UNS Ferrous Metals and Iron Alloys
Last Updated: April 1, 2025
Description
UNS Ferrous Metals and Iron Alloys are materials that primarily contain iron as the base metal. These materials are known for their versatility and are used in a wide range of industries. They include various types of steels such as carbon steel, stainless steel, tool steel, alloy steel, and maraging steel. Each type of ferrous metal or alloy is designed to meet specific mechanical and physical properties, making them suitable for different engineering and industrial applications.
Working Principle
Ferrous metals and iron alloys work by leveraging the inherent properties of iron, which include its strength, ductility, and magnetic properties. The addition of other elements such as carbon, chromium, and nickel can enhance these properties, providing improved strength, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance. These enhancements make ferrous metals and iron alloys particularly useful in environments where durability and performance under stress are critical. The ability to tailor these properties through alloying and heat treatment processes is what makes these materials so valuable in engineering applications.
Applications
Ferrous metals and iron alloys are used in a multitude of applications. They serve as construction materials in buildings and infrastructure, are integral in the manufacturing of tools and machinery, and are used in the production of medical devices. In the aerospace industry, they are used for components that require high strength and durability. Additionally, they are employed in the military sector for the production of vehicles and weaponry, and in the medical field for surgical instruments and implants.
Advantages over other Ferrous Metals and Iron Alloys
One of the key advantages of certain ferrous metals, such as stainless steel, is their enhanced corrosion resistance due to the addition of chromium. This makes them suitable for use in environments exposed to moisture and corrosive substances. Alloy steels can be engineered to provide superior strength and toughness, making them ideal for high-stress applications. The versatility in modifying the properties of these metals through alloying and heat treatment allows for a wide range of applications and performance characteristics.
Limitations
A significant limitation of ferrous metals is their susceptibility to corrosion, particularly in environments with high moisture or exposure to caustic substances. While additives like chromium can improve corrosion resistance, not all ferrous metals are suitable for such environments without additional protective measures. Additionally, ferrous metals can be heavier than non-ferrous alternatives, which may be a disadvantage in applications where weight is a critical factor.
Considerations
When selecting ferrous metals and iron alloys, several considerations must be taken into account. Initial costs can vary depending on the specific alloy and its properties. Operating expenses may include maintenance and replacement costs, especially in corrosive environments. Durability is generally high, but the specific application will dictate the necessary level of corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. Accuracy in manufacturing and the ability to maintain tight tolerances can also impact the overall cost and performance of the final product.
from High Performance Alloys, Inc.
Overview. FERRALIUM 255 is finding many cost effective applications in the chemical, marine, metallurgical, municipal sanitation, plastics, oil and gas, petrochemical, pollution control, wet phosphoric acid, paper making and metalworking industries. Called "super" because it is more alloyed than... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: ASTM / ASME; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Bar Stock; Profile or Structural Shape; Round Bar or Rod Stock
- Type: Stainless
- Features: Wrought; Corrosion Resistant; Forged; Superalloy
from High Performance Alloys, Inc.
Corrosion and abrasion resistant, tough and durable, NITRONIC 30 is the stainless steel for your abrasive needs. Ball mill tests have shown that many application standards, such as AR 500 suffer six to seven times as much metal loss as NITRONIC 30. Economical, low alloy, corrosion resistant,... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: ASTM / ASME; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Profile or Structural Shape
- Type: Stainless
- Features: Wrought; Corrosion Resistant; Forged; Wear Resistant
from High Performance Alloys, Inc.
N40 is a nitrogen-strengthened, high-manganese stainless steel with high strength and excellent resistance to corrosion at high temperatures. N40, also called Nitronic 40 ®, can be fabricated and is readily weldable. N40 has been used for chemical processing, pollution control equipment and... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Profile or Structural Shape; Round Bar or Rod Stock
- Type: Stainless
- Features: Wrought; Corrosion Resistant; Forged; Heat Resistant; Superalloy
from High Performance Alloys, Inc.
NITRONIC 50 Stainless Steel provides a combination of corrosion resistance and strength not found in any other commercial material available in its price range. This austenitic stainless has corrosion resistance greater than that provided by Types 316 and 316L, plus approximately twice the yield... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Bar Stock; Hex; Profile or Structural Shape; Round Bar or Rod Stock
- Type: Stainless
- Features: Austenitic; Wrought; Corrosion Resistant; Forged; Superalloy
from High Performance Alloys, Inc.
Nitronic 60 is truly an all purpose metal. This fully austenitic alloy was originally designed as a temperature alloy, and subsequently has good high temperature properties for temperatures around 1800 ºF. The oxidation resistance of Nitronic 60 is similar to Type 309 S.S., and far superior to... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Squares; Bar Stock; Flats / Rectangular Bar; Profile or Structural Shape; Round Bar or Rod Stock
- Type: Stainless
- Features: Austenitic; Wrought; Corrosion Resistant; Forged; Heat Resistant; Superalloy; Wear Resistant
from High Performance Alloys, Inc.
Alloy 2507, also known as UNS S32750, is a super-duplex stainless steel alloy that offers exceptional corrosion resistance and high mechanical strength. This alloy's excellent mechanical properties, including high tensile and yield strength, make it well-suited for applications in demanding... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: ASTM / ASME; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Profile or Structural Shape; Round Bar or Rod Stock
- Type: Stainless
- Features: Wrought; Duplex; Forged; Superalloy
from United Performance Metals
301-1/4 hard differs from other forms of 301 offered by United Performance Metals in that it has been hard cold rolled to its 1/4 hard condition. This increases the metal's attractiveness for mild drawing, stretching and forming operations. At 1/4 hard, type 301 stainless steel has a tensile... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Strip; Sheet
- Type: Stainless
- Thickness: 0.0150 to 0.1300
from Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc.
Strip, Coil, Foil & Wire, ASTM F-15. APPLICATIONS. Alloy 29-17 (Kovar ®) has been used for making hermetic seals with the harder Pyrex glasses and ceramic materials. This alloy has found wide use in application where high reliability is a necessity. In power tubes, microwave tubes,... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: ASTM / ASME; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Coil Stock; Foil; Wire; Sheet, Strip, Plate; Wire – Profile, Round, Flat, Square; Plate; Strip; Sheet
- Type: Miscellaneous Ferrous Alloy; Controlled / Low Expansion Alloy
- Features: Wrought; Corrosion Resistant; Cold Finished, Rolled or Cold Drawn; Die / Cold Work; Hot Rolled (optional feature)
from Ed Fagan, Inc.
A soft magnetic alloy consisting of 80% Nickel, 5% Molybdenum, and balance Iron used where extremely high initial & maximum permeability and minimum hysteresis is needed. [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; UNS; A753, N-14411C
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Coil Stock (optional feature); Strip (optional feature)
- Type: Miscellaneous Ferrous Alloy; Soft Magnetic Alloy
- Thickness: 0.0020 to 0.0200
from United Performance Metals
301-1/2 hard differs from other forms of 301 offered by United Performance Metals in that it has been hard cold rolled to its 1/2 hard condition. This makes it ideal for applications requiring both formability and tensile strength of 150,000 PSI and yield strength of 110,000 PSI. Common Applications... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Strip; Sheet
- Type: Stainless
- Thickness: 0.0090 to 0.1300
from Ed Fagan, Inc.
A soft magnetic alloy consisting of 80% Nickel, 5% Molybdenum, and balance Iron used where extremely high initial & maximum permeability and minimum hysteresis is needed. [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; UNS; A753, N-14411C
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Sheet
- Type: Miscellaneous Ferrous Alloy; Soft Magnetic Alloy
- Thickness: 0.0100 to 120
from United Performance Metals
Type 410 stainless steel is a general purpose hardenable stainless steel. Its strength, good ductility and resistance to corrosion in mild atmospheres, steam and mild chemical environments make it well suited for highly stressed parts. Common Applications of 410 Stainless Steel. Automotive exhausts,... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Strip; Sheet
- Type: Stainless
- Thickness: 0.0180 to 0.3000
from Ed Fagan, Inc.
ASTM F-15 Alloy, commonly known as Kovar, is a controlled expansion alloy consisting of 29% Nickel, 17% Cobalt, and balance Iron. Kovar is produced to ensure good properties for machining and deep drawing as well as porosity free product. Its expansion characteristics match both borosilicate (Pyrex)... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; MIL-SPEC / QQS; UNS; F-15, F-1466, Mil-I-23011C Class 1, 7726B, 7727, 7728C
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate (optional feature); Sheet (optional feature)
- Type: Miscellaneous Ferrous Alloy; Controlled / Low Expansion Alloy
- Width / OD: 0.0050 to 2
from United Performance Metals
321 stainless steel is most similar to 304 stainless steel, however it contains the addition of Titanium making it an excellent choice for prolonged high temperature applications. The addition of Titanium stabilizes this grade of stainless steel against the formation of Chromium Carbide in heat... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Strip; Sheet
- Type: Stainless
- Thickness: 0.0080 to 0.2400
from Ed Fagan, Inc.
Invar is a low expansion alloy, consisting of 36% Nickel, balance Iron. This alloy exhibits extremely low expansion around ambient temperatures and is often used where minimum expansion is required. Invar was originally used for surveying tapes. The name Invar is a variant of Invariant, a reference... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: ASTM / ASME; MIL-SPEC / QQS; UNS; A-658, B-753, Mil-I-23011C Class 7, F-1684 (96) Mil-S-16598B
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate (optional feature); Sheet (optional feature)
- Type: Miscellaneous Ferrous Alloy; Controlled / Low Expansion Alloy
- Width / OD: 0.0050 to 2
from United Performance Metals
347 stainless steel has a high resistance to prolonged heat and corrosion making it well suited for engine, power generation, welded fabrications and other high heat applications. 347 stainless steel offers good mechanical properties with higher creep and stress rupture characteristics than other... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Strip; Sheet
- Type: Stainless
- Thickness: 0.0180 to 0.1300
from Ed Fagan, Inc.
ASTM F-15 Alloy, commonly known as Kovar, is a controlled expansion alloy consisting of 29% Nickel, 17% Cobalt, and balance Iron. Kovar is produced to ensure good properties for machining and deep drawing as well as porosity free product. Its expansion characteristics match both borosilicate (Pyrex)... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; MIL-SPEC / QQS; UNS; F-15, F-1466, Mil-I-23011C Class 1, 7726B, 7727, 7728C
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Wire
- Type: Miscellaneous Ferrous Alloy; Controlled / Low Expansion Alloy
- Width / OD: 0.0200 to 0.1200
from United Performance Metals
304 stainless steel has a high resistance to corrosion and lends itself to many types of fabrication, making it one of the most widely used forms of stainless steel used today. [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Foil; Plate; Strip; Sheet
- Type: Stainless
- Thickness: 0.0080 to 0.3000
from Ed Fagan, Inc.
A controlled expansion alloy, consisting of 42% Nickel, balance Iron; used in a wide variety of electronic application, lead frames, especially for glass and ceramic seals. [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: ASTM / ASME; MIL-SPEC / QQS; UNS; F-30, Mil-I-23011C Class 5
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Bar Stock; Round Bar or Rod Stock
- Type: Miscellaneous Ferrous Alloy; Controlled / Low Expansion Alloy
- Width / OD: 0.1250 to 6
from United Performance Metals
316/316L stainless steel has a high resistance to many chemical corrodents and marine atmospheres. 316/316L stainless steels are more resistant to general corrosion and pitting/crevices than conventional austenitic stainless steels. 316/316L stainless steels also offer higher creep,... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Strip; Sheet
- Type: Stainless
- Thickness: 0.0100 to 0.1300
from Ed Fagan, Inc.
ASTM F-15 Alloy, commonly known as Kovar, is a controlled expansion alloy consisting of 29% Nickel, 17% Cobalt, and balance Iron. Kovar is produced to ensure good properties for machining and deep drawing as well as porosity free product. Its expansion characteristics match both borosilicate (Pyrex)... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; MIL-SPEC / QQS; UNS; F-15, F-1466, Mil-I-23011C Class 1, 7726B, 7727, 7728C
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Bar Stock; Round Bar or Rod Stock
- Type: Miscellaneous Ferrous Alloy; Controlled / Low Expansion Alloy
- Width / OD: 0.1250 to 6
from United Performance Metals
Type A-286 is an iron-based super alloy useful for applications requiring high strength and corrosion resistance up to 1300 degrees Fahrenheit and for lower stress applications at higher temperatures. A-286 can be hardened to a strength level. The alloy is also useful for low temperature... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Strip; Sheet
- Type: Stainless
- Thickness: 0.0200 to 0.0830
from Ed Fagan, Inc.
A soft magnetic alloy, consisting of 49% Nickel, balance Iron used where high initial permeability, maximum permeability, and low core loss is needed. [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; UNS; A753, N-14411C
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Bar Stock; Flats / Rectangular Bar
- Type: Miscellaneous Ferrous Alloy; Soft Magnetic Alloy
- Thickness: 0.1250 to 3.62
from United Performance Metals
17-7 stainless steel develops its strength and hardness through heat treating. This makes it well suited for applications that require good formability, high strength/hardness and minimum distortion upon heat treating. Common Applications of 17-7 Stainless Steel. Aerospace applications. Chemical... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Strip; Sheet
- Type: Stainless
- Thickness: 0.0180 to 0.2400
from Ed Fagan, Inc.
A soft magnetic alloy consisting of 80% Nickel, 5% Molybdenum, and balance Iron used where extremely high initial & maximum permeability and minimum hysteresis is needed. [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; UNS; A753, N-14411C
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Bar Stock; Flats / Rectangular Bar
- Type: Miscellaneous Ferrous Alloy; Soft Magnetic Alloy
- Thickness: 0.1250 to 3.62
from United Performance Metals
17-4 stainless steel develops its strength and hardness through heat treating. This makes it well suited to applications that require ease of fabrication and then the addition of strength/hardness for improved reliability. 17-4 stainless steels provide an outstanding combination of high strength and... [See More]
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Bar Stock; Wire; Plate; Strip; Sheet
- Type: Stainless
- Thickness: 0.0290 to 0.3000