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The OnlineMetals Guide to Stainless Steel
OnlineMetals.com currently stocks sixteen (16!) grades of stainless steel in various shapes and sizes:
| 303 Stainless Steel |
(available in Hex, Round) |
| 304 Stainless Steel |
(available in Angle, Hex, Perforated Sheet, Pipe, Plate, Rectangle, Round, Sheet, Square, Square Tube, Tube) |
| 316 Stainless Steel |
(available in Angle, Hex, Pipe, Plate, Rectangle, Round, Sheet, Square, Square Tube, Tube) |
| 301 Stainless Steel |
(available in Sheet) |
| 302 Stainless Steel |
(available in Sheet) |
| 310 Stainless Steel |
(available in Sheet) |
| 321 Stainless Steel |
(available in Plate, Sheet) |
| 347 Stainless Steel |
(available in Plate, Sheet) |
| 410 Stainless Steel |
(available in Plate, Sheet) |
| 416 Stainless Steel |
(available in Round) |
| 430 Stainless Steel |
(available in Sheet) |
| 15-5 Stainless Steel |
(available in Round, Sheet) |
| 17-4 Stainless Steel |
(available in Plate, Round, Sheet) |
| 17-7 Stainless Steel |
(available in Sheet) |
| Nitronic 50 Stainless Steel |
(available in Round) |
| Nitronic 60 Stainless Steel |
(available in Round) |
303 Stainless Steel
T-303 is one of the 3 main alloys of commercially available stainless steel. It has mechanical properties that are comparable to both 304 and 316
stainless. The primary reason to use 303 is when you need a stainless steel with machining capabilites better than that of 304 and 316. It
has roughly the same corrosion resistance as 304, but not as good as 316. The main drawback with the alloy is that it is not generally considered
to be weldable. This material is hardenable by cold work.
| 303 stainless steel (cold drawn annealed, room temperature) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
89,900 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
34,800 |
| Elongation |
50% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B83 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
69% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.15% max |
| Chrome (Cr) |
18% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
2% max |
| Molybdenum (Mo) |
0.6% max |
| Nickel (Ni) |
9% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.2% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.15% min |
| Silicon (Si) |
1% max |
304 Stainless Steel
T-304 is the most commonly used stainless in the world. You can find it in everything from forks and knives to backsplashes. It is weldable,
machinable with the right techniques, and has good corrosion resistance, but is not for use in salt water environments.
This material is hardenable by cold work.
| 304 Stainless Steel (annealed condition) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
73,200 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
31,200 |
| Elongation |
70% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B70 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
66.5 - 74% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.08% max |
| Chrome (Cr) |
18 - 20% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
2% max |
| Nickel (Ni) |
8 - 10.5% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.045% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.03% max |
| Silicon (Si) |
1% max |
316 Stainless Steel
Also known as marine-grade stainless steel, T-316 is similar in machinability and weldability to T-304, but has far superior corrosion resistance.
It has a far higher yield strength than both 303 and 304, meaning that it will not bend as easily.
This material is hardenable by cold work.
| 316 stainless steel (annealed condition) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
89,900 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
60,200 |
| Elongation |
45% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B91 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
65% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.08% max |
| Chrome (Cr) |
17% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
2% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) |
2.5% |
| Nickel (Ni) |
12% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.045% |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.03% min |
| Silicon (Si) |
1% |
301 Stainless Steel
There are a lot of stainless steel alloys. We're still trying to think of something interesting to write about this one
This alloy is normally used for decorative or ornamental applications, as it has a bright surface finish. Its yield strength
is comparable to T-304.
This material is hardenable by cold work.
| 301 stainless steel |
Minimum Properties
(annealed condition) |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
74,700 min |
| Yield Strength, psi |
29,700 min |
| Elongation |
40% min |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B85 |
Minimum Properties
(1/4 hard condition) |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
125,000 min |
| Yield Strength, psi |
75,000 min |
| Elongation |
25% min |
| Rockwell Hardness |
C25 |
Minimum Properties
(1/2 hard condition) |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
150,000 min |
| Yield Strength, psi |
110,000 |
| Elongation |
18% min |
| Rockwell Hardness |
C32 |
Minimum Properties
(full hard condition) |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
185,000 min |
| Yield Strength, psi |
140,000 min |
| Elongation |
9% min |
| Rockwell Hardness |
C41 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
75% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.15% max |
| Chrome (Cr) |
16 - 18% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
2% max |
| Nitrogen (N) |
0.1% max |
| Nickel (Ni) |
6 - 8% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.045% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.03% max |
| Silicon (Si) |
0.75% max |
302 Stainless Steel
Under normal circumstances T-304 can be dual-certified as T-302 because the standards overlap. T-302 has better
corrosion resistance than T-301.
This material is hardenable by cold work.
| 302 Stainless Steel (annealed condition) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
89,900 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
39,900 |
| Elongation |
55% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B85 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
70% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.15% max |
| Chrome (Cr) |
18% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
2% max |
| Nickel (Ni) |
9% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.045% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.03% max |
| Silicon (Si) |
1% max |
310 Stainless Steel
This alloy of stainless is chosen primarily for its high resistance to scaling at temperatures up to 2000° F.
This material is hardenable by cold work.
| 310 Stainless Steel (annealed condition) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
89,900 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
45,000 |
| Elongation |
45% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B85 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
48 - 53% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.25% |
| Chrome (Cr) |
26% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
2% |
| Nickel (Ni) |
19 - 22% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.045% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.03% |
| Silicon (Si) |
1.5% |
321 Stainless Steel
This material has similar properties to alloy 304, but its titanium content limits carbide precipitation, making it
somewhat easier to machine. This material is hardenable by cold work.
| 321 Stainless Steel (annealed condition) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
89,900 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
34,800 |
| Elongation |
45% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B80 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
68% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.08% |
| Chrome (Cr) |
18% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
2% |
| Nickel (Ni) |
11% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.045% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.03% |
| Silicon (Si) |
1% |
| Titanium (Ti) |
0.15% |
347 Stainless Steel
Like T-321 stainless, T-347 is comparable to to T-304, with limits on carbide precipitation provided by the
addition of Niobium and Tantalum. Yes, Niobium and Tantalum. Who the heck thinks of these things? Then
again, we shouldn't be ones to talk. We came up with this crazy idea for a metals service center, then
went and built it. Oh, by the way, this material is hardenable by cold work.
| 347 Stainless Steel (annealed condition) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
95,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
39,900 |
| Elongation |
45% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B85 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
68% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.08% max |
| Chrome (Cr) |
17% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
2% |
| Nickel (Ni) |
11% |
| Niobium (Nb) + Tantalum (Ta) |
0.8% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.045% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.03% |
| Silicon (Si) |
1% |
410 Stainless Steel
This material is hardenable by heat treatment.
| 410 Stainless Steel (annealed condition) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
65,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
30,000 |
| Elongation |
20 - 34% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B82 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
86% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.15% max |
| Chrome (Cr) |
12.5% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
1% max |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.04% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.03% |
416 Stainless Steel
This material is hardenable by heat treatment. The addition of Silicon makes for easier machining.
| 416 Stainless Steel (annealed condition) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
74,700 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
39,900 |
| Elongation |
30% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B82 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
84% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.15% max |
| Chrome (Cr) |
13% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
1.25% max |
| Molybdenum (Mo) |
0.6% max |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.06% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.15% min |
| Silicon (Si) |
1% max |
430 Stainless Steel
This is one of the few magnetic grades of stainless steel. Its corrosion resistance is less than the
more common alloys of 303 and 304. In addition, welding this material is possible, but the welds are
not suitable for applications with constant stress or strain on them.
This material is not hardenable by heat treatment or by cold work.
| 430 Stainless Steel (annealed condition) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
75,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
50,000 |
| Elongation |
25% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B85 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
87% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.12% max |
| Chrome (Cr) |
11% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
1% max |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.04% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.03% max |
| Silicon (Si) |
1% max |
15-5 Stainless Steel
Also known as a PH, or precipitation-hardening, grade of stainless, this alloy is used a great deal in the
aircraft industry in part due to its strength, and also because there are a wide range of heat treatments to
choose from to reach a specified hardness or other properties.
| 15-5 PH Stainless Steel Condition A (annealed) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
161,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
140,000 |
| Elongation |
7.6% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
C35 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
71.91 - 79.85% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.07% max |
| Chrome (Cr) |
14 - 15.5% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
1% max |
| Niobium (Nb) + Tantalum (Ta) |
0.15 - 0.45% max |
| Nickel (Ni) |
3.5 - 5.5% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.04% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.03% min |
| Silicon (Si) |
1% max |
17-4 Stainless Steel
Also known as a PH, or precipitation-hardening, grade of stainless, this alloy is used a great deal in the
aircraft industry in part due to its strength, and also because there are a wide range of heat treatments to
choose from to reach a specified hardness or other properties. This alloy is very similar to 15-5 except that
17-4 tends to have more ferrite, and is slightly more magnetic.
| 17-4 PH Stainless Steel Condition A (annealed) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
160,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
145,000 |
| Elongation |
5% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
C35 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
69.91 - 78.85% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.07% max |
| Chrome (Cr) |
15 - 17.5% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
1% max |
| Niobium (Nb) + Tantalum (Ta) |
0.15 - 0.45% max |
| Nickel (Ni) |
3 - 5% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.04% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.03% min |
| Silicon (Si) |
1% max |
17-7 Stainless Steel
Also known as a PH, or precipitation-hardening, grade of stainless, this alloy is used a great deal in the
aircraft industry in part due to its strength, and also because there are a wide range of heat treatments to
choose from to reach a specified hardness or other properties. 17-7 has exceptionally high strength and hardness,
as well as the corrosion resistance normally associated with stainless. It is one of the more formable of the PH grades.
| 17-7 PH Stainless Steel Condition A (annealed) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
130,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
40,000 |
| Elongation |
35% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B85 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
70.59 - 76.75% |
| Carbon (C) |
0.09% max |
| Chrome (Cr) |
16 - 18% |
| Aluminum (Al) |
0.75 - 1.5% max |
| Manganese (Mn) |
1% max |
| Nickel (Ni) |
6.5 - 7.75% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
0.04% max |
| Sulphur (S) |
0.03% min |
| Silicon (Si) |
1% max |
Nitronic 50 Stainless
This specialized alloy has better corrosion resistance than alloy 316, but twice the strength of that alloy. It can be
hardened by cold working, but unlike most 300 series alloys, it does not become magnetic when cold-worked.
| Nitronic 50 Stainless Steel (annealed condition) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
116,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
57,000 |
| Elongation |
47% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B91 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
58% |
| Chrome (Cr) |
22% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
5% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) |
2.25% |
| Nitrogen (N) |
0.3% |
| Nickel (Ni) |
12.5% |
| Silicon (Si) |
1% max |
Nitronic 60 Stainless
There are a lot of stainless steel alloys. We're still trying to think of something interesting to write about this one.
Nitronic 60 has a corrosion resistance somewhere between T-304 and T-316, but with roughly twice the strength of those
materials.
| Nitronic 60 Stainless Steel (annealed condition) |
| Minimum Properties |
Ultimate Tensile Strength, psi |
103,000 |
| Yield Strength, psi |
60,000 |
| Elongation |
64% |
| Rockwell Hardness |
B95 |
| Chemistry |
Iron (Fe) |
62% |
| Chrome (Cr) |
17% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
8% |
| Nitrogen (N) |
0.14% |
| Nickel (Ni) |
8.5% |
| Silicon (Si) |
4% max |
At OnlineMetals, we all failed shop class. Multiple times. As a matter of fact, our employment applications
specifically ask to see people's grades for their high school shop classes. If they're too high, they go
into the rejected pile. We're also not engineers, and cannot make any specific recommendations about the suitability
of a given alloy, temper, or shape for your project or application.
All technical data is for comparison purposes only and is NOT FOR DESIGN. It has been compiled
from sources we believe to be accurate but cannot guarantee. This ends the part of the website
that our pointy-headed lawyers made us put in.
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