• WITTE HiTEMP – unserLagerprogramm

    Stainless steel grades for high temperatures


    Which material numbers exist for stainless steel?

    There is a wide range of stainless steel grades, from standard grades to high alloy special materials. WITTE HiTEMP does not stock the entire range, as our stock programme is deliberately focused on high temperature resistance.

    Which grades does WITTE HiTEMP stock?

    WITTE HiTEMP focuses on materials for temperatures above 800 °C under demanding operating conditions. The portfolio consists exclusively of grades for extreme thermal loads.
    The range comprises selected materials with a proven track record:

    Material | US standard
    1.4841 | AISI 314
    1.4845 | AISI 310 S/H
    1.4878 | AISI 321 H
    1.4835 | 253 MA
    1.4876 | Alloy 800 / Incoloy 800
    1.4828 | AISI 309

    Some of these materials are available immediately from stock:

    ● 1.4841 | AISI 314
    ● 1.4845 | AISI 310S/H
    ● 1.4878 | AISI 321H
    ● 1.4835 | 253 MA
    ● 1.4828 | AISI 309

    This focused stocking strategy ensures high delivery reliability with a materials portfolio optimally matched to thermally demanding applications.

    What properties do these materials have?

    The grades in our stock programme belong to a related materials family, which is where their shared strengths come from.

    Austenitic heat resistant stainless steels

    All listed grades are highly alloyed chromium nickel steels with an austenitic structure, developed specifically for high temperatures.

    High chromium and nickel content

    ● Chromium (Cr): provides excellent oxidation and corrosion resistance
    ● Nickel (Ni): stabilises the structure and improves toughness
    Result: reliable performance under continuous thermal load.

    Strong high temperature resistance

    ● Service ranges above 800 °C, in some cases above 1,100 °C
    ● High scaling resistance
    ● Good creep strength (in particular for 1.4845/310S/H and 1.4878/321H)

    Good corrosion resistance

    ● Particularly in oxidising atmospheres
    ● Some grades resistant to intergranular corrosion (e.g. 1.4878, through titanium stabilisation)

    Typical fields of use

    These materials are used above all in:
    ● Industrial furnaces
    ● Burners and exhaust systems
    ● Heat exchangers
    ● Petrochemical plant
    ● Power generation plant

    Processability

    ● Good weldability (material dependent)
    ● Formable, particularly when hot

    What service temperatures do the grades reach?

    Our stock grades are designed for continuous service temperatures from around 800 °C up to over 1,100 °C, depending on alloy and operating conditions:

    ● 310S/H (1.4845): up to approx. 1,050–1,100 °C
    ● 314 (1.4841): up to approx. 1,150 °C
    ● 253 MA (1.4835): very good oxidation resistance up to approx. 1,100–1,150 °C
    ● 321H (1.4878): particularly suited to long term high temperature use through stabilisation

    What matters is not only the maximum temperature, but also time, atmosphere and mechanical load.

    Resistance in oxidising environments

    Oxidising environments are media in which oxygen or oxidising gases are present, for example hot air, exhaust gases, combustion atmospheres or flue gases in industrial furnaces. In these environments, the high chromium content forms a stable oxide layer (scale) that protects the material from further attack.

    Continuous mechanical load at high temperatures

    Continuous mechanical load includes internal pressure in piping, the dead weight of components under heat, and thermal stresses from temperature cycling. At high temperatures, creep also occurs, meaning a time dependent, plastic deformation under sustained mechanical load. Our stock grades are specifically designed to withstand this, ensuring high structural stability and operating safety even in long term use.

    They combine oxidation resistance, high temperature strength and creep resistance, making them ideally suited to applications operated continuously under high thermal and mechanical load.

    Not the right steel in stock?

    Further materials for high temperature use can be supplied at short notice and on attractive terms through our worldwide network.

    Recurring requirement with no way to cover it from your current source? Talk to us. We take our role as a stockholder seriously and are glad to adjust our stock to your requirements.

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