"SS equiv. to European X46 13-chromium"
Question:
"How can I identify the composition and properties of the stainless steel known by the Eupopean designation "S46 13-Chromium", so I can select the United States equivalent to this grade of SS? In retrofitting the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, we had proposed to use A316 stainless steel for a given application. The Contractor said A316 lacks the necessary strength for our application. He recommended using a heat-treated, high-strength stainless steel equivalent to one he was familiar with that had a European designation of "S46 13-Chromium." Is this a Martensitic or Precipitation-hardening grade? And what are the ratios of metallic elements that comprise this grade of stainless steel? And how can this grade SS be heat-treated for strength hardening?"
Answer:
I do not have the equivalency US standard to the X46 alloy. However, from its name, it appears to be similar to AISI 410SS, a martensitic stainless steel with approximately 12% chromium. Type 410SS can be heat treated to high strenghs with a austenitize and quench and temper heat treatment.