What Is Alloy A286? UNS S66286, 1.4980 & AISI 660 Explained
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Alloy A286 Round Bar, Alloy A286 material, A286 alloy, UNS S66286, A286 1.4980, AISI 660, Alloy 660, A286 stainless steel, A286 nickel iron alloy, Alloy A286 properties, Alloy A286 applications, A286 supplier India, ASTM A453 A286
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Table of Contents
- What Is Alloy A286?
- Alloy A286 International Designations
- Is A286 Stainless Steel or a Nickel Alloy?
- Alloy A286 Chemical Composition
- Why Is Alloy A286 Used?
- Alloy A286 Key Properties
- Alloy A286 Heat Treatment and Strengthening
- Alloy A286 Round Bar
- Alloy A286 Applications
- Alloy A286 Standards
- What Should Buyers Check Before Purchasing?
- Why Choose Manan Steel & Metals?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is Alloy A286?
Alloy A286 is a precipitation-hardening iron-nickel-chromium alloy developed for applications requiring a combination of high strength, corrosion resistance and useful elevated-temperature performance.
It is commonly identified using several international designations, including:
- Alloy A286
- Alloy 286
- Alloy 660
- AISI 660
- UNS S66286
- 1.4980
- X5NiCrTi26-15
The alloy contains nickel, chromium, titanium and other controlled additions that allow it to develop high strength through appropriate heat treatment.
voestalpine identifies A286 as UNS S66286, with material numbers including 1.4943, 1.4944 and 1.4980, and lists AISI 660 as another designation.
This combination of properties makes A286 relevant to aerospace, power-generation, industrial equipment and high-temperature fastening applications.
Alloy A286 International Designations
One reason buyers may encounter confusion when sourcing A286 is that different countries and industries use different material names.
| Designation | Reference |
|---|---|
| Alloy A286 | Common alloy designation |
| Alloy 286 | Alternate designation |
| Alloy 660 | Industrial designation |
| AISI 660 | AISI designation |
| UNS S66286 | UNS designation |
| 1.4980 | Werkstoff number |
| X5NiCrTi26-15 | EN-related designation |
| X4NiCrTi25-15 | EN-related designation appearing for A286 variants |
| ASTM A453 | Relevant specification for certain A286 products |
| AMS 5731 / 5732 | Aerospace material specifications |
Published technical data shows that the exact material number and specification can depend on the product form and material condition.
Why alternate names matter
An Indian buyer may search for:
A286 Round Bar
while an international purchasing department may specify:
UNS S66286
or:
Alloy 660 / AISI 660.
Including the appropriate designation in an enquiry can help suppliers identify the intended material correctly.
Is A286 Stainless Steel or a Nickel Alloy?
A286 is often described in industry as a precipitation-hardening iron-nickel-chromium alloy.
It contains enough chromium to provide useful corrosion resistance, but its material identity and strengthening mechanism are different from conventional stainless steel grades such as 304 or 316.
The alloy is strengthened through precipitation hardening.
Its chemical design includes:
- Nickel
- Chromium
- Iron
- Titanium
- Aluminium
- Molybdenum
- Vanadium
- Manganese
- Silicon
- Carbon
The exact limits depend on the applicable specification.
Therefore, it is better to identify the material by its proper designation—A286 / UNS S66286 / Alloy 660—rather than treating it as an ordinary stainless steel round bar.
Alloy A286 Chemical Composition
The chemistry of A286 is designed to provide a balance of corrosion resistance, strength and high-temperature capability.
A typical composition includes approximately:
| Element | Typical Role |
|---|---|
| Nickel | Supports the austenitic structure and high-temperature performance |
| Chromium | Contributes to corrosion and oxidation resistance |
| Iron | Base element |
| Titanium | Important for precipitation strengthening |
| Aluminium | Contributes to precipitation strengthening |
| Molybdenum | Supports strength and corrosion performance |
| Vanadium | Controlled alloying addition |
| Manganese | Processing and metallurgical control |
| Silicon | Controlled alloying element |
| Carbon | Kept within specification limits |
The exact chemical limits should always be checked against the applicable material specification and the supplied MTC.
voestalpine identifies A286 as X5NiCrTi26-15 in one of its product references and gives UNS S66286 for the alloy.
Why Is Alloy A286 Used?
A286 is selected when engineers need a combination of properties rather than one isolated characteristic.
The alloy can provide:
High Strength
A286 can achieve high mechanical strength through precipitation-hardening heat treatment.
Corrosion Resistance
Its chromium-containing composition provides useful corrosion resistance for many industrial environments.
Elevated-Temperature Performance
The alloy is used in applications where components experience elevated temperatures.
Dimensional and Mechanical Stability
The material can retain useful mechanical properties under demanding service conditions when properly processed.
Fastener Performance
A286 is used for specialized high-strength fasteners and hardware.
These characteristics explain its presence in aerospace, power generation and demanding industrial equipment. voestalpine lists A286 among materials used for power-generation applications and identifies it as an austenitic material available in round bar, flat bar and billet forms.
Alloy A286 Key Properties
A286 is particularly interesting because its properties can be modified through processing and heat treatment.
Published voestalpine data for one A286 specification gives a density of approximately 7.95 g/cm³ and thermal conductivity of approximately 13 W/m·K at 20°C. It also reports a coefficient of thermal expansion of approximately 16.5 × 10⁻⁶/K between 20°C and 100°C.
The following characteristics are important when evaluating the alloy:
| Property | Importance |
|---|---|
| High strength | Suitable for demanding mechanical components |
| Corrosion resistance | Useful in industrial environments |
| Elevated-temperature capability | Relevant to high-temperature service |
| Precipitation hardening | Allows strength development through heat treatment |
| Austenitic structure | Important for material behavior |
| Machinability | Relevant when producing finished components |
| Weldability | Important for fabricated assemblies |
Actual mechanical properties should always be verified for the specific heat-treatment condition, product form and specification.
Alloy A286 Heat Treatment and Strengthening
One of the defining features of A286 is its ability to achieve high strength through precipitation hardening.
The basic principle involves controlled heat treatment that creates strengthening precipitates within the alloy’s microstructure.
A simplified process can involve:
Solution treatment → controlled cooling → aging → precipitation strengthening
The precise temperatures, holding times and cooling conditions depend on the applicable specification and required material condition.
This is important because A286 supplied in a solution-treated condition will not necessarily have the same mechanical properties as A286 supplied in an age-hardened condition.
Therefore, buyers should always specify the required condition when purchasing A286 for a critical application.
Alloy A286 Round Bar
Alloy A286 Round Bar is one of the useful product forms for machining specialized components.
A round bar can be converted into:
- Shafts
- Pins
- Fasteners
- Studs
- Bolts
- Bushings
- High-temperature components
- Aerospace hardware
- Valve components
- Precision-machined parts
voestalpine lists A286 in round bar, flat bar and billet forms, with one published product range showing round-bar availability from 12.5 to 254 mm for a particular production route. Availability varies by supplier, mill, specification and size.
When requesting a quotation, buyers should provide:
- Diameter
- Length
- Quantity
- Specification
- Condition
- Finish
- MTC requirement
- Delivery location
Alloy A286 Applications
A286 is used across several demanding industrial sectors.
Aerospace
Aerospace components can require high strength combined with corrosion resistance and elevated-temperature capability.
A286 is used for selected aerospace hardware and components where its combination of properties is suitable.
High-Temperature Fasteners
A286 is particularly relevant for specialized fasteners that must maintain mechanical performance under demanding service conditions.
Applications can include:
- Bolts
- Nuts
- Studs
- Screws
- High-temperature fasteners
Power Generation
A286 is listed among specialty materials used in power-generation applications.
Potential components include:
- High-temperature hardware
- Fasteners
- Engine-related components
- Mechanical assemblies
- Specialized structural components
Industrial Machinery
A286 can be considered for industrial components requiring a combination of strength and corrosion resistance.
Valves and Mechanical Components
The alloy can be machined into specialized components where the combination of strength and environmental resistance is required.
The actual suitability depends on the temperature, loading, corrosion environment and applicable design requirements.
Alloy A286 Standards
Several standards and specifications can be encountered when sourcing A286.
Published technical references include:
- ASTM A453
- AMS 5731
- AMS 5732
- DIN EN 10269
- VdTÜV 435
- UNS S66286
voestalpine’s A286 specification overview lists ASTM A453 Grade 660 (similar), AMS 5731/5732 as comparable specifications, and DIN EN 10269 for applicable products.
Important procurement note
Do not assume that every A286 round bar automatically meets every A286-related standard.
The buyer should identify:
Material + Product Form + Specification + Condition + Size
before placing an order.
What Should Buyers Check Before Purchasing?
If you are purchasing A286 for an industrial project, check the following.
Material Identification
Confirm:
A286 / UNS S66286 / Alloy 660
Product Form
Specify:
Round Bar / Flat Bar / Billet / Other
Dimensions
Provide:
- Diameter
- Length
- Tolerance
Material Condition
State the required:
- Solution-treated condition
- Age-hardened condition
- Other specified condition
Standard
Mention the required ASTM, AMS, EN or customer specification.
Testing
Depending on the application, specify:
- Chemical analysis
- Tensile testing
- Hardness
- Dimensional inspection
- Additional inspection
Certification
State whether an:
MTC / EN 10204 3.1 certificate
or other documentation is required.
Why Choose Manan Steel & Metals for Alloy A286?
Manan Steel & Metals supplies specialty and industrial metal products for engineering and procurement requirements.
Our product range includes Alloy A286 Round Bar for customers looking for high-strength specialty alloy material.
Manan’s A286 product information identifies the material as UNS S66286 and provides a structured enquiry format covering specification, diameter, length, quantity, condition, testing and certification.
For an A286 enquiry, send:
Material: Alloy A286
UNS: S66286
Product: Round Bar
Diameter: Required size
Length: Required length
Quantity: Required quantity
Condition: Required condition
Specification: Required standard
MTC: Required / Not Required
Delivery: Destination
Explore Manan Steel & Metals’ round bar range:
Visit the company website:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alloy A286?
Alloy A286 is a precipitation-hardening iron-nickel-chromium alloy designed for applications requiring high strength, corrosion resistance and useful elevated-temperature performance.
What is the UNS number of A286?
The commonly associated UNS designation is S66286.
What is A286 also called?
A286 is also known as Alloy 286, Alloy 660 and AISI 660. The Werkstoff designation 1.4980 is also associated with A286.
What is 1.4980 material?
1.4980 is a Werkstoff number associated with A286 / Alloy 660.
Is A286 a precipitation-hardening alloy?
Yes. A286 can be strengthened through precipitation-hardening heat treatment.
What is ASTM A453 used for?
ASTM A453 is one of the specifications associated with A286 Grade 660 products. The exact applicability should be confirmed for the particular product form and requirement.
Is A286 suitable for high-temperature applications?
A286 is used in selected high-temperature applications because it combines strength, corrosion resistance and elevated-temperature capability. Actual suitability depends on the service conditions.
What is A286 Round Bar used for?
A286 Round Bar can be machined into fasteners, shafts, pins, aerospace hardware, industrial components, valve components and other specialized parts.
What information should I provide when buying A286 Round Bar?
Provide the material designation, UNS number, diameter, length, quantity, specification, material condition, testing requirements, certification requirements and delivery location.
Conclusion
Alloy A286 is a specialty precipitation-hardening alloy designed for demanding engineering environments where a combination of strength, corrosion resistance and elevated-temperature performance is required.
It is commonly identified as:
A286 → Alloy 660 → AISI 660 → UNS S66286 → 1.4980
The alloy’s ability to develop high strength through heat treatment makes it particularly relevant to specialized aerospace hardware, high-temperature fasteners, power-generation equipment and industrial components.
For procurement, the material name alone is not enough. Buyers should specify the product form, size, condition, applicable standard, testing and certification requirements.
If you require Alloy A286 Round Bar for an industrial or engineering application, contact Manan Steel & Metals with your complete requirement.
Manan Steel & Metals
Shop No. 2, Hira Building,
97 Khetwadi Main Road,
Girgaon, Mumbai – 400004, Maharashtra, India
Phone: 7977369869
Email: manansteel@gmail.com
Website: https://www.manansteel.com/
Technical References
- voestalpine Specialty Metals – A286 specification overview:
https://www.voestalpine.com/specialtymetals/eu/en/ - voestalpine Specialty Metals – Materials / A286:
https://www.voestalpine.com/specialtymetals/en/materials/ - ASTM International – ASTM A453:
https://www.astm.org/a0453_a0453m.html