300 Series Stainless Steel

300 Series stainless steels are classified as austenitic, and are hardenable only by cold working methods. These grades of stainless have chromium (approx. 18 to 30%) and nickel (approx. 6 to 20%) as their major alloying additions. Type 304  is the most widely used alloy of all stainless steels. 300 Series Stainless steel alloys resist corrosion, maintain their strength at high temperatures and are easy to maintain.

300 series grades  are inventoried in in stainless steel Flanges, sheet, bar, pipes, tube, etc.

Note:  For information on high temperature grades 309, 309H, 310S, 310, 310H, and 330, please refer to our high temperature stainless grades section.

The 300 series consist of austenitic chromium-nickel alloys. Austentic contains a maximum of 0.15% carbon and a minimum of 16% chromium, and nickel is the important alloying element. This creates superior corrosion resistance and ease of fabrication. Austentic stainless steel has a wide range of mechanical properties and can withstand a wide range of temperatures. Austenitic grades are the most commonly used stainless steels, and are not hardenable by heat treatment.

Stainless steel alloys are used predominantly in:

• Automotive industry 
• Aerospace industry
• Construction industry

 

The table below shows common types of 300 series steel:

300 Series Applications
Type 301	High strength grade, with resistance to atmosphere corrosion.  Its bright, attractive surface make it an excellent choice for decorative structural applications.
Type 302	Used for a wide variety of home & commercial applications. One of the most familiar & frequently used alloys in the stainless steel family. Examples include Refrigerators, Dishwashers, and Washing machines
Type 303	A non-magnetic austenitic stainless steel specifically designed to exhibit improved machinability. Medical and pharmaceutical components and parts are common applications.
Type 304	Used for a wide variety of home and commercial applications. One of the most familiar & frequently used alloys in the stainless steel family. Common applications include Sanitary, Cryogenic, and Pressure-containing applications, Home and commercial appliances, Tank structural parts and processing equipment
Type 305	Used for a wide variety of applications. Another frequently used alloy, including applications where good corrosion resistance & excellent drawing ability is needed. Examples include Writing instruments, Utensils, Tank covers and drawn housings
Type 309	Used for elevated temperature applications, including Furnace parts – conveyor belts, rollers, burner parts, refractory supports, retorts and oven linings, fans, tube hangers, baskets and trays to hold small parts; Containers for hot concentrated acids, ammonia and sulfur dioxide; contact with hot acetic and citric acid.
Type 310/S	Corrosion resistant, including furnace parts such as conveyor belts, rollers, burner parts, refractory supports, retorts and oven linings, fans, tube hangers, and baskets and trays to hold small parts. Chemical process industry to contain hot concentrated acids, ammonia, and sulfur dioxide and in the food processing industry, they are used in contact with hot acetic and citric acid
Type 316	Used for elevated temperature applications, including handling hot organic and fatty acids, boat rails and hardware and facades of buildings near the ocean
Type 317	More resistant to general corrosion and pitting/crevice corrosion than the conventional chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steels. These alloys offer high tensile strength at elevated temperature
Type 321	A stabilized stainless steel which offers excellent resistance to corrosion following exposure to temperature between 800-1500 Deg F. Applications include Boiler and Pressure Vessels
Type 334	titanium- and aluminum-bearing austenitic stainless steel offering superior elevated temperature scaling resistance compared to the conventional chromium-nickel stainless steels. Heated electric heating elements
Type 347	Stabilized stainless steel which offers excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion following exposure to temperatures in the chromium carbide precipitation rages from 800 to 1500 Deg F. Radiant heaters, Aerospace components and Oil Refining equipment
Type 348	Stabilized stainless steel offering excellent resistance to corrosion after exposure to temperatures between 800-1500 Deg F. Applications including Nuclear powers.

The 300 Series Stainless Steel offers several advantages:

• one of the most common steels, with the ability to be used in a variety of applications.
• superior corrosion resistant properties
• developed for applications requiring extensive machining operations
• non-magnetic properties
• scratch resistant
• many Finishing options: polishing, beveling, etc

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