2.4660 is an iron–nickel–chromium–molybdenum–copper austenitic alloy (niobium-stabilised) developed for outstanding resistance to sulphuric acid and a wide range of corrosive chemical environments, including both oxidising and reducing conditions. This datasheet presents the material within the European (DIN / EN / Werkstoff-Nummer) standard system.
The copper and molybdenum additions give exceptional resistance to sulphuric and phosphoric acids; the high nickel content provides resistance to chloride-ion stress-corrosion cracking; and niobium stabilisation (Nb = 8 × C to 1.0 %) prevents sensitisation and intergranular attack in welded joints. It also offers useful resistance to nitric acid and to pitting and crevice corrosion — better than 1.4301 and comparable to 1.4404, while solving the chloride stress-corrosion-cracking problems that affect 1.4404.
The alloy is readily fabricated into mixing tanks, heat exchangers, process piping, pickling equipment, pumps, valves, fasteners and fittings, and is widely used in the production of gasoline, solvents, explosives, inorganic and organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food and synthetic materials. Its aqueous-corrosion applications are essentially the same as those for the more highly alloyed 825-type material, at lower cost. It is included in ISO 15156-3 for sour-service oil-field equipment.
Values per Special Metals official datasheet, annealed condition.
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 8.08 | g/cm³ |
| Young's modulus | 193 | GPa |
| Shear modulus | 76 | GPa |
| Specific heat capacity | 500 | J/kg·K |
| Electrical resistivity | 1.08 | µΩ·m |
| Thermal conductivity | 12.3 | W/m·K |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion (25–100 °C) | 14.7 | µm/m·°C |
| Maximum service temperature (continuous) | ~800 | °C |
Composition per DIN 17744 / 17752 (W.Nr. 2.4660, NiCr20CuMo).
| Element | Symbol | Min % | Max % | Role in Alloy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel | Ni | 32.5 | 35.0 | Austenitic matrix; chloride SCC resistance |
| Chromium | Cr | 19.0 | 21.0 | Passivity; oxidation resistance |
| Iron | Fe | Balance | — | Base element |
| Molybdenum | Mo | 2.0 | 3.0 | Reducing-acid + pitting resistance |
| Copper | Cu | 3.0 | 4.0 | Sulphuric-acid resistance |
| Niobium (+ Ta) | Nb | 8×C | 1.0 | Stabiliser (anti-sensitization) |
| Manganese | Mn | — | 2.0 | Deoxidiser |
| Silicon | Si | — | 1.0 | Deoxidiser |
| Carbon | C | — | 0.06 | Restricted (weldability) |
| Phosphorus | P | — | 0.035 | Residual impurity |
| Sulphur | S | — | 0.035 | Residual impurity |
Nominal: Ni-33Cr-20Fe-Mo-Cu, niobium-stabilised. Copper gives the characteristic sulphuric-acid resistance; niobium stabilises against intergranular corrosion in the as-welded condition.
Solution-annealed condition (rod, temper F55 per DIN 17752).
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| 0.2% proof strength (Rp0.2) | ≥240 | MPa |
| Tensile strength (Rm) | ≥500 | MPa |
| Elongation at fracture (A) | ≥30 | % |
| Brinell hardness | ≤217 | HB |
Values per EN; confirm against the inspection certificate (EN 10204).
| Environment | Performance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) | Outstanding | Copper addition gives exceptional resistance across wide concentration range |
| Phosphoric acid | Excellent | Suitable for fertiliser and process duty |
| Nitric acid | Very Good | Passes boiling 65% nitric acid test (annealed and sensitised) |
| Chloride stress-corrosion cracking | Excellent | High Ni content; passes boiling 42% MgCl₂ test |
| Pitting and crevice corrosion | Good | Better than 1.4301; comparable to 1.4404 |
| Intergranular corrosion | Excellent | Niobium stabilisation prevents sensitisation |
| Sulphide stress cracking | Excellent | Included in ISO 15156-3 (Rockwell C 32 max) |
| Reducing media | Good | Ni + Mo content |
The alloy is niobium-stabilised austenitic and is NOT age-hardenable. Heat treatment is for annealing only; strength is increased by cold work.
Anneal Temperature: 982–1010 °C (1800–1850 °F), time commensurate with section size Cooling: Air cool Purpose: Softening, recrystallisation, and restoration of corrosion resistance.
Hot Forming Temperature: 760–1175 °C (1400–2150 °F)
Stabilise Anneal is used to optimise resistance to intergranular attack for welded service.
Readily joined by conventional welding processes. Niobium stabilisation minimises weld-zone sensitisation. Matched or overmatched nickel-alloy filler metals are used.
| Welding Process | Applicability | Filler / Consumable |
|---|---|---|
| GTAW / TIG | Excellent | DIN EN ISO 18274 matching Ni-Cr-Mo filler |
| GMAW / MIG | Good | DIN EN ISO 18274 matching Ni-Cr-Mo filler |
| SMAW / stick | Good | DIN EN ISO 14172 matching electrode |
Overmatching Ni-Cr-Mo filler metals are commonly used to offset elemental segregation in the weld and ensure the joint matches base-metal corrosion resistance.
Machining Guidelines
| Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Work hardening | Moderate; austenitic behaviour, similar to stainless |
| Tooling | Sharp, rigid setup; carbide or HSS |
| Coolant | Flood coolant recommended |
| Preferred condition | Annealed |
Forming Processes
| Process | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hot forming | 760–1175 °C |
| Cold forming | Readily formed; tensile rises sharply with cold work (UTS up to ~1017 MPa at 50% reduction) |
| Annealing between operations | 982–1010 °C for heavy reductions |
| Industry | Typical Components | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical processing | Mixing tanks, heat exchangers, process piping, pickling equipment | Sulphuric/phosphoric acid resistance |
| Pharmaceutical | Reaction vessels, process equipment | Broad-spectrum corrosion resistance; cleanliness |
| Petrochemical / oil & gas | Pumps, valves, fasteners, fittings; sour-service hardware | Acid + chloride resistance; ISO 15156-3 |
| Food and synthetic materials | Processing equipment | Corrosion resistance, hygiene |
| Pickling / plating | Tanks and equipment for acid service | Sulphuric-acid resistance |
| Product Form | DIN Standard | ISO |
|---|---|---|
| Rod, bar and forging stock | DIN 17752 / 17753 / 17754 | ISO 9723 / 9724 / 9725 |
| Plate, sheet and strip | DIN 17750 | ISO 6208 |
| Seamless pipe and tube | DIN 17751 | ISO 6207 |
| Composition (all forms) | DIN 17744 | — |
| Welding consumables | DIN EN ISO 18274 matching Ni-Cr-Mo filler | — |
Listed in ISO 15156-3 / ISO 15156 for sour-service.
| W.Nr. | Ni % | Cr % | Mo % | Other | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4660 | 32–38 | 19–21 | 2–3 | Cu 3–4 | Sulphuric acid; chemical process; SCC resistance |
| 2.4858 | 38–46 | 19.5–23.5 | 2.5–3.5 | Cu 1.5–3 | Higher-Ni acid resistance; phosphoric/sulphuric |
| 2.4856 | ≥58 | 20–23 | 8–10 | Nb 3.15–4.15 | Sea-water; universal corrosion + strength |
| 2.4819 | bal | 14.5–16.5 | 15–17 | W 3–4.5 | Severe reducing acids; far higher Mo |




