ASTM 440C Stainless Steel Pipe Price 2025

For 2025, ASTM 440C stainless steel pipe is a niche, performance-driven product that typically costs more than common austenitic grades when bought in small quantities or finished forms, but can be competitively priced in bulk from Asian mills. Bulk FOB China selling prices reported in 2025 generally fall in the range of ≈ USD 1.20–1.80 per kg (equivalent to ~USD 1,200–1,800 / tonne for raw coil/pipe sheet offers), while common finished 6-m pipe pieces (small diameters / light schedules) are often listed in industry price snapshots at USD 10–65 per 6 m length depending on size and wall thickness. Distributor/retailer prices in North America and Europe for cut, certified, or finished products can be substantially higher because of processing, testing and logistics.

what kind of stainless steel is 440C?

440C is a high-carbon, martensitic stainless steel (UNS S44004 / AISI 440C / DIN 1.4125). It was developed to achieve the highest hardness and wear resistance among the common stainless grades after appropriate heat treatment, while retaining moderate corrosion resistance because of substantial chromium (~16–18%). The metallurgy combines very high carbon (≈0.95–1.20%) with chromium and small additions of alloying elements to produce an alloy that can be raised to very high hardness (over Rc 58–60 in many conditions).

In pipe form, 440C is not a commodity grade like 304 or 316; it is a specialty alloy chosen when wear resistance, hardness and dimensional stability after hardening are more important than seawater corrosion resistance or cryogenic performance. Typical product forms sold in the market include welded and seamless tubes and small-diameter precision pipes for valves, mechanical seals, shafts and instrumentation.

Chemical composition and standards

A typical chemical analysis window for 440C is:

• Carbon: 0.95–1.20%

• Chromium: 16.0–18.0%

• Manganese: ≤1.00%

• Silicon: ≤1.00%

• Molybdenum: up to ~0.75% (varies by melt)

• Phosphorus, sulfur: trace limits (≤0.04%/0.03%).

Common specifications and equivalencies you will see on certificates: AISI/ASTM A276 (bars/fixed shapes), AMS 5618 / AMS 5630 (aerospace/conditioned product), DIN 1.4125, UNS S44004, and supplier references to ASTM/EN/JIS equivalents when pipes or tubes are produced to general stainless pipe standards. When ordering pipe, buyers typically request compliance to a pipe/tube standard (for example ASTM A312 for stainless steel seamless pipes for other grades) together with a material grade note that the metal is 440C; confirm exact standard pairing with the mill.

Mechanical properties and heat treatment

In the annealed condition, 440C has moderately high tensile and yield strengths; after quenching and tempering it can reach very high hardness and wear resistance.

Representative (typical) mechanical performance:

• Annealed tensile strength: broadly in the range ≈ 700–900 MPa (varies by product form and supplier)

• Hardness after full hardening/tempering: up to Rc 60 or higher in cutlery/bearing conditions; tempering schedules trade off toughness vs hardness.

Practical heat-treat notes we follow in production: preheat and control carbon profiles to avoid cracking; perform austenitization and quench in oil or controlled media; temper at appropriate temperatures to achieve the required Rc rating while avoiding retained austenite or excessive brittleness. Post-treatment stress relief and straightening are often required for pipes used as dimensional components. These steps are a major part of cost and lead time for finished 440C pipe.

Fabrication, welding and machining considerations

440C is machinable in the annealed condition, but after hardening it becomes difficult to machine and grind — this is central to selection decisions.

Welding: martensitic stainless steels are weldable with care, but welds will typically require preheat, controlled interpass temperatures and post-weld heat treatment to reduce cracking risk and to restore properties near the fusion zone. For high hardness and wear resistance, it is far more common to fabricate pipe shapes in a softer condition and carry out final heat treatment and finishing after complete forming. Where welds must be made on hardened parts, specialty filler metals and local post-weld temper cycles are used.

Machining: in annealed state 440C machines reasonably; carbide tooling and positive rake cutters help. After hardening, EDM, grinding and specialized carbide/PCD tooling become necessary. For tight-tolerance pipe ends, preparation and finishing drive cost. We recommend specifying machinability state (annealed/hardened) when issuing RFQs.

Pipe manufacturing forms, sizes and finishes

440C pipes are offered as welded and seamless tubes, and in small diameters (typical OD ranges in vendor catalogs: 4 mm to 200 mm; wall thickness 0.6 mm to 6.0 mm in standard product lines). Length is commonly 1–6 meters (customizable). Surface finishes vary from black/bright/2B/No.4/BA/mirror polish depending on end use.

Be explicit in your purchase order about:

• final hardness/condition (e.g., annealed for fabrication, or hardened to Rc56 tempered to X°C)

• pipe standard and testing requirements (chemical report, mechanical tests, hardness mapping)

• required surface finish (polish grade) and tolerances (OD/ID concentricity, straightness). These items materially affect price and lead time.

Typical applications

We see 440C pipe used when a component must combine high hardness / wear resistance with moderate corrosion resistance and where the geometry benefits from tubular form. Typical uses include:

• valve stems and valve components in non-extreme corrosive environments;

• bushings, bearing races and guide tubes where sliding wear is present;

• small hydraulic or pneumatic actuators where surface hardness helps life;

• precision instrument tubing for mechanical assemblies where polishing and dimensional stability are required.

Where 440C is usually not recommended: continuous seawater piping, cryogenic service or aggressive chemical environments — for those conditions austenitic grades (316L, 317L) or duplex/super duplex grades are better choices. Always match corrosion demands to alloy selection.

Global market pricing (2025)

Below we present a compact price snapshot assembled from public supplier listings and price aggregators in 2025. These numbers are representative and reflect a mixture of bulk mill quotations (tonne basis), catalogue/distributor offers (per piece), and marketplace listings. Buyers should treat the table as a benchmarking tool and confirm current quotes.

Notes and interpretation:

• The lowest published figures normally come from bulk factory listings (China) and are usually per-kg or per-tonne. These do not include processing (hardening, final grinding, end-machining) or international freight, customs and certification costs.

• Distributor and small-quantity prices in the USA/Europe include handling, cut-to-length, certification and often testing; unit prices can be many times the raw material cost for small pieces.

• The example price table (1/2" SCH10 = USD 12.50/6 m; 3" SCH40 = USD 65/6 m) is drawn from a 2025 snapshot compiled by a stainless price aggregator to illustrate the effect of diameter and schedule on per-piece price. Always get a formal quotation with exact OD, wall, finish and certificate requirements.

How to buy

When you request an RFQ for ASTM 440C pipe, include the following minimal information to avoid misquotes and delays:

1. Exact material designation: “440C / UNS S44004” plus the applicable pipe/tube standard you want the mill to certify to (if any).

2. Product form and sizes: OD, ID, wall thickness (or SCH), length and quantity (e.g., 1000 m in 6 m sticks).

3. Required condition: annealed for fabrication or quenched/tempered to X Rc. Specify hardness range and any hardness mapping intervals.

4. Surface finish: BA/2B/mirror/No.4, pickling or passivation requirements.

5. Testing & documentation: Material test report (MTR / EN 10204 3.1), chemical and mechanical tests, hardness reports, PMI if needed, and NDT (UT / hydrostatic) if required.

6. Logistics & packaging: export crate, fumigation for wooden packages, labelling and palletization.

We recommend multiple suppliers (at least one mill and one reputable distributor) for price and lead-time comparisons. For critical parts, request sample pieces and testing before awarding large contracts.

Inspection, testing and quality assurance

For industrial or safety-critical applications we ask suppliers to provide: full MTR to the standard requested (chemical + mechanical), hardness mapping (for hardened pipes), and if appropriate UT/eddy current testing for wall integrity. For aerospace or medical uses, specify AMS / aerospace-grade traceability. Supplier in-house QA certificates and third-party inspection on shipment can be arranged when required.

Typical acceptance checks we run on arrival: visual, dimensional, hardness check at multiple points, verification of surface finish, and cross-check of mill certificates. For high-value orders we recommend witnessed heat treatment and third-party inspection at the mill.

Logistics, packaging and storage recommendations

Because 440C contains more carbon and is often delivered in finished/hardened condition, keep the following in mind:

• Protect polished surfaces with non-adhesive film or spacers to prevent marring.

• Use nitrogen-flushed bags for very long storage in humid climates or passivate and catalog lot numbers for traceability.

• For exports, crate packaging with inner corrosion inhibitors is standard. Air freight of small sample packages is common for urgent validation runs.

Environmental, safety and recyclability

440C is recyclable as stainless steel feedstock. Typical industrial safety practices apply (dust control for grinding, safe handling at high hardness, PPE for machining chips). When heat-treating or grinding, use local exhaust to capture particulates and follow local environmental legislation for waste and effluent.

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Practical case notes from Luokaiwei

From our own projects: when a valve manufacturer switched small control valve stems from hardened 17-4PH to 440C tubes, wear life improved but the customer accepted a 15–25% processing premium because of the extra heat treatment steps and grinding. Another lesson: if the application requires both seawater exposure and wear resistance, we usually recommend a duplex or specialized coating rather than 440C, because 440C’s corrosion resistance is only moderate. These operational tradeoffs affect total lifecycle cost more than raw material price. (Internal project summaries and supplier feedback.)

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q1 — Is 440C suitable for seawater service?
A: Not usually for continuous seawater exposure. While 440C has "stainless" chromium, its high carbon and martensitic structure mean chloride pitting and crevice corrosion resistance are limited compared with 316L, duplex or super-austenitic grades. For brackish or occasional wet environments it may be acceptable with protective coatings; for continuous seawater service choose a different alloy.

Q2 — Can I weld 440C pipe and still retain high hardness?
A: Welding is possible, but weld zones will need post-weld heat treatment and may not achieve the same hardness or toughness as base material unless carefully specified. For high-hardness components we usually fabricate in annealed condition and perform final heat treatment after forming.

Q3 — How much more does 440C cost versus 304/316?
A: On raw per-kg mill prices the metal cost difference may be modest (depending on market and alloy premiums), but final processed parts in 440C often cost significantly more because of heat treatment, grinding, hard machining and testing — often multiples of the basic alloy price in small runs. Check both raw material and process cost in quotations.

Q4 — What hardness range should I specify for pipe used as bearing races?
A: Bearing surfaces are commonly hardened to Rc 58–60 for wear applications in 440C. Tempering schedules and retained austenite control are important; ask the mill for hardness mapping certificates.

Q5 — How do I get the best price for 440C pipe?
A: Buy in larger volumes, accept standard mill lengths (6 m), remove or limit post-processing requested from the mill, and consolidate testing requirements. Supplier negotiation on MOQ, packaging and delivery terms can produce substantial savings. For critical parts, however, do not cut testing corners—lifecycle cost is usually dominant.