Grade dossier
436 Stainless Steel
436 stainless steel is a molybdenum-alloyed, stabilized ferritic grade identified as UNS S43600. Its 16–18% chromium, 0.75–1.25% molybdenum and niobium stabilization make it a practical step up from 430/434 for bright automotive trim, roll-formed parts and welded ferritic components exposed to deicing salts and other reviewed mild chloride environments.
Identity before substitution
Specify 436 by stabilization route, flat-product standard and finish
Type 436 is not simply “430 with more corrosion resistance.” Cleveland-Cliffs describes it as an improvement of Type 434 with a niobium stabilizing addition, while international cross-reference tables also map S43600 to more than one EN chemistry. The RFQ should therefore state the governing standard, thickness, width, surface finish, forming or welding route, required appearance and service exposure rather than relying on the grade name alone.
436 stainless composition
UNS S43600 chemistry used for Type 436 automotive trim
Cross-references are not chemistry-identical
The values at right reproduce Cleveland-Cliffs’ Type 436 / UNS S43600 trim chemistry. EN 1.4526 and 1.4513 are recognized 436-family cross-references but use different carbon and stabilization limits. Put the exact standard and edition on the purchase order and verify the delivered heat against its MTC.
| C | 0.12 max |
|---|---|
| Mn | 1.00 max |
| P | 0.040 max |
| S | 0.030 max |
| Si | 1.00 max |
| Cr | 16.00–18.00 |
| Mo | 0.75–1.25 |
| Nb | 5 × C min · 0.80 max |
436 stainless properties
Use source-specific trim values and keep acceptance tied to the order standard
Cleveland-Cliffs bright automotive-trim typical values
| Tensile strength | 517 MPa typical |
|---|---|
| 0.2% yield strength | 310 MPa typical |
| Elongation in 50.8 mm | 28% typical |
| Rockwell hardness | 75 HRB typical |
Physical and condition indicators
| Density | about 7.72 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Elastic modulus | about 200 GPa |
| Mean CTE · 0–100°C | about 10.0 µm/m·K |
| Heat-treatment response | Ferritic; not selected for quench hardening |
These mechanical values are manufacturer-typical data for automotive-trim product, not universal minima for every 436 order. Thickness, cold work, anneal route, orientation and product specification affect delivered properties; use the ordered standard and heat-specific MTC for acceptance.
Selection boundary
Use 436 where molybdenum, stabilization and bright-trim performance solve the real problem
436 is strongest when the requirement combines ferritic economics, moderate chloride/deicing-salt resistance, forming and welded-zone stability. It should not be treated as a universal substitute for 304/316 or for higher-molybdenum ferritic grades in aggressive chloride exposure.
Good reasons to evaluate 436
Above-belt-line automotive trim such as window bezels and roof trim exposed to deicing salts
Bright-annealed decorative trim needing more corrosion resistance than basic 430
Roll-formed or stamped ferritic parts where niobium stabilization helps reduce roping tendency
Welded ferritic trim where a fully stabilized grade is preferred to reduce intergranular-attack risk
Stop and review before release
Severe chloride, continuously wet salt deposits or crevice conditions without corrosion testing
Service that really needs the higher molybdenum level and pitting margin of a grade such as 444
Automatic substitution between S43600, 1.4526 and 1.4513 without reconciling chemistry and stabilization
Applications demanding martensitic hardening or strength levels that annealed ferritic 436 cannot provide
Fabrication route
Control forming, welding and bright-finish handling together
Cleveland-Cliffs describes the ferritic trim grades as readily drawn and formed, with drawing behavior similar to low-carbon steel but requiring stronger tooling and more power in the annealed condition.
Type 436 is niobium stabilized and is expected to show less roping tendency than 430 or 434, an important point when appearance after forming is part of the acceptance criteria.
For welded trim, the fully stabilized Type 436 chemistry is specifically recommended to reduce preferential corrosion from intergranular attack. Qualify heat input, joint quality and filler for the actual component.
Bright Anneal #2 is a typical automotive-trim finish. Interleaving is recommended to prevent marring, and forming can reduce luster, so appearance acceptance should be defined after the manufacturing route is known.
436 stainless supplier evidence
Buy the actual flat-product range, finish and stabilization—not just the grade name
Cleveland-Cliffs publishes a concrete automotive-trim production range for Type 436. Use those dimensions as attributable mill-source evidence, not as a claim that every 436 stainless supplier stocks the same sizes. Confirm current availability, finish and lead time before quotation.
Published trim thickness: 0.010–0.040 in · 0.25–1.02 mm
Published trim width: up to 36 in · 914 mm
Heavier gauges: available for non-critical finishes only
Typical finish: Bright Anneal #2 · paper or PVC interleaving available
MTC and purchase-order checkpoint
Match the heat number to UNS S43600 or the ordered EN chemistry; verify C, Cr, Mo and Nb stabilization, tensile/yield/elongation/hardness results where required, thickness, width, finish, edge condition, governing standard and edition. Do not accept a generic “436” certificate if the chemistry or stabilization route is unclear.
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Interactive selection check
Test 436 against the controlling procurement question
Procurement FAQ
Questions to close before ordering 436 stainless steel
What is 436 stainless steel?
436 is a molybdenum-alloyed, stabilized ferritic stainless steel identified as UNS S43600. Cleveland-Cliffs describes it as an improvement of Type 434 through a small niobium stabilizing addition, with common use in bright automotive trim and other formed ferritic components.
What is the EN equivalent of 436 stainless steel?
International cross-reference tables associate S43600 with both EN 1.4526 / X6CrMoNb17-1 and EN 1.4513 / X2CrMoNbTi18-1 families. They are not chemistry-identical in every specification, so the exact EN grade and product standard must be stated on the order.
Can 436 stainless steel be hardened by heat treatment?
No conventional quench-hardening route is used for 436. It is ferritic and is normally supplied in annealed flat-product conditions; cold work and processing history can still change delivered strength and hardness.
What are two important 436 application constraints?
First, improved resistance to deicing salts does not make 436 a seawater or severe-crevice-corrosion grade. Second, appearance-critical bright trim must be qualified after forming because deformation can reduce luster even when the incoming strip meets its luster standard.
What should a 436 RFQ include?
State UNS S43600 or the exact EN designation, governing standard and edition, thickness, width, finish, edge/interleaving requirement, forming and welding operations, corrosion environment, mechanical acceptance requirements, MTC requirement and any finished-part appearance criteria.
Sources, scope and RFQ
Trace the 436 chemistry, trim range and stabilization route before release
UNS S43600 identity, Cr/Mo/Nb chemistry, manufacturer-typical mechanical and physical values, 0.25–1.02 mm trim thickness range, widths to 914 mm, Bright Anneal #2 finish, deicing-salt positioning, formability, roping and welded-zone stabilization guidance.
Confirms Type 436 as an added-molybdenum ferritic grade and maps S43600 into the EN 1.4526 / 1.4513 cross-reference families, showing why the exact chemistry and stabilization route must be checked before substitution.
Outokumpu’s current North American alloy-surcharge listing includes Core 436/4513, providing attributable evidence that a 436 / EN 1.4513 commercial flat-product family remains actively listed. This is not a claim of universal stock or dimension availability.
Use the current ASTM/ASME, EN or customer specification for the ordered form. Release should be based on the heat-specific MTC, dimensions, surface finish, stabilization chemistry, mechanical results where required and agreed inspection—not a generic web table.