A286 Stainless Steel: The Ultimate High-Temp, Corrosion-Resistant Superall
Introduction to A286 Stainless Steel
A286 stainless steel is a high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloy widely used in aerospace, industrial, and high-temperature applications. Known for its excellent mechanical properties and durability, A286 stainless steel (also referred to as A286 SS or simply A286) is a popular choice for engineers and manufacturers seeking reliability under extreme conditions.
In this article, we’ll explore the A286 material properties, its key advantages, and common applications. Whether you’re looking for A286 steel for fasteners, turbine components, or structural parts, understanding its characteristics will help you make an informed decision.
Key Properties of A286 Stainless Steel
1. High Strength and Durability
A286 stainless steel is a precipitation-hardening alloy, meaning it gains strength through heat treatment. With a tensile strength of up to 1400 MPa (200 ksi), it outperforms many standard stainless steels, making it ideal for high-stress environments.
2. Excellent Corrosion Resistance
Like other stainless steels, A286 offers strong resistance to oxidation and corrosion. This makes it suitable for marine, chemical, and aerospace applications where exposure to harsh elements is common.
3. Superior Heat Resistance
One of the standout features of A286 material is its ability to retain strength at elevated temperatures (up to 1300°F / 700°C). This makes it a preferred choice for jet engines, gas turbines, and exhaust systems.
4. Good Fabrication and Weldability
Despite its high strength, A286 stainless steel can be machined, welded, and formed with relative ease, provided proper techniques are used.
Common Applications of A286 Stainless Steel
Due to its exceptional A286 material properties, this alloy is used in several critical industries:
Aerospace: Jet engine components, turbine blades, and fasteners
Automotive: High-performance exhaust systems and turbochargers
Oil & Gas: Downhole tools and valve components
Industrial: High-stress bolts, nuts, and structural parts
A286 vs. 304/316 Stainless Steel: When to Choose Each?
When selecting a stainless steel alloy, understanding how A286 compares to common grades like 304 and 316 is critical. Below, we break down their differences and ideal use cases:
Strength and Temperature Performance
| Property | A286 Stainless Steel | 304 Stainless Steel | 316 Stainless Steel |
| Tensile Strength | 1400 MPa (200 ksi) | 505 MPa (73 ksi) | 515 MPa (75 ksi) |
| Max Service Temp | 700°C (1300°F) | 870°C (1600°F)* | 870°C (1600°F)* |
| Creep Resistance | Excellent | Poor | Moderate |
Note: While 304/316 tolerate higher temps, they lose strength rapidly above 500°C (930°F). A286 retains strength under sustained heat.
Choose A286 when:
Your application requires high strength-to-weight ratios (e.g., aerospace fasteners).
Components face prolonged high temperatures (e.g., turbine parts).
Opt for 304/316 when:
Cost is a priority, and corrosion resistance alone suffices (e.g., food processing equipment).
Conclusion: Is A286 the Right Material for Your Project?
If you need a high-strength, heat-resistant, and corrosion-proof material, A286 stainless steel is an excellent choice. Its versatility makes it valuable across aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors.
Looking for A286 SS suppliers or more details on A286 material properties?
Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll compare A286 with other superalloys!
FAQ
A286 is an iron-chromium-nickel-based high-temperature alloy, which is developed by comprehensive strengthening after adding molybdenum, titanium, aluminum, vanadium and trace boron.
It is equivalent to China's GH2132 and France's ZbNCT25. A286 has high yield strength, endurance strength and creep strength below 650°C, and has good processing plasticity and welding properties. It is suitable for manufacturing high-temperature bearing parts of aircraft engines that work for a long time below 650°C, such as turbine disks, compressor disks, rotor blades and fasteners, etc.
A286 stainless steel outperforms 316 stainless steel in terms of corrosion resistance and high temperature performance.
A286 stainless steel (also known as Incoloy A-286 or GH2132) is a high-performance iron-based high-temperature alloy with excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength. Its chemical composition includes high nickel (24.0-27.0%), chromium (13.5-16.0%) and molybdenum (1.0-1.5%), in addition to small amounts of titanium and niobium, which enhance its corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength.
Although 316 stainless steel contains molybdenum (2.0-3.0%), which makes it more corrosion-resistant than 304 stainless steel in chloride environments, it is not as good as A286. 316 stainless steel performs well in general marine and chemical environments, but its corrosion resistance is not as good as A286 in high temperature and high chloride concentration environments.
A286 alloy has a wide range of uses and is mainly used in the following fields:
Aerospace: A286 alloy is widely used in the aerospace field, mainly used to manufacture key components of aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines, such as turbine disks, afterburners, fasteners, etc.
Energy industry: In the energy field, A286 alloy is used in high-pressure, high-temperature equipment and pipeline systems in the oil and gas industry, such as superchargers, jet engine components, etc.
Chemical production: The corrosion resistance and high-temperature stability of A286 alloy make it an ideal material for handling corrosive media and high-temperature reactions. It is often used to manufacture equipment such as pipelines, valves and containers.
Automotive industry: In the automotive industry, A286 bolts are widely used in high-temperature components such as engines and exhaust systems.
Tabs:a286， a286 stainless steel， a286 stainless， a286 stainless steel
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