Cast stainless steel

Stainless steel castings are used extensively across a wide range of industries, in particular in the automotive and marine industries due to its strength and excellent resistance to corrosion, making it highly durable over time.

Stainless steel casting involves heating steel above melting point and introducing the material into a mould, from where it solidifies into the required shape. This process allows for the production of intricate and detailed parts that may be difficult or costly to produce using other manufacturing methods.

Stainless steel is available in a range of different alloys, each displaying different properties and compositions which are detailed in the tables below.

Ferritic stainless steel casting

Ferritic stainless steel contain a chromium mix of between 10.5% and 18% which is relatively low and provides a correspondingly lower resistance to corrosion than other stainless steel compositions. Ferritic steel does, however, provide superior toughness.

Martensitic stainless steel casting

Martensitic stainless steel contain similar amounts of chromium but have a different structure to Ferritic steel. They have a similar reduced corrosion resistance but, due to the relatively high level of carbon, Martensitic steel can be hardened via heat treatment. Both Ferritic and Martensitic steels are magnetic.

Austenitic stainless steel casting

Austenitic stainless steel has a higher composition of both chromium and nickel than ferritic or martensitic steel, providing much greater resistance to corrosion and greater performance at low temperatures.

Duplex stainless steel casting

Duplex stainless steel is a relatively new composition and is a combination of austenitic and ferritic steel. This combination produces a steel that is both strong and resistant to corrosion.

Stainless steel casting typically involves the following processes:

  • Pattern creation

    A pattern or replica of the desired part is created using materials such as wood or wax.

  • Mould making

    The mould is made by packing a refractory material, such as sand or ceramic, around the pattern.

  • Melting & pouring

    Stainless steel is melted in a furnace. Once it reaches the desired temperature, the steel is poured into a mould.

  • Solidifying

    The molten stainless steel cools and solidifies inside the mould.

  • Cooling

    After the metal has solidified, the mould is cooled to increase solidification.

  • Finishing

    Various processes can be applied to the stainless steel cast including grinding, polishing or machining.

Engineering casting in a foundry

Stainless steel casting grades & compositions

Duplex Stainless Nominal Composition
Grade C Si Mn CR Mo Ni Cu Nb V Fe W Co N
ASTM A995 J93372 ( 1B ) 0.04 1.00 1.00 25.5 2.00 5.50 3.00 0.18
10213 GX2CrNiMoN25-6-3-3 0.04 1.00 1.00 25.5 2.00 5.50 3.00
ASTM A995 J93373 (1C ) 0.03 1.00 1.00 25.5 3.50 6.50 1.50 0.25
10213 GX2CrNiMoN26-7-4 0.03 1.00 1.00 25.5 3.50 6.50 1.50 0.25
ASTM A995 J93345 (2A ) 0.08 1.50 1.00 24.00 4.75 10.00 0.20
ASTM A995 J93371 (3A ) 0.06 1.00 1.00 25.5 2.00 5.00 0.20
ASTM A995 J92205 ( 4A ) 0.03 1.00 1.50 22.00 3.00 5.50 1.00 0.20
10213 GX2CrNiMoN22-5-3 0.03 1.00 1.50 22.00 3.00 5.50 1.00 0.20
ASTM A995 J93404 ( 5A ) 0.03 1.00 1.50 25.00 4.50 7.00 0.20
10213 GX2CrNiMoN25-6-3 0.03 1.00 1.50 25.00 4.50 7.00 0.20
ASTM A995 J93380 ( 6A ) 0.03 1.00 1.00 25.00 3.50 7.50 0.75 0.75 0.25
Ferritic/Martensitic Nominal Composition
Grade C Si Mn CR Mo Ni Cu Nb V Fe W Co N
ASTM A487 CA15 0.15 1.5 1 12.5 0.5 1
ASTM A743 CA6N 0.06 1 0.5 11.5 7
ASTM A487 CA6NM 0.06 1 1 13 0.6 4
ASTM A487 CB7CU-1 0.07 1 0.7 16 4 3.8 0.25
ASTM A487 CB7CU-2 0.07 1 0.7 16 0.05 5 3.8 0.3
Austenitic Stainless Nominal Composition
Grade C Si Mn CR Mo Ni Cu Nb V Fe W Co N
ASTM A351 CF3 0.03 2 1.5 19 0.5 10
ASTM A351 CF3M 0.03 1.5 1.5 18 2.5 11
ASTM A351 CF3MN 0.03 1.5 1.5 19 2.5 11
ASTM A351 CF8 0.08 2 1.5 19 0.5 10
ASTM A351 CF8A 0.08 2 1.5 19 0.5 10
ASTM A351 CF8C 0.08 2 1.5 20 0.5 11
ASTM A351 CF8M 0.08 1.5 1.5 19 2.5 11
ASTM A351 CGMMN 0.06 1 5 21.5 2.5 12.5 0.2 0.2 0.3
ASTM A351 CG8M 0.08 1.5 1.5 20 3.5 11
ASTM A351 CK20 0.8 1.75 1.5 25 0.5 21
ASTM A351 CG-3M 0.03 1.5 1.5 20 3.5 11
ASTM A351 CE8MN 0.08 0.8 1 24 3.75 10 0.2
BS3100 302C25F 0.12 1.5 2 19 1.5 8
BS3100 302C35 0.3 2 2 20 8
BC3100 302C15 0.08 1.5 2 19.5 9.5
10213 GX2CrNi 19-11 (1.4309 ) 0.08 1.5 2 19.5 9.5
BS3100 304C15F 0.08 1.5 2 19.5 2.5 9.5
BS3100 304C12 0.03 1.5 2 19 2.5 9
10213 GX5CrNi 19-10 (1.4308 ) 0.03 1.5 2 19 2.5 9
BS3100 316C16 0.08 1.5 2 19 9
10213 GX5Cr NiMo 19-11-2 0.08 1.5 2 19 9
BS3100 318C17 0.08 1.5 2 19 2.5 9
NORTON NITRONIC 60 0.1 4 8 17 8.5
Super Austenitic Nominal Composition
Grade C Si Mn CR Mo Ni Cu Nb V Fe W Co N
ASTM A351 CK3MCUN 0.03 1.00 20.00 6.50 6.50 18.50 0.08 0.20
A341 CN7M 0.07 1.50 20.50 2.50 2.50 29.50 3.50