The grades listed below are some common steel strip grades, their alternative specifications and their chemical analyses.
Grade 301
Grade 301 stainless steel provides spring properties while maintaining excellent resistance to corrosion. It is an austenitic grade, which possesses spring properties in its temper rolled condition. It can be used to form springs without the need for heat treatment.
Stock Availability
BSS Steel Strip stock grade 301 in sheet and coil, temper rolled at 380vpn.
To make an enquiry please call +44 (0)114 244 0527 (select option 2) or email bss@steelstrip.co.uk.
Standard sheet sizes available for fast dispatch are 300x1000mm in a thickness range up to 1mm.
Higher thicknesses and alternative sheet sizes can be supplied to order.
Coil can be supplied to specified width and weight.
Properties and Analysis
The properties for Grade 301 are specified for flat rolled product (plate, sheet and coil) in ASTM A666. Similar but not identical mechanical properties are specified in EN 10088.2 and JIS G4305 and in proprietary specifications.
| Grade | C | Mn | Si | P | S | Cr | Mo | Ni | N | |
| 3011.4310 ASTM A666 | min. max. | – 0.15 | – 2.0 | – 1.0 | – 0.045 | – 0.030 | 16.0 18.0 | – | 6.0 8.0 | – 0.10 |
| 301L JIS G4305 | min. max. | – 0.03 | – 2.0 | – 1.0 | – 0.045 | – 0.030 | 16.0 18.0 | – | 6.0 8.0 | – 0.20 |
| 1.4318/301LN EN 10088-2 | min. max. | – 0.03 | – 2.0 | – 1.0 | – 0.045 | – 0.015 | 16.5 18.5 | – | 6.0 8.0 | 0.10 0.20 |
Grade 304
Type 304
Chemistry
| Grade | C | Mn | Si | P | S | Cr | Mo | Ni | N | |
| 304 | min. max. | – 0.08 | – 2.0 | – 0.75 | – 0.045 | – 0.030 | 18.0 20.0 | – | 8.0 10.5 | – 0.10 |
| 304L | min. max. | – 0.030 | – 2.0 | – 0.75 | – 0.045 | – 0.030 | 18.0 20.0 | – | 8.0 12.0 | – 0.10 |
| 304H | min. max. | 0.04 0.10 | – 2.0 | – 0.75 | -0.045 | – 0.030 | 18.0 20.0 | – | 8.0 10.5 | – |
Mechanical Properties
Table 2. Mechanical properties of 304 grade stainless steel
| Grade | Tensile Strength (MPa) min | Yield Strength 0.2% Proof (MPa) min | Elongation (% in 50mm) min | Hardness | |
| Rockwell B (HR B) max | Brinell (HB) max | ||||
| 304 | 515 | 205 | 40 | 92 | 201 |
| 304L | 485 | 170 | 40 | 92 | 201 |
| 304H | 515 | 205 | 40 | 92 | 201 |
| 304H also has a requirement for a grain size of ASTM No 7 or coarser. | |||||
Grade Specification Comparison
Possible Alternative Grades
| Grade | UNS No | Old British | Euronorm | Swedish SS | Japanese JIS | ||
| BS | En | No | Name | ||||
| 304 | S30400 | 304S31 | 58E | 1.4301 | X5CrNi18-10 | 2332 | SUS 304 |
| 304L | S30403 | 304S11 | – | 1.4306 | X2CrNi19-11 | 2352 | SUS 304L |
| 304H | S30409 | 304S51 | – | 1.4948 | X6CrNi18-11 | – | – |
Type 316
Chemistry
| Grade | C | Mn | Si | P | S | Cr | Mo | Ni | N | |
| 316 | Min | – | – | – | 0 | – | 16.0 | 2.00 | 10.0 | – |
| Max | 0.08 | 2.0 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 18.0 | 3.00 | 14.0 | 0.10 | |
| 316L | Min | – | – | – | – | – | 16.0 | 2.00 | 10.0 | – |
| Max | 0.03 | 2.0 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 18.0 | 3.00 | 14.0 | 0.10 | |
| 316H | Min | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0 | – | – | 16.0 | 2.00 | 10.0 | – |
| max | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 18.0 | 3.00 | 14.0 | – |
Mechanical Properties
Table 2. Mechanical properties of 316 grade stainless steels.
| Grade | Tensile Str (MPa) min | Yield Str 0.2% Proof (MPa) min | Elong (% in 50mm) min | Hardness | |
| Rockwell B (HR B) max | Brinell (HB) max | ||||
| 316 | 515 | 205 | 40 | 95 | 217 |
| 316L | 485 | 170 | 40 | 95 | 217 |
| 316H | 515 | 205 | 40 | 95 | 217 |
Note: 316H also has a requirement for a grain size of ASTM no. 7 or coarser.
Possible Alternative Grades
| Grade | UNS No | Old British | Euronorm | Swedish SS | Japanese JIS | ||
| BS | En | No | Name | ||||
| 316 | S31600 | 316S31 | 58H, 58J | 1.4401 | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 | 2347 | SUS 316 |
| 316L | S31603 | 316S11 | – | 1.4404 | X2CrNiMo17-12-2 | 2348 | SUS 316L |
| 316H | S31609 | 316S51 | – | – | – | – | – |
Note: These comparisons are approximate only.
Type 310
Chemistry
| Grade | C | Mn | Si | P | S | Cr | Mo | Ni | N | |
| 310 | min. max. | – 0.25 | – 2.00 | – 1.50 | – 0.045 | – 0.030 | 24.0 26.0 | – | 19.0 22.0 | – |
| 310S | min. max. | – 0.08 | – 2.00 | – 1.50 | – 0.045 | – 0.030 | 24.0 26.0 | – | 19.0 22.0 | – |
Mechanical Properties
| Grade | Tensile Strength (MPa) min | Yield Strength 0.2% Proof (MPa) min | Elongation (% in 50mm) min | Hardness | |
| Rockwell B (HR B) max | Brinell (HB) max | ||||
| 310 | 515 | 205 | 40 | 95 | 217 |
| 310S | 515 | 205 | 40 | 95 | 217 |
| – |
Stainless steel is not a single material but the name for a family of corrosion resistant steels. Like many scientific discoveries the origins of stainless steel lies in a serendipitous accident. In 1913 Sheffield, England, Harry Brearley was investigating the development of new steel alloys for use in gun barrels. He noticed that some of his samples didn’t rust and were difficult to etch. These alloys contained around 13% chromium.
The first application of these steels was in cutlery for which Sheffield subsequently became world famous. Simultaneous work in France led to the development of the first austenitic stainless steels.
Worldwide demand for stainless steel is increasing at a rate of about 5% per annum. Annual consumption is now well over 20 million tonnes and is rising in areas such as the construction industry and household appliances. New uses are being continuously found for the attractive appearance, corrosion resistance, low maintenance and strength of stainless steel. Stainless steel is more expensive than standard grades of steel but it has greater resistance to corrosion, needs low maintenance and has no need for painting or other protective coatings. These factors mean stainless steel can be more economically viable once service life and life-cycle costs are considered.
All stainless steel are iron-based alloys that contain a minimum of around 10.5% Chromium. The Chromium in the alloy forms a self-healing protective clear oxide layer. This oxide layer gives stainless steel their corrosion resistance. The self healing nature of the oxide layer means the corrosion resistance remains intact regardless of fabrication methods. Even if the material surface is cut or damaged, it will self heal and corrosion resistance will be maintained.
Conversely, normal carbon steels may be protected from corrosion by painting or other coatings like galvanising. Any modification of the surface exposes the underlying steel and corrosion can occur.
The corrosion of different grades of stainless steel will differ with various environments. Suitable grades will depend upon the service environment. Even trace amounts of some elements can markedly alter the corrosion resistance. Chlorides in particular can have an adverse effect on the corrosion resistance of stainless steel.
Grades high in Chromium, Molybdenum and Nickel are the most resistant to corrosion.
| Stainless steel designations | ||||||||||
| SAE | UNS designation | % Cr | % Ni | % C | % Mn | % Si | % P | % S | % N | Other |
| Austenitic | ||||||||||
| 301 | S30100 | 16–18 | 6–8 | 0.15 | 2 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | – | – |
| 302 | S30200 | 17–19 | 8–10 | 0.15 | 2 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 0.1 | – |
| 302B | S30215 | 17–19 | 8–10 | 0.15 | 2 | 2.0–3.0 | 0.045 | 0.03 | – | – |
| 304 | S30400 | 18–20 | 8–10.50 | 0.08 | 2 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 0.1 | – |
| 304L | S30403 | 18–20 | 8–12 | 0.03 | 2 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 0.1 | – |
| 304N | S30451 | 18–20 | 8–10.50 | 0.08 | 2 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 0.10–0.16 | – |
| 310 | S31000 | 24–26 | 19–22 | 0.25 | 2 | 1.5 | 0.045 | 0.03 | – | – |
| 310S | S31008 | 24–26 | 19–22 | 0.08 | 2 | 1.5 | 0.045 | 0.03 | – | – |
| 314 | S31400 | 23–26 | 19–22 | 0.25 | 2 | 1.5–3.0 | 0.045 | 0.03 | – | – |
| 316 | S31600 | 16–18 | 10–14 | 0.08 | 2 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 0.1 | 2.0–3.0 Mo |
| 316L | S31603 | 16–18 | 10–14 | 0.03 | 2 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 0.1 | 2.0–3.0 Mo |
| 316F | S31620 | 16–18 | 10–14 | 0.08 | 2 | 1 | 0.2 | 0.10 min | – | 1.75–2.50 Mo |
| 316N | S31651 | 16–18 | 10–14 | 0.08 | 2 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 0.10–0.16 | 2.0–3.0 Mo |
| 321 | S32100 | 17–19 | 9–12 | 0.08 | 2 | 0.75 | 0.045 | 0.03 | 0.10 max | Ti 5(C+N) min, 0.70 max |
| Ferritic | ||||||||||
| 405 | S40500 | 11.5–14.5 | – | 0.08 | 1 | 1 | 0.04 | 0.03 | – | 0.1–0.3 Al, 0.60 max |
| 409 | S40900 | 10.5–11.75 | 0.05 | 0.08 | 1 | 1 | 0.045 | 0.03 | – | Ti 6 x C, but 0.75 max |
| 429 | S42900 | 14–16 | 0.75 | 0.12 | 1 | 1 | 0.04 | 0.03 | – | – |
| 430 | S43000 | 16–18 | 0.75 | 0.12 | 1 | 1 | 0.04 | 0.03 | – | – |
| 430F | S43020 | 16–18 | – | 0.12 | 1.25 | 1 | 0.06 | 0.15 min | – | 0.60 Mo (optional) |
| 430FSe | S43023 | 16–18 | – | 0.12 | 1.25 | 1 | 0.06 | 0.06 | – | 0.15 Se min |
| Martensitic | ||||||||||
| 403 | S40300 | 11.5–13.0 | 0.6 | 0.15 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.04 | 0.03 | – | – |
| 410 | S41000 | 11.5–13.5 | 0.75 | 0.15 | 1 | 1 | 0.04 | 0.03 | – | – |
| 414 | S41400 | 11.5–13.5 | 1.25–2.50 | 0.15 | 1 | 1 | 0.04 | 0.03 | – | – |
| 416 | S41600 | 12–14 | – | 0.15 | 1.25 | 1 | 0.06 | 0.15 min | – | 0.060 Mo (optional) |
| 416Se | S41623 | 12–14 | – | 0.15 | 1.25 | 1 | 0.06 | 0.06 | – | 0.15 Se min |
| 420 | S42000 | 12–14 | – | 0.15 min | 1 | 1 | 0.04 | 0.03 | – | – |
| 420F | S42020 | 12–14 | – | 0.15 min | 1.25 | 1 | 0.06 | 0.15 min | – | 0.60 Mo max (optional) |
| 431 | S41623 | 15–17 | 1.25–2.50 | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | 0.04 | 0.03 | – | – |
| 440A | S44002 | 16–18 | – | 0.60–0.75 | 1 | 1 | 0.04 | 0.03 | – | 0.75 Mo |
| 440B | S44003 | 16–18 | – | 0.75–0.95 | 1 | 1 | 0.04 | 0.03 | – | 0.75 Mo |
| 440C | S44004 | 16–18 | – | 0.95–1.20 | 1 | 1 | 0.04 | 0.03 | – | 0.75 Mo |