ASTM A693
Basic Info
ASTM A693 is a standard specification for precipitation-hardening stainless and heat-resisting steel plate, sheet, and strip. It encompasses requirements for chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat treatment, dimensions, and surface finishes. This standard covers several grades of precipitation-hardening stainless steels, which exhibit high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and good formability after heat treatment. ASTM A693 materials are commonly used in industries such as aerospace, chemical processing, and medical devices, where a combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance is required. Compliance with ASTM A693 ensures the quality and consistency of these materials for various demanding applications.
Characteristics
Precipitation Hardening: ASTM A693 covers precipitation-hardening stainless and heat-resisting steel, which can achieve high strength through a precipitation-hardening heat treatment process.
Corrosion Resistance: Materials specified by ASTM A693 exhibit excellent corrosion resistance, making them suitable for use in environments where resistance to corrosion is crucial, such as in marine and chemical processing applications.
Formability: After precipitation hardening, ASTM A693 materials retain good formability, allowing for the fabrication of complex shapes and components through processes such as bending, forming, and machining.
Heat Resistance: ASTM A693 materials offer good heat resistance, maintaining their mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, which is essential for applications subjected to high-temperature environments.
Wide Range of Applications: Due to their combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance, ASTM A693 materials find applications in diverse industries, including aerospace, chemical processing, medical devices, and oil and gas.
Standards Compliance: Compliance with ASTM A693 ensures that materials meet specific requirements for chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat treatment, and surface finish, providing assurance of quality and consistency for end-users.
ASTM A693 Data Sheet
Steel Grade
Dimensions and Tolerances
Equivalent Grades
Chemical Composition
Mechanical Properties
Fabrication and Welding
Steel Grade
17-4 PH
Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel
15-5 PH
Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel
17-7 PH
Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel
630
Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel (Equivalent to 17-4 PH)
Dimensions and Tolerances
Plates
Thickness: As specified in the purchase order; typically ranging from 0.010 inches (0.25 mm) to 1.500 inches (38.10 mm).
Width: As specified in the purchase order; typically ranging from 24 inches (610 mm) to 72 inches (1,830 mm).
Length: As specified in the purchase order; typically ranging from 48 inches (1,220 mm) to 288 inches (7,310 mm).
Edge: Mill edge or sheared edge, as specified in the purchase order.
Sheets
Thickness: As specified in the purchase order; typically ranging from 0.010 inches (0.25 mm) to 0.187 inches (4.75 mm).
Width: As specified in the purchase order; typically ranging from 24 inches (610 mm) to 72 inches (1,830 mm).
Length: As specified in the purchase order; typically ranging from 48 inches (1,220 mm) to 288 inches (7,310 mm).
Edge: Mill edge or sheared edge, as specified in the purchase order.
Strips
Thickness: As specified in the purchase order; typically ranging from 0.010 inches (0.25 mm) to 0.187 inches (4.75 mm).
Width: As specified in the purchase order; typically ranging from 0.250 inches (6.35 mm) to 24 inches (610 mm).
Length: As specified in the purchase order.
Edge: Mill edge or sheared edge, as specified in the purchase order.
Equivalent Grades
USA
ASTM A312
Germany
DIN 1.4301 (X20CrNi18-10)
Japan
JIS SUS304
China
GB/T 1220 (06Cr19Ni10)
United Kingdom
BS 304S11
France
AFNOR Z7CN18-09
Italy
UNI X2CrNi18-10
Chemical Composition
Carbon (C): 0.08 max
Manganese (Mn): 2.00 max
Phosphorus (P): 0.045 max
Sulfur (S): 0.030 max
Silicon (Si): 0.75 max
Chromium (Cr): 18.0 – 20.0
Nickel (Ni): 8.0 – 10.5
Nitrogen (N): 0.10 max
Molybdenum (Mo): 0.75 max
Copper (Cu): 0.50 max
Iron (Fe): Balance
Mechanical Properties
Tensile Strength
Condition: Annealed
Value: 75 ksi (min)
Condition: Hardened
Value: 100 ksi (min)
Yield Strength
Condition: 0.2% Offset
Value: 30 ksi (min)
Elongation
Condition: 2 inches
Value: 40% (min)
Reduction of Area
Value: 50% (min)
Rockwell Hardness
Condition: HB
Value: 95 (max)
Condition: HRC
Value: 28 (max)
Fabrication and Welding
Formability
Method: Various forming processes (e.g., bending, drawing)
Guidelines: Excellent formability, suitable for various forming processes such as bending, drawing, and deep drawing.
Machinability
Method: Conventional machining methods
Guidelines: Good machinability, can be machined using conventional machining methods with proper tools and cutting fluids.
Weldability
Method: SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, resistance welding
Guidelines: Can be welded using common welding methods such as shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and resistance welding.
Preheat
Method: As necessary for thick sections or high carbon grades
Guidelines: Preheat may be required for thick sections or high carbon grades to prevent cracking.
Post-weld Heat Treatment
Method: Annealing, stress relieving
Guidelines: Generally not required, but annealing or stress relieving may be necessary for specific applications.
Welding Consumables
Method: Matching filler metals with similar composition
Guidelines: Use matching filler metals with similar composition to the base material to ensure good weld integrity.
Post-weld Cleaning
Method: Removal of welding flux residue, thorough cleaning
Guidelines: Remove any welding flux residue and clean the welded area thoroughly to prevent corrosion or contamination.
Inspection and Testing
Method: Visual inspection, liquid penetrant testing, radiographic testing
Guidelines: Perform visual inspection, liquid penetrant testing, or radiographic testing as required to ensure weld quality.
Comparison with Other Stainless Steel Standards
Scope and Coverage: ASTM A693 primarily covers the specification for precipitation-hardening stainless steel plate, sheet, and strip. In comparison, other standards like ASTM A240 and ASTM A480 encompass a broader range of stainless steel products, including plates, sheets, and strips, as well as other forms like coils and bars. Therefore, while ASTM A693 focuses specifically on precipitation-hardening stainless steels, other standards may include a wider variety of stainless steel grades and products.
Material Composition Requirements: Each standard may have its own specific requirements for material composition. ASTM A693, for instance, specifies the chemical composition limits for elements such as carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, chromium, nickel, nitrogen, molybdenum, and copper in precipitation-hardening stainless steel. Comparatively, other standards like ASTM A240 and ASTM A480 may have similar or different composition requirements depending on the grade and type of stainless steel being specified.
Mechanical Properties and Testing: While ASTM A693 provides guidelines for mechanical properties such as tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, reduction of area, and hardness testing for precipitation-hardening stainless steel, other standards may have similar or different requirements. For example, ASTM A240 and ASTM A480 also specify mechanical property requirements for stainless steel plates, sheets, and strips, but these requirements may vary depending on the specific grade and product form.
