High

Temperature
Stainless Steels
Outokumpu MA grades

Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................4
The expert's voice.................................................................................................5
Product positioning...............................................................................................6
High-temperature oxidation and corrosion...................................................8
Mechanical properties.......................................................................................9
Chemical composition......................................................................................11
Microstructure stability.....................................................................................12
Fabrication...........................................................................................................13
Product assortment..........................................................................................15

We believe in
a world that
lasts forever
The world needs and deserves innovations that pass
the test of time and are able to be recycled and used
again at the end of their lifecycle.
Outokumpu stainless steel is durable in the most challenging of conditions delivering ever longer project lifecycles. The recycled content of Outokumpu advanced
materials varies between 70% and 90% depending on
the grade and Outokumpu stainless steel is also fully
recyclable. The properties of Outokumpu advanced
materials, also make them an economically sustainable solution.
Our vision of a world that lasts forever not only reflects
these properties but also our ongoing commitment to
innovation and the development of lasting customer
relationships.

MA grades, alloyed to last

longer in extreme
environments
Outokumpu MA grades have been specifically designed for excellent creep and oxidation
properties at temperatures up to 1100C. This has been achieved by the addition of a
number of important alloying elements in the steel ensuring superior performance across a
wide spectrum of high-temperature applications.

The expert's voice

Just a tiny portion of nitrogen, rare earth metals and silicon
makes a good heat resistant stainless steel outstanding. Nitrogen
increases the strength and rare earth metals, in combination with
silicon, provide the protective oxide with exceptional properties. So,
the obvious question is; why doesnt everyone add these elements?
The answer is simple; it is extremely difficult to get it right. Most stainless steel producers dont bother trying. But at Outokumpu, many years
of hard work have made us the unquestioned expert in producing MA
grades.
Outokumpu 153 MA and 253 MA are suitable in many high-temperature conditions and there they provide substantial savings. Direct
savings can be achieved as less material is necessary when using
253 MA, compared to e.g. 310S, thanks to the superior strength of
253 MA and indirect savings are realised through improved service
life of components. Price stability is also achieved as 253 MA is lean
in nickel compared to 310S.
Many high-temperature applications are very harsh. The service life
for a high-temperature component is often relatively short compared
to applications at normal temperatures. Replacement of high-temperature components is thus often necessary during costly planned
maintenance breaks. Even more costly are the unplanned maintenance breaks that are required when a component failure occurs. Our
MA grades can increase the service life of many components thanks to
the addition of nitrogen and rare earth metals. The increased strength
decreases the risk of failures caused by deformation and creep rupture.
The addition of rare earth metals results in a slower growing oxide that
is more ductile and adherent. The ductility and adherence of the oxide
make our MA grades more erosion and corrosion resistant. All in all,
the service life of an MA grade can be significantly longer compared to
other stainless steel grades, e.g. 310S.

Timo Piitulainen,
Outokumpu Research & Development

Examples of MA applications:
Ash chute covers
Bell furnaces
Casting moulds for glass
CFBC Boilers
Combustion chambers
Components for
rotary kilns
Conveyer belts
Cyclones
Cyclone dip tubes
Drying chambers
Fans
Flame tubes
Flexible tubes
(e.g. bellows and
inner sleeves)

Furnace linings
Heat exchangers
Heat treatment trays
Incinerators
Impact separators
Muffles
Radiant tubes
Recuperators
Refractory anchors
Roasters
Tube hangers
Tube separators
Tube shields
Valves
Vehicle exhaust manifolds
And many more

Outokumpu 153 MA
The chemical composition of Outokumpu 153 MA is balanced to provide optimum
properties in the intermediate temperature range 600950C, where most other
stainless steels become brittle during service.
153 MA is suitable for all kind of applications where good microstructural stability, in combination with high creep strength is essential. Use
of this grade allows reduced section thickness or higher load capacity
in comparison with other high-temperature steel grades. 153 MA also
has excellent oxidation resistance.

Outokumpu 153 MA
Excellent oxidation resistance
Excellent resistance to embrittlement
Excellent strength at high temperatures
Excellent weldability

High creep strength and an adherent oxide layer are MA features.

These are qualities that are important and beneficial for many applications.

Outokumpu 253 MA
Outokumpu 253 MA is an excellent choice for high to very high temperatures
(7001100C), particularly for conditions involving erosion-corrosion in oxidizing and
neutral environments, as well as sulfur attack. The excellent mechanical strength at high
temperatures allows higher loads or thinner wall thickness than common high-temperature
steels e.g. 309S (EN 1.4833) and 310S (EN 1.4845).
253 MA provides better oxidation/corrosion resistance than
Outokumpu 153 MA. However 153 MA has better microstructural
stability than 253 MA, especially at temperatures below 850C.

Outokumpu 253 MA
Excellent oxidation resistance
Good resistance to embrittlement
Superior strength at high temperatures
Excellent weldability

MA stands for Micro Alloyed

Outokumpu 153 MA and 253 MA have additions of nitrogen, silicon
and Rare Earth Metals (REM) which include cerium. MA in the designation stands for Micro Alloyed. Cerium combined with silicon improves
the oxidation resistance, erosion corrosion resistance and oxide spallation resistance, whereas nitrogen raises the strength and delays the
precipitation of sigma phase, Figure 1. The 153 MA and 253 MA
steels have proved to have better properties than steels without these
alloying elements.

Micro Alloying (MA)

A way to improve the
oxide scale
Thinner oxide

Cr oxide
Base metal
Fe, Cr, Ni

Si oxide

+ silicon

+ cerium

Si oxide

Adherent oxide

Oxidation/Corrosion
Improved
resistance against

Thermal cycling
Erosion/Abrasion

A thinner, tougher and more adherent oxide

Figure 1.
The oxidation/corrosion resistance of Outokumpu MA grades is like
most high-temperature steels primarily based on a protective Cr2O3
(chromia) layer, but the difference is that the properties of the scale
are further improved by adding silicon and REM.

Outokumpu 153 MA used to cast 23 ton mirrors with a diameter of

8.2 m for a telescope located in Atacama Desert, Chile.

High-temperature oxidation
and corrosion
All stainless steels rely on the formation of a protective oxide layer.
Thus the environment must be oxidizing for the formation of a
protective layer. Even so, all oxide scales will eventually experience
breakdown due to growth stresses in the scale, hence a slow growing
oxide is very beneficial.

Water vapour

Cyclic conditions

Sulfidation

The MA-concept affects the growth rate so that the formed oxide will
be thinner, tougher, more adherent and thus more protective. Figure 2
shows that, in spite of its lower chromium content, Outokumpu
253 MA shows better oxidation resistance than 310S under cyclic
conditions.

Different sulfur compounds are often present as contaminants in flue

gases and some process gases. If formed, sulfide scales are generally less protective than the corresponding oxide scales, leading to a
faster corrosion rate, especially in nickel-sulfur compounds. This results
in rapid deterioration of the material. In environments with sufficient
oxygen to form an oxide scale, that scale determines the resistance to
the corrosion. The adherent oxide of Outokumpu 153 MA and
253 MA makes them more suitable to those environments than
materials with similar or higher nickel contents. In sulfidizing conditions
where it is difficult to form an oxide, steels with high chromium content
and little or no nickel are superior, for example ferritic grades
Outokumpu 4742 and 4762.

Weight gain (g/m2)

500
309S

400
300

153 MA

200

4828

100

310S
253 MA

500

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Time (h)

Figure 2.
Oxide growth in air at 1000C, 165 hour cycles for austenitic high
temperature steels.
8

The presence of water vapour in the atmosphere reduces the resistance to oxidation and thus the maximum recommended service
temperature. The reduction can be 50150C, depending on steam
content and flow rate.

Carburization and nitridation

Excessive uptake of carbon or nitrogen has a detrimental effect
on material properties. The resistance against this is improved by
increased nickel content. However, only traces of oxygen in the environment can be suffient for the lean alloy 253 MA to produce a thin and
tough oxide layer with good protection against carbon and nitrogen
pickup. In reducing conditions, 314 and 310S could be better alternatives.

Erosion-corrosion
Erosion, including abrasive wear, can enhance or retard corrosion rates.
Outokumpu 253 MA has shown excellent resistance due to the very
adherent oxide layer.

Mechanical
properties
Creep strength

Relative creep rupture strength

1.2
253 MA

1
304H
0.8
0.6

The design stress for a material determines the load to which it can be
subjected without failing or being significantly deformed during service.
At 550600C and higher temperatures, creep strength will determine
the design stress values. As a rule, creep strength is expressed as the
creep rupture strength, i.e. the stress that causes rupture after 10 000
or 100 000 hours (Rkm, 10 000 and Rkm, 100 000).
Figure 3 shows the relative creep strength for rupture after 100 000
hours as a function of temperature, compared to the reference grade
Outokumpu 253 MA. The higher creep strength of the Outokumpu MA
grades is primarily a result of the higher nitrogen content. The higher
strength means that the component can carry a higher load, have a
longer service life or need less material as the example in Figure 4
shows.

321H

0.4

4828/309S

153 MA

310S

0.2
0
500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

Temperature (C)

Figure 3.
100 000 hours creep rupture strength, relative to Outokumpu 253 MA.

Relative wall thickness

300

310S
314
601 H

250
200
150

50
0

253 MA

253 MA

100

600

700

Design temperature (C)

Creep deformation test:

310S and 314 rings collapsed due to own weight. 1000C, 35 h,
1 mm thickness.

800
4828/309S

900
310S

Figure 4.
Wall thickness required to achieve the same strength as 253 MA
when designing a cylinder with an internal pressure.
9

Fatigue strength

HCF occurs mainly in rotating and/or vibrating components, such as

automotive exhaust systems. LCF is primarily due to large transients
during start-ups, shutdowns, and major changes in service conditions.

Service conditions at elevated temperatures are rarely constant.

In most cases a component will be subjected to varying loads and
temperatures which can eventually lead to fatigue failure.

Pure thermal fatigue in a component is caused by thermal gradients

and the corresponding differences in thermal expansion. The most
complex situation is when temperature and load vary simultaneously.

Fatigue typically occurs in two regimes:

High Cycle Fatigue, HCF, which is stress controlled with low
amplitudes
Low Cycle Fatigue, LCF, strain controlled with great amplitudes
and a correspondingly shorter life

10

The superior mechanical properties of Outokumpu MA grades make

them exceptionally cost-effective for a wide range of high temperature
environments. The advantages, for example the creep strength and
resistance to fatigue can lead to up to 60% weight savings in some
cases.

Chemical composition
of Outokumpu high
temperature steels
Chromium and silicon are the principal alloying elements that increase
the oxidation resistance, i.e. they raise the maximum service temperature. Although these elements improve the corrosion resistance, they
also increase the propensity for precipitation of embrittling phases,
such as sigma phase. Nickel improves the creep strength and the
resistance to oxide spallation caused by rapid temperature fluctuations
and increases the corrosion resistance in certain environments.

Carbon and nitrogen raise the creep strength at intermediate temperatures by forming chromium carbides and nitrides. At higher temperatures, solution hardening is the most important mechanism to maintain strength.

Table 1.

Ferritics

Steel designation
Outokumpu

EN

ASTM

Cr

Ni

Si

Others

Max. service temp. (C)

in dry air

4713

1.4713

0.06

6.5

0.8

0.8Al

800

4724

1.4724

0.07

12.5

1.0

0.9Al

850

4736

1.4736

0.02

17.5

1.0

1.8Al ,Ti

1000

4742

1.4742

0.07

17.5

1.0

1.0Al

1000

4762

1.4762

0.08

23.5

1.0

1.5Al

1150

4948

1.4948

304H

0.05

18.1

8.3

800

1.4878

321H

0.05

17.3

9.1

Ti

800

1.4818

S30415

0.05

0.15

18.5

9.5

1.3

Ce

1000

4833

1.4833

309S

0.06

22.3

12.6

1000

4828

1.4828

0.04

20

12

2.0

1000

4878

Austenitics

Typical composition, %

153 MA

TM

1.4835

S30815

0.09

0.17

21

11

1.6

Ce

1100

4845

1.4845

310S

0.05

25

20

1100

4841

1.4841

314

0.07

24.5

19.5

2.0

1125

253

MA

11

Microstructure stability
For most high temperature alloys, the composition is optimized with
regard to strength and/or resistance to corrosion at elevated temperatures. Diffusion-controlled transformations will occur in the material at
sufficiently elevated operating temperatures, typically in the range
650C to 850C. The most common type of reaction is the precipitation of secondary phases, which, besides lowering the corrosion resistance by consuming beneficial alloying elements (above all chromium),
leads to a reduced toughness and ductility of the material especially at room temperature. Such embrittlement of the material is illustrated in Figure 5. In Outokumpu 153 MA and 253 MA grades, the
formation of sigma phase is counteracted by the relatively high content

of nitrogen in the steels (and carbon in 253 MA). Some precipitation of carbides and nitrides can occur in the same temperature range
and also decrease the impact toughness at room temperature. Grain
growth, occurring at high temperatures, will also reduce the ductility/
toughness.
The best steels with regard to embrittlement are Outokumpu grades
4878, 4948 and 153 MA.

Angle ()
200
180
160
140
120

153 MA
309S

100
80

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Time at temperature (h)

Figure 5.
Outokumpu 153 MA shows no embrittlement compared to 309S,
which deteriorates early as a result of secondary phase precipitation
at 800C. Bending performance at room temperature.

12

Courtesy of Kvaerner Pulping AB, Sweden

Fabrication
Cold forming
Like other austenitic steels, heat resistant steels can be cold formed.
However, as a result of their relatively high nitrogen content, the mechanical strength of MA grades is higher and consequently greater forces
during forming will be required and the springback will be slightly larger.
Additions of REM, Si and Ti improve the high temperature performance,
but they also reduce formability. Still, the formability is much better
than for ferritic grades. Generally, the minimum inner bending radius
can be taken as the thickness.

Hot forming
Hot forming should be carried out within the temperature ranges given
in Table 2.

Machining
The relatively high hardness of MA grades and their ability to strain
harden must be taken into consideration when machining. For more
detailed data on machining, please contact Outokumpus Avesta
Research Centre. Separate guidelines are available for MA grades and
310S.

Welding
Outokumpu high temperature steels have good or very good weldability
and can be welded using the following methods:
Shielded metal arc (SMA) welding with covered electrodes. When
welding 253MA steel, Avesta welding 253 MA-NF electrodes are
suggested for applications at 650C to 950C. The absence of ferrite
provides a stable, ductile microstructure in the weld metal
A 253 MA electrode can be used for applications involving tempera-
ures over 950C
Gas shielded welding, e.g., GTA (TIG), plasma arc and GMA (MIG).
Pure argon is normally used as the shielding gas for TIG, while

Ar+0.03% NO or Ar+30% He+2-2.5% CO2 is recommended for MIG
welding. TIG/MIG weld joints have been found to give the best creep
resistance compared to other weld processes

Submerged arc (SA) welding. The risk of hot cracking is less when
welding 253MA compared to 310S. Basic fluxes are preferred

Some general recommendations for the welding of high

temperature steels:
1. The oxide layer on a component already exposed to high temper-
ature must be removed through brushing or grinding before welding
2. The penetration into base material is less for high temperature
steels compared to standard grades such as 304/316. Fluidity of
the molten filler materials is also less. This necessitates somewhat
greater bevel angles (60 -70) and slightly increased root gap
(2-3 mm) compared to standard austenitic grades
More detailed information concerning welding procedures can be
obtained from the Outokumpu Welding Handbook, available from our
sales offices. Specialist support is available on request.

Heat treatment
Heat treatment after hot or cold forming or welding will often not be
necessary because the material will be exposed to high temperatures
during service. However, if that is not sufficient, the best option would
be a proper solution annealing, with the second best choice being a
stress relief annealing. Suitable temperature ranges for both treatments are given in Table 2. Components in which the material has
become embrittled during service will benefit from solution annealing
before any maintenance work, e.g. straightening or repair welding, is
carried out.

13

Table 2.
Heat treatment temperatures of high-temperature grades.

Outokumpu grade

Hot forming C

Annealing C

Stress relief annealing (min 0.5 h) C

4984

1150-850

1050-1110

840-900

4878

1150-850

1020-1120

840-900

153 MA

1150-900

1020-1120

900

4828

1150-950

1050-1150

1010-1040

1150-950

1050-1150

1010-1040

4833

253 MA

1150-900

1020-1120

900

4845

1150-980

1050-1150

1040-1070

4841

1150-980

1050-1150

1040-1070

Comparison of creep strength

and oxidation resistance
of common austenitic heat
resistant grades show that the
MA grades has an excellent
combination of both properties.

253 MA

Relative creep strength

153 MATM

304H
321H

4828

310S

309S
Figure 6.
Comparison of creep strength
and oxidation resistance
for common austenitic heat
resistant grades.

14

Oxidation resistance

314

A full dimension
program can be found on
outokumpu.com

Lower creep strength

Outokumpu
MA product range
Hot rolled quarto plate
Hot and cold rolled coil,
sheet and plate (up to
2 m wide)
Precision strip
Welded pipe
Billet, rod coil and bar
Slabs, blooms

Higher creep strength

The Outokumpu MA Family

the cost-effective solution
for your high temperature
application
253 MA

1.4959
(800HT)
2.4851
(601HT)

153 MATM

321H
304H

309S
4828

310S
314

Lower relative cost

Higher relative cost

Figure 7.
Relative creep strengths and costs for different high temperature
grades.

15

1529EN-GB:1. December 2013

Working towards
forever.
We work with our customers and partners to create
long lasting solutions for the tools of modern life
and the worlds most critical problems: clean energy,
clean water and efficient infrastructure. Because we
believe in a world that lasts forever.

Information given in this brochure may be subject to alterations without notice. Care has been taken to ensure that the contents of this publication are accurate but
Outokumpu and its affiliated companies do not accept responsibility for errors or for information which is found to be misleading. Suggestions for or descriptions of the
end use or application of products or methods of working are for information only and Outokumpu and its affiliated companies accept no liability in respect thereof. Before
using products supplied or manufactured by the company the customer should satisfy himself of their suitability.

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