Ferrite Number is an arbitrary standardized value designating the ferrite content of an austenitic stainless steel weld metal.

It should be used in place of percent ferrite or volume percent ferrite on a direct replacement basis. FN has been adopted as a relative measure for quantifying ferritic content using standardized magnetic techniques. The FN approach was developed in order to reduce the large variation in ferrite levels determined on a given specimen when measured using different techniques in different laboratories. FN approximates the "volume percent ferrite" at levels below 8 FN; above this level, deviation occurs. A number of instruments are commercially available for determining the ferrite content of welds, including the Magne gage, Severn gage, and ferrite scope.

For more clarity have glance to the following: Ferrite number is a means of measuring the proportion of Delta-Ferrite present. A magnetically determined unit for ferrite determination. Delta-Ferrite is the Solid solution of Carbon in Delta -iron. Found only in high temperature region (>1410C) BCC structure Maximum solid solubility of carbon is 0.1% at 1495C Minimum FN is required to decrease hot cracking tendency of the weld. Higher values of FN reduce the Corrosion resistance property of the weld. FN can be: Predicted using Constitution Diagrams. Measured using instruments like Feritscope. An instrument which directly gives the value of Ferrite Number present in a weld. Works on Magnetic Induction principle.

01. What is the difference between ferrite number and ferrite percentage? Ferrite percentage no longer used, it has been replaced by Ferrite Number Ferrite Number is an arbitrary standardized value designating the ferrite content of an austenitic stainless steel weld metal. It should be used in place of percent ferrite or volume percent ferrite on a direct replacement basis. FN has been adopted as a relative measure for quantifying ferritic content using standardized magnetic techniques. The FN approach was developed in order to reduce the large variation in ferrite levels determined on a given specimen when measured using different techniques in different laboratories. FN approximates the "volume percent ferrite" at levels below 8 FN; above this level, deviation occurs. A number of instruments are commercially available for determining the ferrite content of welds, including the Magne gage, Severn gage, and ferrite scope. 02. Its required for which materials? Ferrite number is a measure of = Chromium & Nickel equivalent in an Austenitic stainless steel material. It should be between 3-7% max. Very low ferrite can lead to cracks. It is a measure of denoting the

ferrite content in an stainless steel. Ferrite Number has been adopted as a relative measure for quantifying ferritic content using standardized magnetic techniques. The Ferrite Number approach was developed in order to reduce the large variation in ferrite levels determined on a given specimen when measured using different techniques in different laboratories. The ferrite level is only important to assure minimum exposure to solidification cracking when depositing austenitic stainless steel weld metal. The lower ferrite number is better for corrosion resistance, while balancing higher ferrite content to avoid solidification cracking in the weld deposit. I would not worry about lower ferrite numbers for clad overlay welding, if no cracking is observed (Liquid Penetrant verification). To understand it, one has to know reason for ferrite formation. Welding metals like 304L, 316L, retain some amount of delta ferrite formed at grain boundaries, due to composition of weld metal & welding conditions like high temperature (5500 - 9500 C). Both factors determine the percentage of delta ferrite as well as its size, morphology and distribution. Though delta ferrite reduces risk of micro fissuring / cracks, if it exceeds 8-10%, corrosion resistance of SS decreases steeply. Ferrite level beyond 7% is unacceptable for high temperature service. Again, Zero or very low ferrite may create micro fissures. Ferrite turns to brittle sigma phase (rich in Cr) at high temperature and affects ductility, toughness and also cause inter granular corrosion due to Cr depletion from austenite matrix. Hence it has to be maintained depending up on service requirements. These details were brought by Schaeffler by metallographic i.e., Ferrite Percentage which helps to determine the structure of weldment, like ferrtic, austenitic, percentage of delta ferrite at normal conditions etc. The limitation is the non-equilibrium cooling rate, selection of welding process, shielding gas, Nitrogen (a strong austenite former) pick up which has influence on the ferrite morphology. Delong has modified the Schaeffler diagram (claimed to be 4% accurate) improving the accuracy to 2%. Delong diagram differs with Schaeffler diagram in that the values are based on magnetically determined ferrite content. i.e., the Ferrite No & Nitrogen is included in the calculation of nickel equivalent with a coefficient equivalent of 30. Hence it is generally believed that, Delong diagram gives more accurate values compared to Schaeffler diagram. AWS has switched over to Ferrite No. (FN) instead of percentage ferrite since, FN is derived by a standard measurement and calibration procedure as approved by Welding Research Council . b) In Schaeffler diagram, Nickel and Chromium equivalents are calculated and Delta Ferrite percentage is obtained by plotting the values.(Cr Equiv. % Cr + % Mo + 1.5 % Si +0.5%Cb. & Ni Equiv. : % Ni + 30% C + 0.5% Mn) This method involves actually counting the ferrite phase using point counter method and estimating the percentage) In Delong diagram the Delta Ferrite No. i.e., FN is calculated by adding additional 30% N in Ni equiv.)

These method is based upon the theory that, ferrite is a magnetic phase in a non magnetic austenitic matrix. While nitrogen level in SMAW is 0.06%, it is 0.02% through GTAW & 0.04% in GMAW process. Magnetic saturation method is a DT to determine the absolute percentage of delta ferrite in the sample and independent of size, shape, orientation of the phase etc. Cannot be used to measure ferrite in an actual equipment. Ferrite scope, Magna gauge are other methods, to measure the delta ferrite and their results are said to be accurate and widely used due to its simplicity. They are NDT methods and could be used any one. Both gauges are available easily in the market and can be done by yourself if the no. of checking are frequent and on a long run.

Other special methods used in a research institute are X-ray diffraction, electro chemical etc. Delong diagram provides a better correlation between the calculated and measured ferrite content of the weld metal. Typically 8% volume fraction ferrite would equal 8 FN. Beyond this value, Ferrite No would be more accurate. However as per AWS and other WRC documents Delong diagrams upper limit is up to 18 FN or typically 15% Ferrite. A number of instruments are commercially available for determining the ferrite content of welds, including the Magne gage, Severn gage, and ferrite scope. Ferrite No (FN) cannot be converted directly in to volume % Ferrite unless saturation ferrite Magnetization of the ferrite level is taken into the account of these alloys. With various calculations, an approximate relationship has been developed using formula. Volume F% of Ferrite = 0.7 (FN) + 0.54 , where F is residual ferrite and FN is ferrite content. This is an app. Equivalent Value and varies to some extent from alloy to alloy . Trust above information shall be of help to you.