Super duplex stainless steel 2507 2507 (UNS S32750)

Fe balance

Also known as UNS S32750, EN 1.4410, EN name X2CrNiMoN25-7-4, ASTM A182 Grade F53, SAF 2507

SAF 2507 (UNS S32750, EN 1.4410) is a super duplex stainless steel with a nominal 25 percent chromium, 7 percent nickel, 4 percent molybdenum and 0.3 percent nitrogen.

10 sources · Updated 2026-10-24 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

Strength

> 550 MPa

Pitting

> 42.5 -

Seawater crevices

64 °C

Cold toughness

> 100 J

Recipe, share of the weight

  • Fe balanceIron
  • Cr 25%Chromium
  • Ni 7%Nickel
  • Mo 4%Molybdenum
  • N 0.3%Nitrogen
  • C max 0.03Carbon
  • Mn max 1.2Manganese
  • Si max 0.8Silicon
  • P max 0.035Phosphorus
  • S max 0.015Sulfur
  • Cu max 0.5Copper

Best for

Chloride-bearing seawater, subsea and sour oil and gas service that needs high strength and pitting resistance, in solution-annealed tube, bar and forgings

Weakest at

Prolonged exposure above 250 °C, which lowers impact strength, and hydrogen-induced cracking in cathodically protected subsea steel

Risk at a glance

  • People None found. No safety data sheet read for the alloy
  • If it fails High. Hydrogen-induced stress cracking on cathodically protected subsea steel
  • Corrosion Moderate. Crevice corrosion started at 64 °C in natural seawater, against 61 °C for 6Mo+N in the same test.

Quick facts: 2507 (UNS S32750)

Key properties of 2507 (UNS S32750)
PropertyValueBasis
Density7.8 g/cm³1 sourced value
Yield strengthat least 530 MPa2 sourced values across conditions
Tensile strength750 to 1,000 MPa3 sourced values across conditions
Young's modulus200 GPa1 sourced value
Thermal conductivity14 W/(m·K)1 sourced value
Thermal expansion (CTE)13.5 ppm/K1 sourced value
Specific heat490 J/(kg·K)1 sourced value
Electrical resistivity8.3e-7 Ω·m1 sourced value
Maximum service temperature232 °C1 sourced value

What is the density of Super duplex stainless steel 2507?

Super duplex stainless steel 2507 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the thermal conductivity of Super duplex stainless steel 2507?

Super duplex stainless steel 2507 has a thermal conductivity of 14 W/(m·K). The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Super duplex stainless steel 2507?

Super duplex stainless steel 2507 has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 13.5 ppm/K. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the yield strength of Super duplex stainless steel 2507?

Super duplex stainless steel 2507 has a yield strength of at least 530 MPa. 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 tensile strength of Super duplex stainless steel 2507?

Super duplex stainless steel 2507 has a tensile strength of 750 to 1,000 MPa. The range covers 3 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 Super duplex stainless steel 2507?

Super duplex stainless steel 2507 is also written as UNS S32750, EN 1.4410, EN name X2CrNiMoN25-7-4, ASTM A182 Grade F53, SAF 2507. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.

What is Super duplex stainless steel 2507 used for?

Uses recorded in the sources include Subsea umbilicals and offshore oil and gas tubing; Seawater cooling tubing and desalination pressure vessels; Propeller shafts and high-load parts in seawater.

Why it exists

SAF 2507 is a super duplex stainless steel made for chloride-bearing service. Its mix of ferrite and austenite, with about 25 percent chromium, 4 percent molybdenum and 0.3 percent nitrogen, gives a minimum pitting resistance equivalent of 41 in bar and 42.5 in seamless tube. Its minimum proof strength is 550 MPa, and Alleima says its proof and tensile strength are higher than those of austenitic grades. It is sold for seawater cooling, subsea umbilicals and desalination equipment. Its main limits are long exposure above 250 °C, which lowers impact strength, and hydrogen cracking in cathodically protected subsea steel.

Where it's used

Offshore and subsea

Alleima lists hydraulic and process fluid tubes in umbilicals, and seawater handling and process systems, for oil and gas production.

Seawater cooling and desalination

Alleima lists heat-exchanger tubing that uses seawater as coolant, pressure vessels for reverse osmosis units, and tube and pipe for seawater transport.

Propeller shafts

Alleima lists propeller shafts and other high-load parts in seawater and chloride environments.

Flanges and fittings to ASTM A182 Grade F53

The billet page says billets are suited to further production to ASTM A182 Grade F53. The tube datasheet lists flanges and fittings to ASTM A182.

Recipe

Fe balance; nominal 25 Cr, 7 Ni, 4 Mo, 0.3 N (wt%); maximum 0.03 C, 1.2 Mn, 0.8 Si, 0.035 P, 0.015 S, 0.5 Cu (wt%)

SAF 2507 is an iron-based duplex stainless steel. Its nominal recipe, in weight percent, is 25 chromium, 7 nickel, 4 molybdenum and 0.3 nitrogen, with iron as the balance. Carbon, manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur and copper are held to the maxima in the datasheet table. Solution annealing at 1050 to 1125 °C and quenching gives 35 to 55 percent ferrite.

What 2507 (UNS S32750) is made of
IngredientShare of the weightWhat it does
Iron Fe balance Matrix of the alloy, shared between ferrite and austenite.
Chromium Cr 25% Forms the passive film. With molybdenum and nitrogen it sets the PRE.
Nickel Ni 7% Stabilises austenite, balancing the two phases.
Molybdenum Mo 4% Adds pitting and crevice resistance; weighted 3.3 in the PRE formula.
Nitrogen N 0.3% Adds strength and stabilises austenite; weighted 16 in the PRE formula.
Carbon C max 0.03 Kept low to limit chromium carbides at grain boundaries.
Manganese Mn max 1.2 Deoxidiser and austenite former in the melt.
Silicon Si max 0.8 Deoxidiser in the melt.
Phosphorus P max 0.035 Impurity held low.
Sulfur S max 0.015 Impurity held low.
Copper Cu max 0.5 Impurity held low.

Weight shares are as printed in the sources.

What it can do

Strength

> 550 MPa

measured

Minimum proof strength is 550 MPa in the tube datasheet at 20 °C. Tensile strength is 800 to 1000 MPa for tube and 760 to 930 MPa for bar.

Pitting

> 42.5 -

measured

Minimum PRE is 41 in the bar datasheet and 42.5 in seamless tube. UNS S31260 is typically 38.

Seawater crevices

64 °C

measured

In Alleima's natural seawater test, crevice corrosion starts at 64 °C, against 61 °C for 6Mo+N.

Cold toughness

> 100 J

measured

The bar datasheet guarantees 45 J average at -50 °C for large sizes, with 35 J as the single minimum.

How it compares

Against UNS S31260, the 25 percent chromium duplex that Alleima gives a typical PRE of 38 (bar) and a minimum of 33 (tube), SAF 2507 has a minimum PRE of 41 in bar and 42.5 in tube. Against austenitic grades, Alleima says its proof and tensile strength are higher. Its thermal expansion is 13.5 over 30 to 100 °C, against 16.5 for ASTM 316L and 12.5 for carbon steel in the same table. In Alleima's natural seawater test its crevice corrosion temperature is 64 °C, against 61 °C for 6Mo+N.

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. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.

Benchmarks
Measurement2507 (UNS S32750)2205 (UNS S32205)2304 (UNS S32304, EN 1.4362)2101
Capacity and energy
impact energy> 100 J27no datano datano data
impact energy> 45 J28no datano datano data
impact energy> 27 J29no datano datano data
Thermal behavior and safety
specific heat490 J/kg.K16480 J/(kg °C)490 J/(kg °C)530 J/(kg·K)
Thermal conductivity14 W/m.K1714 W/(m °C)13 W/m.K16 W/(m·K)
Physical and electrical
hardness< 32 HRC10< 293 HB< 290 BHN< 290 HB
hardnessHardness line, maximum as printed (Max. 28HRC)< 28 HRC11< 293 HB< 290 BHN< 290 HB
hardness260 HB12< 293 HB< 290 BHN< 290 HB
Density7.8 g/cm³157.82 g/cm³7.8 g/cm³7800 kg/m3
electrical resistivityResistivity table, 20 °C row (printed μΩm)0.83 μΩm0.74 10-6 ohm.mno datano data
Temperature behavior
critical crevice temperature64 °C21no datano datano data
critical pitting temperature72.5 °C2235 °Cno datano data
critical pitting temperature> 90 °C2335 °Cno datano data
critical pitting temperature> 50 °C2435 °Cno datano data
embrittlement temperature limit< 250 °C26no datano datano data
Other measurements
yield strength> 550 MPa1> 450 MPa> 400 MPa> 450 MPa
yield strength> 480 MPa2> 450 MPa> 400 MPa> 450 MPa
yield strength> 395 MPa3> 450 MPa> 400 MPa> 450 MPa
yield strength> 530 MPa4> 450 MPa> 400 MPa> 450 MPa
ultimate tensile strength800 to 1000 MPa5> 655 MPa> 600 MPa> 650 MPa
ultimate tensile strength760 to 930 MPa6> 655 MPa> 600 MPa> 650 MPa
ultimate tensile strength750 to 930 MPa7> 655 MPa> 600 MPa> 650 MPa
elongation> 25 %8> 25 %> 25 %> 30 %
elongation> 25 %9> 25 %> 25 %> 30 %
elastic modulus200 GPa13200 GPa200 GPa200 GPa
elastic modulus180 GPa14200 GPa200 GPa200 GPa
Thermal expansion (CTE)13.5 10-6/K1813 10-6/K13 10-6/K13 µm/m/°C
pren> 42.5 -19no datano datano data
pren> 41 -20no datano datano data
Maximum service temperature< 232 °C25< 316 °C< 315 °C600 °F

Why choose it, and why not

Good for

  • Seawater cooling, desalination and chloride process plant, where Alleima lists tube, pipe and pressure vessels.
  • Subsea and offshore hydraulic and process tubing in umbilicals, and propeller shafts in seawater.
  • Sour oil and gas service up to 232 °C where H2S is at most 0.20 bar and hardness is at most 32 HRC.

Watch out for

  • Prolonged exposure above 250 °C lowers impact strength. The pressure-vessel limit in the datasheet is 250 °C.
  • Cathodically protected subsea steel can crack from hydrogen under high tensile stress. The datasheet says the risk falls when austenite spacing is under 30 µm.
  • Crevice attack in seawater starts at 64 °C under Alleima's test conditions, so crevice design still matters in warm service.
  • No safety data sheet for the alloy was read. The hazard data are PubChem records for its elements, not supplier classifications.

SAF 2507 is a strong, chloride-resistant duplex choice for seawater, subsea and sour oil and gas parts. Keep prolonged temperatures under 250 °C, and design out crevices and hydrogen-cracking risk under cathodic protection.

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
UNSS32750
EN1.4410
EN nameX2CrNiMoN25-7-4
ASTMA182 Grade F53 (forgings from billets)
NameSAF 2507

Notes

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

Notes for the numbered rows
#MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
1yield strengthMechanical properties table at 20 °C, minimum as printed (≥550 MPa)form seamless tube and pipe, wall up to 20 mmtemper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 20 °Cbasis minimum 0.2 percent offset (Rp0.2)—
2yield strengthHigh-temperature proof strength table, minimum as printed (100 °C row)form seamless tube and pipe, wall up to 20 mmtemper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 100 °Cbasis minimum 0.2 percent offset (Rp0.2)—
3yield strengthHigh-temperature proof strength table, minimum as printed (300 °C row)form seamless tube and pipe, wall up to 20 mmtemper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 300 °Cbasis minimum 0.2 percent offset (Rp0.2)—
4yield strengthMechanical properties table at 20 °C, minimum as printed (≥530, footnote c)form forgings produced from billets (ASTM A182 values valid, as footnoted)temper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 20 °Cbasis minimum 0.2 percent offset (Rp0.2)—
5ultimate tensile strengthMechanical properties table at 20 °C, range as printed (800-1000 MPa)form seamless tube and pipe, wall up to 20 mmtemper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 20 °C—
6ultimate tensile strengthMechanical properties table at 20 °C, range as printed (760-930 MPa)form bar, solution annealed, quenched and peel-turnedtemper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 20 °CFor sizes below 50 mm the datasheet gives Rm minimum 800 MPa.
7ultimate tensile strengthMechanical properties table at 20 °C, range as printed (750-930 MPa, footnote c)form forgings produced from billets (ASTM A182 values valid, as footnoted)temper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 20 °C—
8elongationMechanical properties table at 20 °C, minimum as printed (≥25)form seamless tube and pipe, wall up to 20 mmtemper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 20 °Cgauge A, L0 = 5.65 times the square root of S0—
9elongationMechanical properties table at 20 °C, minimum as printed (≥25)form forgings produced from billets (ASTM A182 values valid, as footnoted)temper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 20 °Cgauge A, L0 = 5.65 times the square root of S0—
10hardnessMechanical properties table at 20 °C, maximum as printed (≤32 HRC)form seamless tube and pipe, wall up to 20 mmtemper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 20 °Cbasis maximum—
11hardness—form bar, solution annealed and quenchedtemperature not statedbasis maximum—
12hardnessMechanical properties table at 20 °C, HB column (approx. 260)form forgings produced from billets (ASTM A182 values valid, as footnoted)temper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 20 °Cbasis approximate value as printed—
13elastic modulusModulus of elasticity table, 20 °C row (printed as 200 x 10^3 MPa)form seamless tube and pipetemper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 20 °C—
14elastic modulusModulus of elasticity table, 300 °C row (printed as 180 x 10^3 MPa)form seamless tube and pipetemper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 300 °C—
15DensityPhysical properties section, Density line (printed 7.8 g/cm3)form seamless tube and pipetemperature not statedbasis typical value as printed—
16specific heatSpecific heat capacity table, 20 °C row (printed J/kg °C)form seamless tube and pipetemperature 20 °C—
17Thermal conductivityThermal conductivity table, 20 °C column (printed W/m °C)form seamless tube and pipetemperature 20 °C—
18Thermal expansion (CTE)Thermal expansion table, 30-100 °C column (printed x10-6/°C)form seamless tube and pipetemperature 30 to 100 °C meanunit in source x10-6/°CThe same table prints 16.5 for ASTM 316L and 12.5 for carbon steel over 30 to 100 °C.
19prenPitting and crevice corrosion section, minimum PRE stated for seamless tubesform seamless tube and pipetemperature not statedbasis minimum PRE; PRE = %Cr + 3.3 x %Mo + 16 x %N—
20prenPitting and crevice corrosion section, minimum PRE value as printedform general minimum for SAF 2507, product form not statedtemperature not statedbasis minimum PRE; PRE = %Cr + 3.3 x %Mo + 16 x %N—
21critical crevice temperatureCrevice corrosion test in natural seawater, temperature raised until crevice corrosion occurred (CCT table)form seamless tube and pipeenvironment natural seawaterpotential 150 mV vs SCEstep 4 °C every 24 hours—
22critical pitting temperatureCritical pitting temperature table, Green death columnform seamless tube and pipesolution Green death: 1% FeCl3 + 1% CuCl2 + 11% H2SO4 + 1.2% HCl—
23critical pitting temperatureCritical pitting temperature table, Yellow death column (printed as >90)form seamless tube and pipesolution Yellow death: 0.1% Fe2(SO4)3 + 4% NaCl + 0.01 M HCl—
24critical pitting temperatureCorrosion resistance section, minimum temperature at which the test is passedtest ASTM G48 method A, 6% FeCl3temper solution annealed and quenchedform billet and forgings—
25Maximum service temperatureSour environments paragraph, 450 °F (232 °C) as printedenvironment sour oil and gas service, ISO 15156 / NACE MR 0175h2s partial pressure at most 0.20 bar (3 psi)form wrought, solution annealed and rapidly cooledhardness max 32 HRC—
26embrittlement temperature limitDatasheet statement at high temperatures, 250 °C (480 °F) as printedform seamless tube and pipe (the bar datasheet gives the same limit)temperature prolonged exposure above 250 °Cbasis microstructure change that lowers impact strength—
27impact energyImpact strength section, room temperature guarantee (minimum 100 J average)form bar, longitudinal Charpy Vtemper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature 20 °Cbasis average; single minimum 70 J—
28impact energyImpact strength section, guarantee at -50 °C (45 J average as printed)form bar, over 200 to 250 mm diameter, longitudinal Charpy Vtemper solution annealed and quenchedtemperature -50 °Cbasis average; single minimum 35 J—
29impact energyImpact strength section, weldment minimum at -50 °Cform gas-shielded arc weldmentstemperature -50 °Cbasis minimum as printed—

Corrosion and compatibility

What happens when it meets other materials and environments.

Corrosion and compatibility
EnvironmentConcernWhat happens
Natural seawater, crevice corrosion moderate Crevice corrosion started at 64 °C in natural seawater, against 61 °C for 6Mo+N in the same test.1
Ferric chloride pitting and crevice test, ASTM G48 method A low Passes ASTM G48 method A at 50 °C or higher in the solution annealed and quenched condition.2
Chloride stress corrosion cracking low No cracking at 1000 ppm chloride and 300 °C, or 10000 ppm chloride and 250 °C.3
Sour oil and gas service (H2S) low Suitable up to 232 °C in sour service when the H2S partial pressure is at most 0.20 bar.4
Organic acids low Under 0.05 mm/year in 10% formic acid and 50% acetic acid, where 316L is above 0.2 mm/year.5
Intergranular attack after welding low Passes the Strauss test (ASTM A262 practice E) without reservations.6
Erosion corrosion and corrosion fatigue low Excellent resistance, better than standard austenitic grades (qualitative only).7
Chloride pitting (PRE index), bar datasheet low Minimum PRE of 41 for SAF 2507; UNS S31260 is typically 38.8
Chloride pitting (PRE index), tube datasheet low Minimum PRE of 42.5 for seamless tube; 25Cr3Mo0.2N is 33 at minimum.9
Corrosion details
#EnvironmentDetailsTest conditions
1 Natural seawater, crevice corrosion Alleima raised the temperature in 4 °C steps every 24 hours at 150 mV vs SCE until crevice corrosion occurred. The table gives 64 °C for SAF 2507 and 61 °C for 6Mo+N. Propagation rates of initiated crevice attack at 15 to 50 °C were about ten times lower for SAF 2507 than for 6Mo+N. environment natural seawaterpotential 150 mV vs SCEstep 4 °C every 24 hoursform seamless tube and pipe
2 Ferric chloride pitting and crevice test, ASTM G48 method A The billet page says SAF 2507 passes the pitting and crevice test at a minimum of 50 °C. The bar datasheet shows its G48 critical temperatures only in a figure, so no bar value is used. test ASTM G48 method A, 6% FeCl3condition solution annealed and quenchedform billet and forgings
3 Chloride stress corrosion cracking Alleima reports no SCC up to 1000 ppm Cl- at 300 °C and 10000 ppm Cl- at 250 °C. Parent metal and welds in boiling 45% MgCl2 at 155 °C have a threshold stress of about 50 percent of proof strength (ASTM G36). U-bend specimens in hot 25% NaCl brine at 108 °C for 1000 hours did not crack. chloride 1000 ppm at 300 °C; 10000 ppm at 250 °Ctest boiling 45% MgCl2 at 155 °C (ASTM G36)form seamless tube and pipe
4 Sour oil and gas service (H2S) Solution annealed and rapidly cooled wrought SAF 2507 is suitable up to 232 °C (450 °F) under ISO 15156 / NACE MR 0175 if the H2S partial pressure does not exceed 0.20 bar (3 psi). Under NACE MR0103 it is suitable for sour petroleum refining at a maximum hardness of 32 HRC. temperature up to 232 °Ch2s at most 0.20 bar (3 psi)hardness max 32 HRCcondition solution annealed and rapidly cooled
5 Organic acids Alleima says SAF 2507 is highly resistant to organic acids, with under 0.05 mm/year in 10% formic and 50% acetic acid, where ASTM 316L corrodes above 0.2 mm/year. Contaminated acid also leaves it resistant. acids 10% formic and 50% aceticcomparison ASTM 316L above 0.2 mm/yearform seamless tube and pipe
6 Intergranular attack after welding The billet page says the composition re-forms austenite quickly in the weld heat-affected zone, which gives good resistance to intergranular corrosion. SAF 2507 passes ASTM A262 Practice E (Strauss test) without reservations. test ASTM A262 practice E (Strauss test)form billet and forgings
7 Erosion corrosion and corrosion fatigue The bar datasheet says the mechanical strength and corrosion resistance give excellent resistance to erosion corrosion and corrosion fatigue, compared with standard austenitic grades. It prints no test numbers. basis qualitative statement, no test numbers printed
8 Chloride pitting (PRE index), bar datasheet Alleima defines PRE as %Cr + 3.3 x %Mo + 16 x %N and says it is equal in ferrite and austenite. The bar datasheet gives 41 as the minimum PRE for SAF 2507 and typically 38 for UNS S31260 (25Cr3Mo0.2N). formula PRE = %Cr + 3.3 x %Mo + 16 x %Nbasis weight percent, minimum
9 Chloride pitting (PRE index), tube datasheet The tube datasheet gives 42.5 as the minimum PRE for SAF 2507 seamless tubes, and 33 as the minimum for 25Cr3Mo0.2N (UNS S31260). formula PRE = %Cr + 3.3 x %Mo + 16 x %Nbasis weight percent, minimum

Risks and side effects

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

For people

The hazard data are PubChem records for the three main elements. They are aggregated notifications, not a supplier classification.

Nickel
PubChem's aggregated GHS list for elemental nickel gives H317, H351, H372 and H412, with signal word Danger.
Chromium
PubChem notes for elemental chromium include H317, H319 and H334, with signal word Danger.
Molybdenum
PubChem notes for elemental molybdenum include H315, H319 and H335, with signal word Warning.

In seawater

Crevice and pitting attack are the main failure routes in seawater. Hydrogen cracking is the main risk on cathodically protected subsea steel.

Crevice
Alleima's natural seawater test (150 mV vs SCE, 4 °C steps every 24 hours) gave crevice corrosion at 64 °C.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen-induced cracking can occur in cathodically protected subsea steel under high tensile stress. Cracks run in the ferrite. The datasheet says the risk falls when austenite spacing is under 30 µm.

Hot service

The change is in the microstructure. Alleima says it may not change how the material behaves at its operating temperature.

Limit
The datasheet gives 250 °C as the prolonged-exposure limit and as the pressure-vessel maximum under VdTÜV-Wb 508 and NGS 1609.
Sour service
Sour oil and gas service is allowed up to 232 °C when H2S is at most 0.20 bar (3 psi) and hardness is at most 32 HRC.

Fabrication

Weldability is good. Heat input, bending and tube expansion each need care.

Welding
Use 0.2 to 1.5 kJ/mm heat input, keep the interpass below 150 °C, and avoid preheat (bar datasheet).
Bending
Hot bending at 1125 to 1025 °C, followed by solution annealing (tube datasheet).

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

Failure risks

Failure risks
FailureTrigger and consequence
Crevice and pitting attack in hot chloride seawatermoderate severityChloride seawater or process fluid in crevices, at temperatures above the crevice test resultAlleima's natural seawater test gave crevice corrosion at 64 °C at 150 mV vs SCE, so crevices are a design limit at warm temperatures
Loss of impact strength after prolonged exposure above 250 °Cmoderate severityProlonged service above 250 °CThe microstructure changes and impact strength falls. Alleima says this may not change behaviour at the operating temperature.
Hydrogen-induced stress cracking on cathodically protected subsea steelhigh severityHigh tensile stress on subsea steel under cathodic protection, with coarse austenite spacingHydrogen diffuses fastest in ferrite, so cracks run in the ferrite phase. Alleima says the risk falls when austenite spacing is under 30 µm (DNV RP-F112). Cold-pilgered, solution-annealed tubes with 5 to 15 µm spacing resisted cracking at 130 percent of yield.
Sour service outside the stated limitsmoderate severityH2S partial pressure above 0.20 bar (3 psi), temperature above 232 °C, or hardness above 32 HRCOutside those limits Alleima gives no suitability statement for sour oil and gas service

Handling and storage

  • Bending needs a slightly higher starting force than ASTM 304L or 316L. If service is near the stress-corrosion limit, heat treat after cold bending (tube datasheet).
  • Expanding into tubesheets needs more initial force and should be done in one operation. Weld tube-to-tubesheet joints where chloride is high (tube datasheet).
  • TIG is the first choice for welding. Use 0.2 to 1.5 kJ/mm heat input, keep the interpass under 150 °C, and do not preheat. Post-weld heat treatment is normally not needed (bar datasheet).
  • Recommended filler metals are of the 25.10.4.L type, such as ISO 14343 S 25 9 4 N L or AWS A5.9 ER2594 (bar datasheet).
  • Machining is harder than for austenitic grades: difficult chip control, high cutting forces and tool wear (bar datasheet).
  • Hot bending is carried out at 1125 to 1025 °C, followed by solution annealing (tube datasheet).

Mitigations

  • Solution anneal at 1050 to 1125 °C and quench in air or water. This restores the microstructure free of grain-boundary carbides and intermetallic phases (bar and tube datasheets).
  • Keep prolonged service at or below 250 °C. For pressure vessels the maximum is 250 °C under VdTÜV-Wb 508 and NGS 1609 (tube datasheet).
  • Keep austenite spacing under 30 µm for resistance to hydrogen-induced cracking under cathodic protection, as DNV RP-F112 recommends (tube datasheet).
  • For sour service, specify solution-annealed, rapidly cooled wrought material with hardness at most 32 HRC (tube datasheet).

Supply and geography

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

Nickel

World mine production 3,900,000 metric tons of nickel content in 2025 (estimated), with reserves above 140,000,000 tons. Stainless and alloy steel plus nickel-containing alloys take more than 85 percent of US consumption. US net import reliance was 41 percent in 2025 (estimated).

Top producers (2025)
Indonesia 66.7%, Philippines 6.9%, Russia 5.1%, New Caledonia 3.6%, Canada 3.6%, China 3.1%
Recycling
Nickel recovered from scrap was about 60 percent of US apparent consumption in 2025. Most secondary nickel is stainless-steel scrap.
Substitutes
Low-nickel, duplex or ultrahigh-chromium stainless steels have been substituted for austenitic grades in construction (USGS 2026).; Titanium alloys can substitute for nickel or nickel-base alloys in corrosive environments (USGS 2026).

Chromium

World mine production about 51,000 thousand metric tons of ore, gross weight, in 2025 (estimated). World resources are greater than 12 billion tons of shipping-grade chromite, 95 percent in Kazakhstan and southern Africa. US net import reliance was 79 percent in 2025 (estimated). Chromite imports for 2021 to 2024 came 96 percent from South Africa.

Top producers (2025)
South Africa 45.1%, Turkey 17.6%, Kazakhstan 13.7%, India 5.9%, Brazil 3.9%, Zimbabwe 3.9%
Recycling
Recycled chromium in stainless-steel scrap receipts was 21 percent of US apparent consumption in 2025.
Substitutes
Chromium has no substitute in stainless steel, the leading end use (USGS 2026).

Molybdenum

World mine production 260,000 metric tons of molybdenum content in 2025 (estimated). China, Chile, the United States, Peru and Mexico produce 90 percent of the total. China imposed export controls on molybdenum powders in February 2025. The United States is a net exporter.

Top producers (2025)
China 37.3%, Chile 16.2%, United States 15.4%, Peru 15%, Mexico 6.5%
Recycling
Molybdenum in new and old steel and other scrap may be as much as 30 percent of apparent supply (USGS 2026).
Substitutes
There is little substitution for molybdenum in steels. Potential substitutes include boron, chromium, niobium and vanadium (USGS 2026).