PRODUCT INFORMATION: 1.4418 STAINLESS STEEL ROD

1. Material Designation

• EN/DIN Designation: 1.4418

• Common Names: Martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel.

• Similar Standards: Closest equivalent to UNS S17400, AISI 630 (17-4PH), but with specific European composition nuances.

2. Chemical Composition (Typical % Weight)

3. Key Properties

• High Strength & Hardness: Achieves very high mechanical properties through precipitation hardening heat treatment (H900, H1025, H1150, etc.).

• Good Corrosion Resistance: Superior to standard martensitic grades; comparable to Type 304 stainless in many environments. Resistance improves significantly after hardening.

• Good Toughness & Ductility: Especially in the solution annealed condition, facilitating machining/formability before final hardening.

• Dimensional Stability: Maintains shape and size well during heat treatment.

• Machinability: Good in the solution annealed (Condition A) state. Becomes difficult after hardening.

4. Mechanical Properties (After Precipitation Hardening - Typical)

5. Applications (Typical Uses for Rods)

• High-strength shafts, axles, and fasteners (bolts, studs)

• Valve stems and components

• Pump shafts and impellers

• Aircraft and aerospace components (landing gear parts, fittings)

• Nuclear reactor components

• Oil & gas industry parts (downhole tools, valves)

• Gears, spindles, and high-stress mechanical parts

6. Available Forms & Sizes

• Form: Round Bars (Solid)

• Diameter Range: Typically 5mm (0.2") to 250mm (10") or larger (subject to mill capability).

• Length: Standard mill lengths (e.g., 3000mm, 6000mm) or cut-to-size.

7. Surface Finish (As Supplied - Solution Annealed)

• Peeled/Turned

• Ground (Precision)

• Hot Rolled & Annealed/Pickled (for larger diameters)

• Centerless Ground (for tight tolerances)

8. Heat Treatment

• Solution Annealing (Condition A): Typically 1040°C (1900°F) ±15°C, air cool or rapid cool. Supplied in this state.

• Precipitation Hardening: Required to achieve final high strength. Temperature/time depends on desired properties (e.g., H900: 900°F/482°C for 1 hr, air cool).

9. Advantages

• Excellent combination of high strength, good corrosion resistance, and moderate toughness.

• Can be machined to complex shapes in the annealed state then hardened with minimal distortion.

• Good weldability (using matching filler and pre/post-heat treatment).

10. Standards Compliance

• EN 10088-3 (Stainless steels - Part 3: Technical delivery conditions for semi-finished products, bars, rods, wire, sections and bright products of corrosion resisting steels for general purposes)

• Can be supplied to other international standards or customer specifications upon request.

11. Packaging

• Bundled, crated, or boxed for protection against mechanical damage and corrosion during transit/storage.