Stainless Steel Sheet Finishes

Type 301

This grade is an austenitic stainless steel manufactured by-the electric furnace process. Its chromium and nickel content are lower than most other grades, offering the advantage of a high work-hardening rate which combines cold-worked high strength with good ductility. Tensile strength and hardness increase rapidly when the metal is cold rolled, cold drawn, or worked at room temperature. The standards of the aircraft industry are met by requiring adequate discard to be extracted from each ingot. Its application is indicated where low cost is desired and high corrosion resistance is not a primary concern.
 

Applications

Type 301 finds its primary usage in products necessitating great strength, but where working at elevated temperatures is not required. Used extensively in aircraft components, truck components and bodies, decorative applications, and etc. 

Corrosion Resistance

Does not possess as high a degree of corrosion resistance as Type 302, but does remain unaffected by most normal atmospheric conditions. 

Types 302, 304, 304L
 

Type 302 is the fundamental alloy of the austenitic class. It is commonly known as "18-8": 18% chromium; 8% nickel; and is the most commonly used of all the stainless grades, Type 302 is non-heat treatable, but cold-working considerably increases both its hardness and tensile strength. Type 302 in the cold state offers great versatility of workability because of its toughness and ductility and can be rigorously spun, rolled, drawn or machined. It offers outstanding weldability. It is extremely resistant to corrosion, and retains an untarnished silvery surface. It is also resistant to heat oxidation at temperatures up to 1500° F. It is non-magnetic in the annealed condition. The principal drawback of Type 302 is that of sensitization-under extreme conditions, carbide precipitation may occur. Type 304 alleviates this problem by decreasing the carbon content and thereby eliminating the possibility of intergranular corro­sion. This low carbon alloy is most often utilized for applications requiring welding. An Extra Low Carbon alloy, Type 304L is also available for especially severe welding applications. Type 304L has the capability to avert any detrimental precipitation in the extreme 800° F. to 1650° F. range. 

Applications

Both types are extremely popular in the food and dairy industries and for use in pharmaceutical equipment. It is exceedingly useful in applications where good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance are essential. It is highly desirable for products such as instrumentation where non-magnetism is fundamental. These grades are available in a wide range of forms and finishes. 

Corrosion Resistance

Types 302, 304 and 304L exhibit good corrosion resistant qualities, particularly those corro­sions caused by atmospheric conditions or chemicals. They lose some resistance at temper­atures of about 750° F. to 1500° F. due to carbide precipitation. Type 304L however, has excellent corrosion resistant capabilities within this temperature range because of its low carbon content. Maximum corrosion resistance in all these grades can be achieved by annealing.

Type 310

Type 310 is the grade of stainless steel containing the highest chromium-nickel content of all grades - 25% chromium, 20% nickel, It is chiefly known for its superior scaling and corrosion resistance and it excels all other grades in its high temperature physical properties. At extremely high temperatures, its creep strength and resistance to brittling far surpasses all other austenitic grades. In the annealed state it is non-magnetic. Type 310 is a non-heat treatable alloy pro­duced by the electric-furnace process, which concurs with the exacting standards of the aircraft industry. 

Applications

Type 310 finds primary utilization in applications requiring excellent heat and oxidation resistance and where superior strength is a must. Common applications are found in the aircraft industry for engine parts and parts requiring welding, oil refinery equipment, heat exchangers and furnace parts, etc. 

Corrosion Resistance

This grade possesses excellent corrosion resistance and withstands scaling at temperatures up to 2000° F. Its corrosion resistance reaches a maximum in the annealed condition.

Types 316 & 316L
 

Type 316 is an electric furnace processed modification of Type 302: it contains 18% chromium; 8% nickel, and; 2-3% molybdenum. This addition of molybdenum increases both the corrosion resistance and the high temperature strength of this alloy. The most outstanding advantage of this addition is the increased corrosion resistance to reducing acids and pitting or pin hole corrosion. In general, Type 316 is known as the major all-around corrosion resistant austenitic stainless steel available. Under extremely elevated temperatures, Type 31 6 proves itself to possess remarkable creep and rupture strength, This non-heat treatable, non-magnetic alloy possesses excellent cold forming and drawing properties, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Type 316L is an extra low carbon modification of Type 316 recommended for use during welding operations. The low carbon factor eliminates the possibility of harmful carbide precipitation in the 800° F. to 1500° F. range. 

Applications

Type 316 and Type 316L find their greatest use in the chemical, textile, paper, pharmaceutical, and photographic industries because of their excellent resistance to chemical corrosion. They also find use where the combination of corrosion resistance and extremely high strength at elevated temperatures is necessary. 

Corrosion Resistance

Type 316 is known to be more resistant to atmospheric and chemical corrosion than any other grade of the stainless steels. Maximum corrosion resistance may be obtained by fully anneal­ing this alloy. If the application calls for welding, Type 316L should be used as it is highly resistant to carbide precipitation and intergranular corrosion.  Which usually occurs at high temperatures.

Type 321
 

Type 321 is an electric-furnace processed austenitic stainless steel. It is non-heat treatable and non-magnetic in the annealed condition. This alloy contains 18% chromium, 8% nickel and a substantial addition of titanium. The titanium forms insoluble and stable carbide, which ties up all the carbon in the alloy and therefore prevents it from precipitating as chromium carbides. This leaves the chromium in solution to resist corrosion to a very high degree. This is extremely beneficial in applications of temperatures ranging from 800° F, to 1600° F., as it eliminates the necessity for re-annealing after fabrication.
 

Applications

Type 321 is used principally for applications involving welding or sustained elevated tem­perature operations where re-annealing is not practical, It is used extensively in the aircraft and missile industries for engine parts, heat exchangers, exhaust stacks, rocket engines, manifolds, and etc.

 

Corrosion Resistance

This alloy is extremely resistant to intergranular corrosion and has very good corrosion resis­tance in weld areas. It has slightly less corrosion resistance to atmospheric conditions than Type 302 or Type 304 in the annealed condition.

Type 347
 

Type 347 is a non-heat treatable, austenitic, electric furnace processed grade of stainless steel very similar in composition to Type 321. The major difference between Type 321 and Type 347 is that rather than having an addition of titanium, Type 347 has columbium added to it. Tantalum occurs in nature in conjunction with columbium and therefore it may be said that both are additives to this alloy. Type 347 can withstand more severely elevated temperatures than Type 321, as the resulting columbium carbide is more stable and insoluble than the titanium carbide. The only drawback in the use of Type 347 as opposed to Type 321 is that it is not recommended for use in radioactive services as radioactive tantalum has a much longer half-life than columbium. It is non-magnetic in the annealed state.

Applications

Type 347 is mainly used where corrosion resistance and sustained operations at temperatures between 800° F. and 1600° F. is of the utmost importance. It is also a superior grade for use on heavy welded objects, which cannot be re-annealed. It finds its principal applications in aircraft and missile engines, high temperature equipment in chemical industry, manifolds, furnace and blower parts, and etc.

 

Corrosion Resistance

Resistance to intergranular corrosion and carbide precipitation is excellent with this grade. Its general atmospheric corrosion resistance is good, being similar to that of Type 302.

Type 410
 

Type 410 is a magnetic, martensitic, heat treatable alloy that is 12% straight chromium. It has excellent creep strength and corrosion resistance. Heat treatments may be applied to develop a very wide range of mechanical properties and hardness. It is popularly used for parts operating at temperatures up to 850° F.

Applications

Because of its high strength and versatility in heat treatment applicability, and because of its good mechanical and machining properties, Type 410 finds usage in a wide range of applica­tions. It is used for low-cost cutlery, food industry machine parts, pump shafts, valve parts, compressor shrouds, and abrasive applications. It is not generally recommended for high-stress usage above 1200° F.

 

Corrosion Resistance

Type 410 has excellent corrosion resistance to normal atmospheric conditions discoloration or a rusty film may occur under some conditions, but destructive scaling will not occur. It reaches its maximum corrosion resistance when hardened and polished.

17-7PH Precipitation Hardening
 

17-7 PH contains 17% chromium, 7% nickel and 1% aluminum. It is a precipitation hardening steel capable of reaching very high strength and hardness without any loss of corrosion resist­ance. Surface scaling and distortion in heat treatment is eliminated by its ability to be treated at very low temperatures. In the annealed condition, it has excellent ductility and machin­ability. It retains remarkable mechanical and physical properties at temperatures up to 800° F.

Applications

17-7 PH is used for applications necessitating high strength, good corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. Characteristic applications include surgical instruments, springs, bearings, aircraft panels, and etc.

 

Corrosion Resistance

The corrosion resistance of 17-7 PH is superior to the straight chromium grades. Surface finish and aged heat treatments tend to have a beneficial effect upon the corrosion resistance of 17-7 PH.

Types 302, 304,304L
 

Type 302 is the fundamental alloy of the austenitic class. It is commonly known as "18-6": 18% chromium; 8% nickel; and is the most commonly used of all the stainless grades. Type 302 is non-heat treatable, but cold-working considerably increases both its hardness and tensile strength. Type 302 in the cold state offers great versatility of workability because of its toughness and ductility and can be rigorously spun, rolled, drawn or machined. It offers out­standing weldability. It is extremely resistant to corrosion, and retains an untarnished silvery surface. It is also resistant to heat oxidation at temperatures up to.1500° F. It is non-magnetic in the annealed condition. The principal drawback of Type 302 is that of sensitization - under extreme conditions, carbide precipitation may occur. Type 304 alleviates this problem by de­creasing the carbon content and thereby eliminating the possibility of intergranular corrosion. This low carbon alloy is most often utilized for applications requiring welding. An Extra Low Carbon alloy, Type 304L is also available for especially severe welding applications. Type 304L has the capability to avert any detrimental precipitation in the extreme 800° F. to 1650° F. range.

Applications

Both types are extremely popular in the food and dairy industries and for use in pharmaceutical equipment. It is exceedingly useful in applications where good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance are essential. It is highly desirable for products such as instrumentation where non-magnetism is fundamental. These grades are available in a wide range of forms and finishes. 

 

Corrosion Resistance

Types 302, 304 and 304L exhibit good corrosion resistant qualities, particularly those corrosions caused by atmospheric conditions or chemicals. They lose some resistance at temper­atures of about 750° F. to 1500° F. due to carbide precipitation. Type 304L however, has excellent corrosion resistant capabilities within this temperature range because of its low carbon content. Maximum corrosion resistance in all these grades can be achieved by annealing.

Types 303S & 303Se
 

Types 303S and 303Se are both free-machining modifications of Type 302. Sulfur or a combination of selenium and phosphorus are added to this "18-8" chromium-nickel alloy to promote chip formation in machining rather than spindly spirals. Type 303 has uniform machinability and can be machined at speeds of SAE 3120, 3145, and 4615, adapting it very well for automatic screw machine applications. Manufactured by the electric-furnace process, this is a non-heat treatable alloy, the hardness and tensile strength of which may be increased greatly by cold working. It has good corrosion resistance, and is non- magnetic in the annealed state. It concurs with the stringent requirements of the aircraft industry.

Applications

Type 303 is most commonly used in applications requiring extensive machining, and where corrosion resistance, non-magnetism, and a good surface finish is imperative. Common utilizations of this alloy include aircraft fittings, shafts, spindles, and automatic screw machine applications.

 

Corrosion Resistance

Because of the additions of sulfur or selenium, the corrosion resistance of Type 303 is slightly lower than that of the other austenitic alloys. However, annealing increases its resistance to corrosion substantially.

Types 316 & 316L
 

Type 316 is an electric furnace processed modification of Type 302: it contains 18% chromium; 8% nickel; and, 2-3% molybdenum. This addition of molybdenum increases both the corrosion resistance and the high temperature strength of this alloy. The most outstanding advantage of this addition is the increased corrosion resistance to reducing acids and pitting or pin hole corrosion. In general, Type 316 is known as the major all-around corrosion resistant austenitic stainless steel available. Under extremely elevated temperatures, Type 316 proves itself to possess remarkable creep and rupture-strength. This non-heat treatable, non-magnetic alloy possesses excellent cold forming and drawing properties, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Type 316L is an extra low carbon modification of Type 316 recommended for use during welding operations. The low carbon factor eliminates the possibility of harmful carbide precipitation in the 800° F. to'1500° F. range.

Applications

Type 316 and Type 316L find its greatest use in the chemical, textile, paper, pharmaceutical, and photographic industries because of its excellent resistance to chemical corrosion. It also finds use where the combination of corrosion resistance and its extremely high strength at elevated temperatures is necessary.
 

Corrosion Resistance

Type 316 is known to be more resistant to atmospheric and chemical corrosion than any other grade of the stainless steels. Maximum corrosion resistance may be obtained by fully anneal­ing this alloy. If the application calls for welding, Type 316L should be used, as it is highly resistant to carbide precipitation and intergranular corrosion. Which usually occurs at high temperatures.

Type 321
 

Type 321 is an electric furnace processed austenitic stainless steel. It is non-heat treatable and non-magnetic in the annealed condition. This alloy contains 18% chromium, 8% nickel and a substantial addition of titanium. The titanium forms insoluble and stable carbide, which ties up all the carbon in the alloy and therefore prevents it from precipitating as chrom­ium carbides. This leaves the chromium in solution to resist corrosion to a very high degree. This is extremely beneficial in applications of temperatures ranging from 800° F. to 1600° F., as it eliminates the necessity for re-annealing after fabrication.

Applications

Type 321 is used principally for applications involving welding or sustained elevated temperature operations where re-annealing is not practical. It is used extensively in the aircraft and missile industries for engine parts, heat exchangers, exhaust stacks, rocket engines, manifolds, and etc.

 

Corrosion Resistance

This alloy is extremely resistant to intergranular corrosion and has very good corrosion re­sistance in weld areas. It has slightly less corrosion resistance to atmospheric conditions than Type 302 or Type 304 in the annealed condition.

Type 347
 

Type 347 is a non-heat treatable, austenitic, electric furnace processed grade of stainless steel very similar in composition to Type 321. The major difference between Type 321 and Type 347 is that rather than having an addition of titanium, Type 347 has columbium added to it. Tantalum occurs in nature in conjunction with columbium and therefore it may be said that both are additives to this alloy. Type 347 can withstand more severely elevated tempera­tures than Type 321, as the resulting columbium carbide is more stable and insoluble than the titanium carbide. The only drawback in the use of Type 347 as opposed to Type 321 is that it is not recommended for use in radioactive services as radioactive tantalum has a much longer half-life than columbium. It is non-magnetic in the annealed state.

Applications

Type 347 is mainly used where corrosion resistance and sustained operations at temperatures between 800° F. and 1600° F. is of the utmost importance. It is also a superior grade for use on heavy welded objects, which cannot be re-annealed. It finds its principal applications in aircraft and missile engines, high temperature equipment in chemical industry, manifolds, furnace and blower parts, and etc.

 

Corrosion Resistance

Resistance to intergranular corrosion and carbide precipitation is excellent with this grade. Its general atmospheric corrosion resistance is good, being similar to that of Type 302.

Type 410
 

Type 410 is a magnetic, martensitic, heat treatable alloys that is 12% straight chromium. It has excellent creep strength and corrosion resistance. Heat treatments may be applied to develop a very wide range of mechanical properties and hardness. It is popularly used for parts operating at temperatures up to 8500 F.
 

Applications

Because of its high strength and versatility in heat treatment applicability, and because of its good mechanical and machining properties, Type 410 finds usage in a wide range of applications. It is used for low-cost cutlery, food industry machine parts, pump shafts, valve parts, compressor shrouds, and abrasive applications. It is not generally recommended for high stress usage above 1200° F.

 

Corrosion Resistance

Type 410 has excellent corrosion resistance to normal atmospheric conditions. Discoloration or a rusty film may occur under some conditions, but destructive scaling will not occur. It reaches its maximum corrosion resistance when hardened and polished.

Type 416
 

Type 416 is an electric furnace processed, magnetic, free-machining grade of the martensitic stainless steels. It is a modification of Type 410 with approximately .30% sulfur added for excellent machinability. Like Type 410, it has an exceptionally wide range of mechanical properties obtainable through heat treating, This grade of stainless steel has the highest machinability of all grades now developed, and can often be used in the "as machined" condition without heat treatment.

Applications

Because of its excellent machinability, corrosion resistance, and high strength, Type 416 is normally used for applications requiring extensive or high speed machining such as: nuts and bolts; pump parts; screw machine parts; and etc.
 

Corrosion Resistance

This grade has very good overall corrosion resistance to normal atmospheric conditions, mildly corrosive chemicals, and acidic or alkaline water. Hardening and polishing increases its corrosion to its maximal level. Resists scaling at temperatures up to approximately 1300° F.

15-5 PH Precipitation Hardening
 

15-5 PH is a chromium-nickel alloy containing a 5% copper additive, which permits it to be hardened by low temperature heat treatments. The high percentages of chromium and nickel give-15-5 PH excellent corrosion resistance, transverse toughness and forgeability.  This alloy is produced by the vacuum arc re-melt method, which enhances ductility and toughness. 15-5 PH has excellent physical and mechanical properties and may be deep drawn, forged, welded and formed.

Applications

15-5 PH is very similar both in composition and application to 17-7 PH. Because of its high strength and excellent corrosion resistance, 15-5 PH finds extensive use in the aircraft and missile industries for parts ranging from instrumentation to landing gear components.

 

Corrosion Resistance

15-5 PH has excellent overall corrosion resistance, being comparable to that of Type 304 in most media. Heat-treating increases to the highest degree its resistance to stress-corrosion cracking. 

17-4PH Precipitation Hardening
 

17-4 PH is a chromium-nickel alloy that has a 4% copper additive, which enables it to be hardened by very low-temperature heat treatments known as precipitation hardening. The high percentages of chromium and nickel give this alloy excellent corrosion resistance, physical properties, and a high level of strength at temperatures up to 800° F. The major ad­vantage of low temperature heat treatments is the elimination of distortion and scaling. 17-4 PH has excellent mechanical properties and may easily be welded, deep drawn, forged, and severely formed. 

Applications

This alloy is excellently suited for applications requiring high strength, good corrosion resist­ance and good resistance to seizing and galling. 17-4 PH finds extensive use in the aircraft and missile fields, for motor shafts, instrument parts, gears, and etc.

 

Corrosion Resistance

The corrosion resistance of 17-4 PH is slightly less-than-the superior resistance of the chro­mium-nickel grades, but is somewhat higher than the straight chromium grades. It possesses very good corrosion resistance against all atmospheric conditions. Finish and heat treatment affect the level of corrosion resistance beneficially.

COIL

  .006 to .160 x R/W x R/L

  Condition:

  Annealed, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, Full Hard