What is stainless steel 444 material?
Nov 11, 2025
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What is 444 stainless steel?
444 stainless steel is a ferritic low-carbon stainless steel with a high chromium content (18%) and a high molybdenum content (2%), giving it excellent corrosion resistance and resistance to stress corrosion cracking. Its main characteristics include excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, good heat resistance, and high strength, maintaining excellent performance even at high temperatures. This makes it a widely used material in applications such as automotive exhaust systems, heat exchangers, and hot water tanks.
What is 444 stainless steel equivalent to?
444 stainless steel is equivalent to UNS S44400, AISI 444, and European grade 1.4521. Other equivalents include ASTM A176, JIS SUS444, and SAE 51444, though exact equivalents depend on specific standards.
What is the composition of 444 stainless steel?
ASTM 444 alloy is a low carbon and low nitrogen ferritic stainless steel containing 18% chromium, 2% molybdenum. The alloy is stabilized with additions of columbium and titanium for resistance to intergranular corrosion.
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Iron, Fe | 77.475 |
| Chromium, Cr | 18.5 |
| Molybdenum, Mo | 2 |
| Nickel, Ni | 1 |
| Manganese, Mn | 1 |
| Silicon, Si | 1 |
| Carbon, C | 0.025 |
Physical Properties
The following table shows the physical properties of grade 444 stainless steel.
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.80 g/cm3 | 0.282 lb/in³ |
Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of grade 444 stainless steel are displayed in the following table.
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 415 MPa | 60200 psi |
| Yield strength (@strain 0.200%) | 275 MPa | 39900 psi |
| Elastic modulus | 200 GPa | 29000 ksi |
| Shear modulus | 80-83 GPa | 11600-12000 ksi |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.27-0.30 | 0.27-0.30 |
| Elongation at break | 20% | 20% |
| Hardness, Rockwell B | 95 | 95 |
Thermal Properties
The thermal properties of grade 444 stainless steel are given in the following table.
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal expansion co-efficient | 10 µm/m°C | 5.56 µin/in°F |
| Thermal conductivity | 26.8 W/mK | 186 BTU in/hr.ft².°F |
Other Designations
Equivalent materials to grade 444 stainless steel are:
ASTM A176
SAE 51444
Corrosion Resistance
The resistance of grade 444 to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments is similar orsuperior to that of grade 316. lts PRE value of about 25 is at least as hiah as that of 316. Chloridestress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance of 444 is very high, as it is for all ferritic grades.
The resistance of 444 to acids is generally lower than that of 316, but performance varies fordifferent acids, and these should be considered on a case by case basis.
Heat Treatment
Annealing: After cold working or hot forming, annealing should be done at temperatures between 760°C and 815°C (1400°F to 1500°F) to soften the material and restore its corrosion resistance.
Stress Relieving: Low-temperature stress-relief annealing (around 200°C to 300°C) can be applied to reduce internal stresses without altering mechanical properties significantly.
Hardening: Like most ferritic stainless steels, 444 cannot be hardened by heat treatment, as it does not undergo phase transformation like martensitic grades.
Is 444 Stainless Steel Magnetic?
Yes, 444 stainless steel is magnetic. As a ferritic stainless steel, it has a body-centered cubic crystal structure that exhibits magnetic properties.
What is the difference between 316 and 444?
The main difference is that 316 is an austenitic stainless steel with high nickel content, while 444 is a ferritic stainless steel that contains no nickel. This makes 316 non-magnetic, and 444 magnetic. Both offer excellent corrosion resistance, but 444 has superior resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking and is often less expensive due to the lack of nickel.
Form of 444 Stainless Steel
We produce and supply 444 stainless steel in a variety of forms to meet different customer needs. These forms include:
Coils: Used in a wide range of industrial applications, particularly where flexible material is needed.
Sheets and Plates: Ideal for the construction of tanks, panels, and automotive components.
Wires: Available in fine, round, and flat shapes, often used in food processing and filtration systems.
Tubes and Pipes: Widely applied in heat exchangers, piping systems, and water storage tanks.
Bars and Rods: Suitable for fasteners, structural components, and machinery parts.
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