Stainless Steel Nitronic 50 · additive grade
Stainless Steel Nitronic 50-HS
Properties of the HS condition, compared with the other Nitronic 50 tempers.
Proprietary high-strength condition for pump shafts, valve stems and downhole tools needing ~790 MPa yield with retained corrosion resistance.
What is Nitronic 50-HS?
Nitronic 50-HS is Nitronic 50 in the HS grade — proprietary high-strength condition for pump shafts, valve stems and downhole tools needing ~790 MPa yield with retained corrosion resistance. Nitronic 50-HS has a yield strength of 795 MPa (115 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi). Nitronic 50-HS has a density of 7.88 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 59% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,343°C (2,449 °F). Solution Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HS is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 795 MPa (115 ksi), better than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 75/100, better than 80% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 12.5 W/m·K (7.22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 22/100, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 20%, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
Nitronic 50-HS properties
Typical room-temperature values for Nitronic 50-HS — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Nitronic 50 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Nitronic 50-HS has a density of 7.88 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 59% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,343°C (2,449 °F).
Mechanical15
Nitronic 50-HS has a yield strength of 795 MPa (115 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal5
Nitronic 50-HS is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 12.5 W/m·K (7.22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 15.3 µm/m·K (8.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Nitronic 50-HS conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), better than 80% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Nitronic 50-HS takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
Nitronic 50-HS's machinability is poor (27/100, worse than 84% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Nitronic 50 tempers and conditions
Nitronic 50 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Nitronic 50 overview.
- Solution AnnealedDefaultStandard stocked condition for bar, plate and forgings: maximum corrosion resistance and ductility with ~450 MPa yield.450 MPa yield · 217 HB
- HSProprietary high-strength condition for pump shafts, valve stems and downhole tools needing ~790 MPa yield with retained corrosion resistance.795 MPa yield · 33 HRC
- Cold DrawnCold-drawn bar and wire for fasteners and shafting where higher yield and better surface finish/straightness are needed.760 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- Hot RolledLarge-section hot-finished bar supplied per ASTM A276 Condition B when only strength minimums are required.500 MPa yield · 240 HB
- AnnealedGeneral mill-annealed product (bar, plate, tube) meeting ASTM minimums; pick when softness and weldability matter more than strength.430 MPa yield · 210 HB
Working with Nitronic 50-HS
Is Nitronic 50 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening: use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed (no dwell), slow speeds ~25–40 m/min and flood coolant; expect ~25% of 1212 rates.
Can Nitronic 50 be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching Nitronic 50 or AWS ER209/E209 filler, no preheat, low interpass, no PWHT normally required; avoid 500–850 °C holds.
Can Nitronic 50 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms like a heavy-work-hardening austenitic — allow 2× the press force of 304 and intermediate anneals at 1040–1120 °C for severe draws; hot work 1150–1230 °C.
What surface finishes work on Nitronic 50?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after machining/pickling; takes a good mirror polish, and PVD/hard chrome are used on shaft journals for wear.
Nitronic 50 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Mn | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 20.5 – 23.5 | 22 |
| Ni | 11.5 – 13.5 | 12.5 |
| Mo | 1.5 – 3 | 2.2 |
| Nprimary strengthener | 0.2 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Nb | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| V | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Febalance ≈ 55–58% | balance | — |
Nitronic 50-HS — frequently asked
What is Nitronic 50-HS used for?
Nitronic 50-HS is typically used for valve stems and valve internals, seawater and marine propeller shafts, pump shafts and housings, downhole and wellhead tool components, marine and chemical-plant fasteners and chemical process equipment parts. In short: high-strength aerospace stainless.
What is the yield strength of Nitronic 50-HS?
Nitronic 50-HS has a typical yield strength of 795 MPa (115 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Nitronic 50-HS easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (27/100, worse than 84% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening: use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed (no dwell), slow speeds ~25–40 m/min and flood coolant; expect ~25% of 1212 rates.
Can Nitronic 50-HS be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with matching Nitronic 50 or AWS ER209/E209 filler, no preheat, low interpass, no PWHT normally required; avoid 500–850 °C holds.
What surface finishes work on Nitronic 50-HS?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after machining/pickling; takes a good mirror polish, and PVD/hard chrome are used on shaft journals for wear.
Can Nitronic 50-HS be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms like a heavy-work-hardening austenitic — allow 2× the press force of 304 and intermediate anneals at 1040–1120 °C for severe draws; hot work 1150–1230 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of Nitronic 50-HS?
Nitronic 50-HS is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Nitronic 50 Solution Annealed and Nitronic 50-HS?
Solution Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for bar, plate and forgings: maximum corrosion resistance and ductility with ~450 MPa yield. HS: proprietary high-strength condition for pump shafts, valve stems and downhole tools needing ~790 MPa yield with retained corrosion resistance. Yield strength is 450 MPa in Solution Annealed versus 795 MPa in HS.
Can FabDigit make parts in Nitronic 50-HS?
Yes — Nitronic 50-HS is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A276/A479 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes (UNS S20910) — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A240 / A312 — Plate and Pipe, UNS S20910 (XM-19) — ASTM International (2022)
- Nitronic 50 (XM-19) Alloy Data Sheet — Electralloy / G.O. Carlson (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.