HRS Ferritic · Railway Steel Supplier in India

Railway Grade Steel – SS 409M, X2CrNi12, IRSM 44, X5CrNi1810, IRSM-41, IRS350CR & IRS450CR

Corrosion-resistant, durable and low-maintenance stainless steel for railway wagons, coaches and rolling stock.

SS 409M X2CrNi12 / EN 1.4003 IRSM 44 X5CrNi1810 / EN 1.4301 IRSM-41 IRS350CR IRS450CR

What is Railway Grade Steel?

Railway grade steel is a group of stainless and corrosion-resistant steels used to build railway wagons, coaches and rolling stock. These materials must handle heavy loads, abrasion, moisture and harsh weather for decades, so strength and corrosion resistance are the key requirements.

Grades such as SS 409M, X2CrNi12 and IRSM 44 are ferritic stainless steels widely used in coal and ore wagons, while X5CrNi1810 is an austenitic stainless steel used for coach interiors and cladding. IRSM-41, IRS350CR and IRS450CR are corrosion-resistant grades from the Indian Railways (IRS) range for structural use.

Grades Covered

SS 409M

Ferritic

A modified 409 ferritic stainless steel with higher strength and good weldability. A proven material for railway wagons and coach structures.

X2CrNi12 (EN 1.4003)

Ferritic

A low-carbon 12% chromium ferritic stainless steel with added nickel. It offers excellent abrasion and corrosion resistance and is commonly used for coal and bulk-carrying wagons.

IRSM 44

Ferritic

IRSM 44 (IRS M-44) is the Indian Railways specification for ferritic stainless steel used in wagon and coach construction, equal in family to X2CrNi12 / 3CR12 type steels.

X5CrNi1810 (EN 1.4301)

Austenitic

An 18/10 chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steel, equal to SS 304. It has superb corrosion resistance, good hygiene and a clean finish for coach interiors and cladding.

IRSM-41

Structural

IRSM-41 (IRS M-41) is the Indian Railways specification for corrosion-resistant structural steel used in rolling stock.

IRS350CR

High strength

A high-strength corrosion-resistant railway grade for load-bearing structures where strength and durability are essential.

IRS450CR

Higher strength

A higher-strength corrosion-resistant grade that allows lighter and longer-lasting railway components.

Chemical Composition (%)

GradeChromium (Cr)Carbon (C) maxNickel (Ni)Type
SS 409M10.5 – 12.5 (approx.)0.030.50 maxFerritic
X2CrNi1210.5 – 12.50.0300.30 – 1.00Ferritic
IRSM 44Refer IRS M-44 specification––Ferritic
X5CrNi181017.5 – 19.50.078.0 – 10.5Austenitic
IRSM-41Refer IRS M-41 specification––Corrosion-resistant structural steel
IRS350CR / IRS450CRRefer IRS specification––High-strength corrosion-resistant steel

Values are typical / indicative. Refer to the applicable standard for exact limits.

Mechanical Properties

GradeYield Strength (MPa) minTensile Strength (MPa)Elongation (%) min
SS 409MRefer standardRefer standardRefer standard
X2CrNi12250450 – 65020
X5CrNi1810195 – 230500 – 70045
IRSM 44 / IRSM-41As per IRS specificationAs per IRS specificationAs per IRS specification
IRS350CR / IRS450CRAs per IRS specificationAs per IRS specificationAs per IRS specification

Indicative values. Please verify against the applicable IRS / RDSO / EN specification and the mill test certificate.

Key Features

Corrosion resistanceWithstands rain, humidity, coastal air and aggressive cargo.
High strength and durabilitySupports heavy axle loads and long service life.
Abrasion resistanceSuited to coal, ore and bulk-material wagons.
Low maintenanceLess painting and repair, which reduces lifecycle cost.
Weldable and fabrication-friendlySuitable for large structural fabrication and sheet forming.

Applications

  • Railway wagons, including coal and ore wagons
  • Passenger coach body and underframe
  • Coach interiors, cladding, side walls and roof sheets
  • Flooring and structural members
  • Metro and EMU coaches

Available Forms

Coils, sheets, plates and cut-to-size material in various thicknesses, supplied with mill test certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which grades are used for railway wagons?

SS 409M, X2CrNi12 and IRSM 44 are commonly used for wagons because of their abrasion and corrosion resistance.

What is IRSM 44?

IRSM 44 is an Indian Railways specification for ferritic stainless steel used in wagon and coach construction.

Is X5CrNi1810 the same as SS 304?

Yes. X5CrNi1810 (EN 1.4301) is the European designation for the 18/10 austenitic stainless steel known as SS 304.

Need railway grade steel?

Share your grade, thickness and quantity and our team will respond with a quotation.

Send an Enquiry
HRS Ferritic
Direct message to HRS Ferritic via whatsapp