302HQ strip is an austenitic alloy optimized for cold heading. Modified from 302/304 grades, it features a low work-hardening rate, allowing severe deformation without cracking.
Key Properties
Cold Heading: "HQ" means High Quality for heading. Excellent ductility allows significant deformation without fracturing, superior to standard 304 for fasteners.
Strength: Soft enough for forming but achieves high tensile strength after cold working.
Corrosion: Similar to AISI 304; resists oxidation and rust in mild environments.
Magnetism: Non-magnetic when annealed; slightly magnetic after cold work.
Common Applications
Widely used for room-temperature shaping:
Fasteners: Screws, bolts, nuts, rivets.
Electronics: Pins, connectors, lead frames.
Auto Parts: High-strength precision components.
Household: Zippers, hooks, formed accessories.

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.

409 is a titanium-stabilized ferritic stainless steel offering good corrosion resistance and excellent formability at a lower cost than austenitic grades. It is widely used in automotive exhaust systems and agricultural equipment.
Key Properties
Ferritic Structure: Magnetic with good resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
Stabilization: Titanium addition improves weldability and high-temperature performance.
Cost Efficiency: Lower nickel content makes it more economical than 304/316.
Formability: Good ductility for bending and fabrication.
Common Applications
Automotive: Exhaust manifolds, catalytic converter shells, and mufflers.
Agriculture: Grain handling equipment and fertilizer spreaders.
Construction: Non-structural decorative trim and indoor applications.
Appliances: Washing machine drums and dishwasher interiors.

405 is a ferritic stainless steel with aluminum addition for improved weldability compared to other ferritic grades. It offers moderate corrosion resistance and is used in specialized heat-resisting applications.
Key Properties
Weldability: Aluminum addition improves weldability over standard ferritic grades.
Corrosion: Moderate resistance to mild atmospheres and fresh water.
Heat Resistance: Good oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures.
Non-Hardenable: Cannot be hardened by heat treatment.
Common Applications
Heat Exchangers: Low-pressure heat transfer equipment supports.
Automotive: Non-critical exhaust components and brackets.
Chemical: Mild acid handling equipment and storage tank internals.
Architecture: Non-structural decorative applications and indoor trim.

403 is a general-purpose martensitic stainless steel that can be heat-treated to achieve high hardness and strength. It offers moderate corrosion resistance and is widely used in turbine and industrial components.
Key Properties
Hardness: Can be hardened by heat treatment to achieve high tensile strength.
Wear Resistance: Excellent resistance to abrasion after hardening.
Corrosion: Moderate resistance to mild atmospheres and fresh water.
Machinability: Good machinability in the annealed condition.
Common Applications
Turbines: Steam turbine blades, diaphragms, and shaft components.
Cutlery: High-quality knives, scissors, and surgical instruments.
Fasteners: High-strength bolts, nuts, and screws.
Pumps: Shafts, bushings, and wear rings for abrasive media.

347 is a niobium-stabilized austenitic stainless steel offering excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion after exposure to high temperatures. It is ideal for welding and moderate high-temperature service up to 900°C.
Key Properties
Stabilization: Niobium prevents chromium carbide precipitation during welding and heating.
High Temp: Good oxidation resistance up to 900°C intermittent service.
Weldability: Excellent for heavy gauge welding without post-weld annealing.
Corrosion: Similar to 304/304L in mild environments.
Common Applications
Aerospace: Jet engine components, exhaust systems, and firewall brackets.
Refining: Catalytic cracking equipment, expansion joints, and furnace hangers.
Boilers: Moderate temperature superheater tube supports and piping.
Chemical: Welded vessels, heat exchangers, and reactor internals.

321H is the high-carbon variant of 321, stabilized with titanium for superior high-temperature strength and creep resistance. It is designed for sustained service above 550°C in power generation and refining.
Key Properties
High Carbon: Higher carbon content provides enhanced creep and rupture strength above 550°C.
Stabilization: Titanium prevents sensitization during high-temperature exposure.
Weldability: Good weldability with standard methods.
Corrosion: Similar to 304 in mild environments.
Common Applications
Power Generation: Boiler superheater tube supports and reheater piping hangers.
Refining: Furnace components and high-temperature process piping brackets.
Aerospace: Afterburner components and exhaust system mounts.
Chemical: High-temperature heat exchangers and reactor supports.