High-nitrogen steels
High nitrogen steels (HNS), including our proprietary Cronidur® 30, P900 and P2000, offer unique properties for highly demanding, critical applications. Target markets include the aerospace industry, medical technology and general mechanical engineering.
HNS is produced by the PESR process (Pressure-Electroslag-Remelting) under high pressure. For subsequent processing, we employ various forming techniques to supply high nitrogen steel in a wide range of geometries.
HNS Portfolio — Grades & Application Areas
HNS Portfolio — Grades & Application Areas
| Grade | Material No. | Microstructure | Key benefits | Typical industries & components |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cronidur® 30 | 1.4108 / X30CrMoN15-1 | martensitic | high hardness, very good wear and corrosion resistance | precision and rolling bearings, ball screws, pumps, valves, knives, dental instruments |
| HNS 40 HC | 1.4123 / X40CrMoVN16-2 | martensitic | high hardness, wear and corrosion resistant | highly loaded tools, specialty knives, bearings |
| P 2000 | P 2000 1.4452 / X13CrMnMoN18-14-3 | austenitic | non-magnetic, very high strength, PRE ≈ 45, biocompatible, corrosion resistant | non-magnetic, very high strength, PRE ≈ 45, biocompatible, corrosion resistant offshore actuators, medical implants, high-pressure valves, linear motion technology, jewelry/watches |
| P 900 N | 1.3815 | austenitic | high yield strength (≥ 930 MPa), non-magnetic | generator retaining rings, power generation, marine technology |
| P 4472 | 1.4472 | austenitic | biocompatible, corrosion resistant | medical technology/implants |
High-Performance Steels – Key Properties and Applications
Key Properties and Benefits
Nitrogen is a strong austenite stabilizer and a hardness-forming alloying element. By targeted enrichment up to 1% N2, a unique property profile is achieved:
- Superior combination of strength and toughness — tensile strengths up to 900 MPa with simultaneously high notch impact toughness (≥ 350 J).
- Excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion thanks to high PRE Numbers (40–48).
- Non-magnetic and biocompatible — ideal for sensitive measuring, medical and MR applications.
- Green Steel — produced from up to 100% recycled scrap and using electricity from renewable sources.
Your contact for high-nitrogen steels
We manufacture all our products to customer specifications. So what are your specifications?
Please feel free to contact us. Together we will find your perfectly customized solution.
Jörg Schulze
Sales Director Retaining Rings & HNS
Industries & Applications
Aerospace
- Spindles, actuators, landing-gear components, satellite structures, engine components
- Benefits: Very high corrosion resistance with lightweight component design
Mechanical and Plant Engineering
- Rolling and plain bearings, extruder screws, spindles
- Benefits: Longer service life, less maintenance, low wear
Energy & Offshore
- High-pressure pumps, turbine components, retaining rings in generators
- Benefits: Non-magnetic, high strength, suitable for work-hardening
Medical Technology
- Surgical instruments, dental tools, implants
- Benefits: Biocompatible, resistant to sterilization processes, high edge retention
Food & Beverage
- Filling and mixing systems, screws, pistons, knives
- Benefits: Food-safe, wear- and corrosion-resistant
Your contact for Austenite
We manufacture all our products to customer specifications. So what are your specifications?
Please feel free to contact us. Together we will find your perfectly customized solution.
Jörg Schulze
Sales Director Retaining Rings & HNS
PESR High Nitrogen Steels – Manufacturing Expertise and FAQs
In Essen, we operate one of the world’s largest PESR units to supply industries with our premium-quality steels.
Result:
- Homogeneous microstructure without segregation
- Very pure metallic matrix (high cleanliness)
- Higher nitrogen levels than with conventional melting
1. How do high nitrogen steels (HNS) differ from conventional stainless steels?
HNS contain up to 1% nitrogen. This stabilizes the austenitic or martensitic microstructure, markedly increases strength and corrosion resistance, and partly replaces nickel. The result is higher ultimate and yield strengths, improved resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, and — depending on grade — non-magnetic behavior.
2. What corrosion-resistance indices (PRE) do your HNS grades achieve?
Our austenitic variants such as P 2000 reach PRE values around 45–48; martensitic grades such as Cronidur® 30 are around 20–24 but offer significantly higher hardness. This covers applications from seawater contact to components that must withstand sterilization in medical settings.
3. Can HNS be machined and welded?
Yes. Martensitic HNS are preferably hard machined in the hardened condition (grinding, hard turning).
Austenitic HNS show machinability like 316L; suitable tool coatings (e.g., TiAlN) and cooling strategies increase tool life. Welding with austenitic filler metals is unproblematic; pre-/post-weld heat treatments are not required.
What you can expect
Circular economy
We use almost 100 % scrap in steel production, thereby enabling closed loops
Low CO2 production
Use of 100 % material from the electric arc furnace
Highly resilient steel
Maximum strength and hardness combined with toughness, high corrosion resistance, high heat resistance, excellent grinding and polishing properties, very good wear resistance and a high degree of purity
Precisely calculate the weight of your steel
With our steel weight calculator, you can work out the weight of your desired product in just a few mouse clicks.
