Stainless Steel 13-8Mo Powder

Overview

Stainless steel 13-8Mo powder is a martensitic precipitation hardening stainless steel that contains approximately 13% chromium, 8% nickel, 2% molybdenum, and trace amounts of other alloying elements such as aluminum and titanium. It is known for having high strength and hardness coupled with excellent corrosion resistance.

13-8Mo powder offers a unique combination of properties and is widely used across industries like aerospace, oil and gas, chemical processing, pumps and valves, etc. Some of its key characteristics that make it suitable for these demanding applications include:

• High strength and hardness
• Excellent corrosion resistance especially in reducing environments
• Good ductility and toughness
• Easy fabrication
• Outstanding creep resistance
• Retains properties up to 600°F

The powder metallurgy process allows parts made from 13-8Mo powder to have very uniform chemical compositions and mechanical properties as compared to their wrought counterparts. This enables more consistency in performance.

Composition

The nominal chemical composition of stainless steel 13-8Mo powder is:

The levels of chromium, nickel and molybdenum are balanced to provide a combination of high strength through precipitation hardening and excellent corrosion resistance in multiple environments. The carbon content is kept low to ensure high toughness. Small controlled amounts of aluminum and titanium form carbides and carbonitrides that serve to increase high temperature strength.

Properties and Characteristics

Stainless steel 13-8Mo powder possesses a wide range of properties that make it suitable for use in highly demanding applications:

Mechanical Properties

Physical Properties

Corrosion Resistance:

13-8Mo powder displays exceptional resistance to a variety of corrosive environments especially in reducing conditions and atmospheres with chlorides and sulfides. It resists corrosion due to its high chromium content which enables formation of a passive protective oxide layer on its surface.

It offers good resistance to:

• Atmospheric corrosion
• Saltwater corrosion
• Most acids and alkalis
• Stress corrosion cracking

This makes it suitable for many chemical processing applications as well.

Heat Resistance:

13-8Mo powder retains its high strength and hardness up to 600°F (315°C). Its precipitation hardening characteristics allow it to age harden over time at service temperatures up to around 500°F (260°C). This results in improved creep rupture strength.

Applications and Uses

Stainless steel 13-8Mo powder is utilized across a diverse range of advanced technology industries due to its outstanding combination of high strength, hardness, corrosion resistance and fabrication characteristics.

Industries and Applications Include:

Its usage continues to grow as engineers recognize the cost and performance benefits it offers over conventional stainless steels.

Specifications and Availability

13-8Mo powder is produced according to several international and national standards for chemical compositions and properties. These include:

• AMS 5901 – Aerospace Material Specification
• AMS 5659 – Aerospace Material Specification for Forgings
• ASTM A743 – Standard Specification for Castings, Iron-Chromium, Iron-Chromium-Nickel, Corrosion Resistant, for General Application
• QQ-P-35 – General Specification for Stainless Steel Powder

13-8Mo powder is available from leading global suppliers in various size distributions:

Pricing

As a specialty alloy powder requiring significant processing, 13-8Mo powder commands a premium price over simpler stainless steel powders. However it remains very cost-effective compared to other high performance aerospace alloys.

Indicative Pricing Estimate:

Pricing can vary significantly based on order volumes, geographic region and other market factors.

How 13-8Mo Compares to Other Materials

13-8Mo offers ease of fabrication coupled with a versatile mix of strength, toughness, hardness and corrosion resistance. Here’s how it stacks up relative to other common stainless steel options:

Versus 316 Stainless Steel

Versus 17-4 PH Stainless Steel

Versus Inconel Superalloys

So 13-8Mo powder uniquely offers the middle ground – better overall performance than other stainless steels with easier processing and lower cost than the top-tier heat resistant superalloys.

Limitations and Disadvantages

Despite its strengths, a few limitations to note regarding 13-8Mo powder include:

Fabrication Challenges: Can be more difficult to machine than simpler stainless steels

Limited High Temperature Strength: Loses significant strength above 600°F compared to superalloys

Higher Cost Than Commodity Grades: More expensive than 304 or 316 stainless

Lower Toughness Than Annealed Austenitics: Not as damage tolerant as annealed 300-series stainless

FAQ