304
: Austenitic Cr-Ni stainless steel. Better corrosion resistance than Type 302. High ductility, excellent drawing, forming, and spinning properties. Essentially non-magnetic, becomes slightly magnetic when cold worked. Low carbon content means less carbide precipitation in the heat-affected zone during welding and a lower susceptibility to intergranular corrosion.
Applications: beer kegs, bellows, chemical equipment, coal hopper linings, cooking equipment, cooling coils, cryogenic vessels, dairy equipment, evaporators, flatware utensils, feedwater tubing, flexible metal hose, food processing equipment, hospital surgical equipment, hypodermic needles, kitchen sinks, marine equipment and fasteners, nuclear vessels, oil well filter screens, refrigeration equipment, paper industry, pots and pans, pressure vessels, sanitary fittings, valves, shipping drums, spinning, still tubes, textile dyeing equipment, tubing.
Corrosion Resistance: resists most oxidizing acids and salt spray.
316
: Stainless Steel 316 contains molybdenum. This addition increases general corrosion resistance, improves resistance to pitting from chloride ion solutions, and provides increased strength at elevated temperatures.
301
: Type 301 is a high strength grade of steel. Its resistance to atmosphere corrosion and its bright, attractive surface make it an excellent choice for decorative structural applications.
Applications include automobile molding and trim, wheel cover, conveyor belts, kitchen equipment, roof draining systems, hose clamps, springs, truck and trailer bodies, railway and subway cars. By varying the chemical composition within the limits set by the ASTM Specifications and by temper rolling, a broad range of magnetic and mechanical properties can be obtained for a variety of applications.
302
: Austenitic Cr-Ni stainless steel. More corrosion resistant than Type 301 and because of higher Ni content does not work harden as quickly as Type 301. Essentially non-magnetic in annealed condition, slightly magnetic in cold worked condition. Can be stamped, blanked, formed, and lightly drawn. Applications include car and radar antennas, automobile trim, bottling machinery, dairy processing equipment, food processing equipment, home appliances, hospital equipment, industrial floor plate, jewelry, kitchen and restaurant equipment, spring clips, washers, retainers.
303
: An austenitic free-machining stainless steel. The standard 18-8 stainless steels are more difficult to turn, mill and drill which restricts their use when considerable machining is required. The additional sulfur present in 303 assists in breaking up turnings which reduces drag on the cutting tool. This permits greater machining speed and tends to produce smoother machined finishes which in turn lowers production costs.
This material is not as resistant to general corrosion as is 304. It tends to form a rust film more readily in moist atmospheres and is very susceptible to pitting or localized corrosion in solutions of chlorides, iodides, or bromides. Under relatively dry conditions or in mildly corrosive environments, 303 resists rust. It also has good resistance to oxidation up to 1700°F. 303 is not recommended for vessels containing gases or liquids under high pressure. It is available as hot rolled, annealed and pickled (HRAP) or hot rolled, annealed only (HRA) plate.
Applications
Utilized wherever a combination of good corrosion resistance and considerable machining is required for a part. Applications include aircraft fittings, computer motor holder rings, bushings, fittings, pump and valve parts, screw machine products, shafts and other parts requiring extensive machining.
309
: Stainless Steel 309 provides excellent corrosion resistance and heat resistance plus good strength at room and elevated temperatures. The alloy is non-magnetic as annealed and becomes slightly magnetic when cold worked.
316L
: Similar to Type 316 for superior corrosion resistance, but also has superior resistance to intergranular corrosion following welding or stress relieving. Good corrosion resistance to most chemicals, salts, and acids and molybdenum content helps resistance. Similar to Type 316 for superior corrosion resistance, but also has superior resistance to intergranular corrosion following welding or stress relieving. Good corrosion resistance to most chemicals, salts, and acids and molybdenum content helps resistance to marine environments. The low carbon content of 316L reduces the possibility of in vivo corrosion for medical implant use. High creep strength at elevated temperatures. 316L has fabrication characteristics similar to Types 302 and 304.
Applications: biomedical implants, chemical processing, food processing, photographic, pharmaceutical, textile finishing, marine exterior trim.
321
: Stainless Steel 321 is a stabilized austenitic stainless steel similar to Type 304 but with a titanium addition. This titanium addition reduces or prevents carbide precipitation during welding and in 427 - 816°C service. It also improves the elevated temperature properties of the alloy. 321 provides excellent resistance to oxidation and corrosion and possesses good creep strength. It is used primarily in applications involving continuous and intermittent service temperatures within the carbide precipitation range of 427 - 816°C.