GRADE
| TYPE | TRAITS | USES |
| 3CR12 | Ferritic | Useful corrosion resistance, particularly in wet abrasion
environments. Readily welded and formed. | Tanks, flues, bins, chutes, rail wagons |
| 301 | Austenitic | Combination of strength and ductility to withstand severe forming
methods. Corrosion resistance comparable to 302. | Rail cars, automotive components |
| 302 | Austenitic | Excellent corrosion resistance. High strength and hardness. | Food and drink, sanitary, cryogenic and pressure applications |
| 303 | Austenitic | Addition of sulfur or selenium gives it best machinability of all
austenitic grades, but reduces corrosion resistance compared to
304. | Nuts and bolts, aircraft fittings and gears, bushings |
304
304L 304H | Austenitic | Slightly magnetic when cold worked. Excellent corrosion resistance
but susceptible to pitting corrosion in warm chloride environments.
Excellent toughness
Accounts for 50% of all stainless steel produced. | Architecture, kitchens, food processing |
316
316L 316H | Austenitic | Same mechanical and physical properties as 304 but more resistant
to pitting corrosion, especially in warm chloride environments.
Virtually non-magnetic. | Marine architectural components, food processing, hot water systems |
| 317L | Austenitic | Improved corrosion resistance over 316. 317L is a variation of 317
suitable for heavy-gauge welding. | Pulp and paper machinery, ink and dying processes, acetic acid
distillation |
| 321 | Austenitic | Titanium-stabilized. | Aircraft, heat exchangers (up to intermediate temperatures) |
| 400 | Ferritic | Corrosion resistance comparable to 409, better surface finish | Caskets, applications requiring better finish than 409 |
| 409, Aluminized 409 | Ferritic | Resists atmospheric and automotive exhaust gas corrosion.
Aluminized version adds salt and cosmetic corrosion resistance. | Auto exhaust systems, heat exchangers, furnace liners |
| 410, 410H | Martensitic | Resists dry atmospheres, freshwater, mild alkalis and acids, steam,
and hot gases. Must harden for best heat and corrosion resistance.
410H has better hardenability. | Bolts, nuts, screws, pump parts and shafts, turbine parts, mine
ladder rungs, cutlery, rulers, cold heading |
| 420, 420HC | Martensitic | Good resistance in hardened condition to atmosphere. Higher-carbon
grade. HC offers better hardenability. | Cutlery, stainless steel hospital equipment, needle valves |
| 430, 430F | Ferritic | Good combination of corrosion resistance, formability, mechanical
properties. 430F is suitable for high-speed machining, but
corrosion resistance is lower. | Automotive trim, refrigerator doors, element supports, cold-headed
fasteners |
| 431 | Martensitic | Excellent resistance to wide variety of corrosive media,
approaching that of 304. High tensile, torque strength. | Pump and boat shafts, nuts, bolts, marine hardware |
| 434 | Ferritic | Molybdenum use improves pitting resistance over 430. | Automotive trim components |
| 439 | Ferritic | Titanium-stabilized. 18% chrome alloy with low carbon content.
Corrosion resistance to variety of oxidizing environments. Pitting
corrosion resistance. | Nuclear, automotive, power generation, chemical processing,
consumer appliances |
| 440 | Martensitic | High-carbon, moderate corrosion resistance, superior strength and
hardness. | Knives, ball bearings, gauge blocks, dies |
| 444 | Ferritic | Resistant to oxidation, corrosion, and stress cracking. | Water heaters, engine components, solar panels |
| 904L | Austenitic | ‘Super austenitic’ grade with very high corrosion resistance,
especially to strong acids and chlorides. | Sulphuric acid service |
| 2205 | Ferritic/
Austenitic | About 50% ferrite and 50% austenitic. High strength and hardness.
Resistant to erosion, fatigue, stress corrosion cracking, and
pitting and crevice corrosion. | Marine, chemical, and petrochemical industries |
| 41003 | Ferritic | Excellent weldability, toughness, and fabricating characteristics | Tubing for bus frames, hopper cars, chutes, storage tanks, shipping
containers |
| UR52N | Ferritic/
Austenitic | ‘Super duplex’ grade with exceptional resistance to hot chlorides
and sulfides. High in strength. | Marine, chemical, and petrochemical industries |
