Room Temperature

Austenitic steels generally have a relatively low yield stress and are characterised by strong work hardening. The strength of austenitic steels increases with increasing levels of carbon, nitrogen and, to a certain extent, also molybdenum. Austenitic steels exhibit very high ductility and toughness.

Elevated Temperatures

Most austenitic steels have lower strength than other types of stainless steels when used at temperatures up to about 500 °C.

The highest elevated temperature strength among austenitic steels is exhibited by nitrogen-alloyed steels and those containing titanium or niobium.

A few high alloyed and nitrogen alloyed austenitic steels have elevated temperature strengths that are almost as high as those of duplex steels.

In terms of creep strength austenitic stainless steels are superior to all other types of stainless steel.