CLC 18-9L

General purpose 18Cr-9Ni austenitic stainless steel (304L grade)

CLC 18-9L is a 18Cr-9Ni austenitic stainless steel. The grade contains small
amount of ferrite (≈ 3%) after solution annealing (1000-1100°C – 1832-2012°F) and
water quenching.

This kind of steel is one of the basic grades of the stainless steels range. Its low
carbon content ensures better ductility and avoids the intergranular corrosion, even
on welded pieces without ulterior water quenching.

Alloys CLC 18-9L exhibits an austenitic microstructures free of deleterious carbide

precipitations at grainboundaries.

The main properties of CLC 18-9L are :

- basic corrosion resistance
- resistance against intergranular corrosion
- high ductility

STANDARDS EURONORM............................. 1.4307 X2CrNi18-11

AFNOR ..................................... Z3 CN 18-9
ASTM. ....................................... A 240 – TP 304L
UNS S30403

Typical values (Weight %)

CHEMICAL
C Cr Ni Mo N Others
ANALYSIS
0.020 18.5 9.2 - 0.05 -
PREN (%Cr+3.3%Mo+16%N) ≥ 18
Nickel content may be modified to be conform to 1.4306 grade.

MECHANICAL Tensile properties after water quenching

Minimum guaranteed values * Typical values
PROPERTIES °C °F Y.S. 0.2% Y.S. 1% UTS Y.S. 0.2% Y.S. 1% UTS El
%
MPa Ksi MPa Ksi MPa Ksi MPa Ksi MPa Ksi MPa Ksi
20 68 200 29 240 35 520 75 265 38 305 44 570 83 45
/ 650 / 95
100 212 147 21 181 26 410 60 240 34 280 40 480 70 40
200 392 118 17 147 21 360 52 220 32 240 34 440 63 35
300 572 100 15 127 19 340 50 170 25 190 27 420 62 35
400 752 89 13 116 17 330 48 150 22 165 24 400 58 30
500 932 81 12 109 16 320 47 130 20 145 21 380 56 30
*Following EN 10088 hot rolled plates - The EN guaranteed values are valid for a thickness from 5 up
to 75mm - Mechanical properties are related to the thickness of the plate

CLC 18.9L - Ed 28.10.1999 - Page 1

 Impact values KCV ≥ 120 j/cm² (room temperature)
°C -196 -20 +20 °C 200 400 600
°F -321 -4 68 °F 392 752 1112
KCV (J/ cm²) KCU (J/cm²)
Minimum 125 160 180 Longitudinal 265 257 252
KCV (J/ cm²) KCU (J/cm²)
Typical 220 250 250 Transverse 158 142 122
typical values

High toughness values at –269°C(-452°F) need specific melts (extra low ferrite
content).

PHYSICAL Density : 7900 kg/m3

PROPERTIES Interval Thermal °F Thermal Specific
Young Shear
°C Resistivity modulu modulu
Temper Expansion conductivity Heat s s
E G
°C αx10-6K-1 Ω cm)
(µΩ (W.m-1.K-1) (J.kg-1.K-1) (GPa) (GPa)
20-100 16 20 68 73 15 500 200 77
20-200 17 100 212 77 16 500 194 75
20-300 17 200 392 84 17.5 520 186 71
20-400 18 300 572 91 19 530 179 68
20-500 18 400 752 97 20.5 540 172 65
500 932 102 22 540 165 62

CORROSION Quality corrosion tests guaranteed (special request may be discussed)

RESISTANCE TEST Other name Corrosion (1) Results

ASTM A 262 A Intergranular Step or dual structure
ASTM A 262 B STREICHER Intergranular Not recommended
ASTM A 262 C HUEY Intergranular < 0,6 mm/year*
ASTM A 262 E STRAUSS Intergranular No cracking after bending
DIN 50914

ASTM G48 A Pitting Not recommended

(typical CPT = 5°C-41°F)

ASTM G48B ASTM G78 Crevice Not recommended

(typical CCT ≤ 0°C-32°F)
(1) kind of corrosion mechanism investigated * Using low ferrite
grade

The alloy is not really resistant to localized corrosion in chloride containing

solutions. Pitting may occur even at low temperature (5-10°C – 41-50°F).
The alloy is very prone to stress corrosion cracking in chloride containing solution
when temperature is higher than 50°C (122°F).
°C °F
°C °F 300 570
100 212
75 167
50 316L 122
200 390
25 77
304L
0 32

0.01 0.1 1 Cl -(%)

Sensivity to pitting corrosion 100 210
Effect of temperature
and chloride contents AISI 304/316

Pitting corrosion resistance 0 32

0.001 0.1 10
Cl- (%)
Stress corrosion cracking resistance Constant strain tests in autoclave
Above the curve, SCC occurs

CLC 18.9L - Ed 28.10.1999 - Page 2

PROCESSING Chemistry of 304L as well as microstructure may be modified for special
purpose i.e. for example low magnetic permeability (extra low ferrite).

Hot forming
Hot forming should be carried out in a temperature range of 1150-750°C (2102-
1652°F).
Due to the low thermal conductivity, the holding time of temperature may be longer
(≈ 50%) than for C.Mn steels. The quenching may be faster after forming.
The cleanliness of the surface is very important (avoid oil contamination). A neutral
or slightly oxidizing atmosphere is required.
Cold forming
The alloy can be cold formed without any problem. The cold hardening behaviour of
the steel explains why it may require more powerfull equipments than for a
structural steel.
Pickling
A nitro-hydrofluoric acid bath (10-20% HNO3 – 1,5-5% HF) at 20-60°C (68-142°F) is
used for the pickling treatment.
A 10-20% H2S04 – 1,5-5% HF pickling bath may also be used. Passivation-
decontamination treatments may be performed with a 10-20% weight nitric acid
solution.

Cutting
Thermal cutting (plasma, thermal sawing…). After cutting pickling or grinding are
necessary to eliminate the oxide formed layer.
Mechanical cutting (shearing, stamping, cold sawing…)

Welding
The alloy can be easy welded without hot cracking phenomenon, using an
adequate filler metal (from 5 to 15% δ ferrite).
The alloy is not sensitive to cold cracking phenomenon. All welding processes can
be used including filler processes.

Filler material
Electrode E308L-15 or E308L-16 (ASME Sect II - Part C SFA5-4)
Wire ER 308L or ER 308L Si (ASME Sect II - Part C SFA 5-9)

A post-weld heat treatment is not necessary.

Preheating and post heating are not necessary.
200°C (392°F) is the maximum interpass temperature. Post-weld pickling and
passivation treatment are necessary.

MACHINING Due to its cold work hardening, the alloy is less machinable than a 13% Cr
martensitic stainless steel.

To improve the machinability, CLI-FAFER has developed a grade called

FASTINOX 17-12-2-2.

CLC 18.9L - Ed 28.10.1999 - Page 3

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APPLICATIONS The alloy CLC 18-9 is corrosion resistant in

- Urban media
- Nitric solution, up to 55% weight, up to 80°C (176°F) (low ferrite)
- Most of diluted organic acids at moderate temperatures
- Most of food and pharmaceutical products
- Pure phosphoric acid . Whatever concentration in cold solution
. Up to 10% diluted hot solution
Sulphuric or fluoridric acid traces increase the corrosion
- Caustic solutions free of chlorides or fluorides at medium temperatures.
The alloys are not corrosion resistant in chloride containing solutions, even diluted,
and in sulphuric acid media.
So, the main applications are
- food processing industry (excluding Cl- containing media)
- diluted nitric acid solution
- nuclear industry (special melts ; please consult).

SIZE RANGE Quarto plates

Plates
Cut to length Cold rolled plates Clad plates
5 to 150 mm 2 to 12 mm 2 to 14 mm 6 to 150 mm
Thickness 3/16" to 6" 5/64" to 1/2" 5/64" to 5/8" 1/4" to 6"
Up to 3800 mm* Up to 2000 mm* Up to 2300 mm Up to 3900 mm
Width Up to 150" Up to 79" Up to 90.5" Up to 154"
Up to 16000 mm Up to 12000 mm Up to 8000 mm Up to 16000 mm
Length Up to 52' Up to 39" Up to 315" Up to 551"
Indicative dimensional programme –*Width related to thickness ; please consult for specific
request.

NOTE
This technical data and information represents our best knowledge at the time of printing. However, it
may be subject to some slight variations due to our ongoing research programme on corrosion resistant
grades.
We therefore suggest that information be verified at time of enquiry or order.
Furthermore, in service, real conditions are specific for each application. The data presented here is
only for the purpose of description, and may only be considered as guarantees when our company has
given written formal approval.
Further information may be obtained from the following address.

For all information :

INDUSTEEL Creusot INDUSTEEL Belgium
56 Rue Clemenceau 266, rue de Châtelet
71201 LE CREUSOT CEDEX - FRANCE B- 6030 MARCHIENNE AU PONT
Sales Tel +33 3 85 80 55 31 Tel +32 71 44 16 99
Fax +33 3 85 80 51 77 Fax +32 71 44 19 59

CLC 18.9L - Ed 28.10.1999 - Page 4