A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286, Grade 660) UNS S66286

Iron-nickel-chromium austenitic superalloy, age hardenable. Limiting composition (wt%, Upmet table): Fe balance, Ni 24.0 to 27.0, Cr 13.5 to 16.0, Mo 1.00 to 1.50, Ti 1.90 to 2.35, V 0.10 to 0.50, Al 0.35 max, B 0.003 to 0.010, C 0.08 max, Mn 2.00 max, Si 1.00 max, P 0.025 max, S 0.025 max. ATI typical analysis (wt%): C 0.04, Mn 0.20, P 0.015, S 0.002, Si 0.20, Cr 14.5, Ni 25.0, Mo 1.25, Ti 2.10, V 0.30, Al 0.15, B 0.006, Fe balance.

Also known as UNS S66286, EN 1.4980, ASTM A453, ASTM A638, ASME SA-638, AMS 5525 · 4 more

A-286 (UNS S66286, also Grade 660 and W.

9 sources · Updated 2026-11-01 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

Hold stress when hot

46 ksi at 649 °C

Strength when cold

168000 psi at -423 °F

Weight

7.92 g/cm3

Stiffness

201 GPa at 24 °C

Aged sheet strength

145 ksi tensile

Recipe, share of the weight

  • Fe not statedIron
  • Ni 24 to 27%Nickel
  • Cr 13.5 to 16%Chromium
  • Ti 1.9 to 2.35%Titanium
  • Mo 1 to 1.5%Molybdenum
  • V 0.1 to 0.5%Vanadium
  • Al 0 to 0.35%Aluminium
  • B 0.003 to 0.01%Boron

Best for

Non-magnetic, high-strength fasteners, springs and jet engine parts that run from cryogenic temperature to about 700 °C (ATI and Rolled Alloys)

Weakest at

Hot strength above about 650 °C: the 1000 h stress-rupture strength is 46 ksi at 649 °C (Rolled Alloys), and ATI says creep and stress rupture are the limiting design criteria at elevated temperature

Risk at a glance

  • People Low. Not classified for the disk form
  • If it fails Moderate. Hot cracking in welds
  • Corrosion Moderate. In boiling 10% sulfuric acid, A-286 corroded at 29.5 mils per year, against more than 500 mils per year for Type 304.

Quick facts: UNS S66286

Key properties of UNS S66286
PropertyValueBasis
Density7.92 to 7.94 g/cm³2 sourced values across conditions
Yield strength275 to 720 MPa4 sourced values across conditions
Tensile strength620 to 1,000 MPa4 sourced values across conditions
Young's modulus201 GPa1 sourced value
Hardness (Brinell)250 to 355 HB1 sourced value
Thermal conductivity15.1 to 23.9 W/(m·K)2 sourced values across conditions
Thermal expansion (CTE)17 to 18.6 ppm/K2 sourced values across conditions
Melting point1,370 to 1,430 °C1 sourced value
Specific heat420 J/(kg·K)1 sourced value
Electrical resistivity9.1e-7 Ω·m1 sourced value

What is the density of A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286)?

A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286) has a density of 7.92 to 7.94 g/cm³. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the thermal conductivity of A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286)?

A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286) has a thermal conductivity of 15.1 to 23.9 W/(m·K). The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286)?

A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286) has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 17 to 18.6 ppm/K. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the melting point of A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286)?

A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286) has a melting point of 1,370 to 1,430 °C. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the yield strength of A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286)?

A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286) has a yield strength of 275 to 720 MPa. The range covers 4 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What are the other names and codes for A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286)?

A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286) is also written as UNS S66286, EN 1.4980, ASTM A453, ASTM A638, ASME SA-638, AMS 5525. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.

What is A-286 iron-based superalloy (UNS S66286) used for?

Uses recorded in the sources include Bolts, screws and high-temperature fasteners; Jet engine blades, turbine wheels and afterburner parts; Springs.

Why it exists

A-286 is an iron-nickel-chromium alloy that is age hardened and non-magnetic, and that keeps strength to cryogenic temperatures. ATI gives its density as 7.92 g/cm3 solution treated and a melting range of 1370 to 1430 °C. Rolled Alloys gives a 1000 h stress-rupture strength of 88 ksi at 538 °C and 46 ksi at 649 °C. Smiths Metal Centres, Rolled Alloys and Combined Metals list jet engine parts, fasteners and springs among its uses.

Where it's used

Fasteners and screws

Rolled Alloys lists high temperature fasteners, and Smiths Metal Centres lists screws and Upmet lists bolts among its applications.

Jet engine parts

Smiths Metal Centres lists jet engine blades, afterburner parts and turbine wheels as typical uses.

Springs

Combined Metals and Rolled Alloys both list springs among its applications.

Cryogenic structures

ATI describes non-magnetic use down to -196 °C, and a 1965 NASA-funded test report measured a tensile strength of 168000 psi at -423 °F for solution-treated material.

Recipe

Iron-nickel-chromium austenitic superalloy, age hardenable. Limiting composition (wt%, Upmet table): Fe balance, Ni 24.0 to 27.0, Cr 13.5 to 16.0, Mo 1.00 to 1.50, Ti 1.90 to 2.35, V 0.10 to 0.50, Al 0.35 max, B 0.003 to 0.010, C 0.08 max, Mn 2.00 max, Si 1.00 max, P 0.025 max, S 0.025 max. ATI typical analysis (wt%): C 0.04, Mn 0.20, P 0.015, S 0.002, Si 0.20, Cr 14.5, Ni 25.0, Mo 1.25, Ti 2.10, V 0.30, Al 0.15, B 0.006, Fe balance.

A-286 is an iron-base alloy made to a limiting composition in weight percent, with nickel, chromium, titanium and molybdenum as the main alloying elements. ATI says it can be produced by AOD refining or vacuum induction melting, and that vacuum arc or electroslag remelting may be used to refine it further. Titanium and aluminium give the age hardening.

What UNS S66286 is made of
IngredientShare of the weightWhat it does
Iron Fe not stated The base metal and the balance of the composition in every limit table read.
Nickel Ni 24 to 27% Austenite-forming element in the limits; ATI calls the alloy an austenitic alloy.
Chromium Cr 13.5 to 16% ATI says chromium, nickel and molybdenum give aqueous corrosion resistance comparable to austenitic stainless steels.
Titanium Ti 1.9 to 2.35% Age-hardening element; ATI says strength develops on aging and needs inert gas welding to avoid losing titanium.
Molybdenum Mo 1 to 1.5% Listed alloying element in the limits; the sources read give no separate role.
Vanadium V 0.1 to 0.5% Listed alloying element in the limits; the sources read give no separate role.
Aluminium Al 0 to 0.35% Maximum limit only; works with titanium in age hardening, per the ATI aging description.
Boron B 0.003 to 0.01% Listed limiting element; the sources read give no separate role.

Weight shares are as printed in the sources.

What it can do

Hold stress when hot

46 ksi at 649 °C

measured

Rolled Alloys gives a typical 1000 h stress-rupture strength of 46 ksi at 1200 °F (649 °C) and 88 ksi at 1000 °F (538 °C).

Strength when cold

168000 psi at -423 °F

measured

The 1965 NASA-funded Martin report gives a tensile strength of 168,000 psi at -423 °F for solution-treated material, up from 90,000 psi at room temperature.

Weight

7.92 g/cm3

measured

ATI gives a density of 7.92 g/cm3 solution treated and 7.94 g/cm3 solution treated and aged.

Stiffness

201 GPa at 24 °C

measured

ATI gives a dynamic modulus of elasticity of 201 GPa at 24 °C and 130 GPa at 871 °C.

Aged sheet strength

145 ksi tensile

measured

Rolled Alloys gives a representative tensile strength of 145 ksi at 70 °F for aged AMS 5732 sheet.

How it compares

ATI says the aqueous corrosion resistance of A-286 is comparable to the austenitic stainless steels, and Rolled Alloys says comparable to 316 and 316L. In ATI's typical corrosion-rate table, A-286 corroded less than Type 304 in boiling 10% sulfuric acid and boiling 1% hydrochloric acid, and more than Type 304 in boiling 20% phosphoric acid. The rows below show density, elastic modulus and thermal expansion from the sources read here. The sources cover different heat treatments, so read the rows as examples, not as a ranking.

The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details.

Benchmarks
MeasurementUNS S66286
Capacity and energy
Charpy V-notch impact energy at -196 °C, aged77 J26
Thermal behavior and safety
Melting range1370 to 1430 °C3
Specific heat420 J/kg-°K4
Thermal conductivity at 150 °C15.1 W/m-K8
Thermal conductivity at 600 °C23.9 W/m-K9
Physical and electrical
Density, solution treated7.92 g/cm³1
Density, solution treated and aged7.94 g/cm³2
Electrical resistivity at 25 °C91 microhm-cm7
Hardness, solution annealed250 to 355 HB23
Other measurements
Magnetic permeability, solution treated1.01 -5
Magnetic permeability, solution treated and aged1.007 -6
Linear coefficient of thermal expansion, 21 to 316 °CLinear CTE test printed in the ATI datasheet17 10^-6/°C10
Linear coefficient of thermal expansion, 21 to 760 °CLinear CTE test printed in the ATI datasheet18.6 10^-6/°C11
Modulus of elasticity (dynamic) at 24 °C201 GPa12
Modulus of elasticity (dynamic) at 871 °C130 GPa13
Yield strength, room temperature, solution treated at 1800 °F275 MPa14
Ultimate tensile strength, room temperature, solution treated at 1800 °F620 MPa15
Elongation, room temperature, solution treated at 1800 °F40 %16
Yield strength, minimum, ASTM A453 Grade 660 Class B> 85 ksi17
Ultimate tensile strength, minimum, ASTM A453 Grade 660 Class B> 130 ksi18
Ultimate tensile strength, sheet to AMS 5732, aged, 70 °F145 ksi19
Ultimate tensile strength, sheet to AMS 5732, aged, 1400 °F64 ksi20
Stress-rupture strength for 1000 h at 538 °C88 ksi21
Stress-rupture strength for 1000 h at 649 °C46 ksi22
0.2% proof stress, solution annealed720 N/mm224
Tensile strength, solution annealed1000 N/mm225
Ultimate tensile strength at -423 °F, solution treated1.68×10^5 psi27
Yield strength at 70 °F, solution treated46000 psi28

Why choose it, and why not

Good for

  • Fasteners and springs that need high strength and non-magnetic behaviour: 85 ksi minimum yield strength for Grade 660 Class B (Rolled Alloys).
  • Cryogenic structures: 77 J Charpy V-notch impact energy at -196 °C in the aged condition (ATI).
  • Jet engine hardware in air to about 704 °C: excellent corrosion resistance in jet engine atmospheres to 1300 °F (ATI).

Watch out for

  • Welding: the alloy is susceptible to hot cracking, especially when aged, and needs inert gas methods to protect the titanium (ATI).
  • Stress rupture: at 649 °C the 1000 h stress-rupture strength is 46 ksi, so high-stress parts need the stress-rupture data, not the room-temperature strength (Rolled Alloys).
  • Chloride cracking: in the boiling 42% magnesium chloride U-bend test, A-286 cracked after 168 hours (ATI).
  • The sources disagree on solution-treated strength (275 MPa and 620 MPa from ATI; 720 and 1000 N/mm2 from Smiths Metal Centres). Check the heat-treatment condition before design use.
  • No producer safety data sheet for bar or sheet, flight test or spacecraft qualification data were found in this run; the NIST sheet covers the disk form only.

A-286 is an age-hardened iron-nickel-chromium superalloy with a density of 7.92 g/cm3 solution treated, a melting range of 1370 to 1430 °C, and a 1000 h stress-rupture strength of 46 ksi at 649 °C. It stays ductile and non-magnetic to cryogenic temperatures, and it is used for fasteners, springs and jet engine parts. The only safety sheet read is NIST's for the disk form, which is not classified under OSHA, and the sources read here give no spacecraft qualification data.

Technical details

For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.

Other names and standards

The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.

Other names and standards
SystemCodes
UNSS66286
EN1.4980
ASTMA453 (bolting, Grade 660 Class A and Class B), A638 (forgings, forging stock and bar)
ASMESA-638 (forgings, forging stock and bar)
AMS5525 (sheet, strip and plate), 5731 (bar, forgings, tubing and rings), 5732 (bar, forgings, tubing and rings), 5858
Trade nameATI A286

Notes

The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.

Notes for the numbered rows
#MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
1Density, solution treatedTypical value printed in the ATI datasheet, Physical Properties tabletreatment solution treatedunit in source 0.286 lb/in3basis typical value—
2Density, solution treated and agedTypical value printed in the ATI datasheet, Physical Properties tabletreatment solution treated and agedunit in source 0.287 lb/in3basis typical value—
3Melting rangeRange printed in the ATI datasheet, Physical Properties tableunit in source 2500-2600 °F—
4Specific heatTypical value printed in the ATI datasheet, Physical Properties tabletemperature not stated in the datasheetunit in source 0.10 Btu/lb-°F—
5Magnetic permeability, solution treatedTypical value printed in the ATI datasheet, Physical Properties tabletreatment solution treated—
6Magnetic permeability, solution treated and agedTypical value printed in the ATI datasheet, Physical Properties tabletreatment solution treated and aged—
7Electrical resistivity at 25 °CTypical value printed in the ATI datasheet, Electrical Resistivity tabletemperature 25 °C (77 °F)treatment not stated in the datasheet—
8Thermal conductivity at 150 °CTypical value printed in the ATI datasheet, Thermal Conductivity tabletemperature 150 °C (302 °F)treatment not stated in the datasheetunit in source 8.7 Btu-ft/ft2-h-°F—
9Thermal conductivity at 600 °CTypical value printed in the ATI datasheet, Thermal Conductivity tabletemperature 600 °C (1112 °F)treatment not stated in the datasheetunit in source 13.8 Btu-ft/ft2-h-°F—
10Linear coefficient of thermal expansion, 21 to 316 °C—temperature range 21 to 316 °C (70 to 600 °F)treatment solution treated and aged (the datasheet heading for the CTE test)unit in source 9.47 10^-6/°F—
11Linear coefficient of thermal expansion, 21 to 760 °C—temperature range 21 to 760 °C (70 to 1400 °F)treatment solution treated and aged (the datasheet heading for the CTE test)unit in source 10.32 10^-6/°F—
12Modulus of elasticity (dynamic) at 24 °CDynamic modulus printed in the ATI datasheet, Elastic Modulus tabletemperature 24 °C (75 °F)method in source dynamicunit in source 29.1 x 10^6 psi—
13Modulus of elasticity (dynamic) at 871 °CDynamic modulus printed in the ATI datasheet, Elastic Modulus tabletemperature 871 °C (1600 °F)method in source dynamicunit in source 18.9 x 10^6 psi—
14Yield strength, room temperature, solution treated at 1800 °FTypical room temperature tensile value printed in the ATI datasheet; the chart on the same page is an image and was not readtreatment solution treated at 1800 °F (982 °C)temperature room temperatureunit in source 40,000 psiSmith Metal gives 720 N/mm2 for solution annealed material (see its row below). The two sources are not reconciled here.
15Ultimate tensile strength, room temperature, solution treated at 1800 °FTypical room temperature tensile value printed in the ATI datasheettreatment solution treated at 1800 °F (982 °C)temperature room temperatureunit in source 90,000 psiSmith Metal gives 1000 N/mm2 for solution annealed material (see its row below).
16Elongation, room temperature, solution treated at 1800 °FTypical room temperature tensile value printed in the ATI datasheettreatment solution treated at 1800 °F (982 °C)temperature room temperature—
17Yield strength, minimum, ASTM A453 Grade 660 Class BSpecification minimum printed in the Rolled Alloys data sheetstandard ASTM A453 Grade 660 Class Bheat treatment anneal 1800 °F, age 1300 to 1400 °F for 16 hoursproduct bar and sheet to AMS 5732 (as printed in the table)—
18Ultimate tensile strength, minimum, ASTM A453 Grade 660 Class BSpecification minimum printed in the Rolled Alloys data sheetstandard ASTM A453 Grade 660 Class Bheat treatment anneal 1800 °F, age 1300 to 1400 °F for 16 hours—
19Ultimate tensile strength, sheet to AMS 5732, aged, 70 °FRepresentative value printed in the Rolled Alloys data sheetproduct form sheet, AMS 5732heat treatment 1800 °F solution treat, 1325 °F agetemperature 70 °F (21 °C)—
20Ultimate tensile strength, sheet to AMS 5732, aged, 1400 °FRepresentative value printed in the Rolled Alloys data sheetproduct form sheet, AMS 5732heat treatment 1800 °F solution treat, 1325 °F agetemperature 1400 °F (760 °C)—
21Stress-rupture strength for 1000 h at 538 °CTypical stress-rupture value printed in the Rolled Alloys data sheettemperature 1000 °F (538 °C)duration 1,000 hoursheat treatment AMS 5732, 1800 °F / 1325 °F—
22Stress-rupture strength for 1000 h at 649 °CTypical stress-rupture value printed in the Rolled Alloys data sheettemperature 1200 °F (649 °C)duration 1,000 hoursheat treatment AMS 5732, 1800 °F / 1325 °F—
23Hardness, solution annealedRange printed in the Smiths Metal Centres data sheettreatment solution annealed—
240.2% proof stress, solution annealedValue printed in the Smiths Metal Centres data sheet under 0.2% Proof Stresstreatment solution annealedSmith Metal gives 720 N/mm2 for solution annealed material, against 275 MPa for solution treated material in the ATI datasheet. Both are kept here side by side.
25Tensile strength, solution annealedValue printed in the Smiths Metal Centres data sheettreatment solution annealedATI gives 620 MPa tensile for material solution treated at 1800 °F. The Smith value is for a different heat treatment label and is kept side by side.
26Charpy V-notch impact energy at -196 °C, agedValue printed in the ATI datasheet, Charpy V-Notch Impact Energy tabletemperature -320 °F (-196 °C)test full size Charpy V-notchtreatment solution treated at 1800 °F and aged at 1325 °F for 16 hoursunit in source 57 ft-lbs—
27Ultimate tensile strength at -423 °F, solution treatedValue stated in the text of the NASA-funded Martin report, section Tension Properties (the Figure 13 chart was not read)temperature -423 °F (about -253 °C)treatment solution-treated A-286 bar, as the report describes its material—
28Yield strength at 70 °F, solution treatedValue stated in the text of the NASA-funded Martin report, section Tension Propertiestemperature 70 °Ftreatment solution treated A-286ATI gives 275 MPa (40,000 psi) for solution treated material at room temperature, so the two sources differ and are shown side by side.

Corrosion and compatibility

What happens when it meets other materials and environments.

Corrosion and compatibility
EnvironmentConcernWhat happens
Boiling 10% sulfuric acid moderate In boiling 10% sulfuric acid, A-286 corroded at 29.5 mils per year, against more than 500 mils per year for Type 304.1
Boiling 1% hydrochloric acid moderate In boiling 1% hydrochloric acid, A-286 corroded at 84.1 mils per year, against 107 mils per year for Type 304.2
Boiling 20% phosphoric acid moderate In boiling 20% phosphoric acid, A-286 corroded faster than Type 304, at 12.8 mils per year against 0.2 mils per year.3
Boiling 42% magnesium chloride, U-bend stress test moderate In the 42% magnesium chloride U-bend test, A-286 cracked after 168 hours, against 8 hours for Type 304 and 24 hours for Type 316.4
5% neutral salt spray and jet-engine atmosphere low A-286 showed no rusting after 100 hours of 5% neutral salt spray and is excellent in jet-engine atmospheres to 1300 °F (704 °C).5
Air oxidation at high temperature low A-286 oxidation resistance is high for continuous service to 1500 °F (816 °C) and intermittent service to 1800 °F (982 °C).6
Corrosion details
#EnvironmentDetailsTest conditions
1 Boiling 10% sulfuric acid ATI's typical corrosion-rate table gives 29.5 mils per year (0.75 mm/a) for the Altemp A286 column, tested solution treated, and more than 500 mils per year (over 12 mm/a) for Type 304. test boiling solution, typical corrosion rate in mils per year (mm/a in brackets)treatment solution treated, per the datasheet footnote
2 Boiling 1% hydrochloric acid ATI's typical corrosion-rate table gives 84.1 mils per year (2.14 mm/a) for A-286 and 107 mils per year (2.72 mm/a) for Type 304. test boiling solution, typical corrosion rate in mils per yeartreatment solution treated, per the datasheet footnote
3 Boiling 20% phosphoric acid ATI's typical corrosion-rate table gives 12.8 mils per year (0.33 mm/a) for A-286 and 0.2 mils per year (under 0.01 mm/a) for Type 304, so the austenitic stainless steel does better in this acid. test boiling solution, typical corrosion rate in mils per yeartreatment solution treated, per the datasheet footnote
4 Boiling 42% magnesium chloride, U-bend stress test ATI reports cracks in its U-bend test in boiling 42% magnesium chloride after 168 hours for the Altemp A286 column, after 8 hours for Type 304 and after 24 hours for Type 316. Cracking in chloride solutions is therefore a real limit for this alloy. test U-bend stressed specimen in 42% magnesium chloridetreatment not stated for the Altemp column
5 5% neutral salt spray and jet-engine atmosphere ATI reports no rusting after 100 hours of 5% neutral salt spray for the Altemp A286 column, and says its corrosion resistance to jet-engine atmospheres is excellent to at least 1300 °F (704 °C). Rolled Alloys says its aqueous corrosion resistance is comparable to 316 and 316L stainless steel. test 5% neutral salt spray, 100 hoursbasis datasheet statements; no exposure rate given for jet-engine atmospheres
6 Air oxidation at high temperature ATI says oxidation resistance is high for continuous service up to 1500 °F (816 °C) and intermittent service up to 1800 °F (982 °C). Rolled Alloys gives the same continuous and intermittent limits, and Upmet says oxidation performance is comparable to Type 310 stainless steel through about 1500 °F (816 °C). basis qualitative datasheet statements; no oxidation rate giventemperature continuous 816 °C, intermittent 982 °C

Risks and side effects

Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.

For people

The only A-286 safety sheet read is NIST's for the disk form, which is not classified as a hazard under OSHA. No producer sheet for bar or sheet was found. The sources read also name processing hazards.

Acid pickling
ATI says the oxide film after heat treatment is removed by pickling in warm sulfuric acid and then nitric-hydrofluoric acid baths, so those acids are part of the handling.

If it fails

The failure routes in the sources are welding cracks, loss of strength at high temperature and rapid work hardening.

Weld cracking
ATI says the alloy is susceptible to hot cracking, particularly in the aged condition, and heavy sections are harder to weld.
Stress rupture
ATI says creep and stress-rupture strength, not short-time tensile strength, limit the alloy at elevated temperature.
Work hardening
Smith Metal says the alloy work hardens rapidly, so intermediate annealing may be needed in deep drawing or intricate forming.

Handling and storage

Heat treatment order
Solution treat, then age at 1325 °F (718 °C) for 16 hours and air cool, as ATI describes.
Machining
ATI says the soft solution-treated material is gummy, so it is machined after aging or after cold work.

Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.

Failure risks

Failure risks
FailureTrigger and consequence
Hot cracking in weldsmoderate severityWelding aged material or heavy sectionsATI says the alloy is susceptible to hot cracking, particularly in the aged condition, and heavy sections are more difficult to weld for the same reason.
Loss of titanium in weldsmoderate severityWelding by methods other than inert gasATI says inert gas methods must be used to prevent loss of titanium, which is important for the strength that develops on aging.
Creep and stress rupture at high temperaturemoderate severitySustained stress at elevated temperatureATI says creep and stress-rupture properties, rather than short-time tensile properties, are the limiting design criteria for elevated-temperature service.
Rapid work hardening during forminglow severityCold forming or deep drawing without intermediate annealsSmith Metal says the alloy works harden rapidly and may need intermediate annealing in deep drawing or intricate forming. ATI says intermediate anneals at 1800 °F (982 °C) soften material when the deformation is extensive.

Handling and storage

  • Age at 1325 °F (718 °C) for 16 hours and air cool after solution treatment, which develops the high strength of the alloy (ATI). Solution treat at 1650 °F (899 °C) for finer grain or 1800 °F (982 °C) for better creep strength.
  • Form and weld in the solution-treated condition. ATI says the soft solution-treated material is gummy to machine, so it is machined after aging or overaging, or after cold work.
  • After heat treatment, loosen the tight oxide film in a reducing, oxidising or fused salt bath, then pickle in warm sulfuric and then nitric-hydrofluoric acid baths (ATI).
  • Use the same techniques and equipment as for 18-8 stainless steels when machining (ATI).

Supply and geography

How common the raw materials are and where they come from.

Nickel (about 24 to 27 wt% of A-286)

Top producers (2025)
Indonesia 66.7%, Philippines 6.9%, Russia 5.1%
Recycling
USGS: nickel recovered from scrap accounted for approximately 60% of apparent consumption in 2025, and most secondary nickel is in the form of nickel content of stainless-steel scrap.
Substitutes
USGS: titanium alloys can substitute for nickel or nickel-base alloys in corrosive environments.

Chromium (13.5 to 16.0 wt% of A-286)

Top producers (2025)
South Africa 45.1%, Turkey 17.6%, Kazakhstan 13.7%
Recycling
USGS: recycled chromium in reported stainless-steel scrap receipts accounted for 21% of apparent consumption in 2025.
Substitutes
USGS: chromium has no substitute in stainless steel or in superalloys, the major strategic end use.

Updated