Everything You Need To Know About Alloy A286 Round Bar

In high-temperature, high-stress applications, few materials offer the balance of performance, strength, and corrosion resistance like Alloy A286 round bar. Recognized for its versatility and exceptional performance, Alloy A286 has become a go-to material in aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors. If you’re sourcing materials for demanding environments where failure is not an option, A286 round bar deserves your attention.

In this detailed article from sasaalloy, we cover everything you need to know about Alloy A286 round bar — its composition, mechanical properties, key advantages, applications, and why it’s trusted across industries worldwide.

What Is Alloy A286?

Alloy A286, also known as Iron-Nickel-Chromium A286, is a precipitation-hardenable austenitic stainless steel. It is engineered for use in high-temperature structural applications where excellent strength and corrosion resistance are needed.

The alloy is designated under various standards:

• UNS S66286

• ASTM A638

• AMS 5731 / AMS 5732 / AMS 5737

• EN 1.4980

Unlike typical stainless steels, A286 retains strength and oxidation resistance up to 704°C (1300°F), making it one of the most dependable alloys for extreme service conditions.

Chemical Composition of Alloy A286

The performance of Alloy A286 round bar comes from its unique chemical composition:

• Iron (Fe): Balance

• Nickel (Ni): 24 – 27%

• Chromium (Cr): 13.5 – 16%

• Titanium (Ti): 1.9 – 2.35%

• Molybdenum (Mo): 1.0 – 1.5%

• Vanadium (V): 0.1 – 0.5%

• Boron (B): 0.003 – 0.01%

• Carbon (C): 0.08% max

These elements, especially nickel, chromium, and titanium, contribute to the alloy’s strength, corrosion resistance, and stability at elevated temperatures.

Mechanical Properties of A286 Round Bar

Alloy A286 round bar demonstrates a rare combination of strength and ductility. After proper aging and solution treatment, it exhibits:

• Yield Strength: Up to 690 MPa (100 ksi)

• Tensile Strength: Up to 965 MPa (140 ksi)

• Elongation: ~15 – 25%

• Hardness: Up to 35 HRC (aged condition)

• Operating Temperature: Up to 704°C (1300°F)

This high yield and tensile strength make it ideal for fasteners, shafts, and gas turbine parts under heavy load.

Key Advantages of Alloy A286 Round Bar

1. High-Temperature Strength

Alloy A286 maintains its mechanical strength up to 1300°F, outperforming most austenitic stainless steels in elevated-temperature service.

2. Oxidation and Corrosion Resistance

It offers resistance to oxidation in air and mild corrosive environments such as salt spray and combustion gases. While not as corrosion-resistant as 316L, it’s sufficient for many industrial and aerospace environments.

3. Excellent Creep Resistance

For components that operate under constant stress over long periods at high temperatures, A286 resists deformation and elongation.

4. Good Weldability

Unlike many nickel-based superalloys, A286 is easily weldable using standard TIG, MIG, or resistance welding techniques. Post-weld heat treatment restores mechanical strength.

5. Machinability

In the solution-treated and aged condition, A286 offers decent machinability comparable to other austenitic steels. It can be turned, drilled, and milled with appropriate carbide tooling.

6. Non-Magnetic in Annealed Condition

This is useful in applications where magnetic interference must be avoided, such as instrumentation or sensors.

Applications of Alloy A286 Round Bar

Due to its mechanical and thermal performance, Alloy A286 round bar is used in many mission-critical components:

Aerospace

• Turbine wheels and blades

• Jet engine components

• Exhaust ducts

• Afterburner parts

• Fasteners for airframes

Power Generation

• Steam turbine bolts

• Gas turbine compressor cases

• Combustion liner hardware

• High-temperature seals

Automotive and Motorsport

• Turbocharger components

• High-performance engine valves

• Exhaust manifold studs

• Supercharger mounting hardware

Industrial and Chemical Equipment

• Heat exchangers

• Pressure vessels

• Springs and washers for elevated service

• Bolting for high-temperature piping systems

In all of these applications, A286 round bar provides the reliability needed in extreme environments.

Heat Treatment of A286 Round Bar

Alloy A286 develops its full strength through solution annealing and precipitation aging. The typical heat treatment sequence includes:

1. Solution Annealing at 1800°F (982°C), followed by rapid cooling

2. Aging Treatment at 1300°F (704°C) for 16 hours to develop full strength

At sasaalloy, we supply A286 round bars in solution-annealed or fully aged condition, based on customer requirements. Full traceability and heat treatment records are provided with each order.

Alloy A286 vs Other High-Performance Alloys

A286 vs 17-4PH Stainless Steel

• 17-4PH has higher corrosion resistance but lower high-temperature strength

• A286 performs better in continuous elevated-temperature conditions

A286 vs Inconel 718

• Inconel 718 handles even higher temperatures and has greater strength

• A286 is more cost-effective and easier to machine for less demanding applications

A286 vs 316 Stainless Steel

• 316 has better corrosion resistance in wet environments

• A286 excels in strength and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures

Availability and Specifications at sasaalloy

At sasaalloy, we offer high-quality Alloy A286 round bar in the following specifications:

• Diameter: 6 mm – 250 mm

• Length: Up to 6000 mm or cut-to-size

• Condition: Solution annealed, aged, or cold drawn

• Surface Finish: Peeled, polished, or ground

• Standards: ASTM A638, AMS 5731, AMS 5737

All our A286 products come with EN10204 3.1 certification, mechanical test reports, and mill traceability. We also offer custom machining and precision cutting to meet your project specifications.

Conclusion

Alloy A286 round bar offers a rare combination of high strength, good corrosion resistance, and exceptional performance at elevated temperatures. Whether you’re in aerospace, power generation, or industrial equipment manufacturing, this alloy can meet the most demanding mechanical and environmental requirements.

At sasaalloy, we are committed to delivering top-quality A286 round bars that meet international standards and exceed customer expectations. Our technical team is ready to assist you in selecting the right grade, treatment condition, and dimensions for your specific application.