301 Stainless Steel (UNS S30100)
Austenitic (high work-hardening) · ASTM A240/A240M, A666 · Density 7.9 g/cm³
Type 301 (UNS S30100) is a leaner-alloyed austenitic stainless steel designed to work-harden rapidly. Cold rolling raises its tensile strength beyond 1300 MPa while keeping spring-back and fatigue performance, which makes 301 the standard choice for springs, clips, conveyor belts and rail or bus body panels.
Chemical Composition (wt%)
| C | Mn | Si | Cr | Ni | N | P | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤0.15 | ≤2.00 | ≤1.00 | 16.0–18.0 | 6.0–8.0 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.045 | ≤0.030 |
Single values are maximums unless a range is shown. Balance: Fe. Per ASTM A240/A240M, A666.
Mechanical Properties
| Tensile strength (annealed) | ≥515 MPa (75 ksi) |
|---|---|
| Yield strength (annealed) | ≥205 MPa (30 ksi) |
| Elongation (annealed) | ≥40% |
| Tensile (1/2H temper) | ≥1035 MPa (150 ksi) |
| Tensile (full hard) | ≥1275 MPa (185 ksi) |
Room-temperature minimum values are summarized for annealed flat product under ASTM A240/A240M, A666 unless a condition is named in the property label; product form and thickness can change the requirement.
Properties by Condition
301 Annealed
Starting condition before cold rolling; rarely used in service — the grade exists to be hardened.
| Tensile strength | ≥515 MPa (75 ksi) |
|---|---|
| Yield strength (0.2%) | ≥205 MPa (30 ksi) |
| Elongation | ≥40% |
301 1/4 Hard (ASTM A666)
First rolled temper — structural panels and formed parts that still need meaningful bending.
| Tensile strength | ≥860 MPa (125 ksi) |
|---|---|
| Yield strength (0.2%) | ≥515 MPa (75 ksi) |
| Elongation | ≥25% (≥0.76 mm strip) |
301 1/2 Hard (ASTM A666)
The rail and bus body-panel temper: high strength with enough ductility for gentle forming.
| Tensile strength | ≥1035 MPa (150 ksi) |
|---|---|
| Yield strength (0.2%) | ≥760 MPa (110 ksi) |
| Elongation | ≥15% (≥0.76 mm strip) |
301 3/4 Hard (ASTM A666)
Spring territory — clips, washers and contacts formed with generous radii along the rolling direction.
| Tensile strength | ≥1205 MPa (175 ksi) |
|---|---|
| Yield strength (0.2%) | ≥930 MPa (135 ksi) |
| Elongation | ≥10% (≥0.76 mm strip) |
301 Full Hard (ASTM A666)
Maximum rolled strength for flat springs and constant-force applications; bending is limited to large radii.
| Tensile strength | ≥1275 MPa (185 ksi) |
|---|---|
| Yield strength (0.2%) | ≥965 MPa (140 ksi) |
| Elongation | ≥8% (≥0.76 mm strip) |
Physical Properties & Structure
| Density | 7.9 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Magnetic response | Essentially non-magnetic after solution annealing; cold work can introduce a measurable magnetic response. |
| Microstructure | Austenitic (high work-hardening) |
Corrosion Resistance & Limits
- General corrosion resistance comes from the chromium-rich passive film; nickel, molybdenum, nitrogen and copper change performance by grade.
- Check chlorides, temperature, crevices, deposits, process chemistry and cleaning conditions. A grade designation alone is not a service-life guarantee.
Fabrication & Heat Treatment
| Welding | Generally weldable with a qualified procedure and matching or over-alloyed filler where required; remove heat tint when corrosion service demands it. |
|---|---|
| Forming | Good ductility is typical, but rapid work hardening increases forming load and springback; bend radius and intermediate annealing depend on grade and reduction. |
| Machining | Use rigid tooling, positive feeds and controlled heat because the material work-hardens; free-machining grades require separate corrosion and welding review. |
| Heat treatment | Solution annealing and rapid cooling restore the intended condition where applicable. Austenitic grades are not hardened by conventional quench-and-temper treatment. |
Equivalent Grades
The closest international equivalents of 301 Stainless Steel are 1.4310 (X10CrNi18-8) in the EN system, SUS301 in the JIS system, 12Cr17Ni7 in the GB system.
These are common corresponding designations, not unconditional substitutes. Verify chemistry, mechanical properties, product standard, delivery condition, dimensions and project approval before changing designation.
| System | Designation |
|---|---|
| UNS | S30100 |
| EN | 1.4310 (X10CrNi18-8) |
| JIS | SUS301 |
| GB | 12Cr17Ni7 |
Reference Product Forms & Dimensional Ranges
Common reference product forms for 301 stainless steel: Coil / Strip, Sheet / Plate.
| Conditions | Annealed, 1/4H, 1/2H, 3/4H, FH cold-rolled tempers |
|---|---|
| Coil / strip thickness | 0.1–3.0 mm |
| Finishes | 2B, BA |
Common surface and delivery options: No.1, 2B, BA or mechanically polished finish when supported by the product route.
These published ranges are engineering references, not a live-stock or production-capability promise. Confirm the required product form, dimensions, condition, finish and supply route in the quotation.
Typical Applications
- Springs, clips and washers
- Metro, rail and bus body panels
- Conveyor and transmission belts
- Structural trim requiring high strength
- Antenna and battery contacts
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 301 and 304 stainless steel?
301 carries less chromium and nickel, which makes its austenite less stable: it transforms to martensite under cold work and gains strength much faster than 304. Choose 301 when you need rolled-temper strength (springs, structural skins); choose 304 for better corrosion resistance and deep drawing.
What do 1/4H, 1/2H and FH tempers mean for 301?
They are cold-rolled temper designations per ASTM A666: quarter hard (tensile ≥860 MPa), half hard (≥1035 MPa), three-quarter hard (≥1205 MPa) and full hard (≥1275 MPa). Higher tempers trade ductility for strength, so forming radius and bend orientation must be planned accordingly.
Is 301 stainless steel magnetic?
Annealed 301 is nearly non-magnetic, but cold-rolled tempers contain strain-induced martensite and respond clearly to a magnet. This is expected behavior for the grade, not a sign of substitution or poor quality.
Organizational author: Tsingshan (Shandong) Iron & Steel Co., Ltd..Review method, status and limitations.
Other stainless steel grades:
304304L316316L201321310S4104302205202309S316Ti347904L409L4204394414442507303317L254 SMO440C17-4 PH2304
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