Ni 0.6 max, Fe BalanceASTM A240 ASTM A268 ASTM A1760.280
(7.75)
60 min
(415 min)
30 min
(205 min)
22 min89 Rockwell B max
AL 412
S41003
Rail cars, coal handling equipment, sugar processing equipment, mining equipment, storage bins and hoppers, bus framesC 0.03 max, Mn 1.5 max, Si 1.0 max, P 0.04 max, S 0.03 max, Cr 10.5-12.5, Ni 1.5 max, Fe BalanceASTM A240 ASTM A2680.280
(7.75)
66 min
(455 min)
40 min
(275 min)
18 min20 Rockwell C max
430
S43000
Interior and exterior trim applications such as sinks, sink rims, appliance trim, counter tops, dish washers, range hoods, flatware, roofing, siding and restaurant equipmentC 0.12 max, Mn 1.0 max, Si 1.0 max, Cr 16.0-18.0, Ni 0.75 max, Fe BalanceASTM A240 ASTM A2680.278
(7.70)
65 min
(450 min)
30 min
(205 min)
22 min89 Rockwell B max
AL 430 Ti
S43036
Welded tubingC 0.10 max, Mn 1.0 max, P 0.04 max, S 0.03 max, Si 1.0 max, Cr 16-19.5, Ni 0.75 max, Ti (5xC) min-0.75 max, Fe balanceASTM A268 A5540.280
(7.75)
60 min
(415 min)
35 min
(240 min)
20 min90 Rockwell B max
AL 433
Exhaust componentsC 0.01, Mn 0.3, P 0.02, S 0.001, Si 0.4, Cr 20.0, Ni 0.25, Cu 0.5, N 0.02, Cb 0.54 (0.8 max) Cb/(C+N)>10, Fe Balance0.280
(7.75)
63.4
(440)
46.7
(322)
3179 Rockwell B
AL 436S
Exhaust systemsC 0.01, Mn 0.2, P 0.02, S 0.001, Si 0.37, Cr 17.3, Ni 0.3, Mo 1.2, N 0.015, Ti/(C+N)>80.280
(7.75)
66
(455)
43
(296)
30.577 Rockwell B
439/ATI 439 HP
S43035
Automotive exhaust, manifolds and mufflers; residential funace primary heat exchangers; direct-fired hot water tanks; heat exchanger tubingC 0.03 max, Mn 1.0 max, Si 1.0 max, Cr 17.0-19.0, Ni 0.5 max, N 0.03 max, Al 0.15 max, Ti [0.2+4(C+N)] min-1.10 maxPipe & Tubing: ASTM A268 ASME SA268 ASTM A803 Flat Rolled Products: ASTM A240 ASME SA240 Bar Products: ASTM A479 ASME SA4790.278
(7.70)
60 min
(415 min)
30 min
(205 min)
22 min89 Rockwell B max
AL 441HP
S44100
Exhaust ComponentsC 0.03 max, Mn 1.0 max, P 0.04 max, S 0.03 max, Si 1.0 max, Cr 17.5-19.5, Ni 1.0 max, Ti 0.1-0.5, Cb 0.3+(9xC) min-0.9 max, Fe Balance0.278
(7.70)
72
(495)
45
(310)
3182 Rockwell B
AL 444
S44400
Heat exchanger tubing, food processing equipment, hot water tanks, automotive exhaustC 0.025 max, Mn 1.0 max, P 0.04 max, S 0.03 max, Si 1.0 max, Cr 17.5-19.5, Ni 1.0 max, Mo 1.75-2.5, N 0.035 max, (Ti+Cb) [0.2+4(C+N)] min-0.8 max, Fe BalanceASTM A240, A 268, A276 ASME SA 240, SA 2680.280
(7.75)
60 min
(415 min)
40 min
(275 min)
20 min96 Rockwell B max
AL 453
Elevated temperature applications such as planar solid oxide fuel cellsC 0.03, Mn 0.3, P 0.02, S 0.03 max, Si 0.3, Cr 22.0, Ni 0.3, Al 0.6, Ti 0.02, (Ce+La) 0.1 max, Fe Balance0.275
(7.61)
68
(470)
45
(310)
3578 Rockwell B
AL 468
S46800
Automotive exhaust, residential furnace primary heat exchangerC 0.03 max, Mn 1.0 max, P 0.04 max, S 0.03 max, Si 1.0 max, Cr 18.0-20.0, Ni 0.5 max, N 0.03 max, Ti 0.07-0.3, Cb 0.10-0.60, (Ti+Cb) [0.2+4(C+N)] min-0.8 maxASTM A2400,278
(7.70)
60 min
(415 min)
30 min
(205 min)
22 min90 Rockwell B max
OHMALOY 30
K91470
Grid resistors for mine locomotives, Crane starters, Braking resistors for railroad diesel locomotivesC 0.025, Mn 0.35, Si 0.3, Cr 13.0, Al 3.0, Ti 0.3, Fe Balance0.270
(7.48)
76
(524)
55
(379)
2888 Rockwell B
OHMALOY 40
K91470
Grid resistors for mine locomotives, Crane starters and Braking resistors for railroad diesel locomotivesC 0.025, Mn 0.35, Si 0.3, Cr 13.0, Al 3.95, Ti 0.3, Fe Balance0.267
(7.39)
87
(600)
65
(448)
2388 Rockwell B

Metallographic Test – Metallography Testing
Metallographic Test Report

Related References:
1. Superferritic Stainless Steel
2. Ferritic Ferrite Stainless Steel
3. Ferritic Stainless Steel Grades Comparison Table
4. Compared with the ferritic stainless steel, duplex stainless steel vulnerable
5. 405 S11348 X6CrAl13 Chemical Composition

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