301 stainless steel provides good strength and ductility when cold worked. It also has excellent corrosion resistance properties. 301 stainless steel is well suited to welding and forming and drawing.
Common Applications of 301 Stainless Steel
- Aircraft structural parts
- Trailer bodies
- Architectural (roof drainage/door frames, etc.)
- Auto body trim and wheel covers
- Utensils and tablewear
- Conveyor parts
General Properties
Type 301 (S30100) is an austenitic stainless steel with a nominal composition of 17 percent chromium and 7 percent nickel. The high strengths of this grade of steel in the six available conditions or tempers, its resistance to atmosphere corrosion and its bright, attractive surface make it an excellent choice for decorative structural applications.
Automobile molding and trim, wheel covers, conveyor belts, kitchen equipment, roof drainage systems, hose clamps, springs, truck and trailer bodies, railway and subway cars are some of the major applications for this versatile grade. By varying the chemical composition within the limits set by the ASTM specifications and by temper rolling, a broad range of magnetic and mechanical properties can be obtained for a variety of applications.
Type 301 is available as cold rolled stainless steel sheets, strip, and plates.
| Element | Percent by Weight Type 301 ANN |
| Carbon | 0.150 maximum |
| Manganese | 2.000 maximum |
| Phosphorus | 0.045 maximum |
| Sulfur | 0.030 maximum |
| Silicon | 1.00 maximum |
| Chromium | 16.00 - 18.00 |
| Nickel | 6.000 - 8.000 |
| Nitrogen | 0.10 maximum |
Resistance to Corrosion
Type 301 is resistant to a variety of corrosive media. However, the corrosion properties are not as good as the 18-8 chromiumnickel steels. Its susceptibility to carbide precipitation during welding restricts its use in many applications in favor of Types 304 or 304L.
Resistance to Oxidation
Type 301 possesses good resistance to oxidation at temperatures up to 1550°F (840°C). At 1600°F (871°C), Type 301 exhibits an oxidation weight gain of 10 mg/cm2 in 1,000 hours. Therefore, this stainless steel is not suggested for use at 1600°F or above. As the rate of oxidation is greatly affected by the atmosphere to which the metal is exposed by the heating and cooling cycle, and by the structural design, no data can be presented which will apply to all service conditions.