# AISI 422 Stainless Steel Forgings

**UNS S42200 · AMS 5655 · ASTM A565 Gr.616 · DIN 1.4935 (X20CrMoWV12-1)**

| | |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Manufacturer** | Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. — open-die forging factory |
| **Address** | No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China |
| **Telephone** | +86 189-2135-9659 |
| **Email** | sales@steelforgepieces.com |
| **Web page** | http://www.steelforgepieces.com/Stainless-Steel/AISI-422.html |
| **Last checked** | 30 September 2026 |

> AISI 422 is a hardenable 12 % chromium martensitic stainless steel for service at
> temperatures up to 1200 °F (649 °C). Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. forges AISI 422
> into bars, rings, discs, shafts, sleeves, turbine valve spindles and high-temperature
> bolting for steam turbine, gas turbine and aerospace work.

---

## Contents

1. [Quick reference](#1-quick-reference)
2. [Grade description](#2-grade-description)
3. [Standards and equivalents](#3-standards-and-equivalents)
4. [Chemical composition](#4-chemical-composition)
5. [Mechanical properties](#5-mechanical-properties)
6. [Physical properties](#6-physical-properties)
7. [Heat treatment](#7-heat-treatment)
8. [Forging](#8-forging)
9. [Machining and welding](#9-machining-and-welding)
10. [Products supplied](#10-products-supplied)
11. [Common questions](#11-common-questions)
12. [Enquiries and supplier details](#12-enquiries-and-supplier-details)

---

## 1. Quick reference

| Item | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| Grade names | AISI 422, Type 422, AISI 616, Alloy 616 |
| UNS number | S42200 |
| Steel type | Martensitic, hardenable, creep-resistant, 12 % Cr |
| Governing specs | AMS 5655, ASTM A565 Gr.616, DIN 1.4935, SAE 51422, SAE J467, GE B50A125E |
| Service temperature | Up to 1200 °F (649 °C) |
| Tensile strength | 965 MPa (140 ksi) typical |
| Yield strength | 793 MPa (115 ksi) at 0.2 % offset |
| Hardness | 95 HRB max · 290 HB max |
| Principal uses | Steam turbine blades and buckets, gas turbine parts, rotors, valve stems and trim, high-temperature bolting, aircraft parts |
| Forms supplied | Forged bars, rings, seamless rolled rings, discs, blocks, shafts, sleeves, valve spindles, studs, bolts |

---

## 2. Grade description

AISI 422 is a high-alloy martensitic stainless steel containing about 12 % chromium
with additions of molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium. These elements form stable
carbides that resist softening during tempering, giving AISI 422 higher strength at
temperature and better creep-rupture behaviour than plain 12 % chromium grades. Carbon
is held at 0.20 to 0.25 %, so the grade hardens by conventional quenching and tempering
and can be set to several strength levels depending on section, form and application.

Corrosion resistance is moderate. AISI 422 resists the atmosphere, fresh water, steam
and the milder acids and alkalis, and it resists scaling and oxidation well, but it is
not a replacement for austenitic grades in aggressive chemical service. Corrosion
resistance is highest in the hardened and tempered condition.

Compared with Type 403, AISI 422 retains more strength as temperature rises, which is
the usual reason for selecting it in turbine and airframe components.

---

## 3. Standards and equivalents

| Standard or system | Designation |
| :--- | :--- |
| UNS | S42200 |
| AISI | AISI 422 · AISI 616 (Alloy 616) |
| AMS | AMS 5655 — bar, forging, wire |
| ASTM | ASTM A565 Grade 616 |
| DIN / EN | 1.4935 · X20CrMoWV12-1 |
| SAE | SAE 51422 · SAE J467 |
| OEM | GE B50A125E |

AISI 422 and DIN 1.4935 are treated as interchangeable for turbine blading on most
projects, although 1.4935 is normally written to a narrower chromium band of 11.0 to
12.5 %. The governing standard must be named on the order, because AMS 5655 and
ASTM A565 carry different test and certification requirements.

---

## 4. Chemical composition

Weight %, to AMS 5655 / UNS S42200.

| Element          |   Min |    Max |
| :--------------- | ----: | -----: |
| Carbon, C        |  0.20 |   0.25 |
| Chromium, Cr     | 11.00 |  13.50 |
| Molybdenum, Mo   |  0.75 |   1.25 |
| Tungsten, W      |  0.75 |   1.25 |
| Nickel, Ni       |  0.50 |   1.00 |
| Vanadium, V      |  0.17 |   0.30 |
| Manganese, Mn    |  0.20 |   0.60 |
| Silicon, Si      |     — |   1.00 |
| Copper, Cu       |     — |   0.50 |
| Phosphorus, P    |     — |  0.040 |
| Sulfur, S        |     — |  0.030 |
| Iron, Fe         | Balance, about 82 % ||

**Note on limits.** Published limits differ slightly between standards and mills. Some
specifications give manganese as 1.00 % max and silicon as 0.20 to 0.60 %, and the
DIN 1.4935 version is usually written to chromium 11.0 to 12.5 % with molybdenum and
tungsten at 0.90 to 1.25 % each. We work to the band named on the drawing and certify
against it to EN 10204 3.1.

---

## 5. Mechanical properties

Typical values at room temperature, heat treated condition.

| Property                       |            Metric |             Imperial |
| :----------------------------- | ----------------: | -------------------: |
| Tensile strength               |           965 MPa |              140 ksi |
| Yield strength, 0.2 % offset   |           793 MPa |              115 ksi |
| Elongation in 4D               |              13 % |                 13 % |
| Reduction of area              |              25 % |                 25 % |
| Hardness, Rockwell B           |            95 max |               95 max |
| Hardness, Brinell              |           290 max |              290 max |
| Modulus of elasticity          |     190 – 210 GPa |  27,557 – 30,458 ksi |
| Poisson's ratio                |       0.27 – 0.30 |        0.27 – 0.30   |

These are typical values, not guaranteed minima. Minimum values in the governing
specification are lower, and what a heavy forged section will meet depends on section
size and tempering route. Test coupon position and property location are agreed before
production starts.

---

## 6. Physical properties

| Property             | Value                          | Condition        |
| :------------------- | :----------------------------- | :--------------- |
| Density              | 7.75 – 7.8 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³) | Room temperature |
| Thermal expansion    | 11.2 × 10⁻⁶ /°C                | 0 – 100 °C       |
| Thermal conductivity | 23.9 W/m·K                     | 100 °C           |
| Magnetic response    | Magnetic                       | All conditions   |

---

## 7. Heat treatment

### 7.1 Annealing

| Route | Cycle | Result |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Martensitic structure | 1350 – 1430 °F (730 – 780 °C), soak 4 h, furnace treat, air cool | approx. 21 – 25 HRC |
| Softer, for machining | 1900 °F (1040 °C), cool to 1275 °F (690 °C), hold 24 – 48 h, air cool | approx. 90 – 95 HRB, ferrite and carbide structure |
| Full anneal | 1600 – 1650 °F (871 – 899 °C), slow furnace cool | — |

### 7.2 Hardening

Heat to about 1900 °F (1040 °C) and soak, then oil quench. Some specifications give the
austenitising band as 1875 to 1925 °F (1025 to 1050 °C). Complex shapes can be
marquenched at 650 °F (340 °C), just above the martensite start temperature, to limit
distortion and quench cracking. Allow the part to cool fully to room temperature before
tempering.

### 7.3 Tempering and stress relief

The tempering temperature sets the final strength level: the higher the tempering
temperature, the lower the strength and the greater the ductility. Stress relief is
carried out at 1100 to 1150 °F (593 to 621 °C), followed by furnace or air cooling.

> **Caution.** Any thermal cycle above the last tempering temperature will change the
> mechanical properties, so stress-relief temperature must be chosen with the temper in
> mind.

---

## 8. Forging

AISI 422 air hardens, so it must be charged warm, worked hot and cooled slowly.

| Stage | Temperature |
| :--- | :--- |
| Preheat | 1200 – 1400 °F (650 – 760 °C) |
| Forging range | 1900 – 2150 °F (1040 – 1175 °C) |
| After forging | Slow cool to room temperature, then anneal and temper |

> **Caution.** A finished forging must not be left to air cool unprotected straight from
> the finishing heat. Untempered martensite forms and the piece can crack.

**In-house capability.** Open-die forging of bars, blocks, solid and hollow shafts and
stepped shafts; ring rolling for rings, sleeves, flanges and casings; annealing,
quenching, tempering and stress relief with recorded furnace charts; chemical analysis,
tensile, impact and hardness testing, ultrasonic and magnetic particle inspection.

---

## 9. Machining and welding

Keep tools sharply ground to avoid galling, hold the speed down, and keep speed and feed
steady. Cobalt high-speed tools work well; carbide is preferred on hardened material.
The figures below are working guidelines for cobalt high-speed tooling.

| Operation | Tool geometry           | Speed, sfpm |
| :-------- | :---------------------- | ----------: |
| Turning   | 8 – 14° side rake       |    90 – 120 |
| Drilling  | 140° point              |     40 – 75 |
| Milling   | —                       |    70 – 120 |
| Reaming   | —                       |     20 – 60 |
| Threading | 10 – 15° back rake      |           — |

**Welding.** A controlled procedure is required. Preheating is mandatory to prevent
cracking, and the weld needs a post-weld stress relief at 1100 to 1400 °F
(590 to 760 °C) for four hours. Filler wire matching AMS 5655 gives the best result.
Cold working is limited, so forming should be done hot.

---

## 10. Products supplied

| Form             | Items |
| :--------------- | :---- |
| Bars             | Forged round bars, square bars, flat and rectangular bars, turbine blade stock |
| Hollow sections  | Hollow bars, sleeves, bushings, pipes and tubes, barrels, casings, shells, cylinders, hubs, housings |
| Rings            | Forged rings, seamless rolled rings |
| Discs and blocks | Forged blocks, discs, plates |
| Turbine parts    | Steam and gas turbine valve spindles, stems and rods |
| Fasteners        | Double-ended studs, bolts, high-temperature bolting |

Every shipment carries a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1. Third party inspection
by SGS, BV, TUV or the customer's own inspector is welcome at our works.

---

## 11. Common questions

**What is the maximum service temperature of AISI 422?**
Up to 1200 °F (649 °C), where it keeps good creep-rupture properties and resistance to
scaling and oxidation. The safe limit for a given part depends on the atmosphere, the
loading and the operating cycle, so it should be checked against the design code.

**Is AISI 422 the same as 1.4935 or AISI 616?**
They describe the same 12 % chromium creep-resistant martensitic stainless steel.
AISI 422 is the American name, UNS S42200 the unified number, AISI 616 or Alloy 616 the
name used in ASTM A565 Grade 616, and DIN 1.4935 X20CrMoWV12-1 the European equivalent.
Composition bands differ slightly between these standards, so the order must name the
one that governs.

**How does AISI 422 compare with Type 403?**
AISI 422 contains molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium that Type 403 does not. These form
carbides that resist tempering, so AISI 422 keeps more of its strength as temperature
rises and has better creep-rupture properties. It is the normal choice when a 403 blade
or bolt cannot hold strength at temperature.

**Can AISI 422 be welded?**
Yes, but it is difficult and needs procedure control. Preheating is mandatory to prevent
cracking, and a post-weld stress relief at 1100 to 1400 °F (590 to 760 °C) for four
hours is required. Filler matching AMS 5655 gives the best results. Welding on already
hardened and tempered parts changes the properties locally.

**How corrosion resistant is AISI 422?**
Moderately. It suits applications where maximum corrosion resistance is not the
requirement, resisting the atmosphere, fresh water, steam and the milder acids and
alkalis, with resistance highest in the hardened and tempered condition. For strongly
corrosive or marine service, use an austenitic or duplex grade instead.

**What is AISI 422 used for?**
Mostly steam turbine blades and buckets. It is also used for gas turbine components,
rotors, turbine valve spindles and valve trim, high-temperature bolting, jet engine and
other aircraft parts, and high-heat components in power generation, refineries and
chemical plant.

**Can you supply one-off or small quantity AISI 422 forgings?**
Yes. Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is an open-die forging factory, so we make single
pieces, prototypes and production batches of AISI 422 forgings to drawing.

**What is needed for a quotation?**
Grade, dimensions, quantity, governing standard and any inspection requirement. A
quotation normally follows within one working day.

---

## 12. Enquiries and supplier details

Send the drawing or the dimensions, quantity, governing standard and required tests to
**sales@steelforgepieces.com**, or call **+86 189-2135-9659**.

| | |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Company** | Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. |
| **Business** | Open-die forging factory |
| **Address** | No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China |
| **Telephone** | +86 189-2135-9659 (also WhatsApp and WeChat) |
| **Email** | sales@steelforgepieces.com |
| **Website** | http://www.steelforgepieces.com/ |

Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. makes forged bars, seamless rolled rings, forged
flanges, discs, shafts and custom forged components in carbon steel, alloy steel, tool
steel, stainless steel and nickel alloys. The data on this page is drawn from published
grade standards and from our own production experience with AISI 422. Figures are
guidelines; the values for a given order are those stated on the mill test certificate.

### Related pages

| Page | URL |
| :--- | :--- |
| Stainless steel grades | http://www.steelforgepieces.com/Stainless-Steel/ |
| PH13-8Mo | http://www.steelforgepieces.com/Stainless-Steel/PH13-8Mo.html |
| 15-5PH | http://www.steelforgepieces.com/Stainless-Steel/15-5ph.html |
| 17-7PH | http://www.steelforgepieces.com/Stainless-Steel/17-7ph.html |
| Nickel alloys | http://www.steelforgepieces.com/Nickel-Alloy/ |
| Contact | http://www.steelforgepieces.com/Contact-Us/ |
