ASTM A240 Standard Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and General Applications
ASTM A240 is the standard specification covering chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plate, sheet, and strip intended for pressure vessels and general applications.
It is one of the most widely referenced stainless steel material standards for industrial fabrication, petrochemical equipment, pressure vessels, storage tanks, structural components, and general corrosion-resistant applications.
ASTM A240 defines chemical composition limits, mechanical property requirements, heat treatment conditions, surface finish classifications, dimensional tolerances, and inspection standards.
What Is ASTM A240?
ASTM A240 is issued by ASTM International and applies to flat-rolled stainless steel products, including:
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Plate
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Sheet
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Strip
The specification establishes requirements for:
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Chemical composition
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Mechanical properties
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Heat treatment
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Surface finish
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Testing and certification
Unlike ASTM A312 (pipe) and ASTM A213 (tube), ASTM A240 applies to flat products used for fabrication and pressure-retaining components.
Scope of ASTM A240
ASTM A240 covers stainless steel materials intended for:
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Pressure vessels
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Storage tanks
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Structural components
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Industrial fabrication
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Corrosion-resistant equipment
It includes both:
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Austenitic stainless steels
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Ferritic stainless steels
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Martensitic stainless steels
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Duplex stainless steels
The standard focuses on material properties prior to fabrication.
Product Forms Covered
ASTM A240 applies to:
Stainless Steel Plate
Typically thicker materials used in pressure vessels and heavy fabrication.
Stainless Steel Sheet
Thinner flat products used in industrial and architectural applications.
Stainless Steel Strip
Narrow-width products for specialized manufacturing.
Dimensional tolerances for flat products are often governed by ASTM A480/A480M.
Grades Covered Under ASTM A240
ASTM A240 includes a wide range of stainless steel grades.
Austenitic Grades
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Type 304 / 304L
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Type 316 / 316L
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Type 321
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Type 347
These grades provide excellent corrosion resistance and formability.
Ferritic Grades
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Type 409
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Type 430
Used in moderate corrosion environments and automotive applications.
Martensitic Grades
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Type 410
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Type 420
Heat-treatable grades offering higher strength and hardness.
Duplex Grades
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UNS S31803 / S32205 (2205)
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UNS S32750 (2507)
Provide high strength and superior resistance to chloride corrosion.
Chemical Composition Overview
Type 304
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Chromium (Cr): 18–20%
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Nickel (Ni): 8–11%
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Carbon (C): ≤ 0.08%
Type 316
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Chromium (Cr): 16–18%
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Nickel (Ni): 10–14%
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Molybdenum (Mo): 2–3%
Duplex 2205
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Chromium (Cr): 22–23%
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Nickel (Ni): 4.5–6.5%
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Molybdenum (Mo): 3–3.5%
Exact chemical limits must comply with the latest ASTM A240 edition.
| Grade | UNS | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | Ni | Mo | N | Cu | Other/Notes |
| 304 | S30400 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 18.0–20.0 | 8.0–11.0 | 0.10 | |||
| 316 | S31600 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 16.0–18.0 | 10.0–14.0 | 2.00–3.00 | 0.10 | ||
| 321 | S32100 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 17.0–19.0 | 9.0–12.0 | 0.10 | Ti 5×(C+N) min, 0.70 max | ||
| 347 | S34700 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 17.0–19.0 | 9.0–13.0 | Nb 10×C min, 1.00 max | |||
| 309S | S30908 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 22.0–24.0 | 12.0–15.0 | ||||
| 310S | S31008 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 1.50 | 24.0–26.0 | 19.0–22.0 | ||||
| 430 | S43000 | 0.12 | 1.00 | 0.040 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 16.0–18.0 | 0.75 | ||||
| 410 | S41000 | 0.08–0.15 | 1.00 | 0.040 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 11.5–13.5 | 0.75 | ||||
| 31803 | S31803 | 0.030 | 2.00 | 0.030 | 0.020 | 1.00 | 21.0–23.0 | 4.5–6.5 | 2.5–3.5 | 0.08–0.20 | ||
| 32205 | S32205 | 0.030 | 2.00 | 0.030 | 0.020 | 1.00 | 22.0–23.0 | 4.5–6.5 | 3.0–3.5 | 0.14–0.20 | ||
| 32750 | S32750 | 0.030 | 1.20 | 0.035 | 0.020 | 0.80 | 24.0–26.0 | 6.0–8.0 | 3.0–5.0 | 0.24–0.32 | 0.50 max | |
| 32760 | S32760 | 0.030 | 1.00 | 0.030 | 0.010 | 1.00 | 24.0–26.0 | 6.0–8.0 | 3.0–4.0 | 0.20–0.30 | 0.50–1.00 | W 0.50–1.00 |
Mechanical Property Requirements
ASTM A240 specifies minimum mechanical properties including:
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Tensile strength
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Yield strength
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Elongation
For example:
Type 304 plate typically requires:
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Tensile strength ≥ 515 MPa
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Yield strength ≥ 205 MPa
Duplex grades provide significantly higher yield strength compared to austenitic grades.
Mechanical values may vary depending on thickness and heat treatment condition.
Heat Treatment Requirements
Flat-rolled stainless steel products under ASTM A240 are typically supplied in the annealed condition.
Heat treatment ensures:
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Proper microstructure
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Corrosion resistance
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Adequate ductility
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Dimensional stability
For martensitic grades, additional hardening and tempering may be applied depending on application requirements.
Surface Finish Classifications
ASTM A240 products may be supplied with different surface finishes, including:
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No.1 (Hot-rolled, annealed, descaled)
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2B (Cold-rolled, annealed, pickled)
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BA (Bright annealed)
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Polished finishes
Surface finish selection depends on fabrication and application requirements.
Testing and Inspection Requirements
ASTM A240 requires:
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Tension test
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Hardness testing (where applicable)
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Dimensional inspection
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Surface quality inspection
Material Test Certificates are typically provided according to EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2.
ASTM A240 vs ASTM A480
| Feature | ASTM A240 | ASTM A480 |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Material specification | General requirements & tolerances |
| Product | Plate, sheet, strip | Flat-rolled stainless steel |
| Role | Defines grades & properties | Defines tolerances & general requirements |
ASTM A480 is commonly referenced alongside ASTM A240.
ASTM A240 vs ASTM A312
| Feature | ASTM A240 | ASTM A312 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Form | Plate / Sheet | Pipe |
| Application | Fabrication | Pressure piping |
| Dimension Standard | Thickness & width | NPS & Schedule |
Typical Applications of ASTM A240 Material
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Pressure vessels
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Storage tanks
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Chemical processing equipment
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Industrial fabrication
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Structural components
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Architectural applications
ASTM A240 stainless steel is widely selected where corrosion resistance and formability are required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ASTM A240 and A480?
ASTM A240 defines material grades and properties, while ASTM A480 covers general requirements and tolerances for flat-rolled stainless steel.
Does ASTM A240 include 304 and 316?
Yes, 304 and 316 are among the most commonly specified grades under ASTM A240.
Is ASTM A240 used for pressure vessels?
Yes, it is widely used for pressure vessel fabrication.
Does ASTM A240 include duplex stainless steel?
Yes, duplex grades such as 2205 and 2507 are included.
Download ASTM A240 Standard Specification (Reference PDF)
A reference overview PDF is available below.
For the official and latest complete standard, please refer to ASTM International.
[Download ASTM A240 PDF]
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