What is ASTM A240 and Its Specifications?

The ASTM A240 standard, developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials, specifies the requirements for chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plates, sheets, and strips. These materials are commonly used in pressure vessels and general-purpose applications.

This standard includes a wide range of stainless steel grades, detailing their chemical composition and mechanical properties for use in plate, sheet, or strip form. Key applications of these stainless steels include architecture, construction, building design, and aesthetic purposes.

ASTM A240 also outlines important guidelines for sampling methods and certification processes, ensuring quality and compliance across applications.

ASTM A240 Specification for Stainless Steel Plates, Sheets and Strips used as parent material for manufacturing Flat Washers.

The ASTM A240 specification sets standards for stainless steel plates, sheets, and strips used in pressure vessels and general-purpose applications, including flat washer production. It defines the chemical composition and mechanical properties of various stainless steel grades, including ferritic, austenitic, martensitic, duplex, super duplex, and high-molybdenum alloys.

At Solitaire Overseas, stainless steel sheets and plates adhering to ASTM A240 are regularly used for manufacturing sheet metal washers for bolting assemblies. Common grades include 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 321, 347, 309, 310, 316Ti, 317L, XM-19, 904L, 409, 410, 430, Duplex S31803, S32205, Super Duplex S32750, S32760, S32550, High Moly UNS S31254, and Alloy 20. These materials are chosen for their durability and performance in demanding applications.

ASTM A240 Grades

Type Raw Material
304 18-8 Chromium Nickel Austenitic Stainless Steel
316L Low Carbon, Chromium Nickel Molybdenum Austenitic Stainless Steel
321 Titanium Stabalized 18-8 Chromium Nickel Austenitic Stainless Steel
410 12% Straight Chromium Martensitic Stainless Steel
904L High Nickel Molybdenum Super Austenitic Stainless Steel
UNS S31803 Ferritic / Austenitic Duplex Stainless Steel
UNS S32750 Ferritic / Austenitic Super Duplex Stainless Steel
UNS S31254 High Moly Austenitic Stainless Steel

Chemical Composition of ASTM A240

Element 304 316 321 410 904L S31803 S32750 S31254
Carbon 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.08 – 0.15 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.02
Manganese, max 2.00 2.00 2.00 1.00 2.00 2.00 1.20 1.00
Phosphorus, max 0.045 0.045 0.045 0.040 0.045 0.030 0.035 0.030
Sulfur, max 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.035 0.020 0.020 0.010
Silicon 0.75 0.75 0.75 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.80 0.80
Chromium 17.50 – 19.50 16.00 – 18.00 17.00 – 19.00 11.50 – 13.50 19.00 – 23.00 21.00 – 23.00 24.00 – 26.00 19.50 – 20.50
Nickel 8.00 – 10.50 10.00 – 14.00 9.00 – 12.00 0.75 23.00 – 28.00 4.50 – 6.50 6.00 – 8.00 17.50 – 18.50
Molybdenum 2.00 – 3.00 4.00 – 5.00 2.50 – 3.50 3.00 – 5.00 6.00 – 6.50
Nitrogen 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.10 max 0.08 – 0.20 0.24 – 0.32 0.18 – 0.25
Copper, max 1.00 – 2.00 0.50 0.50 – 1.00
Titanium 5 x (C+N) – 0.70

ASTM A240 Mechanical Properties

Type Tensile Strength, ksi,
min
Yield Strength, ksi,
min
Elongation, %
min
Hardness,
maxA
304 75 30 40 201 HBW or 92 HRB
316 75 30 40 217 HBW or 95 HRB
321 75 30 40 217 HBW or 95 HRB
410 65 30 20 217 HBW or 96 HRB
904L 71 31 35 95 HRB
UNS S31803 90 65 25 293 HBW or 31 HRC
UNS S32750 116 80 15 310 HBW or 32 HRC
UNS S31254 100 45 35 223 HBW or 96 HRB

ASTM A240 Equivalent Indian Standard

sa 240 gr JIS G4304 ASTM UNS KS EN 10095 AS CNS
sa 240 gr 201 SUS201 201 S20100 STS201 1.4372 201-2 201
sa 240 gr 202 SUS202 202 S20200 STS202 1.4373 202
sa 240 gr 301 SUS301 301 S30100 STS301 1.4319 301 301
sa 240 gr 304 SUS304 304 S30400 STS304 1.4301 304 304
sa 240 gr 304L SUS304L 304L S30403 STS304L 1.4306 304L 304L
sa 240 gr 304N SUS304N1 304N S30451 STS304N1 1.4315 304N1 304N1
sa 240 gr XM21 SUS304N2 XM21 S30452 STS304N2 304N2 304N2
sa 240 gr 304LN SUS304LN 304LN S30453 STS304LN 304LN 304LN
sa 240 gr 305 SUS305 305 S30500 STS305 1.4303 305 305
sa 240 gr 309S SUS309S 309S S30908 STS309S 1.4833 309S 309S
sa 240 gr 310S SUS310S 310S S31008 STS310S 1.4845 310S 310S
sa 240 gr 316 SUS316 316 S31600 STS316 1.4401 316 316
sa 240 gr 316Ti SUS316Ti 316Ti S31635 1.4571 316Ti 316Ti
sa 240 gr 316L SUS316L 316L S31603 STS316L 1.4404 316L 316L
sa 240 gr 316N SUS316N 316N S31651 STS316N 316N 316N
sa 240 gr 316LN SUS316LN 316LN S31653 STS316LN 1.4429 316LN 316LN
SUS316J1 STS316J1 316J1 316J1
SUS316J1L STS316J1L 316J1L
sa 240 gr 317 SUS317 317 S31700 STS317 317 317
sa 240 gr 317L SUS317L 317L S31703 STS317L 1.4438 317L 317L
sa 240 gr 321 SUS321 321 S32100 STS321 1.4541 321 321
sa 240 gr 347 SUS347 347 S34700 STS347 1.455 347 347
sa 240 gr 329 SUS329J1 329 S32900 STS329J1 1.4477 329J1 329J1
SUS329J3L S31803 STS329J3L 1.4462 329J3L 329J3L
sa 240 gr 405 SUS405 405 S40500 STS405 1.4002 405 405
sa 240 gr 409 SUH409 409 S40900 STS409 1.4512 409L 409L
SUS410L STS410L 410L 410L
sa 240 gr 430 SUS430 430 S43000 STS430 1.4016 430 430
sa 240 gr 434 SUS434 434 S43400 STS434 1.4113 434 434
S43940 1.4509 439 439
sa 240 gr 444 SUS444 444 S44400 STS444 1.4521 444 444
sa 240 gr 403 SUS403 403 S40300 STS403 403 403
sa 240 gr 410 SUS410 410 S41000 STS410 1.4006 410 410
sa 240 gr 420 SUS420J1 420 S42000 STS420J1 1.4021 420 420J1
SUS420J2 STS420J2 1.4028 420J2 420J2
sa 240 gr 440A SUS440A 440A S44002 STS440A 440A 440A

ASTM A240 Applications

ASTM A240 stainless steel plates, sheets, and strips are highly versatile and widely used across various industries. Some common applications include:

  • Pressure Vessels: Known for its strength and corrosion resistance, ASTM A240 stainless steel is used in pressure vessel fabrication.
  • Chemical Processing: Ideal for environments dealing with corrosive chemicals and high temperatures, this material ensures durability.
  • Food Processing: Its hygienic properties and resistance to corrosion make it perfect for food-related equipment like storage tanks and countertops.
  • Construction and Architecture: Often used in building facades, handrails, and decorative elements, this steel adds both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
  • Automotive Industry: Used in exhaust systems, trim, and other components, offering both strength and resistance to corrosion.
  • Medical Equipment: ASTM A240 stainless steel is favored for surgical instruments and medical devices due to its biocompatibility and ability to withstand sterilization.
  • Petrochemical Industry: It is extensively used for storage tanks, pipelines, and equipment, providing resistance to both corrosion and high temperatures.
  • Energy and Power Generation: Common in applications like nuclear plants and heat exchangers due to its high temperature and pressure resistance.

These examples illustrate how ASTM A240 stainless steel is a reliable choice for various industries, offering durability and resistance in a wide range of environments.

Conclusion

ASTM A240 is a key specification for stainless steel plates, sheets, and strips, covering a wide range of grades and their chemical and mechanical properties. It ensures the material’s suitability for various demanding applications, including pressure vessels, chemical processing, food production, and more. Its corrosion resistance, strength, and versatility make ASTM A240 stainless steel a go-to choice across numerous industries, ensuring reliability and durability in critical applications.

FAQs

What is ASTM A240 material?

ASTM A240 is a specification for chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plates, sheets, and strips, commonly used in pressure vessels, with grades like 304 and 304L.

What is ASTM A240 equivalent to?

Equivalent materials to stainless steel grade A240 are EN 10088-2:2005 and EN 1.4509.

What is ASTM A240?   

ASTM A240 is a standard specification for chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plates, sheets, and strips, used in pressure vessels, with grades like 304 and 304L.

What is ASTM A240 and Its Specifications?

by Solitaire Overseas time to read: 4 min
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