The 254SMO stainless steel and 253MA stainless steel alloys are the most widely used in the industry.
Both these alloys are used in different applications due to differences in their properties and compositions. We can change the composition of stainless steel alloys to attain the desired properties.
The main difference between 254SMO and 253MA stainless steel alloys is their composition.
The 254SMO stainless steel has high nickel and molybdenum contents in its composition. 254SMO stainless steel has the properties of the austenitic stainless steel family. This grade of stainless steel is known for its excellent resistance against chloride stress corrosion and great shock or impact toughness.
While the 253MA stainless steel alloy has low nickel and high cerium, nitrogen and silicon contents than 254SMO stainless steel, this composition gives high-temperature strength and oxide stability.
This article is beneficial for you if you want to know the differences between 254SMO stainless steel and 253MA stainless steel.
What is 254SMO Stainless Steel?
With additions of copper and nitrogen, the 254SMO stainless steel alloy has high nickel content and roughly 6% molybdenum.
It was created with several other alloys to withstand stress corrosion cracking in boiling chloride solutions. Making and welding are both relatively simple processes.
This stainless steel type is also referred to as UNS S31254.
High-end stainless steel 254SMO often has mechanical qualities that are nearly twice as high as those of steel from the 300 series.
High impact resistance, toughness, crevice corrosion, pitting resistance, and a very high tensile strength are only a few of the properties of 254SMO stainless steel.
The alloy can be used in desalination equipment, offshore oil and gas platform process systems, and companies that handle chemicals.
The recommended forging temperature range for this highly alloyed steel is 2370–1920°F (1300–1050°C), with a solution anneal at a minimum temperature of 2100°F (1150°C).
254 SMO® is a registered trademark of Outokumpu OYJ.
What is 253MA Stainless Steel?
Low austenitic stainless steel 253MA has exceptional oxidation resistance and excellent strength.
253MA stainless steel keeps its heat-resistant capabilities. Up to 2000°F, rare earth metals combined with silicon provide outstanding oxidation resistance.
This grade of stainless steel is also known as UNS S30815 steel.
Creep rupture strength equivalent to that of nickel-base alloys is produced by a combination of nitrogen, carbon, and a mixture of rare earth and alkali metal oxides.
Common uses for 253MA stainless steel include many parts such as heat exchangers, kilns, stack dampers, and oven components that need great strength at high temperatures.
253 MA® is the registered trademark of Outokumpu Stainless AB.
Grade 254SMO Stainless Steel vs Grade 253MA Stainless Steel Comparison
The comparison of 254SMO stainless steel and 253MA stainless steel depends upon their compositions.
The composition of these two alloys is not the same; therefore, they both have different physical and mechanical properties.
Chemical Composition
The chemical components of grade 254SMO stainless steel is summarized in the following table:
| Grade | Standard | C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr | Ni | Mo |
| UNS S31254 | ASTM | ≤0.02 | ≤0.8 | ≤1.00 | ≤0.040 | ≤0.030 | 19.50-20.50 | 17.50-18.50 | 6.0-6.5 |
The chemical components of grade 253 MA stainless steel is summarized in the following table:
| Grade | Standard | C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr | Ni | Ce |
| UNS S30815 | ASTM | ≤0.10 | ≤2.00 | ≤0.80 | ≤0.040 | ≤0.030 | 20.00-22.00 | 10.00-12.00 | 0.03-0.08 |
Mechanical properties of grade 254SMO stainless steel
- Tensile strength: 680MPa
- Yield strength: 300MPa
- Elongation at break: 50 %
- Hardness, Brinell: 210
Mechanical properties of grade 253MA stainless steel
- Tensile strength: 600MPa
- Yield strength: 310MPa
- Elongation at break: 40 %
- Hardness, Brinell: 217
Applications
Applications of grade 254SMO stainless steel:
254SMO is widely used in situations with high levels of chloride because of its high quantities of nickel and molybdenum. Applications for Alloy 254 SMO include:
- Marine structures in marine environment, seawater desalination, mariculture, seawater heat exchange industry
- Thermal power generation flue gas desulfurization device, wastewater treatment equipment
- Nuclear power generation, comprehensive utilization of coal, power generation
- Oil refining, chemical equipment
- Salt making industry, soy sauce brewing industry
- Paper production industry, various bleaching devices
Grade 253MA steel used in the following applications:
- Equipment for continuous casting, steel melting furnaces, sintering equipment, and blast furnace equipment
- Heat treatment furnace, rolling mill (heating furnace), and accessories
Radiating tube, cyclone separator, corrugated box, boiler nozzle, and basket - Machinery for producing cement and minerals
- Components with working temperatures up to 1150 °C are not pressure-sensitive
Which one Between Grade 254SMO Stainless Steel and Grade 253MA Stainless Steel is better?
The grade 254SMO has excellent resistance to crevice and pitting corrosion, cracking corrosion and stress chloride corrosion.
All these properties are shown by grade 254SMO due to adding more nickel and molybdenum contents in its composition.
Therefore grade 254SMO maintains its quality under such conditions better than grade 253MA stainless steel.
Conclusion
There are numbers of applications around the world in which 254SMO stainless steel and 253MA stainless steel alloys are used.
Both alloys are most widely used in industries due to their outstanding properties like heat resistance, high strength and corrosion resistance.
We specialize in the production of premium-grade stainless steel 254SMO and 253MA products. If you have new project today, please do not hesitate to contact our expert team.
