CF3 Stainless steel is the equivalent type of 304L stainless steel, which is specially used in investment casting process. CF8 and CF3 have very similar chemical and mechanical properties. CF3 is a variation of CF8 and has a lower carbon content which improves weldability and lowers the risk of reduced corrosion resistance around the weld. CF3 is preferred to CF8 when there will be no post-weld heat treatment. Solution annealing is necessary for maximum corrosion resistance and to prevent intergranular attack. CF3 is used for applications below 345°C in industries ranging from food and beverage to nuclear power, petroleum and detergent manufacturing. Stainless Steel Casting Components produced in CF3 stainless steel include impellers, manifolds and valve bodies, etc.
What Does CF3 Mean?
C – The first letter means the service it is intedted to be used in corrosion resistant service. Meanwhile it may also means casting purpose because the F letter in F316 means forge process.
F – The second letter indicates the approximate location of the alloy on the iron-chromium-nickel (FeCrNi) ternary diagram.
3 – The only digits means the maximum allowed carton content in units of 0.01%. For example, CF3 has a maximum of 0.03% carbon content.
Note: Without M letter in CF3, this means there is no Molybdenum element contained in CF3 material.
Chemical Compostions & Mechanical Properties
| Chemical Compositions (ASTM A315 Standard) | |||||||
| CF3 | C | Mn | Si | S | P | Cr | Ni |
| ≤0.03 | ≤1.50 | ≤1.50 | ≤0.040 | ≤0.040 | 17.0-21.0 | 8.0-12.0 | |
| Mechanical Properties | ||||||
| CF3 | Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | Elongation | |||
| ≥485Mpa | ≥205Mpa | ≥35.0% | ||||
CF3 Stainless Steel Investment Casting Process
Stainless steel investment casting, also known as stainless steel lost wax casting, is a manufacturing process in which a wax pattern is created and then coated with a ceramic slurry to create a mold. The wax is then melted out of the ceramic mold and molten metal is poured into the cavity. The molten metal solidifies and the ceramic shell is then broken or blasted off, creating a metal casting. The stainless steel investment casting process does not require a minimum order quantity and can cast CF3 stainless steel parts ranging from 0.05kg to 50kgs, so it can be a manufacturing solution no matter what size project you are working on.
Benefits of CF3 Stainless Steel Casting
The advantages of CF3 stainless steel casting are impressive. As a professional stainless steel foundry, CFS can offer CF3 stainless steel investment casting service as well as some value added services to supply finished parts to our customers. Detailed advantages of casting CF3 stainless steel are summarized as below:
- Reduce secondary operations
- Create stronger parts
- Produce less waste
- Maintain incredibly tight tolerances
- Incorporate thinner walls for reduced weight
- Maintain outstanding repeatability
- Reduce tooling costs over multiple production runs
- Design highly detailed surfaces and stamps
Besides CF3 stainless steel, CFS can also investment cast other stainless steel alloys such as CF8, CF3M, CF8M stainless steel alloys. Any inquiry on stainless steel casting, pls get in touch with our company!
