AFNOR Z6CN18-09
AFNOR Z6CN18-09 Stainless Steel
Introduction
AFNOR Z6CN18-09 is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel designation associated with the French AFNOR classification system. It belongs to the 18% chromium–9% nickel family of austenitic stainless steels and is valued for its combination of corrosion resistance, ductility, formability and weldability.
The designation Z6CN18-09 identifies a chromium-nickel stainless steel containing approximately 18% chromium and 9% nickel, with a carbon content that is higher than certain low-carbon grades in the same stainless steel family.
Z6CN18-09 can be compared with stainless steels of the AISI 304 / UNS S30400 family. However, an exact one-to-one equivalence should not be assumed without checking the applicable AFNOR specification, product standard, chemical composition, metallurgical condition and material certificate.
AFNOR Z6CN18-09 can be supplied in various product forms, including stainless steel pipes, tubes, sheets, plates, round bars, flanges and fittings, for applications in chemical processing, petrochemical, oil and gas, food processing, water treatment, construction and general engineering.
Key Features
- AFNOR-designated austenitic stainless steel.
- Chromium-nickel stainless steel.
- Approximately 18% chromium.
- Approximately 9% nickel.
- Carbon content suitable for the Z6CN18-09 designation.
- Good general corrosion resistance.
- Good resistance to many atmospheric environments.
- Excellent ductility.
- Good formability.
- Good to very good weldability.
- Good surface finishing characteristics.
- Generally non-magnetic in the annealed condition.
- Not hardenable by conventional heat treatment.
- Suitable for a broad range of industrial applications.
Specifications
| Property | Z6CN18-09 |
|---|---|
| Standard / Designation | AFNOR Z6CN18-09 |
| Material Family | Austenitic Stainless Steel |
| Type | Chromium-Nickel |
| Chromium | Approximately 18% |
| Nickel | Approximately 9% |
| Microstructure | Austenitic |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good |
| Weldability | Good to Very Good |
| Formability | Good |
| Ductility | High |
| Heat Treatment | Solution Annealing, where applicable |
| Hardening | Not hardenable by conventional quenching |
| Magnetic Condition | Generally non-magnetic when annealed |
AFNOR Z6CN18-09 Equivalent Grades
Z6CN18-09 belongs to the 18Cr-9Ni family of austenitic stainless steels and is commonly compared with the AISI 304 / UNS S30400 family.
| Standard / System | Grade / Reference |
|---|---|
| AFNOR | Z6CN18-09 |
| AISI | 304 – family comparison |
| UNS | S30400 – family comparison |
| EN | 1.4301 – family comparison |
| Material Type | 18Cr-9Ni Austenitic Stainless Steel |
Important: These are comparison references rather than automatic one-to-one equivalents. Chemical composition, mechanical properties, product standard and certification must be checked before material substitution.
Available Products
Emirerri Steel can supply AFNOR Z6CN18-09 in various product forms according to customer and project requirements:
- Z6CN18-09 Seamless Stainless Steel Pipes
- Z6CN18-09 Welded Stainless Steel Pipes
- Z6CN18-09 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 Industrial Components
Products can be supplied according to required dimensions, thicknesses, lengths, surface finishes and applicable specifications.
AFNOR Z6CN18-09 Chemical Composition
The exact chemical composition of AFNOR Z6CN18-09 should be verified against the applicable AFNOR specification or product standard. The following values are provided as an indicative reference for the 18Cr-9Ni stainless steel family.
| Element | Indicative Composition |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.06%* |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≈ 17–19% |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≈ 8–10% |
| 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, specification and material condition.
AFNOR Z6CN18-09 Mechanical Properties
Mechanical properties vary according to product form, thickness and delivery condition. The following values are provided as reference values for a 304-type austenitic stainless steel.
| Mechanical Property | Typical / Reference Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 515 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 205 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 40% |
| Elastic Modulus | ≈ 193 GPa |
| Hardness | According to material condition |
Guaranteed mechanical properties should always be verified against the applicable product standard and Material Test Certificate.
AFNOR Z6CN18-09 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 |
| Microstructure | Austenitic |
Types of Z6CN18-09 Products
Z6CN18-09 Stainless Steel Pipes
Z6CN18-09 stainless steel pipes are used for transporting liquids and gases in industrial piping and process systems where good general corrosion resistance is required.
They can be supplied in seamless or welded configurations according to application, dimensions and applicable standards.
Z6CN18-09 Stainless Steel Tubes
Z6CN18-09 tubes are suitable for process equipment, heat exchangers, water-treatment systems, food-processing equipment and general industrial applications.
Z6CN18-09 Stainless Steel Sheets & Plates
Z6CN18-09 sheets and plates are used in the fabrication of:
- Storage tanks
- Process equipment
- Industrial structures
- Chemical equipment
- Machine components
- Food-processing equipment
Z6CN18-09 Stainless Steel Round Bars
Round bars can be used for machining and manufacturing:
- Shafts
- Pins
- Bushes
- Flanges
- Fastener components
- Industrial machine parts
Z6CN18-09 Stainless Steel Flanges & Fittings
Z6CN18-09 flanges and fittings are used to connect stainless steel piping systems in industrial installations.
They can be supplied according to applicable flange and fitting standards, pressure classes and project requirements.
Corrosion Resistance
AFNOR Z6CN18-09 provides good general corrosion resistance in many atmospheric, aqueous and industrial environments.
Its chromium content promotes the formation of a passive oxide layer on the surface, helping protect the material from many common forms of corrosion.
However, like other 304-type stainless steels, Z6CN18-09 may be susceptible to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-rich environments.
For highly chlorinated, marine or aggressive chemical environments, grades such as 316L, Duplex 2205 or Super Duplex 2507 may be evaluated depending on the service conditions.
Material selection should consider:
- Chloride concentration
- Operating temperature
- pH
- Fluid composition
- Exposure duration
- Pressure
- Environmental conditions
Heat Resistance
Z6CN18-09 offers good resistance to oxidation under many conditions and can be used in selected elevated-temperature applications.
Its suitability for high-temperature service depends on:
- Operating temperature
- Exposure duration
- Atmosphere
- Pressure
- Chemical environment
- Metallurgical condition
For continuous exposure to particularly high temperatures, a stainless steel grade specifically designed for high-temperature service may be more appropriate.
Heat Treatment
AFNOR Z6CN18-09 is an austenitic stainless steel and cannot be hardened by conventional quenching and tempering.
Solution annealing may be applied under suitable manufacturing conditions to restore the desired austenitic structure and corrosion resistance.
Heat-treatment parameters should be established according to the applicable material and product specification.
Welding
Z6CN18-09 offers good to very good weldability and can be welded using several industrial processes:
- TIG / GTAW
- MIG / GMAW
- MAG
- SMAW
- FCAW
- SAW
- Orbital welding for suitable tubular applications
The welding procedure should consider material thickness, joint design, welding process, filler material and project requirements.
Appropriate post-weld cleaning is important for maintaining the corrosion-resistant surface.
Fabrication
Z6CN18-09 is suitable for various fabrication processes, including:
- Cutting
- Bending
- Rolling
- Forming
- Stamping
- Drawing
- Machining
- Welding
- Polishing
- Brushing
Cold working can increase strength and hardness through strain hardening. Suitable tooling and machining parameters should therefore be selected.
Surface Finishes
Depending on the product form, Z6CN18-09 can be supplied with different surface finishes:
- No. 1
- 2B
- BA
- No. 4
- Brushed
- Satin
- Polished
- Industrial finish
Surface finish can be selected according to the aesthetic, hygienic, functional and industrial requirements of the application.
Applications
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
Corrosion-resistant equipment
Food & Beverage
Food-processing equipment
Storage tanks
Sanitary tubing
Conveying systems
Processing components
Water Treatment
Water piping
Filtration equipment
Storage tanks
Treatment systems
Industrial water equipment
Pharmaceutical
Process equipment
Stainless steel tubing
Storage tanks
Hygienic components
Cleanable process systems
Construction & General Engineering
Architectural components
Industrial structures
Machine components
Fabricated equipment
Decorative applications
Z6CN18-09 vs AISI 304
| Characteristic | AFNOR Z6CN18-09 | AISI 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Material Family | Austenitic Stainless Steel | Austenitic Stainless Steel |
| Chromium | Approximately 18% | Approximately 18% |
| Nickel | Approximately 9% | Typically around 8–10.5%, depending on specification |
| Carbon | Up to approximately 0.06%, subject to specification | According to applicable specification |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good | Good |
| Weldability | Good to Very Good | Excellent |
| Formability | Good | Excellent |
| General Applications | Industrial and general corrosion-resistant service | Industrial and general corrosion-resistant service |
| Equivalence | Requires verification | International reference grade |
Z6CN18-09 can be compared with the AISI 304 family, but exact equivalence should be confirmed using the applicable AFNOR/product standard, chemical composition and MTC.
Quality & Certification
Z6CN18-09 products can be supplied with quality documentation according to customer and project requirements.
Documentation 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
Quality requirements can be aligned with applicable AFNOR, ASTM, ASME, EN or project-specific specifications, depending on the product.
Why Choose AFNOR Z6CN18-09?
AFNOR Z6CN18-09 provides a practical combination of:
- Good general corrosion resistance
- High ductility
- Good formability
- Good weldability
- Good surface finishing capability
- Good fabrication performance
- Availability in multiple product forms
- Broad industrial applicability
It is suitable for general applications requiring an austenitic 18Cr-9Ni stainless steel.
Conclusion
AFNOR Z6CN18-09 Stainless Steel is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel designation belonging to the 18Cr-9Ni stainless steel family.
Its combination of corrosion resistance, ductility, formability, weldability and fabrication characteristics makes it suitable for a wide range of industrial applications.
Z6CN18-09 can be compared with the AISI 304 / UNS S30400 / EN 1.4301 family, but exact equivalence should always be confirmed against the applicable AFNOR or product standard, chemical composition and material certificate.
Emirerri Steel can supply Z6CN18-09 in pipes, tubes, sheets, plates, round bars, flanges, fittings and other industrial components, according to required dimensions, specifications and quality documentation.
The material can be used in oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical processing, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, water treatment, construction and general engineering applications.
For highly chloride-rich, marine or aggressive chemical environments, material selection should be based on detailed service conditions and project requirements.
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