Unlike previous ferritic stainless steel alloys, the grade 444 has superior resistance in chloride environments, and can resist chloride stress corrosion cracking. The grade has lower thermal coefficient of expansion, with a value of 10 micrometre/m°C and hence, it can be used suitably in applications at elevated temperatures.

The poisson’s ratio of 0.27-0.30 depicts the stiffness of the SS grade. The tensile strength of the material decreases from 500MPa at 100°C to 400MPa at 500°C. The grade can be suitably forged and hot worked by heating the metal up to 1000°C, and then finishing temperature below 700°C. The metal should not be held above 1000°C for extended period of time since that would result in grain growth and unwanted loss of ductility. The hot working needs to be followed by annealing, for stress removal and passivation of the surface for corrosion resistance.

The grade can be suitably cold worked with low work hardening rate and has deep drawing, bending characteristics with good formability. The alloy has 65 GPa torsional modulus of elasticity at room temperature, and hence can be suitably used in dynamic applications.