301 Stainless Steel – Data Sheet, Advantages, Applications
The material 301 is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel. Its good formability and high strength make it popular for applications requiring high yield strength and elasticity. 301 belongs to the group of stainless steels, or V2A steels, and is more corrosion resistant than plain carbon steel. In the DIN EN and SAE system, the material is also known as 1.4310. The material short name is X10CrNi18-8 and already distinguishes the alloying elements.
Chemical composition – data sheet
The high-alloy steel 301 is characterized primarily by the high content of chromium and nickel. These alloying elements give the steel its good corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr | Mo | N | Ni |
| 0.05-0.15 % | ≤ 2 % | ≤ 2 % | ≤ 0.045% | ≤ 0.015% | 16-19% | ≤ 0.8% | ≤ 0.11% | 6-9.5% |
The stainless steel alloy belongs to the group of chromium-nickel stainless steels. The chemical composition of the steel is similar to, among others, 304 (EN 1.4301), one of the most widely used austenitic steels. However, the chromium content of 301 is lower, while the nickel and carbon content is higher. As a result, the material tends to be less expensive to purchase, but shows poorer corrosion resistance than 304 steel. In low to medium corrosive environments, however, the two stainless steels show little discernible difference in corrosion resistance.
Advantages of 301
The grade of steel is increasingly being used as a cheaper alternative to expensive materials. Depending on the area of application, this is certainly to be recommended, as the steel has many advantages:
- good corrosion resistance
- very good weldability (can also be welded without filler metal and subsequent heat treatment is not necessary)
- good polishability
- good mechanical properties
- good forgeability
The corrosion resistance of the steel increases when the surface is polished. The properties make the material interesting for a variety of applications.
Applications of 301
The material is used in the automotive and food industries. It is also particularly suitable for the manufacture of springs, as it can withstand the highest mechanical loads.
Other areas of application are:
- Chemistry and petrochemistry
- Mechanical engineering
- Drive technology
- Electronic equipment
