AFNOR Z2CN18-10
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Stainless Steel
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel designation associated with the French AFNOR classification system. It belongs to the widely used 18% chromium–10% nickel family of austenitic stainless steels and is known for its combination of corrosion resistance, ductility, weldability and formability.
The designation Z2CN18-10 indicates a low-carbon chromium-nickel stainless steel, with approximately 18% chromium and 10% nickel. It is commonly associated with stainless steel grades in the AISI 304 / UNS S30400 / EN 1.4301 family. However, exact equivalence should always be confirmed against the applicable AFNOR or product standard, chemical composition, product form and material certificate.
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 is suitable for a wide range of industrial applications where good general corrosion resistance and excellent fabrication characteristics are required. It can be supplied in various forms, including stainless steel pipes, tubes, sheets, plates, round bars, flanges and fittings.
Key Features
- AFNOR-designated austenitic stainless steel.
- Chromium-nickel stainless steel.
- Approximately 18% chromium.
- Approximately 10% nickel.
- Low-carbon composition.
- Good general corrosion resistance.
- Excellent ductility.
- Excellent formability.
- Excellent weldability.
- Good surface finishing characteristics.
- Generally non-magnetic in the annealed condition.
- Not hardenable by conventional heat treatment.
- Suitable for numerous industrial applications.
Specifications
| Property | AFNOR Z2CN18-10 |
|---|---|
| Standard / Designation | AFNOR Z2CN18-10 |
| Material Family | Austenitic Stainless Steel |
| Type | Chromium-Nickel |
| Chromium | Approximately 18% |
| Nickel | Approximately 10% |
| Carbon | Low-carbon grade |
| Microstructure | Austenitic |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good to Very Good |
| Weldability | Excellent |
| Formability | Excellent |
| Heat Treatment | Solution Annealing, where applicable |
| Hardening | Not hardenable by conventional quenching |
| Magnetic Condition | Generally non-magnetic when annealed |
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Equivalent Grades
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 is commonly compared with AISI 304, UNS S30400 and EN 1.4301. Because designation systems do not always provide one-to-one equivalence, the exact material correspondence should be verified from the applicable specification and MTC.
| Standard / System | Grade / Designation |
|---|---|
| AFNOR | Z2CN18-10 |
| AISI | 304 |
| UNS | S30400 |
| EN | 1.4301 |
| Common Description | 18Cr-10Ni Austenitic Stainless Steel |
Important: Equivalent grades should not automatically be substituted in pressure, temperature or corrosion-critical applications. Chemical composition, mechanical requirements, product standards and certification should be checked before material substitution.
Available Products
Emirerri Steel can supply AFNOR Z2CN18-10 in a range of product forms according to customer and project requirements:
- AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Seamless Pipes
- AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Welded Pipes
- Z2CN18-10 Stainless Steel Tubes
- Heat Exchanger Tubes
- Stainless Steel Sheets
- Stainless Steel Plates
- Stainless Steel Round Bars
- Stainless Steel Flanges
- Butt Weld Fittings
- Forged Fittings
- Custom Fabricated Components
Products can be supplied in different dimensions, thicknesses, lengths, surface finishes and material conditions according to applicable specifications.
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Chemical Composition
The following composition is provided as a reference for the Z2CN18-10 / 304-type material family. Actual chemical limits should be verified against the applicable AFNOR specification, product standard and MTC.
| Element | Indicative Composition |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.03%* |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≈ 17–19% |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≈ 9–11% |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 2.00%* |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.00%* |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045%* |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030%* |
| Nitrogen (N) | According to applicable specification |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
* Exact limits depend on the applicable AFNOR designation, product form, standard and material condition.
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Mechanical Properties
Typical reference values for a 304-type austenitic stainless steel are shown below. Actual guaranteed values depend on the product standard, thickness and delivery condition.
| Mechanical Property | Typical / Reference Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 515 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 205 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 40% |
| Elastic Modulus | ≈ 193 GPa |
| Hardness | According to material condition |
Mechanical properties may differ between sheets, plates, bars, pipes and tubes and should therefore be verified against the relevant product specification.
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Physical Properties
| Physical Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | ≈ 7.9–8.0 g/cm³ |
| Elastic Modulus | ≈ 193 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | ≈ 16 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | ≈ 500 J/kg·K |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | ≈ 17–18 × 10⁻⁶ /°C |
| Structure | Austenitic |
Types of AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Products
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Stainless Steel Pipes
Z2CN18-10 stainless steel pipes are used for transporting liquids and gases in industrial and process applications where good general corrosion resistance is required.
They can be supplied in seamless or welded configurations depending on the application, dimensions and applicable standard.
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Stainless Steel Tubes
Z2CN18-10 tubes are suitable for process systems, heat exchangers, instrumentation, food-processing equipment and general industrial applications.
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Sheets & Plates
Z2CN18-10 sheets and plates are used in the fabrication of:
- Storage tanks
- Process equipment
- Industrial structures
- Machine components
- Chemical equipment
- Food-processing equipment
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Round Bars
Round bars are commonly used for manufacturing machined components such as:
- Shafts
- Pins
- Bushes
- Fastener components
- Flanges
- Industrial parts
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Flanges & Fittings
Z2CN18-10 flanges and fittings are used for connecting stainless steel piping systems in industrial and process installations.
They can be supplied according to applicable flange and fitting standards and project specifications.
Corrosion Resistance
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 provides good general resistance to corrosion in many atmospheric, aqueous and industrial environments.
Its chromium content promotes the formation of a passive oxide layer on the steel surface, providing protection against many common corrosive environments.
However, Z2CN18-10 should not be considered immune to corrosion. Like other 304-type stainless steels, it may be susceptible to pitting and crevice corrosion in environments containing significant chloride concentrations.
For highly aggressive chloride or marine environments, alternative materials such as 316L, Duplex 2205 or Super Duplex 2507 may be considered after evaluating the actual service conditions.
Material selection should consider:
- Chloride concentration
- Temperature
- pH
- Fluid composition
- Exposure duration
- Pressure
- Service environment
Heat Resistance
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 offers good oxidation resistance and can be used in various elevated-temperature applications.
Actual high-temperature performance depends on:
- Operating temperature
- Exposure time
- Atmospheric conditions
- Pressure
- Chemical environment
- Material condition
- Design requirements
For continuous service at particularly high temperatures, a dedicated heat-resistant stainless steel grade may be more suitable.
Heat Treatment
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 is an austenitic stainless steel and cannot be hardened by conventional quenching and tempering.
Solution annealing can be used in applicable manufacturing conditions to restore the desired austenitic structure and corrosion resistance.
The treatment temperature, holding time and cooling method should be determined according to the applicable material and product specification.
Welding
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 has excellent weldability and can be welded using several conventional processes:
- TIG / GTAW
- MIG / GMAW
- MAG
- SMAW
- FCAW
- SAW
- Orbital welding for suitable tubular applications
Welding parameters should be established according to the material thickness, joint design, welding process, filler material and approved welding procedure.
After welding, appropriate cleaning and surface treatment can help maintain the corrosion resistance of the stainless steel.
Fabrication
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 is highly suitable for a variety of fabrication processes.
Typical operations include:
- Cutting
- Bending
- Rolling
- Forming
- Stamping
- Drawing
- Machining
- Welding
- Polishing
- Brushing
Because austenitic stainless steel can undergo strain hardening during cold working, appropriate tooling, cutting speeds and machining parameters should be selected.
Surface Finishes
Depending on the product type, AFNOR Z2CN18-10 can be supplied with various surface finishes, including:
- No. 1
- 2B
- BA
- No. 4
- Brushed
- Satin
- Polished
- Industrial finish
Surface finish requirements can be selected according to the intended application, appearance, hygiene requirements and fabrication process.
Applications
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 is used in many industrial sectors because of its combination of corrosion resistance, formability and weldability.
Oil & Gas
- Process piping
- Industrial piping
- Storage equipment
- Piping components
- General process equipment
Petrochemical & Chemical
- Chemical process equipment
- Storage tanks
- Piping systems
- Heat exchanger components
- Fabricated equipment
Food & Beverage
- Food-processing equipment
- Storage tanks
- Sanitary tubing
- Conveying equipment
- Processing components
Pharmaceutical
- Process equipment
- Stainless steel tubing
- Storage tanks
- Hygienic components
- Cleanable process systems
Water Treatment
- Water piping
- Filtration equipment
- Storage tanks
- Treatment systems
- Industrial water equipment
Construction & General Engineering
- Architectural components
- Fabricated structures
- Machine components
- Industrial equipment
- Decorative applications
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 vs AISI 304
| Characteristic | AFNOR Z2CN18-10 | AISI 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Material Family | Austenitic Stainless Steel | Austenitic Stainless Steel |
| Chromium | Approximately 18% | Approximately 18% |
| Nickel | Approximately 10% | Typically around 8–10.5%, depending on specification |
| Carbon | Low-carbon designation | Standard 304 carbon limit depends on specification |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good | Good |
| Weldability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Formability | Excellent | Excellent |
| General Applications | Industrial and general corrosion-resistant service | Industrial and general corrosion-resistant service |
| Equivalence | Requires verification | International reference grade |
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 is commonly associated with the 304 family, but exact equivalence should be established using the applicable AFNOR/product standard, chemical composition and MTC.
Quality & Certification
Emirerri Steel can supply Z2CN18-10 products with quality documentation according to customer and project requirements.
Documentation and inspection may include:
- Material Test Certificate (MTC)
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate, where specified
- Chemical analysis
- Mechanical test reports
- Dimensional inspection
- Visual inspection
- Surface inspection
- Heat-treatment records, where applicable
- Non-destructive testing, where specified
- Material traceability
- Inspection documentation
Products can be supplied according to applicable AFNOR, ASTM, ASME, EN or project-specific requirements, subject to the selected product specification.
Why Choose AFNOR Z2CN18-10?
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 provides a practical combination of:
- Good general corrosion resistance
- Excellent weldability
- Excellent formability
- High ductility
- Good surface finish capability
- Good fabrication performance
- Availability in multiple product forms
- Broad industrial applicability
It is particularly useful where a conventional 18Cr-10Ni austenitic stainless steel is required for general corrosion-resistant service.
Conclusion
AFNOR Z2CN18-10 Stainless Steel is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel designation associated with the 18% chromium–10% nickel material family.
Its combination of corrosion resistance, ductility, weldability, formability and surface finish capability makes it suitable for a wide range of industrial applications.
The material is commonly associated with AISI 304, UNS S30400 and EN 1.4301, although exact equivalence must be confirmed against the applicable standard and material certificate.
Emirerri Steel can supply AFNOR Z2CN18-10 in pipes, tubes, sheets, plates, round bars, flanges, fittings and other industrial forms, according to required dimensions, specifications and quality documentation.
The material is suitable for applications across oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, food processing, pharmaceutical, water treatment, construction and general engineering industries.
For highly aggressive chloride, marine or specialized chemical environments, material selection should be based on detailed service conditions and project requirements.