Stainless Steel Guide
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303 Stainless Steel
303 stainless steel is an "18-8" chromium-nickel stainless grade with sulfur added to make it a free machining grade. The most easily machined stainless grade has good atmospheric corrosion resistance and is a good choice for screw machines. It is non-magnetic in the annealed condition and non-hardenable by heat treating. Typical applications include:
nuts, bolts, shafts, bushings, screws, parts requiring machining, grinding or polishing.
Chemical Composition:
| Carbon: |
0.15 max |
| Nickel: |
8.00/12.00 |
| Chromium: |
17.00/19.00 |
| Manganese: |
2.00 max |
| Silicon: |
1.00 max |
| Molybdenum: |
0.75 max |
Phosphorus: |
0.040 max |
| Sulfur: |
0.050 max |
| Mechanical Properties |
| Tensile Strength |
85-95 ksi |
| Yield Point |
30-40 ksi |
| Elongation 2" % |
45-55 |
| Red. Area % |
50-60 |
| Hardness Brinell |
160-210 |
| Hardness Rb |
83-95 |
| Machinability % |
75 |
304 Stainless Steel
304 stainless steel is a widely used "18-8" chromium-nickel stainless grade. It possesses good atmospheric and chemical corrosion resistance. 304 is non-magnetic in the annealed condition but may become slightly magnetic when cold worked. Non-hardenable by heat treating. A lower carbon grade is available, 304L, that lowers the carbon content to .03% max for better corrosion resistance on welded sections. Typical uses include: applications that require welding, architectural trim, oil, gas, and chemical handling equipment, dairy, beverage, and other food processing applications, surgical tools, valves, shipping drums.
Chemical Composition:
| Carbon: |
0.08 max |
| Nickel: |
8.00/10.50 |
| Chromium: |
18.00/20.00 |
| Manganese: |
2.00 max |
| Silicon: |
1.00 max |
| Molybdenum: |
0.75 max |
Phosphorus: |
0.040 max |
| Sulfur: |
0.030 max |
| Mechanical Properties |
| Tensile Strength |
80-90 ksi |
| Yield Point |
30-40 ksi |
| Elongation 2" % |
55-65 |
| Red. Area % |
65-75 |
| Hardness Brinell |
150-185 |
| Hardness Rb |
80-90 |
| Machinability % |
45 |
316 Stainless Steel
316 stainless steel is an "18-8" chromium-nickel stainless with molybdenum added to greatly increase corrosion resistance as well as mechanical properties at higher temperatures. 316 is generally non-magnetic but can become magnetic when cold worked and is non-hardenable by heat treatment. Its higher strength and corrosion resistance, even at elevated temperatures, make it a superior choice over other chrome-nickel steels for uses that involve exposure to chemical and marine environments. A lower carbon grade is available, 316L, that lowers the carbon content to .03% max for better corrosion resistance on welded sections. Applications include: pharmaceutical, aircraft, marine, paper, textile, and chemical processing equipment, food processing equipment and surgical tools.
Chemical Composition:
| Carbon: |
0.08 max |
| Nickel: |
10.00/15.00 |
| Chromium: |
16.00/18.00 |
| Manganese: |
2.00 max |
| Silicon: |
1.00 max |
| Molybdenum: |
2.00/3.00 |
Phosphorus: |
0.040 max |
| Sulfur: |
0.030 max |
| Mechanical Properties |
| Tensile Strength |
75-90 ksi |
| Yield Point |
30-40 ksi |
| Elongation 2" % |
40-50 |
| Red. Area % |
60-70 |
| Hardness Brinell |
150-180 |
| Hardness Rb |
80-90 |
| Machinability % |
40 |
410 Stainless Steel
410 stainless steel precision ground flat stock is a basic martensitic stainless grade with good resistance to atmospheric corrosion. 410 is hardenable and optimum qualities are obtained through hardening. Magnetic in all conditions. Uses include: valve parts, pump rods, pistons, cutlery, screws, bolts, food industry machine parts.
Chemical Composition:
| Carbon: |
0.13 |
| Chromium: |
12.00 |
| Manganese: |
0.05 |
| Silicon: |
0.40 |
Phosphorus: |
0.040 max |
| Sulfur: |
0.030 max |
|
Temp. °F |
| Annealing |
1550-1650 |
| Hardening |
1750-1850 |
| Tempering |
400-1400 |
| Rockwell C |
35-46 |
| Mechanical Properties |
| Tensile Strength |
95 ksi max |
| Yield Point |
130 ksi min |
| Elongation 2" % |
10-30 |
| Red. Area % |
35-45 |
| Hardness Brinell |
302 min |
| Hardness Rc |
32 min |
| Machinability % |
55 |
420 Stainless Steel
420 stainless steel precision ground flat stock is a martensitic grade that can be heat treated to a hardness of 55 Rc with good wear resistance. Optimum corrosion resistant properties are attained when hardened and tempered and is magnetic in all conditions. Uses include: knives, scissors, bearings, plastic extrusion tooling, molds and hand tools.
Chemical Composition:
| Carbon: |
0.46 |
| Vanadium: |
0.30 |
| Chromium: |
13.00 |
| Manganese: |
0.40 |
| Silicon: |
0.40 |
Phosphorus: |
0.040 max |
| Sulfur: |
0.030 max |
|
Temp. °F |
| Annealing |
1550-1650 |
| Hardening |
1850-1950 |
| Tempering |
400-1100 |
| Rockwell C |
40-55 |
| Mechanical Properties |
| Tensile Strength |
95 ksi |
| Yield Point |
50 ksi |
| Elongation 2" % |
25 |
| Red. Area % |
55 |
| Hardness Brinell |
195 |
| Hardness Rb |
92 |
| Machinability % |
55 |
440C Stainless Steel
440C stainless steel precision ground flat stock is a high carbon, martensitic stainless grade. The higher carbon content enables the material to be heat treated to a hardness of 60 Rc, along with excellent wear resistance and ability to retain a cutting edge. Optimum corrosion resistant properties are attained when hardened and tempered. 440C is magnetic in all conditions. Uses include: knives, scissors, valves, balls and seats for pump parts that are exposed to oil or gas.
Chemical Composition:
| Carbon: |
1.05 |
| Chromium: |
17.00 |
| Manganese: |
0.40 |
| Silicon: |
0.40 |
| Molybdenum: |
0.40 |
Phosphorus: |
0.040 max |
| Sulfur: |
0.030 max |
|
Temp. °F |
| Annealing |
1550-1650 |
| Hardening |
1850-1950 |
| Tempering |
300-1400 |
| Rockwell C |
32-60 |
| Mechanical Properties |
| Tensile Strength |
110 ksi |
| Yield Point |
65 ksi |
| Elongation 2" % |
14 |
| Red. Area % |
25 |
| Hardness Brinell |
235 |
| Hardness Rb |
99 |
| Machinability % |
40 |
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