Stainless Steel Investment Casting
Comprehensive material guide for stainless steel investment castings. Specifications for CF8, CF8M, CF3, CF3M, and duplex grades used in automotive, industrial, and energy applications.
Request Material CertificationStainless Steel Grades for Investment Casting
CF8 (304 Equivalent)
ASTM A351
General-purpose austenitic stainless steel for corrosion-resistant applications. Good weldability and formability.
Equivalents: 304, 1.4308, SCS13
Chemical Composition
Mechanical Properties
Applications: Food processing, chemical equipment, general industrial
CF8M (316 Equivalent)
ASTM A351
Molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel with superior corrosion resistance, especially in chloride environments.
Equivalents: 316, 1.4408, SCS14
Chemical Composition
Mechanical Properties
Applications: Marine, chemical processing, oil & gas, pharmaceutical
CF3 (304L Equivalent)
ASTM A351
Low-carbon version of CF8 for improved weldability and resistance to intergranular corrosion.
Equivalents: 304L, 1.4306
Chemical Composition
Mechanical Properties
Applications: Welded assemblies, corrosive environments requiring welding
CF3M (316L Equivalent)
ASTM A351
Low-carbon, molybdenum-bearing grade combining superior corrosion resistance with excellent weldability.
Equivalents: 316L, 1.4404, SCS16
Chemical Composition
Mechanical Properties
Applications: Pharmaceutical, food processing, marine, chemical
Duplex Stainless Steel
ASTM A890
Two-phase (austenite + ferrite) structure providing high strength and excellent corrosion resistance.
Equivalents: 2205, 1.4462
Chemical Composition
Mechanical Properties
Applications: Offshore, desalination, chemical tankers, pressure vessels
Applications by Industry
Automotive
EGR valve bodies, exhaust manifolds, turbo housings
Recommended: CF8M, 316L
Oil & Gas
Valve bodies, pump components, pipe fittings
Recommended: CF8M, Duplex, CF3M
Food Processing
Pump impellers, valve seats, mixer components
Recommended: CF8, CF3, 304
Marine
Impellers, valve components, deck hardware
Recommended: CF8M, 316L, Duplex
Chemical Processing
Reactor components, heat exchanger parts, valves
Recommended: CF8M, CF3M, Duplex
Pharmaceutical
Sanitary fittings, valve bodies, pump housings
Recommended: CF3M, 316L
Material Quality Assurance
All stainless steel castings from Quintex foundries include full material traceability and certification. Our quality control process includes:
- Spectrometer analysis – Chemical composition verification on every heat
- Mechanical testing – Tensile, yield, and elongation testing per ASTM standards
- Heat treatment records – Solution annealing parameters documented
- Material test reports (MTRs) – EN 10204 3.1 certificates available
- NDT testing – X-ray, dye penetrant, and magnetic particle inspection as required
Need Help Selecting a Material Grade?
Our engineering team can recommend the optimal stainless steel grade based on your application requirements, operating environment, and budget.
Contact Our Engineers