SANDVIK 2RK65™

TUBE AND PIPE, SEAMLESS

DATASHEET

Sandvik 2RK65™ is a high-alloy austenitic stainless steel intended for use under severe corrosive conditions
within the process industry. The grade is characterized by:

– Very good resistance to attacks in acidic environments, e.g. sulfuric, phosphoric and acetic acid
– Very good resistance to pitting in neutral chloride-bearing solutions
– Much better resistance to crevice corrosion than steels of the ASTM 304 and ASTM 316 types
– Very good resistance to stress corrosion cracking
– Good weldability

STANDARDS
– ASTM: '904L'
– UNS: N08904
– ISO: 4539-089-04-I
– EN Number: 1.4539
– EN Name: X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5

Product standards
– ASTM A213 (seamless/welded tube)
– ASTM A269 (seamless/welded tube)
– ASTM A312 (seamless/welded pipe)

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

– ASTM A240 (plate and sheet)
– ASTM A276, A479, A484 (bar)
– ASTM B677 (seamless tube and pipe)
– EN 10216-5 (seamless tube and pipe)

Approvals
– Approved for use in ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code section VIII, div. 1 construction
– VdTÜV-Werkstoffblatt 421 (Austenitischer Walz-und Schmiedestahl)

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION (NOMINAL) %

Chemical composition (nominal) %

C Si Mn P S Cr Ni Mo Cu
≤0.020 0.5 1.8 ≤0.025 ≤0.015 20 25 4.5 1.5

FORMS OF SUPPLY

1 SANDVIK 2RK65™
Seamless tube and pipe are supplied in dimension up to 230 mm (9.1 in.) outside diameter in the solution
annealed and white-pickled condition or in the bright-annealed condition.

Tubes can be bent according to customer drawings and, on request, annealed after bending.

Fittings
90 deg. bends are manufactured as standard in Sandvik 2RK65™ according to ANSI B16.9 and, where applicable,
ASTM A403. Flanges are made as standard to ANSI B16.5 in the form of slip-on flanges (class 150) and weld
neck flanges (class 300), and to relevant sections of ASTM A182. Fittings can be manufactured to other
standards by agreement. Other types of fittings such as reducers, tees and couplings can also be supplied on
request.

Other products forms

– Welded tube and pipe
– Strip, annealed or cold-rolled to different degrees of hardness
– Wire, drawn or ground
– Bar steel
– Plate and sheet
– Forged tube-sheets
– Welding consumables

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
The following figures apply to material in the solution annealed condition. Tube and pipe with thickness above 20
mm (0.79 in.) may have slightly lower values.

Metric units, at 20°C

Proof strength Tensile strength Elong. Hardness

R p0.2a) R p1.0a) Rm Ab) A2" Vickers
MPa MPa MPa % %
approx.
≥230 ≥250 520-720 ≥35c) ≥35 160
1 MPa = 1 N/mm2

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

Imperial units, at 68°F

Proof strength Tensile strength Elong. Hardness

R p0.2a) R p1.0a) Rm Ab) A2" Vickers
ksi ksi ksi %
approx.
≥33 ≥36 75-104 ≥35c) ≥35 160
a) Rp0.2 and Rp1.0 correspond to 0.2% offset and 1.0% offset yield strength, respectively.
b) Based on L0 = 5.65 √S0 where L0 is the original gauge length and S0 the original cross-section area.
c) NFA 49–217 with min 40% can be fulfilled.

Impact strength
Due to its austenitic microstructure, Sandvik 2RK65™ has very good impact strength both at room temperature
and at cryogenic temperatures.

Tests have demonstrated that the steel fulfils the requirements (60 J (44 ft-lb) at -196oC (-320oF)) according to
the European standards EN 13445-2 (UFPV-2) and EN 10216-5.

2 SANDVIK 2RK65™
At high temperatures
The steel should not be exposed to temperatures above about 550°C (1020°F) for prolonged periods, since this
leads to precipitation of intermetallic phases, which can have an adverse effect on both the mechanical
properties and the corrosion resistance of the steel.

Metric units

Temperature Proof strength

R p0.2 R p1.0
°C MPa MPa
min. min.
100 176 205
200 155 185
300 136 165
400 125 155

Imperial units

Temperature Proof strength

R p0.2 R p1.0
°F ksi ksi
min. min.
200 26.1 30.3
400 22.4 26.7
600 19.5 23.7
700 18.6 22.9

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Density: 8.0 g/cm3, 0.29 lb/in3

Thermal conductivity

Temperature, °C W/(m °C) Temperature, °F Btu/(ft h °F)

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

20 12 68 7
100 14 200 8
200 16 400 9
300 18 600 10.5
400 20 800 11.5
500 22 1000 13
600 23 1200 14
700 25 1300 14.5

Specific heat capacity

Temperature, °C J/(kg °C) Temperature, °F Btu/(lb °F)

20 460 68 0.11
100 485 200 0.12

3 SANDVIK 2RK65™
Specific heat capacity

Temperature, °C J/(kg °C) Temperature, °F Btu/(lb °F)

200 515 400 0.12
300 545 600 0.13
400 570 800 0.14
500 590 1000 0.14
600 605 1200 0.15
700 615 1300 0.15

Thermal expansion1 )

Temperature, °C Per °C Temperature, °F Per °F

30-100 15.5 86-200 8.5
30-200 16 86-400 9
30-300 16.5 86-600 9
30-400 17 86-800 9.5
30-500 17 86-1000 9.5
30-600 17.5 86-1200 9.5
30-700 17.5 86-1300 10
1) Mean values in temperature ranges (x10-6)

Resistivity

Temperature, °C μΩm Temperature, °F μΩin.

20 0.94 68 37.0
100 0.99 200 38.8
200 1.07 400 42.2
300 1.13 600 44.6
400 1.15 800 45.5
500 1.17 1000 45.8

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

600 1.15 1200 45.9
700 1.18 1300 46.5

Modulus of elasticity1 )

Temperature, °C MPa Temperature, °F ksi

20 195 68 28.5
100 190 200 27.5
200 182 400 26.5
300 174 600 25
400 166 800 24
500 158 1000 22.5
1) (x103)

CORROSION RESISTANCE

4 SANDVIK 2RK65™
General corrosion
The steel was originally developed for use in sulfuric acid. Its good resistance is achieved by virtue of a high
molybdenum content and alloying with copper. Figure 1 is an isocorrosion diagram for Sandvik 2RK65™, Sanicro®
28 and ASTM 316L in deaerated sulfuric acid.

Figure 1. Isocorrosion diagram for Sandvik 2RK65, Sanicro 28 and

ASTM 316L in deaerated sulfuric acid at a corrosion rate of 0.1
mm/year (4 mpy) in stagnant solution.

Figure 2 shows the isocorrosion diagram for the above steels but in naturally aerated sulfuric acid.

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

Figure 2. Isocorrosion diagram 0.1 mm/year (4 mpy) for Sandvik

2RK65 and ASTM 316L in naturally aerated sulfuric acid of
chemical purity.

Technical phosphoric acid manufactured by means of the 'wet' method contains varying amounts of impurities
from the starting material, the phosphate rock. The most dangerous of these impurities are chlorides, Cl-, and

5 SANDVIK 2RK65™
fluorides in free form, F-. Sandvik 2RK65 has been used with success in many applications in phosphoric acid
plants and for the handling of technical acid. However, for the severest corrosion conditions, Sanicro® 28, which
was developed especially for phosphoric acid applications, provides superior corrosion resistance.

In pure acetic acid, both Sandvik 2RK65™ and ASTM 316L are completely resistant at all temperatures and
concentrations at atmospheric pressure. At elevated temperatures and pressures, however, ASTM 316L will
corrode while Sandvik 2RK65™ will remain resistant. Experience from acetic acid production has shown that
acetic acid contaminated with formic acid is always corrosive. In acid of this kind, Sandvik 2RK65 is far more
resistant than ASTM 316L, see table 1 below. Practical operating experience has confirmed the superiority of
Sandvik 2RK65™ to ASTM 317L as well.

In formic acid, high-alloy Sandvik 2RK65™ shows better resistance than conventional steels of the ASTM 316L
type, see Figure 3. In oxalic acid Sandvik 2RK65™ shows better performance than ASTM 316L, see Figure 4.
2RK65 is resistant (corrosion rate <0.1 mm/year) in lactic acid at all concentrations at temperatures up to or
slightly below the boiling point at atmospheric pressure. This means a corrosion resistance similar to or slightly
better than of ASTM 316L in lactic acid. Due to its molybdenum content, Sandvik 2RK65™ is less resistant to
nitric acid than steels of the ASTM 304L and ASTM 310L types, which are commonly used in these
environments.

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

Figure 3. Isocorrosion diagram 0.1 mm/year (4mpy) ior 2RK65 and
ASTM 316L in formic acid.

6 SANDVIK 2RK65™
Figure 4. Isocorrosion diagram 0.1 mm/year (4mpy) ior 2RK65 and
ASTM 316L in oxalic acid.

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

Figure 5. Isocorrosion diagram 0.1 mm/year (4 mpy) ior 2RK65 and

AISI 316L in hydrochloric acid.

7 SANDVIK 2RK65™
Figure 6. Isocorrosion diagram 0.1 mm/year (4mpy) ior 2RK65 and
ASTM 316L in hydrofluoric acid.

High molybdenum content is an advantage in hydrochloric acid, and Sandvik 2RK65™, with its 4.5% Mo is
consequently far more resistant than, for example, ASTM 316L. Sandvik 2RK65 is therefore suitable for use in
chemical process solutions containing small amounts of hydrochloric acid. The isocorrosion diagram is presented
in Figure 5. The risk of pitting should, however, be kept in mind. Also in hydrofluoric acid Sandvik 2RK65™
benefits from its high molybdenum content, although hydrofluoric acid is an even more aggressive acid
compared to hydrochloric acid, see isocorrosion diagram in Figure 6.

Table 1. results of laboratory tests lasting 1+3+3 days in boiling mixtures of acetic and formic acid.

Acetic acid % Formic acid % Corrosion rate mpy ASTM 316L mpy
Sandvik 2RK65
mm/year mm/year
10 10 0.09 3.6 0.35 14
25 10 0.07 2.8 0.33 13

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

30 10 0.10 4.0 0.29 12
50 10 0.10 4.0 0.27 11

Due to its high chromium and nickel contents, Sandvik 2RK65™ possesses much better resistance in sodium
hydroxide than ASTM 304 and ASTM 316, see Figure 7.

8 SANDVIK 2RK65™
Figure 7. Isocorrosion diagram 0.1 mm/year (4mpy) ior 2RK65,
304L and AISI 316L in sodium hydroxide of chemical purity.

As can be seen, the risk of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) increases at high temperatures. This risk is enhanced
if chlorides are present. The alloy Sanicro® 28 provides better resistance against stress corrosion cracking and
also general corrosion than is the case for Sandvik 2RK65™.

Pitting corrosion
The high chromium and molybdenum contents of this steel make it very resistant to pitting. This has been
verified by extensive practical experience of service involving chloride-bearing process solutions and seawater
cooling.

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

9 SANDVIK 2RK65™
Figure 8. Mean values of critical pitting temperature (CPT) at 400
mV SCE and different Cl^- concentrations (NaCl
solutions), pH ~ 6 (1.8%Cl^- corresponds to the
chloride content of seawater).

As can be seen in Figure 8, the mean critical pitting temperature (CPT) for Sandvik 2RK65™ is around 75°C
(165°F) at a potential of 400 mV SCE in a neutral solution (pH = 6) with the same chloride content as seawater.
This value is 50°C (120°F) higher than for ASTM 316 and 20°C (68°F) higher than for Alloy 825 (21Cr42Ni3Mo).

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC)

Ordinary austenitic steels of the ASTM 304 and ASTM 316 types are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking
(SCC) in chloride-bearing solutions at temperatures above about 60°C (140oF). At high temperatures, above
about 100oC (212°F), chloride contents as low as in the ppm-range (10-4 %) are sufficient to cause stress
corrosion cracking in these steels. A nickel content of 25% is sufficient to provide very good resistance under
practical conditions.

Laboratory tests in calcium chloride confirm the superiority of Sandvik 2RK65™ in resisting stress corrosion
cracking compared to ASTM 304 and ASTM 316. As is shown by figure 9, the threshold stress (the stress
necessary to induce fracture within the maximum testing time) is considerably higher for Sandvik 2RK65™ than
for ASTM 304 and ASTM 316. Sandvik 2RK65™ is resistant up to at least 0.9 times the tensile strength.

Autoclave tests at different chloride contents and temperatures provide valuable data for material selection. Also
this type of testing demonstrates the good SCC-resistance of Sandvik 2RK65™, far better than ASTM 304 and
ASTM 316 types of steels, see Figure 10.

It is important to be aware of the fact that the residual stresses around a weld that has not been heat treated
often equal the proof strength of the material. These stresses correspond to applied stress/tensile strength
ratios of only 0.3–0.5, which is sufficient to exceed the threshold stress and thereby cause stress corrosion
cracking in ASTM 304 and ASTM 316.

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

10 SANDVIK 2RK65™
Figure 9. Results of stress corrosion cracking tests on different
steel grades in 40% CaCl₂ at 100°C (210°F), pH = 6.5.

Figure 10. SCC resistance of 2RK65 in comparison to ASTM 304

and AISI 316 types of steels in neutral aerated chloride
environments.

Crevice corrosion
Both laboratory tests and practical experience have shown that Sandvik 2RK65™ is substantially more resistant
to crevice corrosion than ASTM 316L. This is illustrated in Table 2. Crevices should nevertheless be avoided as
far as possible, especially in chloride-bearing solutions.

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

Table 2. Results of crevice corrosion tests in aerated stagnant NaCl solution (1.8% Cl-) pH = 6, test period 58 days.
The area ratio between creviced and non-creviced surface on the specimen is 1/12.

Metric units

Grade Initiated crevice Maximum depth, mm

corrosion attacks, %
50°C 60°C 70°C 50°C 60°C 70°C
Sandvik 2RK65 - 0 0 - 0 0
ASTM 316L 38 21 - 0.20 0.16 -

Imperial units

Grade Initiated crevice Maximum depth, in.

corrosion attacks, %
120°F 140°F 160°F 120 °F 140 °F 160 °F

11 SANDVIK 2RK65™
Imperial units

Grade Initiated crevice Maximum depth, in.

corrosion attacks, %
120°F 140°F 160°F 120 °F 140 °F 160 °F
Sandvik 2RK65 - 0 0 - 0 0
ASTM 316L 38 21 - 0.008 0.006 -

HEAT TREATMENT
Solution annealing

The tubes are delivered in heat treated condition. If additional heat treatment is needed after further processing
the following is recommended.

1080–1150°C (1975–2100°F), 5–30 minutes, rapid quenching in air or water.

WELDING
Sandvik 2RK65™ possesses good weldability. Welding should be undertaken without preheating. If welding is
correctly performed, there is no need for subsequent heat treatment. The temperature between welding passes
should not exceed 100°C (212oF). Suitable methods of fusion welding are manual metal-arc welding with
covered electrodes and gas-shielded arc welding, especially the TIG and MIG methods.

Since the material is intended for use under severe corrosion conditions, welding must be carried out with care
and a thorough cleaning must be performed after welding to ensure that the weld metal and the heat-affected
zone will have corrosion properties close to those of the parent metal.

Welding should be undertaken with low heat input, maximum 1.0 kJ/mm. Furthermore, the diameter of
electrodes used in manual metal-arc welding should be max. 2.5 mm (3/32 in.) for stock thicknesses up to 6 mm
(1/4 in.) and max. 3.25 mm (1/8 in.) for heavier stock gauges. A stringer bead welding technique is recommended.

Like all austenitic stainless steels, Sandvik 2RK65 has low thermal conductivity and high thermal expansion, so
welding must be carefully planned in advance to ensure that distortion of the welded joint can be kept under
control. If, despite such precautions, it is believed that residual stresses might impair the functioning of the
structure, it is recommended that the entire structure will be solution annealed, see under 'Heat treatment'.

Welding of fully austenitic steels often entails the risk of hot-cracking in the weld metal, particularly if the
weldment is under constraint. Sandvik 2RK65, however, possesses very high purity, which reduces the risk of

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

such cracking.

We recommend Sandvik 20.25.5.LCu wire as a filler metal for gas-shielded arc welding. Sandvik 20.25.5.LCuR
covered electrodes are recommended for manual metal-arc welding. Wire Sandvik 27.31.4.LCu or covered
electrodes Sandvik 27.31.4.LCuR can be used to advantage in applications where particularly good pitting
resistance is required in the weld metal. When Sandvik 2RK65™ is welded to carbon steel, filler metals of nickel
alloys can also be used.

BENDING
The good ductility of Sandvik 2RK65™ permits bending in the cold state to the smallest bending radii attainable
with modern methods and machines. Annealing is not necessary after cold bending. If, however, the tubes have
been heavily cold-worked and are to be used under conditions where stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is liable to
occur, solution annealing is recommended (see under 'Heat treatment').

For pressure vessel applications in Germany, heat treatment may be required after cold deformation in
accordance with VdTÜV-Wb 421. Heat treatment should be carried out by solution annealing.

APPLICATIONS

12 SANDVIK 2RK65™
Typical applications for Sandvik 2RK65™ are found in oil refineries and within the chemical and petrochemical
industry. Sandvik 2RK65™ is also used within the pulp and paper industry, the mineral and metallurgical industry,
the food industry, in seawater cooling and in many other fields.

The grade is an excellent alternative to standard austenitic stainless steels in heat exchangers using high-
temperature water with chloride contamination.

Disclaimer: Recommendations are for guidance only, and the suitability of a material for a specific application can be confirmed
only when we know the actual service conditions. Continuous development may necessitate changes in technical data without
notice. This datasheet is only valid for Sandvik materials.

Datasheet updated 6/19/2019 2:54:40 PM (supersedes all previous editions)

materials.sandvik/contact-us
MATERIALS.SANDVIK