300 Series Stainless Steel

Tough, formable metals with excellent corrosion resistance

300 series stainless steel is austenitic, meaning that it has a crystal microstructure that toughens the alloys and makes it more ductile. At Cumberland Diversified Metals, we primarily deal in 304, 304L, and 316L grade stainless steel, and also have 301, 309, 310, 317, and 321 grade stainless steel available. These non-metallic, chromium-nickel alloys can be strengthened by cold work hardening, but the increase in strength comes at the cost of somewhat-reduced formability and ductility. Whether or not this is an acceptable trade-off depends on the application.

Properties

300 series stainless steel is known for its high corrosion resistance, which is due to its high chromium content. These alloys are typically non-magnetic in their annealed state, but may develop magnetic properties when cold worked. 300 series stainless steel can be easily welded using most fusion and resistance methods, but it requires particular attention to avoid cracking. These alloys are highly formable and ductile in their annealed form, but also keep their toughness even in cryogenic temperatures and perform well in moderately high temperatures. 321 contains titanium, which stabilizes the structure and makes it well-suited to high-temperature applications, while 316 and 317 stainless steel contain molybdenum, which makes them strongly resistant to corrosion.

Grades and applications

301 stainless steel applications

• Kitchen equipment
• Auto trim
• Molding
• Roof drainage systems

304/304L stainless steel applications

• Furnace parts
• Conveyor parts
• Oven linings

309/310 stainless steel applications (high heat resistance)

• Heat exchangers
• Heavy machining components
• Building facades
• Boat Rails
• Paper production equipment

316/316L stainless steel applications

• Processing equipment
• Hardware
• Gas desulfurizing equipment

321 stainless steel applications

• Boiler and pressure vessels
• Aircraft components (exhaust stacks, jet engine parts)
• Chemical processing equipment

Shapes and forms

As your 300 series stainless steel distributor, we have the stainless steel sheet, coil, and plate that you need for your application. Contact us today to find out what we currently have in stock.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about 300 series stainless steel

What is 300 series stainless steel’s composition?

300 series stainless steels are primarily composed of iron, chromium, and nickel. Composition also includes manganese and silicon in smaller concentrations. Carbon content is typically below 0.15% to help reduce the risk of chromium carbide precipitation during welding, which can lower resistance to corrosion. 316 and 317 stainless steel also contain molybdenum, which enhances corrosion resistance, especially against sulfuric acids and chlorides. The exact composition may vary slightly between different grades within the series.

Is 300 series stainless steel magnetic?

300 series stainless steel is generally non-magnetic in its annealed form, but cold working can bring out some magnetic characteristics from the metal.

How do 300 vs. 400 series stainless steel compare?

300 series stainless steel is austenitic, non-magnetic, formable, and ductile with excellent corrosion resistance. These alloys are well suited to a variety of applications and work well under harsh conditions. 400 series stainless steel is magnetic and made up of both ferritic and martensitic steels. These alloys are commonly found in applications where strength, hardness, and thermal conductivity are needed.

What is 300 series stainless steel’s yield strength?

Because the specific grade and state of a metal affects its properties, yield strength between different 300 series stainless steels will vary. Cold working 300 series stainless steel can also increase its strength. With that in mind, the following are approximate yield strengths for the annealed condition of the metals named below.

• 301 stainless steel: » 205 MPa (30,000 psi).
• 304 stainless steel: » 215 MPa (31,000 psi).
• 309 stainless steel: » 205 MPa (30,000 psi).
• 310 stainless steel: » 205 MPa (30,000 psi).
• 316 stainless steel: »205 to 220 MPa (30,000 to 32,000 psi).
• 317 stainless steel: » 205 to 220 MPa (30,000 to 32,000 psi).
• 321 stainless steel: » 205 MPa (30,000 psi).

What is 300 series stainless steel’s density?

300 series stainless steel has a general density of about 8.0 g/cm³ (8000 kg/m), but this may vary slightly depending on the alloy’s specific composition.