430 is the most widely used ferritic stainless steel. With around 17 percent chromium and no nickel it offers good corrosion and oxidation resistance at a lower and more stable cost than the austenitic grades, and it is magnetic and not hardenable by heat treatment.
430F adds sulphur for free machining, which suits high volume turned parts where surface finish and tool life matter more than maximum corrosion resistance.
Stocked as bar, sheet and strip, with 430F available in bar for screw machine work.
Specifications
Material is released to the applicable specification with mill test reports and, on request, independent lab verification.
Why engineers specify 430
- Good corrosion and oxidation resistance without nickel
- Stable cost relative to austenitic grades
- Magnetic, useful where that is a design requirement
- 430F available for high volume machining
Nominal chemistry
Percent by weight, nominal composition per the governing specification. The mill test report for your heat is the controlling document.
Typical mechanical properties
| Condition | Tensile strength | Yield strength | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed | 65 ksi min | 30 ksi min | 22% min | - |
Typical published values for reference only, not for design. Properties vary with section size, product form and processing. Order to the specification and condition your drawing requires.
Typical applications
- Appliance and architectural trim
- Automotive exhaust and decorative parts
- Fasteners and machined fittings
- Heat exchanger components
Fabrication notes
Machining
Austenitic grades work harden quickly, so use positive rake tooling, rigid setups, generous feed and flood coolant rather than light dwelling cuts. Martensitic and precipitation hardening grades machine most easily in the annealed or solution treated condition and are aged after rough machining.
Welding
Weldable by GTAW, GMAW, resistance and electron beam methods with matching or over alloyed filler. Stabilized and low carbon grades resist sensitization in the weld zone. Precipitation hardening grades are normally welded in the solution treated condition and aged afterward.
Forming
Sheet and strip form well in the annealed condition; cold worked tempers trade formability for strength. Allow for springback and, where specified, an intermediate anneal between draws.
430 compared with similar grades
304
Better corrosion resistance and formability, higher and more volatile cost.
409
Lower chromium ferritic grade used mainly in automotive exhaust.
Designations and cross reference
- Material family
- Stainless Steel
- Werkstoff (W.Nr)
- 1.4016
- EN designation
- X6Cr17
- Series
- 400 Series
Working from an obsolete, foreign or superseded designation? Send it over and we will cross reference it to a current grade and specification.
Quality, testing and traceability
Supplied with mill test reports and heat traceability, with penetrant dye, ultrasonic, chemical assay, hardness, corrosion and mechanical testing available on request.
We are AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 registered. If our stock does not already carry the inspection your specification requires, we can quote the material with that work performed. More on our quality system
Available forms
430 frequently asked questions
What is 430?
430 is the most widely used ferritic stainless steel. With around 17 percent chromium and no nickel it offers good corrosion and oxidation resistance at a lower and more stable cost than the austenitic grades, and it is magnetic and not hardenable by heat treatment.
What forms is 430 available in?
We supply 430 in bar, billet, casting, extrusion, fitting, flange, foil, forging, pipe, plate, profile, rod, sheet, strip, tube, wire. Custom sizes are converted from billet, and we can provide saw cut, waterjet or near net blanks so material arrives closer to your finished part.
What is the UNS or equivalent designation for 430?
430 is designated Werkstoff 1.4016, EN X6Cr17. If your drawing calls out an obsolete or foreign designation we can cross reference it and confirm the equivalent before you order.
What specifications can 430 be supplied to?
Commonly ordered specifications include AMS 5503, AMS 5627, QQS-763. Material is released to the specification and condition on your purchase order, with mill test reports supplied as standard.
What conditions can 430 be ordered in?
We can supply Annealed. If our stock is not already in the condition you need, we can quote it with the heat treatment performed before shipment.
Can you cut 430 to size?
Yes. Saw cutting, waterjet, laser and shearing are available, along with trepanning, gun drilling, lathe turning and CNC machining, so you can order blanks or rough machined pieces rather than full lengths.
Do you provide test reports and additional testing on 430?
Every order ships with mill test reports and heat traceability. If your print calls for ultrasonic inspection, penetrant dye, magnetic particle, chemical assay, micrography, hardness or mechanical testing and our stock does not already carry it, we can quote the material with that work performed.
Can 430 be supplied to DFARS domestic melt requirements?
Tell us at quote stage if the order is DFARS or domestic melt restricted and we will confirm availability against that requirement before you commit.
What do you need to quote 430?
Grade, form, dimensions, quantity, specification and condition, plus any testing or certification requirements and the date you need it. Send a drawing if you have one. Quotes are typically ready within 24 hours.
How does 430 compare with 304?
Better corrosion resistance and formability, higher and more volatile cost.