Grade properties & applications
Grade-by-grade properties and typical uses.
Original website reference
Source text is retained as published. Use it as general guidance and confirm grade selection for your application with the team.
19 of 19 records
| Grade | Properties and typical applications |
|---|---|
| 253MA | Excellent resistance to scaling and useful creep strength at temperatures up to 1150°C. |
| 301 | Combination of strength and ductility to withstand severe forming methods. Corrosion resistance comparable to 302. Rail cars, automotive components. |
| 302HQ | Wire for severe cold heading such as the manufacture of cross recess screws. Corrosion resistance at least equivalent to type 304. |
| 303 | Free machining grade. Domestic and mild industrial environment. Water low in chlorides. Nuts and bolts, shafts, fittings. Corrosion resistance lower than 304. |
| 304 | Good resistance to corrosion, good for malleability and weldability. Most commonly used grade. Wine storage, laundry and kitchen products, water, food, architectural, cryogenic and high temperature applications. UGIMA 304 – improved machinability bar with same properties. |
| 304L | Corrosion resistance as for 304. Low carbon variation for heavy gauge welded sections. |
| 304H | Corrosion resistance as for 304. High carbon gives improved high temperature strength. |
| 309S | Excellent resistance to corrosion, particularly attack by hot sulphur compounds in oxidising gases. Sulphite liquors and acids such as acetic, citric, lactic and nitric. Welding wire for joining dissimilar steels. |
| 310 | Excellent corrosion resistance at normal temperatures. Good resistance to oxidisation and carburising atmospheres in high temperatures over 850°C to 1100°C. Welding wire for joining dissimilar steels. |
| 316 | High corrosion resistance to the complex sulphur compounds used in pulp and paper processing. Also resists attack by marine and corrosive industrial atmospheres. Suitable for mild seacoast atmosphere, pulp and paper, heat exchangers, propeller shafts, dying equipment. UGIMA 316 improved machinability bar, with same properties. |
| 316L | Corrosion resistance as for 316. Low carbon variation, suitable for heavy gauge welding. |
| 317L | Improved corrosion resistance over type 316. Often successfully applied where type 316 has given only moderate performance. Applications such as acetic acid distillation, pulp and paper machinery, ink and dying processes.317L is a variation of 317 suitable for heavy gauge welding. |
| 321 | Excellent corrosion resistance, equivalent to 304 in the annealed condition and superior if the application involves service in 425°C-870°C range. Typical applications include expansion joints, furnace parts, aerospace and power industries, heat exchangers and steam generators. |
| 347 | This grade is resistant to chromium carbide precipitation. Most commonly found as a consumable for welding 321. |
| 904L | Super austenitic’ grade with very high corrosion resistance, especially to strong acids and chlorides. Frequently used in sulphuric acid service. |
| 409 | Lowest cost stainless - used extensively in automotive exhaust systems. Excellent formability and weld ability. Because of it’s economy and good resistance to oxidation and corrosion, this stainless offer many opportunities for a wide range of parts. |
| 410 | Heat-treatable stainless used widely where corrosion is not severe – air, fresh water, some chemicals and food acids. |
| 416 | Free machining variation of 410 with useful corrosion resistance to natural food acids, basic salts, water and most atmospheres. |
| 430 | Is the most popular of the non-hardenable chromium stainless steels. It combines good corrosion and heat resistance with good mechanical properties. Oxidation resistance to 1500 deg F widely used in both industrial and consumer products. |