Properties This article has property data, click to view

Stainless Steel - Grade 431 (UNS S43100)

Chemical Formula

Fe, <0.20% C, 15-17% Cr, 1.25-2.50% Ni, <1.00% Mn, <1% Si, <0.040% P, <0.03% S

Topics Covered

Introduction
Key Properties
    Composition
    Mechanical Properties
    Physical Properties
    Grade Specification Comparison
    Possible Alternative Grades
Corrosion Resistance
Heat Resistance
Heat Treatment
Welding
Machining
Applications

Introduction

Grade 431 stainless steels are martensitic, heat-treatable grades with excellent corrosion resistance, torque strength, high toughness and tensile properties. All these properties make them ideal for bolt and shaft applications. These steels, however, cannot be cold-worked owing to their high yield strength, hence they are suitable for operations such as spinning, deep drawing, bending or cold heading.

Fabrication of martensitic steels is generally carried out using techniques that allow hardening and tempering treatments and poor weldability. The corrosion resistance properties of grade 431 steels are lower than that of austenitic grades. The operations of grade 431 are limited by their loss of strength at high temperatures, due to over-tempering, and loss of ductility at negative temperatures.

Key Properties

The specified properties are for bar products in ASTM A276. The properties may not be necessarily similar to other forms such as forgings and plates.

Composition

Table 1. Composition ranges of grade 431 stainless steels

Grade

C

Mn

Si

P

S

Cr

Ni

431

min.

max.

-

0.20

-

1

-

1

-

0.04

-

0.03

15

17

1.25

2.50

Mechanical Properties

Table 2. Mechanical properties of grade 431 stainless steels

Tempering Temperature (°C)

Tensile Strength (MPa)

Yield Strength 0.2% Proof (MPa)

Elongation (% in 50mm)

Hardness Brinell (HB)

Impact Charpy V (J)

Annealed *

862

655

20

285 max

-

204

1345

1055

20

388

50

316

1295

1035

19

375

53

427

1350

1080

19

388

#

538

1140

965

19

321

#

593

1015

770

20

293

64

650

960

695

20

277

84

Grade 431 is frequently stocked and supplied in "Condition T", with specified tensile strength of 850 - 1000MPa.

* Annealed tensile properties are typical for Condition A of ASTM A276; annealed hardness is the specified maximum. Grade 431 is only rarely stocked in annealed Condition A.

# Grade 431 should not be tempered between 425 and 600°C, due to the low impact resistance associated with this temperature range.

Physical Properties

Table 3. Typical physical properties of grade 431 stainless steels

Grade

Density (kg/m3)

Elastic Modulus (GPa)

Mean Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (μm/m/°C)

Thermal Conductivity (W/m.K)

Specific Heat
0-100°C (J/kg.K)

Electrical Resistivity (nΩ.m)

0-100°C

0-315°C

0-538°C

at 100°C

at 500°C

431

7800

200

10.2

12.1

-

20.2

-

460

720

Grade Specification Comparison

Table 4. Grade specifications of grade 431 stainless steels

Grade

UNS No

Old British

Euronorm

Swedish SS

Japanese JIS

BS

En

No

Name

431

S43100

431S29

57

1.4057

X17CrNi16-2

2321

SUS 431

Possible Alternative Grades

Table 5. Possible alternative grades to 431 stainless steels

Grade

Why it might be chosen instead of 431

410

Only a lower hardened strength is needed.

416

High machinability is required, and the lower hardened strength and lower corrosion resistance of 416 is acceptable.

440C

A higher hardened strength, or hardness, than can be obtained from 420 is needed.

Corrosion Resistance

Analyze Your Metals | Request a Quote

Grade 431 stainless steels have considerable resistance to salt water, but they are less resistant to tropical water when compared to that of grade 316 steels. Grade 431 steels have overall corrosion resistance similar to, or slightly lower than, that of grade 304 steels.

Grade 431 steels with a smooth surface finish perform well in tempered and hardened conditions.

Heat Resistance

Grade 431 steels are resistant to scaling at temperatures of 925°C in intermittent conditions, and 870°C during continuous operations. In general, these steels are not to be used at temperatures above standard tempering temperatures, owing to loss of mechanical properties.

Heat Treatment

Full anneal — Full annealing cannot be performed on grade 431 steels. This grade gets hardened even during slow cooling.

Process anneal — Grade 431 steels are heated to 620 to 660°C and then air-cooled.

Grade 431 steels are generally hardened by heating at temperatures from 980 to 1065°C, holding for nearly ½ h, followed by oil or air quenching. Complex or hardened parts of grade 431 steels can be pre-heated to temperatures from 760 to 790°C and tempered, to improve their mechanical properties. Tempering of these steels at 425 to 600°C should be avoided, owing to the loss of impact toughness at this temperature range.

Welding

Welding of grade 431 stainless steels is difficult due to the chances of cracking. It is recommended to pre-heat the materials to 200 - 300°C before welding, and carry out post-weld heat treatment at 650°C. Welding can be performed using grade 410 filler rods, but ductile welds can be achieved using grades 308L, 309 or 310 steels.

Machining

Grade 431 steels can be easily machined in their annealed state. However, it is extremely difficult to machine these steels if they are hardened above 30HRC.

Applications

Typical applications of grade 431 stainless steels include the following:

  • Laboratory equipment
  • Marine systems
  • Beater bars
  • Pump and propeller shafts
  • Nuts and bolts

Comments

  1. Hongfei Liu Hongfei Liu Singapore says:

    It has been stated in your document "These steels, however, cannot be cold-worked owing to their high yield strength, hence they are suitable for operations such as spinning, deep drawing, bending or cold heading."
    My question is why steels with high yield strength cannot be cold-worked?
    Thanks.

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of AZoM.com.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this article?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.