430FR Stainless Steel
At a Glance
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Available Forms | Rod |
| Alloy Type | Ferritic Free-Machining Stainless Steel |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good corrosion resistance in fresh water, mildly acidic, and low-chloride environments |
| Hardness | Non-hardenable by heat treatment; generally supplied in the annealed condition |
| Magnetic Properties | Designed for improved magnetic response and higher electrical resistivity |
| Machinability | Enhanced machinability due to sulfur addition |
| Key Advantages | Good magnetic performance, improved machinability, corrosion resistance, and dimensional stability |
| Common Applications | Solenoid valves, injectors, magnetic cores, sensor components, and electromagnetic devices |
| Specifications | ASTM A838 Alloy 2 |
430FR Stainless Steel is a ferritic stainless steel with increased silicon content, giving it improved magnetic characteristics and higher electrical resistivity. It is designed for applications that require a combination of magnetic performance, corrosion resistance, and machinability.
Compared with standard 430 stainless steel, 430FR contains added silicon and sulfur. The silicon helps improve magnetic response and electrical resistivity, while the sulfur improves machinability. This makes 430FR especially useful for precision-machined components used in electromagnetic and solenoid-operated devices.
430FR is commonly used in parts that require both corrosion resistance and magnetic performance, such as:
- Solenoid valves
- Injectors
- Magnetic cores
- Sensor components
- Electromagnetic devices
430FR maintains good corrosion resistance in fresh water, mildly acidic environments, and low-chloride conditions. It is not intended to replace higher-corrosion-resistant stainless steels, such as 316, in severe chloride, marine, or highly corrosive environments. However, it is a strong choice for applications where corrosion resistance and magnetic performance are both important.
Because 430FR is ferritic, it is magnetic and non-hardenable by heat treatment. It is generally supplied in the annealed condition and is valued for stable magnetic response, dimensional stability, and reliable performance in precision-machined components.
430FR’s magnetic characteristics, machinability, and corrosion resistance make it useful in industries such as:
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Industrial manufacturing
- Electromagnetic equipment
Chemical Data, Mechanical Properties and Specifications for 430FR Stainless Steel
Chemical Range for 430FR
| Element | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon | -- | 0.07 |
| Chromium | 17.25 | 18.25 |
| Iron | Balance | -- |
| Manganese | -- | 0.80 |
| Molybdenum | -- | 0.50 |
| Nickel | -- | 0.60 |
| Phosphorus | -- | 0.030 |
| Silicon | 1.00 | 1.50 |
| Sulphur | 0.250 | 0.400 |
Typical Mechanical Properties for 430FR
| Form | Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | Elongation at Break |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed Bar | 78 ksi | 50 ksi | 30% |
Specifications
- ASTM A838 Alloy 2