GB/T 4237 022Cr18Nb S11873 Stainless Steel Plate Supplier

022Cr18Nb is a niobium-stabilized 18% chromium ferritic with Ti 0.10–0.60% and Nb ≥ 0.30 + 3C, the chemistry behind 441 (EN 1.4509). Niobium raises high-temperature strength and thermal fatigue resistance, which is why it dominates hot-end exhaust parts.

Reading the designation: ‘022’ gives the carbon level (C ≤0.030% in GB/T 4237), followed by Cr18 = about 18% chromium; Nb = niobium added. S11873 is the unified numeric code (ISC) used in GB/T 4237-2015.

SHH STEEL produces and exports ferritic stainless plate from China, works as a sales agent for leading stainless mills, and runs its own processing warehouse for cutting and surface finishing. 022Cr18Nb is part of our GB/T 4237 stainless plate range; for comparison, see our ASTM A240 Type 441 page.

Values are maximum unless a range is given. The mill reports the ladle (heat) analysis on the certificate; this is the figure to compare with Table 17.

A check analysis drilled from the finished plate may differ slightly from the heat analysis. GB/T 4237 refers to GB/T 222 for the permitted deviations; the table applies them to the 022Cr18Nb limits. Deviations apply to one side of a range only, never to both sides in the same heat.

Where the table says ‘by agreement’, the deviation is not tabulated for that content level and should be agreed in the contract, usually by reference to ASTM A480 Table A1.1.

Values apply to plate in the delivery heat-treated condition, tested transversely per GB/T 228.1. Hardness is checked by one method chosen by the mill.

Sister grades on the same standard are listed under GB/T 4237; cold-rolled sheet of the same chemistry is ordered to GB/T 3280, and all our plate lines sit in stainless steel sheets and plates.

022Cr18Nb is ferritic: it is magnetic, has lower thermal expansion and better thermal conductivity than austenitic steel, and is immune to chloride stress corrosion cracking. Those properties make it a good choice for heat exchangers, hot water tanks and exhaust parts.

The trade-off is toughness. Ferritic stainless has a ductile-brittle transition, and it moves to higher temperature with thickness and grain size. This is why ferritic plate is mostly thin; for sections above about 6 mm ask for Charpy data or bend in a warm shop.

Ferritic grades contain little or no nickel, so their price is far more stable than GB/T 4237 06Cr19Ni10 S30408 (304).

Equivalent grades are close in chemistry and properties but are never identical: limits on carbon, nitrogen and residual elements differ. For dual or multiple certification the heat must meet every standard named on the order, and we confirm that from the heat chemistry before quotation.

Related pages: ASTM A240 Type 441, ASME SA240 441, AISI 439. See also our ASTM A240/A240M and JIS G4305 plate lists.

The table compares 022Cr18Nb with the grades buyers most often weigh it against. Strength values are GB/T 4237-2015 minimums; PREN is calculated from the minimum chemistry.

The closest ASTM grade is listed as S43940; commercial 441 is S44100 in ASTM A240. The minimums in Table 22 are 250 MPa proof and 18% elongation.

17–18% chromium ferritics resist indoor and mild outdoor atmospheres, foods and nitric acid. They are immune to chloride stress corrosion cracking but pit more easily than 304.

PREN of 022Cr18Nb from the GB/T 4237 limits: 17.5 – 18.0. PREN is a ranking tool for pitting in chlorides, not a guarantee; temperature, crevices, deposits and weld finish matter as much.

Intergranular corrosion testing of ferritic and martensitic plate is by agreement (GB/T 4334 or ASTM A763 practices).

If service is harsher than 022Cr18Nb can handle, the next step up in this batch is GB/T 4237 019Cr19Mo2NbTi S11972.

Stabilized 17–18% Cr ferritics weld much better than 430: use ER430Ti/ER439 or ER308L/309L filler. Low heat input and fast travel limit grain coarsening.

Plain 10Cr17 (430) needs a preheat of about 150–200 °C on thick sections and, ideally, a post-weld anneal at 760–820 °C to restore ductility and corrosion resistance.

Cutting: we cut 022Cr18Nb by plasma (up to about 150 mm), laser (thin plate) or waterjet, and remove the heat-affected edge by machining where the drawing requires it.

Recommended heat treatment for 022Cr18Nb (GB/T 4237-2015 Annex C): 800 – 1 050 °C, rapid cooling.

Avoid holding ferritic plate at 400–550 °C (475 °C embrittlement) and do not overheat above about 950 °C, which coarsens grain.

Typical uses:

• Exhaust manifolds and hot-end parts up to about 900 °C
• Catalytic converter housings
• Burner and boiler parts
• Solid oxide fuel cell interconnects (sheet)

Buyers specifying 022Cr18Nb for these jobs often compare it with GB/T 4237 022Cr18NbTi S11973 and GB/T 4237 019Cr19Mo2NbTi S11972; the comparison table on this page shows the differences.

International grade pages for the alternatives mentioned above: ASTM A240 Type 439, ASTM A240 Type 439, ASTM A240 Type 444.

Our warehouse cuts plate to size (plasma, laser, waterjet, saw), bevels weld edges, polishes and applies PVC protective film. Processed plate ships with the original mill heat number marked. Ask for cut pieces of other stainless steel products at the same time to consolidate freight.

Weight: plate mass in kg/m² = thickness (mm) × density (7.7 g/cm³). A 10 mm 022Cr18Nb plate weighs about 77.0 kg/m²; a 1 500 × 6 000 × 10 mm plate about 693 kg.

• Heat chemical analysis on every heat; product analysis by agreement
• Tensile test (Rp0.2, Rm, A) per batch
• Hardness test
• Ultrasonic testing (NB/T 47013.3 or ASTM A578) when specified
• Positive material identification (PMI) on every plate leaving our warehouse
• Visual and dimensional inspection; third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TÜV, Intertek) at the buyer’s request

Certificates follow EN 10204 3.1 as standard. Where plate is also certified to ASME SA240 or ASTM A240, both standards are shown on one certificate.

• Standard and edition: GB/T 4237-2015
• Grade and code: 022Cr18Nb (S11873); add the equivalent if dual certification is needed
• Thickness × width × length, quantity in pieces or tonnes
• Thickness tolerance class and flatness if tighter than standard
• Surface finish and protective film
• Tests beyond the standard (IGC, UT, impact, ferrite, PMI, grain size)
• Certificate type (EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2) and inspection body
• Marking, packing (wooden cases, steel pallets) and delivery terms

Send the list to SHH STEEL and we return a quotation with mill, lead time and stock options. Other grades from the same standard can be combined in one shipment; browse GB/T 4237 plate grades.

022Cr18Nb is a mainstream grade at Chinese stainless mills. We supply it from our own stock and processing warehouse, and by mill order from major producers such as TISCO and Baosteel Stainless, for which we act as a sales agent. Stock plate ships in about 1–2 weeks after cutting; mill orders typically take 30–60 days depending on thickness and rolling schedule.

Every plate is traceable to its heat number, and copies of the mill certificates stay on file for repeat orders and audits. The same mills also supply our ASTM A240, ASME SA240, JIS G4305 and AISI plate ranges, so mixed-standard orders can ship together.

• Mill-direct prices with our own export documentation
• Own processing warehouse: cutting, bevelling, polishing, PVC film
• PMI and dimensional check before packing
• Mixed-grade shipments across our AISI stainless and GB/T plate ranges
• Technical answers from people who read the standard, not just the price list

SHH STEEL has exported stainless and carbon steel plate to buyers in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

GB/T 4237 022Cr18Nb (S11873) is a 17–18% chromium ferritic plate grade, known internationally as 441. It is defined by Table 17 chemistry (C ≤ 0.030, Cr 17.50 – 18.50, Ti 0.10 – 0.60) and Table 22 properties of at least 250 MPa proof strength and 430 MPa tensile strength. Typical uses include exhaust manifolds and hot-end parts up to about 900 °c, catalytic converter housings and burner and boiler parts. The closest ASTM grade is listed as S43940; commercial 441 is S44100 in ASTM A240.

Before ordering, state the standard edition, the grade name with its code, and any extra tests, so that the mill certificate matches your design documents. SHH STEEL supplies 022Cr18Nb plate from stock and by mill order, cut to size and finished in our own warehouse, with EN 10204 3.1 certificates. For related grades see GB/T 4237 022Cr18NbTi S11973 and GB/T 4237 022Cr17NbTi S11763, our GB/T 4237 category and the ASTM A240 Type 441 page. Send your sizes and quantities for a quotation.