Core 321/4541

EN 1.4541, ASTM TYPE 321 / UNS S32100

General characteristics Typical applications

Core 321/4541 is a titanium-stabilized austenitic stainless Annealing covers
steel with improved intergranular corrosion resistance for an Stack liners
extended temperature range. Core 321/4541 is an austenitic Automotive exhaust systems
stainless steel that belongs to the standard CrNi stainless Welded pressure vessels
steel family. Core 321/4541 can be welded in all dimensions Flanges and valves
without becoming susceptible to intergranular corrosion.

The austenitic CrNi standard grades are the most widely used
group of stainless steels. Their well-balanced material
properties make them suitable for the fabrication of many
products. Due to its titanium content, Core 321/4541 can be
used at elevated temperatures. For high-temperature
applications, the use of the optimized high-temperature
Therma 321H/4878 is recommended.

Core 321/4541 is available in many product forms and

dimensions, often also from many stainless steel stockholders.
Polishing of Core 321/4541 is limited due to its titanium
alloying.
 

Products & dimensions

Cold rolled products, available dimensions (mm)
Coil / Strip Plate / Sheet
Surface finish Thickness Width Thickness Width
2B Cold rolled, heat treated, pickled, skin passed 0.30-6.35 12-1600 0.30-6.35 18-2050
2BB Bright-pickled 0.20-3.50 30-1524 0.20-3.00 600-1500
2C Cold rolled, heat treated 0.50-6.00 30-1520
2D Cold rolled, heat treated, pickled 0.30-6.35 30-1610 0.30-6.35 400-1610
2E Cold rolled, heat treated, mech. desc. pickled 0.33-6.00 12-1530 0.33-6.35 18-2050
2G Ground 0.30-3.58 12-1530 0.30-3.58 18-1530

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 2H Work hardened 0.05-6.00 3-1500 0.30-6.00 350-1530
2J Brushed or dull polished 0.30-3.00 30-1530 0.30-3.00 600-1530
2K Satin finish 0.53-3.58 12-1524 0.53-3.58 18-1524
2M Patterned 0.30-3.50 30-1530 0.30-3.50 600-1524
2R Cold rolled, bright annealed 0.05-3.50 3-1500 0.30-1.22 18-1300

Continous hot rolled products, available dimensions (mm)

Coil / Strip Plate / Sheet
Surface finish Thickness Width Thickness Width
1C Hot rolled, heat treated, not descaled 1.90-10.00 50-1550
1D Hot rolled, heat treated, pickled 2.54-9.52 50-1524 2.54-9.52 350-1524
1E Hot rolled, heat treated, mech. desc. 1.36-4.50 35-1610 1.36-4.50 35-1610
1G Ground 1.90-3.00 750-1350 1.90-3.00 750-1350
1M Patterned 1.90-3.00 750-1350 1.90-3.00 750-1350
1U Black hot rolled 1.90-10.00 50-1550

Quarto plate products, available dimensions (mm)

Coil / Strip Plate / Sheet
Surface finish Thickness Width Thickness Width
1D Hot rolled, heat treated, pickled 5.00-130.00 400-3200
1G Ground 6.00-29.99 400-3200

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Chemical composition
The typical chemical composition for this grade is given in the table below, together with composition limits given for the product
according to different standards. The required standard will be fully met as specified on the order.

The chemical composition is given as % by mass.

C Mn Cr Ni Mo N Other
Typical 0.04 17.3 9.1 Ti
ASME II A SA-240 ≤0.08 ≤2.00 17.0-19.0 9.0-12.0 ≤0.10
ASTM A240 ≤0.08 ≤2.00 17.0-19.0 9.0-12.0 ≤0.10
EN 10028-7 ≤0.08 ≤2.00 17.0-19.0 9.0-12.0
EN 10088-2 ≤0.08 ≤2.0 17.0-19.0 9.0-12.0
EN 10088-4 ≤0.08 ≤2.0 17.0-19.0 9.0-12.0
GOST 5632-72 ≤0.08 ≤2.0 17.00-19.00 9.00-11.00 ≤0.35 ≤0.10
GOST 5632-72 ≤0.12 ≤2.0 17.0-19.0 9.0-11.0 ≤0.35 ≤0.10
Idesa RM 2/1156-02 ≤0.08 ≤2.00 17.0-19.0 9.0-12.0
IS 6911 ≤0.08 ≤2.0 17.0-19.0 9.0-12.0 ≤0.70 ≤0.10
RM 2/1039-02 ≤0.08 ≤2.00 17.0-19.0 9.0-12.0
RM 2/1077-02 ≤0.08 ≤2.00 17.0-19.0 9.0-12.0
TLV936002 ≤0.08 ≤2.00 17.0-19.0 9.0-12.0

Corrosion resistance
Core 321/4541 has excellent corrosion resistance in solutions of many halogen-free organic and inorganic compounds over a wide
temperature and concentration range. It can withstand many organic and sufficiently diluted mineral acids depending on the
temperature of the solution. Core 321/4541 may suffer from uniform corrosion in strong mineral acids, for instance hot
concentrated nitric acid, and hot strong alkaline solutions. More detailed information on the corrosion properties of Core 321/4541
can be found in Outokumpu’s Corrosion Tables published in the Outokumpu Corrosion Handbook and on www.outokumpu.com.

Due to its titanium content, the risk of sensitization to intergranular corrosion is strongly reduced compared to other austenitic CrNi
standard grades with normal carbon content.

In aqueous solutions containing halegonides, e.g. chlorides or bromides, pitting and crevice corrosion may occur depending on
halogenide concentration, temperature, pH-value, concentration of oxidizing compounds, or crevice geometry, if applicable. The
presence of corrosion-inhibiting or accelerating compounds like transition metal ions or organic compounds may influence the
corrosion behavior of Core 321/4541.

Core 321/4541 is prone to chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking at temperatures over about 50 °C depending on the applied
stress and the chloride concentration in the environment. Prior cold deformation of the structure under load increases the risk of
stress corrosion cracking.

Due to its titanium stabilization against intergranular corrosion, Core 321/4541 can be used in the temperature range in which
chromium carbides would precipitate in other austenitic CrNi standard grades. Its maximum service temperature in dry air is 850 °C.
The presence of other corrosive compounds in the hot atmosphere, like water or sulfur compounds, may reduce the maximum
service temperature significantly.

For more information on corrosion resistance, please refer to the Outokumpu Corrosion Handbook or contact the Outokumpu
corrosion experts.

Pitting corrosion resistance Crevice corrosion resistance

PRE CPT CCT
17 <10 <0

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Pitting Resistance Equivalent (PRE) is calculated using the following formula: PRE = %Cr + 3.3 x %Mo + 16 x %N
Corrosion Pitting Temperature (CPT) as measured in the Avesta Cell (ASTM G 150), in a 1M NaCl solution (35,000 ppm or mg/l
chloride ions).
Critical Crevice Corrosion Temperature (CCT) is obtained by laboratory tests according to ASTM G 48 Method F

Mechanical properties
The mechanical properties of the available products in soft annealed condition at room temperature are given in the table below. In
addition to these values, several of the chromium-nickel grades is available in temper rolled condition with higher mechanical
strength. Please contact your local Outokumpu sales company for more information.

Moderate strengths can be reached at elevated temperatures (~550 °C/1022 °F). Temperatures for excessive scaling are close to
850 °C/1562 °F. This grade, along with other austenitic corrosion-resistant steels, exhibits very high ductility and high elongation to
fracture. It is not susceptible to brittle fracture in the solution annealed condition.

 
Rp0.2 Rp1.0 Rm Elongation1) Impact
Cold rolled coil and sheet MPa MPa MPa % strength J Rockwell HB HV
Typical (thickness 1 mm) 260 285 625 70
ASME II A SA-240 ≥ 205 ≥ 515 ≤ 217
ASTM A240 ≥ 205 ≥ 515 ≤ 95HRB ≤ 217
EN 10028-7 ≥ 220 ≥ 250 520 - 720 ≥ 40
EN 10088-2 ≥ 220 ≥ 250 520 - 720 ≥ 40
EN 10088-4 ≥ 220 ≥ 250 520 - 720 ≥ 40
GOST 5632-72 ≥ 235 ≥ 250 ≥ 535 ≥ 40
GOST 5632-72 ≥ 230 ≥ 260 540 - 670 ≥ 45
IS 6911 ≥ 205 ≥ 515 ≤ 95HRB ≤ 217
 
Rp0.2 Rp1.0 Rm Elongation1) Impact
Hot rolled coil and sheet MPa MPa MPa % strength J Rockwell HB HV
Typical (thickness 4 mm) 265 295 590 70 165
ASME II A SA-240 ≥ 205 ≥ 515 ≤ 217
ASTM A240 ≥ 205 ≥ 515 ≤ 217
EN 10028-7 ≥ 220 ≥ 250 520 - 720 ≥ 40
EN 10088-2 ≥ 220 ≥ 250 520 - 720 ≥ 40
EN 10088-4 ≥ 220 ≥ 250 520 - 720 ≥ 40
GOST 5632-72 ≥ 235 ≥ 250 ≥ 535 ≥ 40
GOST 5632-72 ≥ 230 ≥ 260 540 - 670 ≥ 45
IS 6911 ≥ 205 ≥ 515 ≤ 95HRB ≤ 217
 
Rp0.2 Rp1.0 Rm Elongation1) Impact
Hot rolled quarto plate MPa MPa MPa % strength J Rockwell HB HV
Typical (thickness 15 mm) 250 290 570 55
ASME II A SA-240 ≥ 205 ≥ 515 ≤ 95HRB ≤ 217
ASTM A240 ≥ 205 ≥ 515 ≤ 95HRB ≤ 217
EN 10028-7 ≥ 200 ≥ 240 500 - 700 ≥ 40
EN 10088-2 ≥ 200 ≥ 240 500 - 700 ≥ 40
EN 10088-4 ≥ 200 ≥ 240 500 - 700 ≥ 40
Idesa RM 2/1156-02 ≥ 200 ≥ 240 500 - 700 ≥ 40
IS 6911 ≥ 205 ≥ 515 ≤ 95HRB ≤ 217

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 RM 2/1039-02 ≥ 200 ≥ 240 500 - 700 ≥ 40
RM 2/1077-02 ≥ 200 ≥ 240 500 - 700 ≥ 40
TLV936002 ≥ 200 ≥ 240 500 - 700 ≥ 40
 
Rp0.2 Rp1.0 Rm Elongation1) Impact
Wire rod MPa MPa MPa % strength J Rockwell HB HV
Typical 250 290 570 55

1)Elongation according to EN standard:

A80 for thickness below 3 mm.
A for thickness = 3 mm.
Elongation according to ASTM standard A2” or A50.

Physical properties
Modulus of Thermal exp. at Thermal Thermal Electrical
Density elasticity 100 °C conductivity capacity resistance Magnetizable

kg/dm3 GPa 10-6/°C W/m°C J/kg°C µΩm

7.9 200 16,0 15 500 0.73 No*

*) Austenitic stainless steel grades may be magnetizable to a certain degree after cold deformation, e.g. in temper rolled condition.

Fabrication
Cold forming

These grades can be readily formed and fabricated by the full range of cold forming operations. They can be used in heading,
drawing, and bending. Any cold forming operations will increase the strength and hardness of the material, and may leave it slightly
magnetic. Work hardening is accentuated by the partial transformation of the austenite phase of the material to hard martensite.

Hot forming

Hot forming can be carried out in the 850–1150 °C temperature range. For maximum corrosion resistance, forgings should be
annealed at 1050 °C and rapidly cooled in air or water after hot forming operations.

Welding 

Austenitic Core 321/4541 has excellent weldability and is suitable for the full range of conventional welding methods (like MMA,
MIG, MAG, TIG, SAW, LBW, or RSW), except gas welding. Core 321/4541 has about 50% higher thermal expansion and lower heat
conductivity compared to carbon steels. This means that larger deformation and higher shrinkage stresses may result from welding.

In thin sections, autogenous welding may be used. To ensure that the weld metal properties (e.g. strength, corrosion resistance) are
equivalent to those of the parent metal, matching or slightly over-alloyed fillers should preferably be used.

Suitable filler metals are: 19 9 Nb or 19 9 L

Generally, post-weld heat treatment is not required. In special cases where there is high risk of stress corrosion cracking or fatigue,
stress relief treatment may be considered.

In order to fully restore the corrosion resistance of the weld seam, the weld discoloration should be removed by pickling and
passivation.

More detailed information concerning welding procedures can be obtained from the Outokumpu Welding Handbook, available from
our sales offices.

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 Standards & approvals
The most commonly used international product standards are given in the table below.

Standard Designation
ASME SA-240M Code Sect. II. Part A TYPE 321 / UNS S32100
ASTM A240/A240M TYPE 321 / UNS S32100
EN 10028-7 (PED 2014/68/EU) 1.4541
EN 10088-2 1.4541
EN 10088-4 1.4541
GOST 5632-72 08X18H10T; 12X18H10T
IDESA RM 2/1077-02 Rev. 0 1.4541
IS 6911, AMENDMENT NO. 2 ISS 321
Material Requisition RM 2/1156-02 Rev.0 1.4541
RM 2/1039-02 Rev 0 1.4541
Siemens AG spec. TLV 9360 02 1.4541
 

Contacts & Enquiries

Contact your nearest sales office

www.outokumpu.com/contacts

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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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