ASTM A743 vs ASTM A351 Stainless Steel Castings: CF8, CF8M, CG8M, CA15 & CA6NM Differences

Direct Answer: Both ASTM A743 and ASTM A351 govern iron-chromium and iron-chromium-nickel stainless steel castings such as CF8, CF8M, CF3M, CG8M, and CA15 / CA6NM, but they serve different regulatory domains: ASTM A743 covers general corrosion-resistant structural, food-machinery, marine, and non-code pump components (where tensile testing is optional unless specified via Supplementary Requirement S1), whereas ASTM A351 covers pressure-containing parts (valves, flanges, pressure vessels) and mandates 100% heat-lot tensile testing and ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code compliance.

Direct Foundry & CNC Manufacturing — Pingdu, Qingdao

Qingdao Yucheng Machine (YCUMETAL) operates a 34,000 m² integrated casting and CNC machining facility in Pingdu, Qingdao (approx. 50 km from Qingdao Port). We pour and finish-machine stainless steel, carbon & alloy steel, ductile/grey iron, aluminum, and copper/bronze alloys across silica-sol investment casting, sand casting, lost foam, gravity, and low-pressure casting.

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1. Standard Comparison: ASTM A743 vs ASTM A351 vs ASTM A744

When reviewing customer drawings for silica-sol investment casting or sand casting, understanding the mandatory testing and heat-treatment differences among the three primary ASTM corrosion-resistant casting specifications is essential:

Requirement ASTM A743 / A743M ASTM A351 / A351M ASTM A744 / A744M
Intended Service General corrosion-resistant applications (brackets, food equipment, impellers, marine hardware) Pressure-retaining parts (valves, pump casings, flanges, fittings for high/low temp) Severe corrosive chemical process service (acid pumps, chemical reactors)
Covered Alloy Families Austenitic (CF8, CF8M, CF3M, CG8M, CN7M) + Martensitic (CA15, CA6NM, CA40) Austenitic & Duplex pressure grades (CF8, CF8M, CF3, CF3M, CG8M, CK20, CN7M, CD4MCuN) CF8, CF8M, CF3, CF3M, CG8M, CN7M, CW12MW, CY40
Tensile Testing per Heat Optional under base spec (mandatory when PO invokes Supp. S1; standard on all YCUMETAL 3.1 MTRs) Mandatory for every heat & heat-treatment lot Mandatory when specified; strict post-weld solution annealing required
Post-Weld Repair Heat Treatment Solution treatment after major weld repair required if specified Governed by grade & ASME Section VIII / B16.34 rules Mandatory post-weld solution anneal after all major weld repairs

2. Key Grades Under ASTM A743 & A351: CF8 vs CF8M vs CG8M vs CA15/CA6NM

  • CF8 (Cast 304) & CF3 (Cast 304L): 18–21% Cr, 8–11% Ni; min tensile 485 MPa, yield 205 MPa, elongation ≥35%. Ideal for general water, food, and nitric/organic acid resistance.
  • CF8M (Cast 316) & CF3M (Cast 316L): Adds 2.0–3.0% Mo to boost pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN ≈ 23–26) against chlorides and marine atmospheres.
  • CG8M (Cast 317) & CG3M (Cast 317L): Increases molybdenum to 3.0–4.0% Mo and chromium to 18.0–21.0%, delivering superior resistance to sulfurous acid, pulp-and-paper bleach solutions, and flue-gas desulfurization scrubbers.
  • CA15 (Cast 410) & CA6NM: Martensitic 12% Cr grades listed in ASTM A743 (and ASTM A217/A487 for pressure service) offering 620–755 MPa tensile strength and cavitation/erosion resistance for pump impellers and turbine runners.

3. How YCUMETAL Certifies Dual-Compliant A743 / A351 Stainless Castings

At our 34,000 m² Pingdu foundry, we solution-anneal all austenitic castings at 1,040–1,120 °C followed by rapid water quenching, control delta-ferrite between 5% and 15%, and perform full OES chemical and mechanical tensile testing on every heat—so our EN 10204 3.1 MTR simultaneously satisfies ASTM A743 (with S1 tensile), ASTM A351, and European EN 10213 1.4308 / 1.4408. Send your drawings for a 24-hour engineering review.

Frequently Asked Questions (Engineering FAQ)

Can a casting certified to ASTM A351 CF8M also satisfy ASTM A743 CF8M?

Yes. Because ASTM A351 CF8M and ASTM A743 CF8M share identical chemical composition limits (C ≤0.08%, Cr 18–21%, Ni 9–12%, Mo 2.0–3.0%) and identical minimum tensile properties (485 MPa tensile, 205 MPa yield), a heat poured, solution-annealed, and tensile-tested to ASTM A351 CF8M automatically fulfills ASTM A743 CF8M (including Supplementary Requirement S1).

Why are CA15 and CA6NM found in ASTM A743 instead of ASTM A351?

ASTM A351 is dedicated to austenitic and austenitic-ferritic (duplex) pressure castings. Martensitic stainless grades like CA15 and CA6NM are covered under ASTM A743 for general corrosion service, and under ASTM A217 (Grade CA15) or ASTM A487 (Grade CA6NM Class A/B) when used in pressure-containing valves and pumps.

What is the difference between CF8M and CG8M in ASTM A743/A351?

CF8M (cast 316) contains 2.0–3.0% molybdenum, whereas CG8M (cast 317) contains 3.0–4.0% molybdenum and 9.0–13.0% nickel, providing significantly higher resistance to chloride pitting and crevice corrosion in chemical and marine equipment.

For production DFM, tooling, and batch inspection on these components, explore our casting heat treatment and surface finishing capabilities at YCUMETAL’s 34,000㎡ Pingdu facility.

For production DFM, tooling, and batch inspection on these components, explore our agricultural machinery castings capabilities at YCUMETAL’s 34,000㎡ Pingdu facility.

For DFM review, tooling, and batch inspection on these components, explore our electronics and telecom enclosure castings capabilities at YCUMETAL’s 34,000㎡ Pingdu facility.

For production DFM review, tooling, and batch inspection on these components, explore our aerospace precision investment castings capabilities at YCUMETAL’s 34,000㎡ Pingdu facility.

Frequently Asked Engineering Questions

Can a casting certified to ASTM A351 CF8M also satisfy ASTM A743 CF8M?
Yes. Because ASTM A351 CF8M and ASTM A743 CF8M share identical chemical composition limits (C ≤0.08%, Cr 18–21%, Ni 9–12%, Mo 2.0–3.0%) and identical minimum tensile properties (485 MPa tensile, 205 MPa yield), a heat poured, solution-annealed, and tensile-tested to ASTM A351 CF8M automatically fulfills ASTM A743 CF8M (including Supplementary Requirement S1).
Why are CA15 and CA6NM found in ASTM A743 instead of ASTM A351?
ASTM A351 is dedicated to austenitic and austenitic-ferritic (duplex) pressure castings. Martensitic stainless grades like CA15 and CA6NM are covered under ASTM A743 for general corrosion service, and under ASTM A217 (Grade CA15) or ASTM A487 (Grade CA6NM Class A/B) when used in pressure-containing valves and pumps.
What is the difference between CF8M and CG8M in ASTM A743/A351?
CF8M (cast 316) contains 2.0–3.0% molybdenum, whereas CG8M (cast 317) contains 3.0–4.0% molybdenum and 9.0–13.0% nickel, providing significantly higher resistance to chloride pitting and crevice corrosion in chemical and marine equipment.

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