GB/T 4237 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi S21860 Stainless Steel Plate Supplier
GB/T 4237 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi: what it is and who uses it
14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi is a Chinese duplex grade (old name 1Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi) with 3.4–4.0% silicon, aluminium and titanium. It was developed for resistance to high-temperature concentrated nitric acid and is still used in that niche.
How to read the name: under GB/T 20878 the leading ’14’ is the carbon code (here C 0.10–0.18%), then Cr18 = about 18% chromium; Ni11 = about 11% nickel; Si4 = about 4% silicon; Al = aluminium added; Ti = titanium added. S21860 is the unified numeric code (ISC) used in GB/T 4237-2015. Older drawings and Chinese buyers may still write the pre-2007 name 1Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi.
SHH STEEL produces and exports austenitic-ferritic (duplex) stainless plate from China, works as a sales agent for leading stainless mills, and runs its own processing warehouse for cutting and surface finishing. 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi is part of our GB/T 4237 stainless plate range; for comparison, see our ASTM A240 Type 2205 page.
What the standard covers for this grade
| Item | GB/T 4237-2015 requirement / SHH STEEL supply |
|---|---|
| Standard | GB/T 4237-2015 Hot rolled stainless steel plate, sheet and strip (current edition, replaces GB/T 4237-2007) |
| Grade / unified code | 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi / S21860 |
| Steel class | Austenitic-ferritic (duplex) |
| Chemical composition | Table 16 (heat analysis); product analysis per GB/T 222 |
| Mechanical properties | Table 21 |
| Product forms | Hot-rolled thick plate (3.0 – 200 mm in the standard), hot-rolled wide strip and cut plate (2.0 – 25.4 mm) |
| Our usual thickness range | 3 – 40 mm |
| Delivery condition | 1 000 – 1 050 °C, water or air rapid cooling |
| Surface | Hot rolled, heat treated, pickled (No.1 / 1D) as standard; ground or polished by agreement |
| Density | 7.7 g/cm³ |
| Certificate | EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection on request |
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.
Chemical composition of 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi S21860
| Element | 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi heat analysis, % (Table 16) | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.10 – 0.18 | Carbon. Low values protect welds from carbide precipitation; higher values add hot strength or hardenability. |
| Si | 3.40 – 4.00 | Silicon. Deoxidizer; in heat-resistant grades it builds a protective scale. |
| Mn | ≤ 0.80 | Manganese. Deoxidizer; in Mn-bearing grades it replaces nickel and keeps nitrogen in solution. |
| P | ≤ 0.035 | Phosphorus. Impurity, kept low for toughness and weld cracking resistance. |
| S | ≤ 0.030 | Sulfur. Impurity; low sulfur improves pitting resistance, hot workability and polishability. |
| Cr | 17.50 – 19.50 | Chromium. Forms the passive film; the main driver of corrosion and oxidation resistance. |
| Ni | 10.00 – 12.00 | Nickel. Stabilizes austenite, improves toughness and resistance to reducing acids. |
| Ti | 0.40 – 0.70 | Titanium. Ties up carbon and nitrogen (stabilization), or forms hardening precipitates in PH grades. |
| Al | 0.10 – 0.30 | Aluminium. Ferrite former; in PH grades it forms the NiAl hardening phase. |
| PREN (Cr + 3.3Mo + 16N) | 17.5 – 18.5 (minimum – mid-range) | Calculated from the limits above, not a requirement of GB/T 4237 |
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 16.
Product (check) analysis tolerances
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 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi limits. Deviations apply to one side of a range only, never to both sides in the same heat.
| Element | Heat analysis limit (%) | Permitted deviation | Product analysis limit (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.10 – 0.18 | ±0.01 | 0.09 – 0.19 |
| Si | 3.40 – 4.00 | ±0.15 | 3.25 – 4.15 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.80 | ±0.03 | ≤ 0.83 |
| P | ≤ 0.035 | +0.005 | ≤ 0.040 |
| S | ≤ 0.030 | +0.005 | ≤ 0.035 |
| Cr | 17.50 – 19.50 | ±0.20 | 17.30 – 19.70 |
| Ni | 10.00 – 12.00 | ±0.10 (min) / ±0.15 (max) | 9.90 – 12.15 |
| Ti | 0.40 – 0.70 | ±0.05 | 0.35 – 0.75 |
| Al | 0.10 – 0.30 | −0.005 / +0.01 (min) / ±0.05 (max) | 0.095 – 0.35 |
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.
14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi S21860 tensile and hardness requirements
| Property | 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi (Table 21) |
|---|---|
| Proof strength Rp0.2, MPa | Not specified |
| Tensile strength Rm, MPa | ≥ 715 |
| Elongation A, % | ≥ 25 |
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.
Annealing / solution treatment
Recommended heat treatment for 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi (GB/T 4237-2015 Annex C): 1 000 – 1 050 °C, water or air rapid cooling.
Follow the annealing window closely; these grades were designed for a specific phase balance.
How 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi performs in corrosive service
These Chinese duplex grades were developed for oxidizing acids, particularly nitric acid, and for chloride stress corrosion cracking resistance in older chemical plants.
PREN of 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi from the GB/T 4237 limits: 17.5 – 18.5. PREN is a ranking tool for pitting in chlorides, not a guarantee; temperature, crevices, deposits and weld finish matter as much.
Intergranular corrosion testing is not compulsory for this grade in GB/T 4237-2015; when required, the method (GB/T 4334, ASTM A262 or A923 for duplex) and acceptance are agreed in the order.
If service is harsher than 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi can handle, the next step up in this batch is GB/T 4237 12Cr21Ni5Ti S22160.
Cross-reference to other standards
| Standard system | Equivalent / closest grade |
|---|---|
| China GB/T 4237-2015 | 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi (S21860) |
| Former Chinese name | 1Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi |
| ASTM A240/A240M | — |
| EN 10088-2 | — |
| JIS G4304 (hot rolled) | — |
| Common name | 1Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi (Chinese grade) |
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 2205. See also our ASTM A240/A240M and JIS G4305 plate lists.
Welding and fabrication of 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi
Weld with low heat input and matching or 2209-type filler as qualified for the service. These older Chinese grades contain titanium, which can form TiN inclusions in the weld bead; clean joint preparation is essential.
Most users of these grades hold their own qualified procedures from the equipment designer. We supply mill certificates that show the heat chemistry needed for that qualification.
Cutting: we cut 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi 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.
Typical uses of GB/T 4237 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi
Applications listed in GB/T 4237 Annex B and in practice:
- Concentrated nitric acid equipment
- Explosive and propellant industry parts
- High-temperature oxidizing acid service
Buyers specifying 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi for these jobs often compare it with GB/T 4237 12Cr21Ni5Ti S22160 and GB/T 4237 022Cr23Ni5Mo3N S22053; the comparison table on this page shows the differences.
Other GB/T 4237 grades buyers request alongside it: GB/T 4237 022Cr22Ni5Mo3N S22293, GB/T 4237 022Cr25Ni7Mo4N S25073, GB/T 4237 022Cr23Ni4MoCuN S23043, GB/T 4237 022Cr23Ni2N S22353, GB/T 4237 022Cr25Ni6Mo2N S22553, GB/T 4237 022Cr25Ni7Mo4WCuN S27603.
Comparison with sister grades
The table compares 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi with the grades buyers most often weigh it against. Strength values are GB/T 4237-2015 minimums; PREN is calculated from the minimum chemistry.
| Grade (GB/T 4237) | Key chemistry, % | PREN min | Rp0.2 min, MPa | Rm min, MPa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi S21860 | C 0.10 – 0.18, Cr 17.50 – 19.50, Ni 10.00 – 12.00, Si 3.40 – 4.00, Ti 0.40 – 0.70 | 17.5 | — | 715 |
| GB/T 4237 12Cr21Ni5Ti S22160 | C 0.09 – 0.14, Cr 20.00 – 22.00, Ni 4.80 – 5.80 | 20.0 | — | 635 |
| GB/T 4237 022Cr19Ni5Mo3Si2N S21953 | C ≤ 0.030, Cr 18.00 – 19.50, Ni 4.50 – 5.50, Mo 2.50 – 3.00, N 0.05 – 0.10, Mn 1.00 – 2.00 | 27.1 | 440 | 630 |
| GB/T 4237 022Cr23Ni5Mo3N S22053 | C ≤ 0.030, Cr 22.00 – 23.00, Ni 4.50 – 6.50, Mo 3.00 – 3.50, N 0.14 – 0.20 | 34.1 | 450 | 655 |
Only a few mills produce this grade, and it comes as small mill orders. Table 21 sets tensile strength and elongation; agree any proof strength requirement in the contract. Confirm properties and corrosion test requirements before ordering.
Dimensions and plate weight
| Dimension | Typical supply |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 3 – 40 mm |
| Width | 1 000 / 1 219 / 1 250 / 1 500 / 1 800 / 2 000 mm; wider by mill order |
| Length | 2 000 / 2 438 / 3 000 / 6 000 mm or cut to size |
| Flatness | Per GB/T 4237; ≤15 mm per metre for plate up to 25 mm unless agreed tighter |
| Thickness tolerance | Per the GB/T 4237 dimensional tolerance tables (normal or higher accuracy as ordered) |
| Edge | Mill edge or cut edge |
Weight: plate mass in kg/m² = thickness (mm) × density (7.7 g/cm³). A 10 mm 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi plate weighs about 77.0 kg/m²; a 1 500 × 6 000 × 10 mm plate about 693 kg.
Finishes and warehouse services
| Finish | Description | Availability for this grade |
|---|---|---|
| No.1 / 1D | Hot rolled, heat treated, pickled; the GB/T 4237 standard surface | Standard |
| Shot-blasted + pickled | Uniform matte for welded structures | On request |
| Ground | Ground surface for defect removal or UT | On request |
| 2B / BA | Cold-rolled finishes (ordered as GB/T 3280 sheet, not hot-rolled plate) | Sheet only |
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.
Inspection, tests and mill certificates
- Heat chemical analysis on every heat; product analysis by agreement
- Tensile test (Rp0.2, Rm, A) per batch
- Hardness test
- Ferrite content measurement
- ASTM A923 Method A/B/C for intermetallic phases when specified
- Charpy V-notch impact at −40 °C or −46 °C when specified
- 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.
What to put on a 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi purchase order
- Standard and edition: GB/T 4237-2015
- Grade and code: 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi (S21860); 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.
Where our plate comes from
14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi is produced by a small number of Chinese mills with the melting and heat treatment capability for it. We place mill orders for it through the producers we represent and do not usually hold it in stock. Expect about 45–90 days, with minimum quantities per thickness; we can combine small quantities into one rolling where the mill allows.
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.
FAQ
- What is 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi used for?
- 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi (S21860, old 1Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi) is a Chinese duplex grade for high-temperature concentrated nitric acid equipment, such as explosives and propellant plants. It has no direct ASTM, EN or JIS equivalent.
- What is the chemical composition of 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi?
- Under GB/T 4237-2015 Table 16, 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi (S21860) has C 0.10 – 0.18, Cr 17.50 – 19.50, Ni 10.00 – 12.00, Si 3.40 – 4.00, Ti 0.40 – 0.70. Phosphorus is limited to ≤0.035% and sulfur to ≤0.030%.
- What are the mechanical properties of 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi plate?
- GB/T 4237-2015 Table 21 requires for 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi: tensile strength ≥715 MPa and elongation ≥25%. Values apply to plate in the delivery heat-treated condition.
- Is 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi stainless steel magnetic?
- Yes, partly. Duplex plate contains about 50% ferrite, so it attracts a magnet, though less strongly than ferritic steel.
- What thickness of 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi plate can you supply?
- Under GB/T 4237 we supply 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi hot-rolled plate in 3 – 40 mm, widths up to 2 000 mm (wider by mill order), cut to size in our warehouse. Thinner material is cold-rolled sheet to GB/T 3280.
- What is the PREN of 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi?
- Using PREN = Cr + 3.3Mo + 16N and the GB/T 4237-2015 limits, 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi has a PREN of about 17.5 at minimum chemistry and 18.5 at mid-range.
Conclusion
GB/T 4237 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi (S21860) is a Chinese-developed duplex plate grade, formerly designated 1Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi and without a direct foreign equivalent. It is defined by Table 16 chemistry (C 0.10 – 0.18, Cr 17.50 – 19.50, Ni 10.00 – 12.00, Si 3.40 – 4.00, Ti 0.40 – 0.70) and Table 21 properties. Typical uses include concentrated nitric acid equipment, explosive and propellant industry parts and high-temperature oxidizing acid service. Only a few mills produce this grade, and it comes as small mill orders.
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 14Cr18Ni11Si4AlTi plate by mill order through the producers we represent, cut to size and finished in our own warehouse, with EN 10204 3.1 certificates. For related grades see GB/T 4237 12Cr21Ni5Ti S22160 and GB/T 4237 022Cr19Ni5Mo3Si2N S21953, our GB/T 4237 category and the ASTM A240 Type 2205 page. Send your sizes and quantities for a quotation.
Quality Steel Needed? Inquire for Offers
Related Products
