EN 10088-2 X6CrMoNb17-1 1.4526 Stainless Steel Plate

EN 10088-2 X6CrMoNb17-1 1.4526 stainless steel plate is a ferritic flat product supplied to EN 10088-2, the European standard for stainless steel sheet, plate and strip for general purposes. The standard lists X6CrMoNb17-1 among its special grades: a 16.0 – 18.0 % chromium steel with 0.80 – 1.40 % molybdenum, stabilised with niobium rather than titanium. Its carbon limit of 0.08 % is higher than in the extra-low-carbon ferritics, and the niobium, at least 7 × (C + N) + 0.10 %, ties that carbon up. The result is a nickel-free, magnetic sheet with better pitting and road-salt resistance than 430 and a bright, smooth surface that suits polishing. EN 10088-2 covers it as cold rolled strip and sheet up to 8 mm.

SHH STEEL works as a steel sourcing partner with long-term relationships with Chinese stainless mills that roll niobium-stabilised and molybdenum-bearing ferritic grades of the 436 type. For large tonnages, the buyer can contract directly with a suitable mill, with SHH STEEL assisting for a modest service fee and handling follow-up and documents. For small orders we consolidate demand, so that 1 – 5 t lots are placed against genuine mill production instead of stock of unknown origin. Each shipment can be released after third-party inspection by TUV, ABS, BV, DNV, CCS or an agency the buyer nominates, and payment by TT or LC is accepted. The rest of this page covers the technical side of EN 10088-2 1.4526 and the steps we take so that the sheet that arrives is the sheet that was ordered.

The table below lists the concerns buyers raise most often when sourcing EN 10088-2 X6CrMoNb17-1 sheet and plate from China, and how SHH STEEL deals with each of them.

1.4526 can be ordered to EN 10088-2 for general use or to EN 10028-7 1.4526 pressure vessel plate when it goes into pressure equipment. In American specifications the close counterpart is ASTM A240 Type 436 sheet and plate (UNS S43600), which is also niobium-stabilised but allows more carbon and a slightly narrower molybdenum range.

Most trim and exhaust drawings in Europe name EN 10088-2; drawings from American or Asian customers often name Type 436. SHH STEEL checks whether the mill heat can be certified to both before the order, so the certificate matches the drawing.

One point is easy to miss: EN 10088-2 1.4526 and the Japanese SUS436L are not the same steel. SUS436L is an extra-low-carbon grade that is closer to 1.4513, while 1.4526 follows the older, higher-carbon niobium-stabilised design of Type 436. A buyer who needs a JIS-certified sheet should name the exact grade rather than rely on a cross-reference table.

Edition note: the values on this page are taken from EN 10088-2:2014. A revised edition (EN 10088-2:2024) has since been published. If your contract names the newer edition, SHH STEEL checks the order against that text before production, and any difference is raised at the quotation stage rather than after rolling.

The 1.4526 chemical composition below is the cast (heat) analysis from EN 10088-2:2014 Table 3. Values are percentages by mass; a single figure is a maximum.

The niobium minimum depends on the carbon and nitrogen of the heat. With 0.05 % carbon and 0.03 % nitrogen, for example, the minimum would be 7 × 0.08 + 0.10 = 0.66 % Nb; a heat at the carbon and nitrogen maximum would need 0.94 %. Because the limit can come close to the 1.00 % ceiling, SHH STEEL checks the niobium calculation on every certificate as part of the 1.4526 chemical composition review.

Product analysis tolerances (EN 10088-2 Table 5)

A product analysis is a check made on the delivered sheet. It is not mandatory under EN 10088-2; it is carried out when agreed at the time of enquiry and order, and SHH STEEL can arrange it through a partner laboratory. The permissible tolerances on the cast limits are:

Where several product analyses are made on one cast, individual results may exceed the maximum or fall below the minimum, but not both for the same element. How a tolerance applies to the calculated titanium minimum should be confirmed in the contract if a product analysis is ordered.

The 1.4526 mechanical properties below are the room-temperature values for the annealed condition in EN 10088-2:2014 Table 9. Only the cold rolled product form is listed for this special grade.

Elongation is measured on an 80 mm gauge length below 3 mm thickness and on a proportional gauge length (5.65√S0) from 3 mm upwards. For bigger sizes the values are to be agreed at the time of enquiry and order. Table 9 records resistance to intergranular corrosion (tested to EN ISO 3651-2) as “yes” in both the delivery and the welded condition.

A proof strength of 280 MPa with 25 % elongation puts 1.4526 among the stronger 17 % chromium ferritics, noticeably stronger than EN 10088-2 1.4513 plate, while it still forms well. The narrow tensile band of 480 – 560 MPa helps keep press-line behaviour consistent from coil to coil. SHH STEEL can add hardness or extra tensile tests on request.

Minimum 0.2 % proof strength at elevated temperature (EN 10088-2 Table 14, +A)

No value is given at 400 °C. For long service at about 400 – 550 °C, 475 °C embrittlement should be considered.

X6CrMoNb17-1 plate and sheet are delivered in the annealed condition (+A). EN 10088-2 Table A.3 gives the guideline temperatures:

Annealing at 800 – 860 °C followed by air or water cooling restores a soft, recrystallised structure; this is a lower range than for the titanium-stabilised 1.4509 or 1.4611. Niobium binds carbon and nitrogen as stable carbonitrides, so welds normally stay resistant to intergranular corrosion without a post-weld anneal.

As with all 17 % chromium and higher ferritics, long exposure around 400 – 550 °C can cause 475 °C embrittlement, prolonged exposure at higher temperatures can form sigma phase, and over-heating coarsens the grain. These effects are general knowledge for the grade family rather than EN 10088-2 requirements. The Annex A temperatures are guidelines; actual furnace settings are chosen by the mill, and we check that the annealed condition is stated on each certificate.

Niobium also gives the steel some extra strength at moderate temperatures compared with unstabilised 17 % chromium grades, which is one reason the 436 type has long been used in silencers that run warm but not hot.

The values below are room-temperature reference figures for X6CrMoNb17-1 1.4526, taken from the physical-property table in Euro Inox, Stainless Steel: Tables of Technical Properties (Materials and Applications Series, Volume 5). They are suitable for design estimates and weight calculation; where a figure is critical, use EN 10088-1 itself.

Low thermal expansion, roughly two thirds of that of austenitic 304, reduces thermal stress in exhaust parts and in trim fixed to carbon-steel bodies.

The combination of 17 % chromium and about 1 % molybdenum gives 1.4526 clearly better resistance than 430 (1.4016) to pitting by chlorides, de-icing salts and acidic condensate. Niobium stabilisation protects welds and heat-affected zones against intergranular corrosion. Its corrosion resistance is broadly in the same range as 1.4513, which uses titanium instead of niobium.

Where higher chloride levels are expected, EN 10088-2 1.4521 plate with about 2 % molybdenum is the next step. In indoor and mild atmospheric use 1.4526 is sometimes considered as an alternative to ASTM A240 Type 304 sheet and plate, but the comparison depends on the environment. This guidance is general and not part of EN 10088-2.

1.4526 is weldable by TIG, MIG, plasma, laser and resistance processes. Niobium stabilisation limits carbide precipitation, but because the carbon level is higher than in the extra-low-carbon ferritics, heat input control matters a little more.

• Keep heat input low to limit grain growth and loss of toughness in the heat-affected zone.
• Use a niobium-stabilised ferritic filler or an austenitic filler such as 316L where weld toughness is important.
• Niobium-stabilised ferritics are generally less prone to the titanium-oxide surface defects seen on some titanium-stabilised welds, which helps on visible trim.
• Use argon shielding and backing on tube welds and remove heat tint on visible parts.
• Post-weld annealing is not normally needed.

These points reflect industry practice for niobium-stabilised molybdenum ferritics rather than requirements of EN 10088-2, which does not specify welding procedures. In the SHH STEEL workshop, blanks and slit strips are cut with clean, burr-free edges so that seam, spot and tube welding run without edge preparation problems.

In the annealed condition 1.4526 ferritic sheet bends, roll-forms and stretch-forms well, and it is widely used for formed trim and wheel covers. Its higher proof strength means more springback than 1.4513 or 1.4510, so bend tooling needs allowance. Niobium-stabilised sheet tends to give a fine, uniform surface after polishing, which suits bright trim.

Machining is comparable to other stabilised ferritic grades and easier than for austenitic steels; the hard titanium or niobium carbonitrides that stabilise the steel can wear tools a little faster, so sharp tools and steady feeds are recommended. Punching and drilling of thin sheet is routine.

We run our own workshop next to the warehouse, so 1.4526 can be delivered as slit coil, cut-to-length sheets, laser-cut blanks or bent parts instead of raw mill sizes. Details are on our steel cutting services and bending and forming services pages. Protective film can be applied for visible or deep-drawn parts.

Because EN 10088-2 lists 1.4526 only as cold rolled strip and sheet, the supply range is thin gauge.

Trim and roll-forming work often needs the special (closer) thickness class of EN ISO 9445 and controlled flatness, so state the class and the edge condition in the order.

SHH STEEL can supply 1.4526 cold rolled sheet in standard sizes or cut to your drawing, and slit coil in the widths your roll-forming or press line requires. Hot rolled plate in this grade is not covered by EN 10088-2.

Surface finish is ordered by the process route symbols of EN 10088-2 Table 6; trade names from ASTM and JIS are shown for reference. Not every route is available for every grade, and the mill confirms which ones it can supply.

For bright trim, the surface finish is as important as the chemistry. State BA or the polish grade, the side to be protected and any limits on ridging after forming, and SHH STEEL will apply PVC film on the visible side.

Buyers looking for a 436 stainless steel equivalent in European terms will normally be offered 1.4526. The two are close, while Chinese and Japanese cross-references need more care.

As a 1.4526 equivalent, Type 436 is the practical choice, and a heat can often be certified to both if its analysis falls within both sets of limits. Because the GB grade is not listed in the Chinese plate standards, a buyer who needs Chinese standard certification should discuss it with SHH STEEL before ordering.

1.4526 vs 1.4513, 434 and 430

Compared with EN 10088-2 1.4513 plate, 1.4526 uses niobium instead of titanium and allows more carbon, giving higher strength and a surface that polishes well, with similar corrosion resistance. Compared with ASTM A240 Type 434 sheet and plate, which has the same chromium and molybdenum but no stabilisation, 1.4526 is better in the welded condition. Compared with 430, it has much better resistance to chlorides and road salt.

Typical applications of 1.4526 ferritic plate and sheet include:

• Automotive exterior trim, mouldings and wheel covers
• Exhaust silencers, rear pipes and cold-end tubing
• Bright trim for appliances, cookers and range hoods
• Washing machine and dishwasher parts
• Decorative strip for furniture and interior architecture
• Fasteners and clips made from strip

Where the part carries pressure, the order should use EN 10028-7. For hot-end exhaust parts above about 800 °C, a grade such as 1.4509 is usually a better choice.

Many 1.4526 trim parts are bright-annealed or polished before forming, so the coil must be handled with protective film and soft packing; SHH STEEL plans this together with the order.

Most problems with 1.4526 come from confusion with similar-looking ferritics and from surface damage on bright material.

None of these steps is complicated, but they need to be agreed at the start. When you send an enquiry, tell us which of these points matters most to you, and the order will be built around it.

Every 1.4526 order is supported by documents and checks that make the material traceable to the heat:

• Cast analysis with the niobium minimum checked against carbon and nitrogen
• Tensile test on the annealed sheet: Rp0.2, Rm and A
• Intergranular corrosion test to EN ISO 3651-2 when ordered
• Surface inspection of BA and polished sheet against the agreed standard
• Additional checks through our third-party testing service: PMI, dimensional, flatness and surface inspection

If the order does not name an inspection document, EN 10088-2 requires only a test report 2.2. Because this is rarely enough for automotive or export work, SHH STEEL supplies an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate as standard and a 3.2 certificate when an independent inspector (TUV, ABS, BV, DNV, CCS or an agency you nominate) witnesses testing and countersigns the document.

Ordering example and lead time

Following the pattern of the example in EN 10088-2, a typical order line would read: 6 t cold rolled sheet, 0.8 mm × 1 250 mm × 2 500 mm, EN 10088-2, steel X6CrMoNb17-1 (1.4526), process route 2R, inspection certificate 3.1 to EN 10204. Mill production lead time is generally 30 – 40 days from order confirmation, depending on the rolling schedule, the size and the tests requested; as a special grade, 1.4526 may need a little more planning to fit into the rolling schedule. Consolidated small lots follow the same mill schedule, and we send progress updates at rolling, testing and packing.

• Mill relationships: long-term cooperation with Chinese stainless mills helps us secure competitive pricing and steadier delivery for 1.4526 and related ferritic grades.
• Direct mill contracts: for larger tonnages you can contract directly with a suitable mill, for a modest service fee, while we handle follow-up and documents.
• Order consolidation: 1 – 5 t lots are combined so they can be placed against genuine mill production.
• Own workshop: slitting, cut-to-length, laser cutting, bending and protective film before shipment.
• Inspection and certificates: third-party inspection by TUV, ABS, BV, DNV, CCS or your nominated agency, with EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certificates.
• Flexible payment: TT, LC or a combination of both.
• Port logistics: coil and sheet are packed seaworthy with heat-number labels and shipped through our worldwide shipping service, together with other grades if needed.

As a 1.4526 plate supplier SHH STEEL also stocks and sources the wider range of stainless steel sheets and plates, so mixed orders of ferritic and austenitic sheet can travel in one container with one set of paperwork.

EN 10088-2 X6CrMoNb17-1 1.4526 is the niobium-stabilised, molybdenum-bearing 17 % chromium ferritic of the 436 type, chosen for bright automotive trim, silencers and appliance parts that need better chloride resistance than 430. Choosing it is the easy part. Getting genuine material that matches the certificate, in the gauge and finish your parts need and on a predictable schedule, is where a sourcing partner earns its place, and that is the work SHH STEEL does every day through long-term mill cooperation, consolidation and its own workshop.

The next step is simple. Send SHH STEEL your drawing, or an enquiry with the quantity, thickness, width, finish and delivery destination, and we will judge whether a direct mill contract or consolidation with processing fits your order better, and quote accordingly. Send your sizes and quantities for a quotation.