ASTM A959-00a

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Designation: A 959 – 00a An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Specifying Harmonized Standard Grade Compositions for
Wrought Stainless Steels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 959; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 SAE Standards:
J 1086 Recommended Practice for Numbering Metals and
1.1 This standard provides a guide to ASTM Subcommittees
Alloys
A01.06, A01.10, A01.17, A01.22, and A01.28 for specifying
HS-1086 FEB93 Metals and Alloys in the Unified Number-
chemical composition limits of wrought stainless steels. It is
ing System
intended that these recommended grade composition limits be
suitable for adoption by other standardization bodies that
3. Terminology
prepare standards for stainless steel products.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2 Included in this guide are the recommendations for
3.1.1 austenitic grade, n— is a metallurgical term meaning
determining the number of significant figures for specifying
that the material is usually predominantly face-centered cubic
chemical composition from Test Methods, Practices and Ter-
in structure and hardenable only by cold working.
minology A 751.
3.1.2 austenitic-ferritic (duplex) grade, n—is a metallurgi-
1.3 All stainless steel UNS numbers and the stainless steel
cal term meaning that the material is a mixture of austenitic and
grades in all standards overseen by the aforementioned ASTM
ferritic structures, with at least one-fourth of the lesser phase,
subcommittees have been included, except those grades appli-
and hardenable only by cold working.
cable to restricted special end uses and alloys containing less
3.1.3 ferritic grade, n—is a metallurgical term meaning that
than 10.5 % minimum chromium.
the material is body-centered cubic in structure (with little, if
1.4 Not addressed are minor composition modifications
any, tempered martensite) and hardenable only slightly by cold
which a specific product subcommittee may find necessary to
working (responding little or only slightly to conventional heat
accommodate effects of normal processing or to enhance
treatment by quenching and tempering).
fabricability by the producer or user, or both.
3.1.4 martensitic grade, n—is a metallurgical term meaning
1.5 Also not generally addressed (except when established
that the material is capable of being produced in a distorted
by ASTM product subcommittees) is a complete rationalization
body-centered cubic structure by conventional heat treating
of all limits, especially when such would conflict with long-
and quenching, and that the quenched structure is capable of
standing practices and is not justified by special technical
conventional tempering. Martensitic grades are delivered in the
effect.
annealed (ferritic) condition or the hardened and tempered
1.6 Excluded from this guide are cast material and welding
(martensitic) condition.
filler metal.
3.1.5 precipitation hardening grade, n—is a metallurgical
2. Referenced Documents term meaning that the material may be basically austenitic or
martensitic in structure and hardenable by precipitation hard-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ening (sometimes called age hardening).
A 751 Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for
3.1.6 standard stainless steel grade, n—the listed chemical
Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
2 composition associated with a stainless steel grade identified
E 527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys (UNS)
by a particular UNS number appearing in SAE publication
HS-1086 FEB93, except as modified by an ASTM subcommit-
tee having oversight of a wrought stainless steel product where
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, such a modification is justified by a specific technical effect.
Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.96 on Harmonization of Wrought Stainless Steel Requirements.
4. Significance and Use
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 2000. Published November 2000. Originally
4.1 It is anticipated that the ASTM Subcommittees A01.06,
published as A 959 – 96. Last previous edition A 959 – 00.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01.
A01.10, A01.17, A01.22, and A01.28 will use the standard
Available from Society of Automotive Engineers, Commonwealth Drive,
Warrendale, PA 15096.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
A 959
composition limits listed in this guide for the grades identified 5.5 Silicon—Past practice has been to establish 0.75 %
by the corresponding UNS designation in the product specifi- maximum for tubular related products such as flat rolled and
cation unless there is a specific technical justification for doing tubulars, and 1.00 % maximum for long products and forgings.
otherwise. The compositions in this guide shall not be consid- For grades produced both as long and flat-rolled products, 1 %
ered as chemical requirements for any particular product until maximum was chosen since it will also include products
adopted by the subcommittee overseeing that product. melted to lower limits. Use of lower or higher limits should be
4.2 Assuming that uniform compositions among the many based on specific technical effect.
product standards for stainless steel are desirable, the compo-
5.6 Chromium—A composition spread of 2 % is recom-
sition limits provided in this standard are to be used as guides mended; existing broader limits were not reduced to less than
in determining limits for each of the elements included in the
a 3 % spread.
total composition of each grade. The composition limits have
5.7 Nickel—It is recommended that the composition spread
been established with the intent that each product subcommit-
not exceed 3 % unless a broader (generally higher) spread is
tee will find it necessary to require only a minimum number of
justified by specific technical effect.
changes to reflect specific technical effects. Section 5 lists the
5.8 Molybdenum—It is recommended that the composition
general guidelines followed for determining the limits for each
spread not exceed 1 %, unless a broader range is justified by
element; the limits established in this guide are based on these
specific technical effect. Molybdenum limits having only a
guidelines.
maximum limit but no minimum should not be used unless
4.3 Not included in this standard stainless steel grade
justified by specific technical effect.
harmonization effort is an attempt to unify stainless steel
5.9 Nitrogen—It is recommended that nitrogen limits hav-
compositions in ASTM product standards by any means other
ing only a maximum limit but no minimum should not be used
than recognizing current industry practices.
unless justified by specific technical effect.
5.10 Copper—It is recommended that copper limits having
5. General Guidelines Used for Determining Composition
only a maximum limit but no minimum should not be used
Limits
unless justified by specific technical effect.
5.1 Carbon—It is recommended that limits be to only two
5.11 Columbium and Tantalum—Except for special appli-
decimal places for levels of 0.04 % and higher because it is not
cations requiring positive identification of tantalum, it is
necessary to control to such precision at levels above 0.04 %.
recommended that prior listings of these two elements together
(It should be recognized that limits such as 0.045 % maximum
be limited to listing only columbium. The words “columbium”
may also be simply stated as 0.04 % maximum.) It is also
and “niobium” refer to the same element.
recommended that three decimal places be used at levels of
0.030 % and lower, unless, for example, it is clearly recognized
6. Harmonized Standard Grade Stainless Steel
that 0.03 % maximum means that 0.035 % is satisfactory.
Compositions
5.2 Manganese—Except for the Cr-Ni-Mn grades
6.1 The harmonized composition limits are shown in Table
(S2XXXX), it is recommended that limits of 2 % maximum
1, grouped by metallurgical classification, that is, austenitic,
and 1 % maximum be used for the austenitic and other grades
austenitic-ferritic, etc. Within those groups, grades are listed by
respectively, except for the free machining grades with high
UNS designation, in numerical order.
sulfur or selenium, or when necessary to promote nitrogen
6.2 Unless adopted by the appropriate product subcommit-
solubility.
tee in a product standard, the compositions described in this
5.3 Phosphorous—It is recommended that 0.045 % maxi-
guide shall not be used for specifying an ASTM product.
mum be applied to austenitic grades, and 0.040 % maximum to
other grades unless the sponsoring producer recommends a
7. Keywords
lower limit for specific technical effect. Exception—some of
the Cr-Ni-Mn austenitic grades have always been produced to 7.1 austenitic stainless steels; austenitic-ferritic or ferritic-
0.060 % maximum. austenitic stainless steels; duplex stainless steels; ferritic stain-
5.4 Sulfur—It is recommended that 0.030 % maximum be less steels; harmonized stainless steel compositions; martensi-
applied to all grades except the free-machining grades unless tic stainless steels; precipitation hardening stainless steels;
lower limits have been required for specific technical effects. standard stainless steel grade compositions
A 959
A
TABLE 1 Chemical Composition Limits, %
UNS Phos- Other
B
Type Carbon Manganese Sulfur Silicon Chromium Nickel Molybdenum Nitrogen Copper
Designation phorous Elements
Austenitic Grades
C
S16800 16-8-2H 0.05–0.10 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 14.5–16.5 7.5–9.5 1.50–2.00 . . . . . . . . .
S20100 201 0.15 5.5–7.5 0.060 0.030 1.00 16.0–18.0 3.5–5.5 . . . 0.25 . . . . . .
S20103 201L 0.03 5.5–7.5 0.045 0.030 1.00 16.0–18.0 3.5–5.5 . . . 0.25 . . . . . .
C
S20153 201LN 0.03 6.4–7.5 0.045 0.015 1.00 16.0–17.5 4.0–5.0 . . . 0.10–0.25 . . . Cu 1.00
S20161 . . . 0.15 4.0–6.0 0.045 0.030 3.0–4.0 15.0–18.0 4.0–6.0 . . . 0.08–0.20 . . . . . .
S20200 202 0.15 7.5–10.0 0.060 0.030 1.00 17.0–19.0 4.0–6.0 . . . 0.25 . . . . . .
D
S20300 XM-1 0.08 5.0–6.5 0.045 0.18–0.35 1.00 16.0–18.0 5.0–6.5 . . . . . . . . . Cu 1.75–2.25
S20400 . . . . . . 0.030 7.0–9.0 0.045 0.030 1.00 15.0–17.0 1.50–3.00 . . . 0.15–0.30 . . .
S20430 . . . 0.15 6.5–9.0 0.060 0.030 1.00 15.5–17.5 1.50–3.50 . . . 0.05–0.25 2.0–4.0 . . .
S20500 205 0.12–0.25 14.0–15.0 0.060 0.030 1.00 16.5–18.0 1.00–1.75 . . . 0.32–0.40 . . . . . .
D
S20910 XM-19 0.06 4.0–6.0 0.045 0.030 1.00 20.5–23.5 11.5–13.5 1.50–3.00 0.20–0.40 . . . Cb 0.10–0.30,
V 0.10–0.30
D
S21400 XM-31 0.12 14.0–16.0 0.045 0.030 0.30–1.00 17.0–18.5 1.00 . . . 0.35 min . . . . . .
D
S21460 XM-14 0.12 14.0–16.0 0.060 0.030 1.00 17.0–19.0 5.0–6.0 . . . 0.35–0.50 . . . . . .
S21500 . . . 0.06–0.15 5.5–7.0 0.045 0.030 0.2–1.0 14.0–16.0 9.0–11.0 0.80–1.20 . . . . . . Cb 0.75–1.25,
V 0.15–0.40,
B 0.003–0.009
D D
S21600 XM-17 0.08 7.5–9.0 0.045 0.030 1.00 17.5–20.5 5.0–7.0 2.00–3.00 0.25–0.50 . . . . . .
D D
S21603 XM-18 0.03 7.5–9.0 0.045 0.030 1.00 17.5–20.5 5.0–7.0 2.00–3.00 0.25–0.50 . . . . . .
S21800 . . . 0.10 7.0–9.0 0.060 0.030 3.5–4.5 16.0–18.0 8.0–9.0 . . . 0.08–0.18 . . . . . .
D
S21900 XM-10 0.08 8.0–10.0 0.045 0.030 1.00 19.0–21.5 5.5–7.5 . . . 0.15–0.40 . . . . . .
D
S21904 XM-11 0.04 8.0–10.0 0.045 0.030 1.00 19.0–21.5 5.5–7.5 . . . 0.15–0.40 . . . . . .
D
S24000 XM-29 0.08 11.5–14.5 0.060 0.030 1.00 17.0–19.0 2.3–3.7 . . . 0.20–0.40 . . . . . .
D
S24100 XM-28 0.15 11.0–14.0 0.045 0.030 1.00 16.5–19.0 0.50–2.50 . . . 0.20–0.45 . . . . . .
S28200 . . . 0.15 17.0–19.0 0.045 0.030 1.00 17.0–19.0 . . . 0.75–1.25 0.40–0.60 . . . Cu 0.75–1.25
S30100 301 0.15 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 16.0–18.0 6.0–8.0 . . . 0.10 . . . . . .
C
S30103 301L 0.030 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 16.0–18.0 5.0–8.0 . . . 0.20 . . . . . .
C
S30153 301LN 0.030 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 16.0–18.0 5.0–8.0 . . . 0.07–0.20 . . . . . .
S30200 302 0.15 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 17.0–19.0 8.0–10.0 . . . 0.10 . . . . . .
S30215 302B 0.15 2.00 0.045 0.030 2.00–3.00 17.0–19.0 8.0–10.0 . . . 0.10 . . . . . .
S30300 303 0.15 2.00 0.20 0.15 min 1.00 17.0–19.0 8.0–10.0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
D
S30310 XM-15 0.15 2.5–4.5 0.20 0.25 min 1.00 17.0–19.0 7.0–9.0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
S30323 303Se 0.15 2.00 0.20 0.06 1.00 17.0–19.0 8.0–10.0 . . . . . . . . . Se 0.15 min
D
S30345 XM-2 0.15 2.00 0.05 0.11–0.16 1.00 17.0–19.0 8.0–10.0 0.40–0.60 . . . . . . Al 0.60–1.00
S30400 304 0.08 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 18.0–20.0 8.0–11.0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
S30403 304L 0.030 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 18.0–20.0 8.0–12.0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
S30409 304H 0.04–0.10 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 18.0–20.0 8.0–11.0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
S30415 . . . 0.04–0.06 0.80 0.045 0.030 1.00–2.00 18.0–19.0 9.0–10.0 . . . 0.12–0.18 . . . Ce 0.03–0.08
S30430 . . . 0.03 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 17.0–19.0 8.0–10.0 . . . . . . . . . Cu 3.0–4.0
S30451 304N 0.08 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 18.0–20.0 8.0–11.0 . . . 0.10–0.16 . . . . . .
D
S30452 XM-21 0.08 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 18.0–20.0 8.0–10.0 . . . 0.16–0.30 . . . . . .
S30453 304LN 0.030 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 18.0–20.0 8.0–11.0 . . . 0.10–0.16 . . . . . .
C
S30454 304LHN 0.03 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 18.0–20.0 8.0–11.0 . . . 0.16–0.30 . . . . . .
S30500 305 0.12 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 17.0–19.0 11.0–13.0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
S30600 . . . 0.018 2.00 0.020 0.020 3.7–4.3 17.0–18.5 14.0–15.5 0.20 . . . . . . Cu 0.50
S30601 . . . 0.015 0.50–0.80 0.030 0.013 5.0–5.6 17.0–18.0 17.0–18.0 0.20 0.05 . . . Cu 0.35
S30800 308 0.08 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 19.0–21.0 10.0–12.0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
S30815 . . . 0.05–0.10 0.80 0.040 0.030 1.40–2.00 20.0–22.0 10.0–12.0 . . . 0.14–0.20 . . . Ce 0.03–0.08
S30900 309 0.20 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 22.0–24.0 12.0–15.0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
S30908 309S 0.08 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 22.0–24.0 12.0–15.0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
C
S30909 309H 0.04–0.10 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 22.0–24.0 12.0–15.0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
C
S30940 309Cb 0.08 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 22.0–24.0 12.0–16.0 Cb 10xC-1.10
C
S30941 309HCb 0.04–0.10 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 22.0–24.0 12.0–16.0 . . . . . . . . . Cb 10xC-1.10
C
S31000 310 0.25 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.50 24.0–26.0 19.0–22.0 . . . . . . . . . .
S31008 310S 0.08 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 24.0–26.0 19.0–22.0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
C
S31009 310H 0.04–0.10 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 24.0–26.0 19.0–22.0 . . . . . . . . . . . .
C
S31040 310Cb 0.08 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 24.0–26.0 19.0–22.0 . . . . . . . . . Cb 10xC-1.10
C
S31041 310HCb 0.04–0.10 2.00 0.045 0.030 1.00 24.0–26.0 19.0–22.0 . . . . . . . . . Cb 10xC-1.
...