304 is the most widely used austenitic stainless steel, offering an excellent balance of corrosion resistance, formability, and cost. It is the standard grade for general-purpose machining and structural applications.
Key Properties
Versatility: Best all-around performance for a wide range of environments.
Corrosion: Good resistance to atmospheric corrosion and many chemicals.
Formability: Excellent ductility for deep drawing, spinning, and bending.
Weldability: Good weldability using all standard methods.
Common Applications
Kitchen Equipment: Sinks, tables, and food preparation surfaces.
Automotive: Trim, wheel covers, and exhaust system components.
Construction: Structural framing, bolts, and nuts.
Storage: Tanks, silos, and piping for water and mild chemicals.

430 is a ferritic stainless steel with good corrosion resistance in mild atmospheres and excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking. It is magnetic and widely used for decorative and automotive applications.
Key Properties
Ferritic Structure: Magnetic with good resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
Corrosion: Good resistance to nitric acid and mild organic acids; not suitable for marine environments.
Heat Resistance: Good oxidation resistance up to 850°C.
Machinability: Excellent machinability compared to austenitic grades.
Common Applications
Automotive: Trim, fasteners, and exhaust system components.
Appliances: Washing machine drums, dishwasher interiors, and refrigerator panels.
Architecture: Interior decorative trim and non-structural components.
Industrial: Bolts, nuts, and screws requiring magnetic properties.

201 is an austenitic stainless steel with high manganese and nitrogen, serving as a cost-effective alternative to 304. It offers good formability and moderate corrosion resistance for indoor applications.
Key Properties
Cost Efficiency: Lower nickel content makes it significantly cheaper than 304/316.
Strength: High work-hardening rate provides good strength after cold forming.
Corrosion: Suitable for dry indoor environments; not recommended for outdoor or marine use.
Formability: Good ductility for bending and fabrication.
Common Applications
Furniture: Chair frames, table legs, and shelving units.
Architecture: Indoor handrails, window frames, and door hardware.
Automotive: Interior trim and non-structural components.
Consumer Goods: Utensil handles and budget cookware.

304L is the low-carbon variant of 304, designed for excellent weldability without post-weld annealing. It is the most versatile and widely used stainless steel bar for general corrosion-resistant applications.
Key Properties
Weldability: Low carbon eliminates sensitization during heavy welding operations.
Corrosion: Good resistance to oxidation, fresh water, and mild organic acids.
Formability: Excellent ductility for bending, forging, and machining.
Temperature: Suitable for cryogenic applications down to -196°C.
Common Applications
Food & Beverage: Brewing tanks, mixing vessels, and conveyor systems.
Architecture: Structural supports, handrails, and decorative elements.
Chemical: Mild acid storage containers and process equipment.
General Engineering: Shafts, pins, and general-purpose fasteners.

316L is the low-carbon variant of 316, offering superior resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding. It is the standard choice for aggressive chemical and marine environments requiring high durability.
Key Properties
Corrosion: Excellent resistance to chlorides, seawater, and acidic environments.
Weldability: Low carbon content prevents carbide precipitation during heavy welding.
Strength: Good mechanical properties at both cryogenic and elevated temperatures.
Formability: Excellent ductility for machining and fabrication.
Common Applications
Marine: Boat fittings, offshore platform components, and seawater piping supports.
Chemical: Valves, pumps, and reactor vessel internals.
Medical: Surgical instruments and implantable device components.
Pharmaceutical: Hygienic processing equipment and sanitary fittings.

316 is an austenitic stainless steel with added molybdenum, providing enhanced corrosion resistance compared to 304. It is the premium choice for industrial applications exposed to harsh chemicals or saltwater.
Key Properties
Molybdenum: Added Mo (2-3%) significantly improves pitting and crevice corrosion resistance.
Corrosion: Superior to 304 in chloride-rich and acidic environments.
Strength: High tensile strength and good creep resistance at elevated temperatures.
Weldability: Good weldability using standard fusion methods.
Common Applications
Pulp & Paper: Digesters, bleaching equipment, and stock preparation machinery.
Textile: Dyeing vats and chemical processing tanks.
Coastal Architecture: Handrails, facades, and structural components near the ocean.
Food Processing: Equipment handling salty or acidic foods.

410 is a general-purpose martensitic stainless steel that can be heat-treated to achieve high hardness and tensile strength. It offers moderate corrosion resistance for non-critical industrial applications.
Key Properties
Hardness: Can be hardened by heat treatment to achieve high tensile strength.
Wear Resistance: Excellent resistance to abrasion and wear after hardening.
Corrosion: Moderate resistance to mild atmospheres, fresh water, and steam.
Machinability: Good machinability in the annealed condition.
Common Applications
Fasteners: High-strength bolts, nuts, screws, and studs.
Pumps & Valves: Shafts, bushings, valve seats, and trim components.
Automotive: Pump parts, turbine blades, and non-critical engine components.
Cutlery: Knife blanks, surgical instrument components, and razor blades.

904L is a high-alloy austenitic stainless steel with very high chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and copper content, offering superior corrosion resistance in highly aggressive environments especially sulfuric acid.
Key Properties
Corrosion: Exceptional resistance to sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and chlorides.
Pitting Resistance: High PREN value (>35) for superior pitting and crevice resistance.
Weldability: Good weldability with standard methods; no post-weld heat treatment required.
Formability: Excellent ductility for deep drawing and complex fabrication.
Common Applications
Chemical: Sulfuric acid storage tank internals, process piping supports, and heat exchanger baffles.
Pharmaceutical: Reaction vessel internals, processing line supports, and CIP system components.
Marine: Seawater cooling system brackets and offshore component mounts.
Pollution Control: Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) equipment supports and scrubber internals.

310S is a high-alloy austenitic stainless steel with 25% chromium and 20% nickel, offering exceptional oxidation resistance and creep strength for continuous service up to 1100°C.
Key Properties
High Temp: Excellent oxidation resistance up to 1100°C continuous service.
Creep Strength: Superior creep and rupture strength at elevated temperatures.
Low Carbon: Reduced carbide precipitation improves weldability and corrosion resistance.
Non-Magnetic: Austenitic structure remains non-magnetic in solution-treated condition.
Common Applications
Heat Treatment: Furnace components, radiant tubes, annealing covers, and kiln furniture.
Petrochemical: Fluidized bed combustors, coal gasifier internals, and reformer tubes.
Power Generation: Boiler tube hangers, superheater supports, and incinerator components.
Food Processing: High-temperature cooking equipment and sterilization chambers.

321 is a titanium-stabilized austenitic stainless steel offering superior resistance to intergranular corrosion after exposure to temperatures between 425-860°C, making it ideal for welded components and moderate high-temperature service.
Key Properties
Stabilization: Titanium addition prevents chromium carbide precipitation during welding and heating.
High Temp: Good oxidation resistance up to 860°C intermittent service.
Weldability: Excellent for heavy gauge welding without post-weld annealing.
Corrosion: Similar to 304 in mild environments, superior in oxidizing acids.
Common Applications
Aerospace: Jet engine exhaust manifolds, expansion joints, and afterburner components.
Petrochemical: Process piping, heat exchanger tubes, and reactor internals.
Power Generation: Boiler components, superheater tube supports, and chimney liners.
Chemical: Welded vessels, storage tanks, and acid handling equipment.

301L is a low-carbon variant of 301 with nitrogen addition, offering superior weldability and formability while maintaining high work-hardening rate for structural applications in rail transit and automotive.
Key Properties
Low Carbon: Reduced carbide precipitation improves weldability and intergranular corrosion resistance.
Work Hardening: Exceptional work-hardening rate (~14 MPa per 1% reduction) for high strength through cold working.
Formability: Excellent ductility for deep drawing and complex fabrication.
Non-Magnetic: Austenitic structure remains non-magnetic in annealed condition.
Common Applications
Rail Transit: Subway and high-speed train car body structures, interior panels, and luggage racks.
Automotive: Exhaust system components, structural reinforcements, and decorative trim.
Electronics: Mobile phone internal frames, spring contacts, and EMI shielding components.
Construction: Elevator cabins, architectural cladding, and structural fasteners.

301 is a metastable austenitic stainless steel with exceptional work-hardening rate, achieving tensile strength up to 1275 MPa through cold working, widely used in springs, fasteners, and structural components.
Key Properties
Work Hardening: Highest work-hardening rate among austenitic grades (~14 MPa per 1% reduction).
Strength Range: Seven temper grades from Annealed (515 MPa) to Full Hard (1275+ MPa).
Magnetic Behavior: Becomes increasingly magnetic with cold working due to austenite-to-martensite transformation.
Formability: Good ductility in annealed condition for bending and forming operations.
Common Applications
Springs: Vehicle suspension springs, conveyor belt springs, and industrial spring components.
Fasteners: High-strength bolts, nuts, screws, and aerospace fasteners.
Rail Transit: Train car body structures, decorative trim, and structural reinforcements.
Electronics: EMI shielding, connector springs, and battery contacts.