Steel Uranus B26 6Mo

Technical Reference Library

Uranus B26 6Mo

Wnr. 1.4529 UNS N08926 DIN/EN X1NiCrMoCuN25-20-7

Material Overview

Uranus B26 6Mo is Aperam/Industeel's trade name for the nickel-based superaustenitic alloy widely known as Alloy 926, UNS N08926, EN 1.4529. It sits directly alongside its sibling Uranus B25 6Mo in the 6-Mo family — both carry roughly 6-7% molybdenum and a nitrogen addition that push PREN (pitting resistance equivalent) to around 43 — but B26 flips the balance of chromium and nickel: where B25 is built on a 20Cr-18Ni base, B26 runs closer to 20Cr-25Ni, with nickel becoming the dominant alloying element rather than chromium.

That higher nickel content buys two things B25 doesn't offer as strongly: greater structural stability during welding and heat treatment (lower risk of embrittling intermetallic phases forming), and toughness that holds up at cryogenic temperatures down to roughly -196°C. Combined with a copper addition, Uranus B26 6Mo is specified for chemical and petrochemical processing equipment, flue gas desulfurization, and other severely corrosive service where both chloride resistance and long-term structural stability matter — including welded fabrications where B25's slightly leaner nickel content would carry more phase-stability risk.

International Designation Equivalents

Standard Designation
UNS N08926
Wnr. (Werkstoffnummer) 1.4529
DIN / EN X1NiCrMoCuN25-20-7
ASTM A240 (plate/sheet); ASTM B649 (bar/wire)

Chemical Composition

Element Content
Nickel (Ni) 24.0 – 26.0%
Chromium (Cr) 19.0 – 21.0%
Molybdenum (Mo) 6.0 – 7.0%
Copper (Cu) 0.50 – 1.50%
Nitrogen (N) 0.15 – 0.25%
Manganese (Mn) 1.00% max
Silicon (Si) 0.50% max
Carbon (C) 0.020% max

Composition per UNS N08926 (Alloy 926). Estimated PREN (Cr + 3.3×Mo + 16×N) is approximately 43, comparable to Uranus B25 6Mo but with a nickel-dominant rather than chromium-dominant alloy balance.

Machinability Explained

Uranus B26 6Mo cuts much like B25 6Mo — both are fully austenitic 6-Mo superaustenitic grades with cutting forces and heat generation well above 316, driven by high combined molybdenum, chromium, and nickel content rather than any ferrite phase. The higher nickel fraction in B26 pushes its ductility and gumminess slightly further than B25's leaner nickel base, meaning the tendency to smear and work-harden under a rubbing or dull edge is, if anything, a bit more pronounced here.

The same fundamentals apply as with any 6-Mo superaustenitic: sharp, positive-rake inserts with a stainless-rated chipbreaker to shear the material cleanly rather than let it drag, firm and consistent feed rates to keep the edge engaged, and strong coolant delivery to manage heat that the alloy's low thermal conductivity won't carry away on its own. Rigidity in both machine and workholding matters more here than on 316 or even standard duplex — any deflection invites work hardening on the next pass.

Recommended Cutting Speeds

Operation Vc (m/min) Vc (SFM)
Turning 155 – 195 510 – 640
Milling 95 – 125 310 – 410
Parting 60 – 80 200 – 260
Grooving 90 – 120 300 – 390
Drilling 45 – 55 150 – 180

Values assume favorable conditions: a well-matched insert grade, rigid tool and workpiece clamping, good raw material quality, short tool overhang, and adequate coolant. Run toward the lower end of each range given this alloy's high nickel and molybdenum content.

Recommended FM Carbide Grades by Operation

Turning

Grade Coating ISO Application Range
FM324 PVD M10 – M20
FM2553 CVD M30

Parting / Grooving

Grade Coating ISO Application Range
FM2543 CVD P20
FM2553 CVD M30

Milling

Grade Coating ISO Application Range
FM125 PVD M15 – M35

Ready to cut Uranus B26 6Mo? Shop FM Carbide inserts matched to this alloy's turning, parting, grooving, and milling requirements.

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Recommended Insert Cutting-Edge Geometry

Parameter Value
Honing Size 0.03 – 0.05 mm / 0.001 – 0.002"
Rake Angle 9° – 11°
Land Angle Positive
Land Width 0.20 – 0.30 mm / 0.008 – 0.012"