Stainless Steel - Properties and Applications of Ferritic Grade Stainless Steel by Austral Wright Metals

Stainless Steel - Properties and Applications of

Ferritic Grade Stainless Steel by Austral Wright
Metals

Topics Covered
Background
Introduction
Ferritic Grade AWM 404GP Stainless Steel
Chemcial Composition of Ferritic Stainless Steel
Mechanical Properties of Ferritic Stainless Steel
Physical Properties of Ferritic Stainless Steel
Applications of Ferritic Stainless Steel
Toughness of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP
Heat Treatment of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP
Corrosion Resistance of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP
Atmospheric Corrosion of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP
High Temperature Applications of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP
Machinability of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP
Weldability of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP
Cleanability of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP

Background
Austral Wright Metals - part of the Crane Group of Companies, is the result of the merger of two long established and well respected
Australian owned metal distribution companies. Austral Bronze Crane Copper Ltd and Wright and Company Pty Ltd.
This merger has bought together Australia's leaders in the distribution of:

Aluminium - Coil, sheet, plate, tread plate etc

Copper, brass, bronze - Sheet, coil, extrusions and tube
Nickel and High Performance Alloys - Hollow and bar, sheet, plate in alloys such as Incoloy, Inconel and Monel
Stainless steel - sheet, coil, plate, flat, angle, round, tube, fittings, consumables
High Performance Materials including, titanium, duplex alloys, cobalt alloys, copper nickels, welding consumables and other
high technology metals.

Introduction
New generation general-purpose ferritic grade AWM 404GP can be used to replace the workhorse austenitic grade 304 in most
applications. it is a corrosion resistant ferritic stainless steel with excellent strength, toughness, fabrication characteristics and
weldability. The general corrosion resistance of AWM 404GP is at least as good as grade 304, with better resistance to
atmospheric corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and sensitization to intergranular corrosion. Grade AWM 404GP compared to
grade 304.

Ferritic Grade AWM 404GP Stainless Steel

Grade AWM 404GP contains 21% of chromium and 0.5% of copper, which give it excellent resistance to corrosion in many

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Stainless Steel - Properties and Applications of Ferritic Grade Stainless Steel by Austral Wright Metals

environments. AWM 404GP has at least the corrosion resistance of grade 304, and is increasingly replacing 304 in sheet metal
applications. many users of AWM 404GP make significant savings from the ease of fabrication ferritic grades give less tool &
machine wear than 304. Better quality products, with crisper, neater bends are achievable with AWM 404GP. AWM 404GP is
magnetic, which does not affect the excellent corrosion resistance given by the high chromium content. Thermal expansion is lower,
so there is less thermal distortion of panels in fabrication and in service.

Chemcial Composition of Ferritic Stainless Steel

The chemical composition of different grades of ferritic stainless steel are summarised in the following table.
Table 1. Chemical composition of different grades of ferritic stainless steel

Chemical Composition

AWM 404GP

304

Chromium

21 %

18.2 %

Nickel

0.2 %

8.2 %

Carbon

0.009 %

0.05 %

Titanium

0.3 %

Copper

0.4 %

Mechanical Properties of Ferritic Stainless Steel

The mechanical properties of different grades of ferritic stainless steel are summarised in the following table.
Table 2. Mechanical properties of ferritic stainless steel

Mechanical Properties

AWM 404GP

304

Yield Stress (MPa)

310

290

Tensile Strength (MPa)

475

600

Elongation %

31

55

Hardness (HV)

157

157

Physical Properties of Ferritic Stainless Steel

The physical properties of different grades of ferritic stainless steel are summarised in the following table.
Table 3. Physical properties of ferritic stainless steel

Physical Properties
Density ( Kg / m3 )
Young's Modulus (MPa)

AWM 404GP
7,750

304
8,027

199,000

193,000

Thermal Conductivity (W/m.C)

22.5

16.3

Thermal Conductivity (X 10-6 /C )

10.0

15.9

Magnetic

Non-Magnetic

Magnetism

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Stainless Steel - Properties and Applications of Ferritic Grade Stainless Steel by Austral Wright Metals

Applications of Ferritic Stainless Steel

Benchwork, cold-water tanks, whitegoods, refrigeration cabinets, chemical and food processing, water treatment plant, street
furniture, electrical cabinets. AWM 404GP can be substituted for 304 in most applications except structures and pressure vessels.

Toughness of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP

Toughness AWM 404GP has the same ferritic microstructure as carbon steel, so undergoes a ductile-to-brittle fracture mode
transition at low temperatures. AWM 404GP is tough in the welded condition down to 0C, and can be used for non-structural
purposes at lower temperatures.

Heat Treatment of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP

Heat Treatment AWM 404GP is not hardenable by heat treatment. Heat treatment is rarely required in sheet metal applications, but
AWM 404GP can be annealed at 820 900C, rapid air cool.

Corrosion Resistance of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP

Corrosion Resistance The chemical composition of AWM 404GP gives it a higher Pitting Resistance equivalent (PRe) than 304,
which indicates at least equivalent pitting corrosion resistance. Pitting is the form of corrosion stainless steels are often least resistant
to. laboratory tests and service experience have not identified circumstances in which the corrosion resistance of AWM 404GP is
inferior to 304, except pitting propagation rates, which are 3 4 times faster. unfortunately, once initiated, pitting corrosion
propagation is rapid for both grades, and practical selection of stainless steel aims to avoid pitting corrosion rather than achieve low
propagation rates.

Figure 1. Resistance to the initiation of pitting corrosion in artificial seawater at 30C.

Shows equivalent resistance to pitting corrosion initiation for the general purpose grades 304 and AWM 404GP

Atmospheric Corrosion of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP

As a ferritic grade, AWM 404GP does not stress corrosion crack in drinking water, unlike 304 which may stress corrosion crack
above about 50C. The titanium in AWM 404GP prevents sensitization to intergranular corrosion by welding.

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Stainless Steel - Properties and Applications of Ferritic Grade Stainless Steel by Austral Wright Metals

Figure 2. Test Conditions: Marine Industrial atmosphere at Chiba, Tokyo, Japan (10m from a bay bigger than Melbourne Bay)
Samples polished to #600 grit. Exposed for 12 months.
Note: these grades would not normally be specified for these aggressive conditions, which require 316 or 445M2.

High Temperature Applications of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM

404GP
The high chromium content of AWM 404GP gives excellent oxidation and sulphidation resistance, and similar grades are used
extensively in automotive muffler systems. AWM 404GP can be used in air up to 980C for continuous service, 1035C for
intermittent service. The strength of ferritic grades above about 600C is generally less than that of austenitic grades. Where later
ambient temperature toughness and corrosion resistance are important, the service temperature should be restricted to 400C to
avoid precipitation reactions.

Machinability of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP

Machinability AWM 404GP is easier than 304 to machine due to lower work hardening rate and better thermal properties. Cleaner
cuts and flatter panels are obtained, with better cutting tool life.

Weldability of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP

Weldability AWM 404GP can be welded by the common methods (TiG, miG, spot, seam), without preheat, post heat or post weld
heat treatment. Heat input needs to be 10 30% higher than for grade 316 as heat is conducted away from the weld pool more
quickly by AWM 404GP. Manual metal arc welding (mmaW or stick welding) is not recommended AWM 404GP is used in light
gauges, not easy to stick weld. AWM 404GP can be TiG welded without filler metal, or with 308l(Si) or 309l(Si) filler metal. Avoid
introducing carbon into the weld by degreasing before welding degreasing is as important with AWM 404GP as it is with
aluminium. Gas shielding must be excellent use argon, or argon plus helium or up to 3% CO2. Never use nitrogen or hydrogen in
welding or backing gases. For best pickling after welding, ensure oxidation is minimised and use the pickling paste for longer than
with 304.

Cleanability of Ferritic Stainless Steel AWM 404GP

Cleanability AWM 404GP is excellent for food equipment, where cleanability for the removal of bacteria is vital. AWM 404GP
resists corrosion by food and cleaning chemicals, and harbours very low levels of bacteria after cleaning. Fabrication and Formability
as a ferritic stainless steel, AWM 404GP behaves like carbon steel (G300). Bends are neater, with low springback and forming
loads. Wear on cutting and forming tools is typically 3 5 times better. Cutting tool clearances are similar to carbon steel. The
minimum radius for bending is 1t. Deep drawability is better than 304, but stretch capability is lower. Please consult Austral Wright
Metals for deep drawing applications.

For more information on this source please visit Austral Wright Metals
Date Added: Aug 31, 2008 | Updated: Jun 11, 2013

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Austral Wright Metals - Ferrous, Non-Ferrous and High Performance Alloys

Austral Wright Metals - Ferrous, Non-Ferrous and

High Performance Alloys

381 Victoria Street

Wetherill Park
NSW, 2164
Australia
PH: 61 (0) 2 9827 0700
Fax: 61 (0) 2 9827 0790
Email: nswsales@australwright.com.au
Visit Austral Wright Metals - Ferrous, Non-Ferrous and High Performance Alloys Website

Primary Activity
Supplier of stainless steel, aluminium, copper, brass, nickel alloys, titanium and speciality metals

Company Background
Austral Wright Metals - part of the Crane Group of Companies, is the result of the merger of two long established and well respected
Australian owned metal distribution companies. Austral Bronze Crane Copper Ltd and Wright and Company Pty Ltd.
This merger has bought together Australia's leaders in the distribution of:

Aluminium - Coil, sheet, plate, tread plate etc

Copper, brass, bronze - Sheet, coil, extrusions and tube
Nickel and High Performance Alloys - Hollow and bar, sheet, plate in alloys such as Incoloy, Inconel and Monel
Stainless steel - sheet, coil, plate, flat, angle, round, tube, fittings, consumables
High Performance Materials including, titanium, duplex alloys, cobalt alloys, copper nickels, welding consumables and other
high technology metals.

Number of Employees
750

Turnover
$1.4 Billion

Supplier Profile URL: http://www.azom.com/suppliers.aspx?SupplierID=3563

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