Grade
Properties & 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.
316
Corrosion resistance as for 316. Low carbon variation, suitable for heavy gauge welding.
317
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
Super austenitic’ grade with very high corrosion resistance, especially to strong acids and chlorides. Frequently used in sulphuric acid service.
409L
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.
