GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 Stainless Steel: Properties, Uses & Expert Guide

If you work in industries like chemical processing or marine engineering, you need a stainless steel that can handle salty, acidic, or harsh environments. GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 Stainless Steel is designed for exactly that—but what makes it different from other options? This guide breaks down its key traits, real-world applications, manufacturing steps, and how it compares to other metals. By the end, you’ll know if it’s the right choice for your project.

1. Material Properties of GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2

The strength and corrosion resistance of GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 come from its unique alloy composition and austenitic structure—a combination that balances durability and ductility.

Key Alloy Elements

• High chromium content (16.0-18.0%): Forms a protective oxide layer to fight rust and general corrosion.
• High nickel content (12.0-15.0%): Stabilizes the austenitic structure, keeping the material tough even at low temperatures.
• High molybdenum content (2.0-3.0%): Boosts resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion—critical for salty or acidic environments.
• Ultra-low carbon (max 0.03%): Reduces the risk of intergranular corrosion (a common issue in welded stainless steels).

Mechanical Strength Data

A real-world example: A Jiangsu chemical plant uses GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 for acid storage tank lids. The material’s high elongation (≥40%) lets the lids be shaped into tight seals, while its low hardness makes them easy to open and close daily without wear.

2. Applications of GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2

GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 excels in harsh environments where standard stainless steels (like GB 0Cr18Ni9) fail. Here are its top uses, with practical cases:

• Chemical Processing Equipment: Used for reactors, pipelines, and valves that handle sulfuric or phosphoric acid. A Shandong fertilizer plant replaced old carbon steel pipes with GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2—maintenance costs dropped by 50% because the new pipes showed no corrosion after 3 years.
• Marine Applications: Ideal for ship hulls, seawater cooling systems, and offshore platform components. A Zhoushan shipyard used GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 for a fishing vessel’s propeller shaft—after 2 years at sea, there was no pitting or rust, even without extra coatings.
• Desalination Plants: Critical for reverse osmosis membranes and brine pumps. A Hainan desalination plant reported that GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 parts lasted 8 years, vs. 3 years for the previous alloy (GB 0Cr18Ni9).
• Food Processing Equipment: Safe for acidic foods (e.g., pickles, citrus juices) and cleaning chemicals. A Guangdong fruit juice factory uses GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 mixing tanks—no metal contamination was found in the juice, meeting national food safety standards.
• Pharmaceutical Equipment: Used for sterile tanks and drug delivery systems. A Shanghai pharmaceutical company chose this alloy because its ultra-low carbon content prevents metal particles from leaching into drugs.
• Other uses: Oil and Gas Industry (subsea wellhead parts), Medical Devices (surgical tools for corrosive sterilizers), and Pulp and Paper Industry (bleaching equipment).

3. Manufacturing Processes for GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2

Producing GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 requires precise steps to preserve its low-carbon and high-molybdenum benefits. Here’s the process breakdown:

1. Hot Rolling: Heat the alloy to 1100-1200°C and roll it into thick plates or coils. This step softens the material for further processing. A Hebei steel mill uses hot rolling to make 15mm-thick GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 plates for chemical reactors.
2. Cold Rolling: Use room-temperature pressure to reduce thickness (e.g., to 1mm for desalination plant membranes). Cold rolling improves surface smoothness but hardens the metal—annealing is needed next.
3. Annealing: Heat to 1010-1150°C, hold for 30-60 minutes, then water-quench. This restores ductility and ensures the austenitic structure stays balanced. A Zhejiang factory anneals all GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 sheets to prevent cracking during bending.
4. Pickling: Dip in a mix of nitric and hydrofluoric acid to remove oxide scales. Pickling brightens the surface and enhances corrosion resistance—essential for marine or chemical parts.
5. Drawing/Extrusion: Pull the alloy through dies to make wires or tubes. Drawn GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 wires are used for pharmaceutical filters, while extruded tubes work in seawater pipelines.
6. Machining: Cut the material into final parts (e.g., valve handles). Use carbide tools with a cutting speed of 150-200 m/min—its ductility means it can be drilled or turned without chipping.
7. Forging: Hammer the alloy into complex shapes (e.g., pump casings). Forging at 950-1050°C ensures the parts keep their strength and corrosion resistance.

4. Corrosion Resistance of GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2

Corrosion is the biggest threat to industrial materials—and GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 is built to fight it. Here’s how it performs:

• Pitting Resistance: Excellent—its high molybdenum content prevents small holes (pitting) in saltwater or acidic solutions. It has a Pitting Resistance Equivalent (PRE) of 25, far higher than GB 0Cr18Ni9 (PRE 18) and equal to SUS316.
• Crevice Corrosion: Strong resistance in tight spaces (e.g., bolted joints or gasket seals). A test in 3.5% saltwater showed no crevice corrosion on GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 after 3000 hours.
• Intergranular Corrosion: Minimal risk, thanks to its ultra-low carbon content. It passes the GB/T 4334.5 test (a strict intergranular corrosion test) even after welding—no need for extra heat treatment in most cases.
• Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC): Resists cracking under tension in chloride-rich environments (e.g., saltwater pools). A coastal power plant used GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 for cooling system pipes—after 5 years, there were no cracks, unlike the old SUS304 pipes that failed after 2 years.

To boost protection further:

• Apply passivation (citric acid treatment) to strengthen the oxide layer.
• Avoid using it in extremely high-temperature (above 600°C) corrosive environments—test first if needed.
• Refer to corrosion resistance charts (e.g., from GB/T 10125) to confirm suitability for your specific application.

5. Welding GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2

GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 is easy to weld, but its low-carbon and high-molybdenum composition requires specific steps to maintain performance:

• Weldability: Excellent—its austenitic structure prevents brittleness in welds, and ultra-low carbon reduces intergranular corrosion risk.
• Recommended Welding Processes:
  • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG): Best for thin sheets (e.g., pharmaceutical equipment) because it creates clean, precise welds with minimal heat input.
  • Metal Inert Gas Welding (MIG): Fast for thick plates (e.g., marine hulls).
• Welding Rods: Use matching low-carbon rods like ER316L (for GTAW) or E316L-16 (for SMAW). These rods keep the weld’s carbon content low and maintain molybdenum levels—critical for corrosion resistance.
• Welding Gases: Use pure argon (99.99%) for TIG welding to prevent oxidation. For MIG, use argon with 2-5% carbon dioxide to improve weld penetration.
• Post-Weld Heat Treatment: Usually not needed for most applications, thanks to the ultra-low carbon content. If the weld will be in highly corrosive environments, anneal at 1050°C for 30 minutes to ensure maximum protection.
• Welding Inspection: Use visual inspection (for surface flaws) or ultrasonic testing (UT) for internal defects. Follow welding standards like GB/T 985.1 and AWS D1.6.
• Welding Safety: Wear a heat-resistant jacket and face shield—GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 produces sparks during welding that can cause burns if not protected against.

6. Standards and Specifications for GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2

To ensure you’re getting high-quality, genuine GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2, always check compliance with these standards:

• GB/T 20878: The core Chinese standard for stainless steels—it defines the alloy’s composition, mechanical properties, and testing methods.
• ASTM A240: U.S. standard—GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 is equivalent to ASTM 316L, so it meets this standard’s requirements for flat products (plates, sheets).
• EN 10088: European standard—equivalent grade is X2CrNiMo17-12-2, making it suitable for EU-based projects.
• ISO Standards: ISO 15510 aligns with GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 for pressure equipment (e.g., chemical reactors).

Always ask suppliers for:

• Material Certification (e.g., Mill Test Report) to verify carbon, chromium, and molybdenum levels.
• Conformance Testing results (e.g., GB/T 4334.5 for intergranular corrosion).
• Technical Data Sheets (TDS) with details on heat treatment and welding guidelines.

Quality control is critical: A Fujian supplier once sold fake GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 with low molybdenum—parts failed in seawater within 6 months. Always confirm compliance before purchasing.

7. Comparison: GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 vs. Other Materials

How does GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 stack up against common stainless steels and alloys? Let’s compare:

For example: If you’re building a seawater cooling system, GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 is a better value than titanium (costs 75% less) and more corrosion-resistant than GB 0Cr18Ni9. For a home kitchen, though, GB 0Cr18Ni9 is cheaper and sufficient.

Yigu Technology’s Perspective

At Yigu Technology, we’ve supplied GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 to chemical, marine, and pharmaceutical clients for 12 years. Its biggest advantage is balance: it offers the corrosion resistance of high-end alloys at a mid-range price, and its ultra-low carbon content eliminates post-weld headaches. Our data shows it cuts equipment replacement costs by 40% vs. GB 0Cr18Ni9 in salty/acidic environments. We also provide custom machining to ensure parts fit perfectly—critical for tight-tolerance applications like pharmaceutical tanks.

FAQ

1. Can GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 be used in sulfuric acid?
   Yes—it resists dilute to moderate concentrations (up to 50%) of sulfuric acid at room temperature. For highly concentrated acid (above 90%) or high temperatures, test first or use a nickel alloy.
2. Is GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 the same as SUS316L?
   Yes—they have nearly identical alloy composition (ultra-low carbon, high molybdenum) and performance. GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 is the Chinese standard designation, while SUS316L is the Japanese/American equivalent.
3. Do I need to coat GB 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 for marine use?
   No—its high molybdenum content provides enough corrosion resistance for most marine environments (e.g., ship hulls, seawater pipes). Coating is unnecessary and may trap moisture, causing crevice corrosion.