Lean-Nickel, Rare-Earth (Cerium) Heat-Resistant Austenitic Stainless
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UNS NUMBER
S30815
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ALLOY FAMILY
Austenitic (Heat-Resisting)
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STRUCTURE
100% Austenite
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UTS (MIN)
≥600 MPa
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MAX TEMP
~1150°C
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DENSITY
7.80 g/cm³
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Stainless Steel 253MA (UNS S30815, Outokumpu 253 MA®) is a lean-nickel heat-resistant austenitic grade strengthened by nitrogen, carbon, and rare-earth (cerium) additions. It delivers oxidation resistance to 1150°C and creep strength above 310S, at a lower nickel cost. EN equivalent is 1.4835.
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Cr
20–22%
Oxidation resistance to 1150°C
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Ni
10–12%
Lean nickel, sulfidation resist
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Si
1.4–2.0%
Oxidation film stability
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N
0.14–0.20%
Creep strength
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UTS
≥600 MPa
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YS 0.2%
≥310 MPa
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Elong.
≥40%
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Service
~500–900°C
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What is Stainless Steel 253MA?
253MA is engineered for heat rather than corrosion. Chromium 20–22% and high silicon (1.4–2.0%) build a tight, adherent oxide scale, while a small cerium addition keeps that scale from spalling under thermal cycling — the failure mode that limits 310S. Nitrogen and carbon provide solid-solution and precipitation creep strength well above ordinary austenitics.
Its lean nickel (10–12%) is a deliberate cost and sulfidation-resistance choice: in reducing sulfur atmospheres it can outperform higher-nickel grades, and it is cheaper than nickel alloys. The penalty is high carbon (0.05–0.10%), so 253MA sensitizes in the 425–860°C range and should not be used where aqueous corrosion matters after hot service. For chloride liquids, it offers only ~316-level pitting resistance.
Chemical Composition (Weight %)
| Element |
Min (%) |
Max (%) |
Role in Alloy |
| Chromium (Cr) |
20.0 |
22.0 |
Oxidation resistance to 1150°C |
| Nickel (Ni) |
10.0 |
12.0 |
Lean nickel; sulfidation resistance |
| Silicon (Si) |
1.40 |
2.00 |
Oxide-film stability |
| Nitrogen (N) |
0.14 |
0.20 |
Creep-strength contributor |
| Carbon (C) |
0.05 |
0.10 |
Creep strength (high) |
| Cerium (Ce) |
0.03 |
0.08 |
Rare earth; scale adhesion |
| Manganese (Mn) |
— |
0.80 |
Deoxidizer |
| Phosphorus (P) |
— |
0.040 |
Impurity |
| Sulfur (S) |
— |
0.030 |
Impurity |
| Iron (Fe) |
Balance |
— |
Matrix former |
★ Cerium (rare earth) + high silicon give 253MA its non-spalling oxide scale; nitrogen/carbon boost creep strength. EN 1.4835. High carbon means sensitization in 425–860°C — not an aqueous-corrosion grade.
Mechanical Properties
Values are for the annealed condition per ASTM A240. 253MA is specified for its high-temperature creep strength.
| Condition / Form |
UTS (MPa) |
YS 0.2% (MPa) |
Elong. % (min) |
Hardness (max) |
| Minimum (ASTM A240) |
≥600 |
≥310 |
40 |
217 HBW (95 HRB) |
| Typical annealed |
620–720 |
320–400 |
45–55 |
180–220 HBW |
Modulus of Elasticity 200 GPa. Creep-rupture strength is comparable to some nickel alloys in the 600–900°C band, the reason 253MA replaces more expensive alloys.
Physical Properties
| Property |
Value |
Note |
| Density |
7.80 g/cm³ |
Lower than 310 |
| Melting Range |
1371–1432°C |
Solidus ~1371°C |
| Thermal Conductivity (100°C) |
~15 W/m·K |
Comparable to austenitics |
| Thermal Expansion (20–100°C) |
17.0 ×10⁻⁶ /K |
Higher than carbon steel |
| Specific Heat |
500 J/kg·K |
At 21°C |
| Electrical Resistivity |
0.85 µΩ·m |
At 21°C |
| Magnetic Property |
Non-magnetic |
Annealed |
| PREN (Pitting Resistance) |
~21–24 |
No Mo; modest |
Corrosion Resistance
High-Temperature Oxidation
Chromium 20–22% plus cerium and silicon form a tenacious, non-spalling scale that resists oxidation to 1150°C and outperforms 310S under cyclic heating.
Creep & Structural Use
253MA is used for structural and pressure-containing parts from about 500°C up to 900°C because its creep strength is higher than 310/310S in that band.
Sulfidation
Lean nickel gives 253MA an edge over high-nickel grades in reducing sulfur-bearing atmospheres (with trace oxygen). It is a common furnace-grade choice.
Aqueous & Sensitization
High carbon (0.05–0.10%) sensitizes in 425–860°C, reducing aqueous corrosion resistance after hot service. Pit: PREN ~21–24 is only ~316 level; 253MA is not for chloride liquids.
Stainless Steel 253MA vs Similar Grades — Selection Guide
| If you need... |
Choose... |
Why |
| Furnace struct., 500–900°C |
253MA |
High creep + non-spalling scale |
| Cheaper than nickel alloy |
253MA |
~310S cost, better creep |
| Reducing sulfur atmosphere |
253MA |
Lean Ni advantage |
| Chloride liquid service |
316L / 904L |
Need molybdenum |
| >1150°C or severe carburizing |
Nickel alloy |
Higher capability |
Applicable Standards
| Standard |
Product Form |
| ASTM A240 |
Plate, sheet, strip |
| ASTM A182 F45 |
Forged flanges & fittings (S30815) |
| ASTM A312 |
Seamless & welded pipe (TP253MA) |
| ASTM A276 / A479 |
Bar, rod, forging stock |
| EN 1.4835 / X9CrNiSiNCe21-11-2 |
European equiv. |
HT PIPE Supply — Stainless Steel 253MA Product Forms
| Product Form |
Specifications |
HT PIPE Supply |
| Seamless Pipe |
ASTM A312 (S30815) |
✅ Available |
| Forged Flanges |
ASTM A182 F45, ASME B16.5 |
✅ In stock |
| Butt-Weld Fittings |
ASTM A403 (S30815) |
✅ Available |
| Plate / Sheet |
ASTM A240 |
✅ Available |
| Bar / Rod |
ASTM A276 / A479 |
✅ Available |
| Radiant Tube / Custom |
Made to drawing |
✅ On request |
HT PIPE supplies 253MA (EN 1.4835) in pipe, flanges, fittings, plate, and bar for furnace and petrochemical high-temperature structural service, with MTRs.
Project Experience — Stainless Steel 253MA
HT PIPE supplies 253MA for furnace, radiant-tube, and petrochemical high-temperature structural components.
| Project |
Product |
Specification |
| Petrochemical Furnace Tube Hangers (Middle East) |
253MA Bar + Forgings |
A276, A182 |
| Walking-Beam Furnace (Europe) |
253MA Plate + Fittings |
A240, A403 |
| Radiant Tubes (China) |
253MA Pipe + Flanges |
A312, A182 F45 |
We advise 253MA vs 310S and provide high-temperature creep data.
| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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FAQ — Stainless Steel 253MA
| What makes 253MA better than 310S? |
| 253MA adds cerium (rare earth) and higher silicon, which keep the oxide scale from spalling under thermal cycling, plus nitrogen/carbon for creep strength above 310S — at a lower nickel cost. |
| What temperature can 253MA withstand? |
| Oxidation resistance to about 1150°C; it is used structurally from ~500°C up to 900°C where its creep strength beats 310/310S. |
| Is 253MA good in chlorides? |
| No. PREN is only ~21–24 (no molybdenum), about 316 level. It is a dry high-temperature grade, not for chloride liquids. |
| Why is nickel kept low in 253MA? |
| Lean nickel (10–12%) reduces cost and, counter-intuitively, improves resistance in reducing sulfur atmospheres versus higher-nickel grades. It is a deliberate design choice. |
| What filler is used for 253MA? |
| Matching 253MA filler, or 22.12HT rods/electrodes per AS 1554.6; 309 filler is acceptable where lower creep strength can be tolerated. Use pure argon shielding. |
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Need Stainless Steel 253MA for High-Temperature Service?
HT PIPE supplies 253MA (UNS S30815 / EN 1.4835) pipe, flanges, fittings, plate, and bar for furnace and petrochemical applications to 1150°C. Contact our technical team for grade and welding advice.
Request a Quote |
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