Overview
SS301 (AISI 301 Stainless Steel) is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel belonging to the 300 Series Stainless Steel Family. It is known for its excellent cold working characteristics, high strength after cold forming, good corrosion resistance, and outstanding fatigue performance.
SS301 is widely used in springs, clips, brackets, railway vehicles, automotive components, aerospace structures, and precision metal stampings. Due to its exceptional work-hardening capability, SS301 can achieve very high strength levels without heat treatment.
Compared with SS304, SS301 contains lower nickel content and offers significantly higher strength after cold working, making it ideal for applications requiring elasticity and wear resistance.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | AISI 301 |
| Material Family | Austenitic Stainless Steel |
| UNS Number | S30100 |
| EN Grade | 1.4310 |
| Density | 7.93 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Non-Magnetic (Annealed), Slightly Magnetic After Cold Working |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Coil, Strip, Plate, Wire, Tube |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.0–18.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 6.0–8.0 |
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.15 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤2.00 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤1.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.030 |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤0.10 |
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥515 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥205 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥40% |
| Hardness | ≤95 HRB |
| Elastic Modulus | 193 GPa |
Full Hard Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 1275–1550 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 965–1380 MPa |
| Hardness | 370–430 HV |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.93 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1400–1455°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 16.3 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.72 μΩ·m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 17.2 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 500 J/kg·K |
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Excellent |
| Atmospheric Exposure | Excellent |
| Industrial Environment | Good |
| Humid Environment | Good |
| Marine Environment | Moderate |
| Chloride Environment | Moderate |
| Food Contact Applications | Excellent |
SS301 provides corrosion resistance comparable to SS304 in many indoor and general industrial environments. However, for highly corrosive or marine environments, SS316 is preferred.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ASTM / AISI (USA) | 301 |
| UNS | S30100 |
| EN (Europe) | 1.4310 |
| DIN (Germany) | X10CrNi18-8 |
| JIS (Japan) | SUS301 |
| GB/T (China) | 12Cr17Ni7 |
| ISO | X10CrNi18-8 |
Available Tempers
| Temper | Description |
|---|---|
| Annealed (A) | Soft Condition |
| 1/4 Hard | Light Cold Worked |
| 1/2 Hard | Medium Cold Worked |
| 3/4 Hard | Heavy Cold Worked |
| Full Hard | Maximum Strength |
| Extra Full Hard | Ultra High Strength |
| Spring Temper | Spring Applications |
Typical Applications
Spring Manufacturing
- Flat Springs
- Coil Springs
- Precision Springs
- Electrical Springs
- Contact Springs
Automotive Industry
- Exhaust Components
- Clamps
- Retaining Clips
- Structural Brackets
- Seat Components
Aerospace Industry
- Aircraft Structural Components
- Fastening Systems
- Aerospace Springs
- Lightweight Assemblies
Railway Industry
- Railway Car Bodies
- Suspension Components
- Structural Panels
Electronics Industry
- Battery Contacts
- Connectors
- EMI Shields
- Precision Stamped Parts
Industrial Manufacturing
- Precision Stampings
- Wear Plates
- Flexible Components
- Mechanical Assemblies
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Laser Cutting | Excellent |
| Waterjet Cutting | Excellent |
| CNC Machining | Good |
| Stamping | Excellent |
| Deep Drawing | Excellent |
| Cold Forming | Outstanding |
| Bending | Excellent |
| Welding | Good |
| TIG Welding | Good |
| MIG Welding | Good |
| Polishing | Excellent |
Advantages
Excellent Work Hardening Capability
Can achieve extremely high strength through cold working.
Outstanding Spring Properties
Ideal for spring and elastic applications.
Good Corrosion Resistance
Suitable for most industrial and commercial environments.
Excellent Formability
Can be formed into complex shapes before hardening.
High Fatigue Resistance
Performs well under cyclic loading conditions.
Cost Effective
Lower cost than specialty spring alloys.
Limitations
Lower Corrosion Resistance Than SS316
Not recommended for aggressive chloride environments.
Increased Magnetism After Cold Working
May become partially magnetic during forming.
More Difficult Machining in Hard Conditions
High-strength tempers can reduce machinability.
Not Suitable for Extreme Chemical Environments
Specialized stainless grades may perform better.
Comparison with Other Stainless Steels
| Property | SS301 | SS304 | SS316 | SS302 | SS430 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Good | Excellent | Outstanding | Excellent | Moderate |
| Cold Work Strength | Outstanding | Good | Good | Good | Moderate |
| Spring Applications | Excellent | Good | Good | Good | Poor |
| Weldability | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Fair |
| Formability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Cost | Medium | Medium | High | Medium | Low |
Comparison with Common Engineering Metals
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Corrosion Resistance | Strength | Spring Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS301 | 7.93 | Good | Very High | Excellent |
| SS304 | 8.00 | Excellent | Medium | Good |
| Spring Steel 1075 | 7.85 | Poor | Very High | Excellent |
| Aluminum 7075 | 2.81 | Fair | Very High | Good |
| Titanium Grade 5 | 4.43 | Excellent | Very High | Excellent |
| Brass C260 | 8.53 | Good | Medium | Good |
Available Surface Finishes
Mill Finishes
- No.1 Finish
- 2B Finish
- BA (Bright Annealed)
- Cold Rolled Finish
Decorative Finishes
- Mirror Polish
- Hairline Finish
- Satin Finish
- Vibration Finish
- Brushed Finish
- Sandblasted Finish
Functional Finishes
- Passivation
- Electropolishing
- Dry Film Lubrication
- Anti-Fingerprint Coating
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is SS301 stainless steel?
SS301 is a high-strength austenitic stainless steel known for its excellent work-hardening capability and spring properties.
What is SS301 used for?
Typical applications include:
- Springs
- Clamps
- Automotive Components
- Railway Equipment
- Aerospace Parts
- Precision Stampings
Is SS301 stronger than SS304?
Yes.
| Property | SS301 (Cold Worked) | SS304 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | Up to 1550 MPa | ~515–750 MPa |
| Yield Strength | Up to 1380 MPa | ~205–310 MPa |
What is the difference between SS301 and SS304?
| Property | SS301 | SS304 |
|---|---|---|
| Strength After Cold Working | Much Higher | Lower |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good | Better |
| Spring Applications | Excellent | Limited |
| Formability | Excellent | Excellent |
Is SS301 magnetic?
In the annealed condition, SS301 is generally non-magnetic. After cold working, it becomes partially magnetic.
Can SS301 be welded?
Yes. SS301 offers good weldability using TIG, MIG, and resistance welding processes.
Is SS301 suitable for spring manufacturing?
Yes. SS301 is one of the most commonly used stainless steel grades for spring applications.
Can SS301 rust?
SS301 has good corrosion resistance but may corrode in chloride-rich or marine environments. SS316 is recommended for those conditions.
Why is SS301 widely used in precision stampings?
Because it combines:
- High Strength
- Excellent Formability
- Good Fatigue Resistance
- Excellent Spring Properties
making it ideal for precision metal components.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for SS301?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- Precision Stamping
- Laser Cutting
- CNC Machining
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Spring Manufacturing
- Welding & Assembly
- Electropolishing
- Passivation
- Prototype Development
- Mass Production