Overview
SS430 (AISI 430 Stainless Steel) is a ferritic stainless steel belonging to the 400 Series Stainless Steel Family. It is one of the most widely used non-hardenable stainless steels, offering good corrosion resistance, excellent formability, attractive surface finish, and cost-effectiveness.
Unlike austenitic grades such as SS304 and SS316, SS430 contains little or no nickel, making it a more economical alternative for decorative, household, automotive, and appliance applications.
SS430 is widely used in kitchen appliances, architectural trim, automotive exhaust systems, washing machine drums, refrigerator panels, decorative components, and industrial equipment.
Compared with SS304, SS430 provides lower corrosion resistance and weldability but significantly lower material cost.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | AISI 430 |
| Material Family | Ferritic Stainless Steel |
| UNS Number | S43000 |
| EN Grade | 1.4016 |
| Density | 7.70–7.80 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Magnetic |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Plate, Coil, Strip, Bar, Tube |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.0–18.0 |
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.12 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤1.00 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤1.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.040 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.030 |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≤0.75 |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤0.05 |
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 450–600 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥205 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥22% |
| Hardness | ≤89 HRB |
| Elastic Modulus | 200 GPa |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.75 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1425–1510°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 26.1 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.60 μΩ·m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 10.4 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 460 J/kg·K |
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Excellent |
| Atmospheric Exposure | Good |
| Humid Environment | Good |
| Food Contact Applications | Good |
| Industrial Environment | Moderate |
| Marine Environment | Poor |
| Chloride Environment | Poor |
SS430 provides good resistance to:
- Atmospheric Corrosion
- Organic Acids
- Nitric Acid
- Household Chemicals
- Food Processing Environments
However, it is not recommended for marine, offshore, or chloride-rich environments.
Heat Resistance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Continuous Service Temperature | 815°C |
| Intermittent Service Temperature | 870°C |
| Oxidation Resistance | Good |
| Thermal Conductivity | Better than SS304 |
SS430 is often selected for applications requiring moderate heat resistance and thermal efficiency.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ASTM / AISI (USA) | 430 |
| UNS | S43000 |
| EN (Europe) | 1.4016 |
| DIN (Germany) | X6Cr17 |
| JIS (Japan) | SUS430 |
| GB/T (China) | 10Cr17 |
| ISO | X6Cr17 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Stainless Steel Sheet | Yes |
| Stainless Steel Plate | Yes |
| Stainless Steel Coil | Yes |
| Stainless Steel Strip | Yes |
| Stainless Steel Tube | Yes |
| Stainless Steel Bar | Yes |
| Decorative Sheet | Yes |
Typical Applications
Home Appliance Industry
- Refrigerator Panels
- Washing Machine Drums
- Dishwasher Components
- Microwave Oven Parts
- Range Hoods
Kitchen Equipment
- Kitchen Sinks
- Cookware Components
- Decorative Panels
- Food Preparation Surfaces
Automotive Industry
- Exhaust Trim
- Decorative Moldings
- Heat Shields
- Interior Components
Architectural Industry
- Wall Cladding
- Elevator Panels
- Decorative Trim
- Handrails
Industrial Equipment
- Heat Exchangers
- Furnace Trim Components
- Storage Containers
Consumer Products
- Decorative Hardware
- Household Appliances
- Furniture Components
- Display Fixtures
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Laser Cutting | Excellent |
| Stamping | Excellent |
| Deep Drawing | Good |
| Bending | Excellent |
| Roll Forming | Excellent |
| CNC Machining | Good |
| Polishing | Excellent |
| Welding | Fair |
| Spot Welding | Good |
Advantages
Cost Effective
Contains little or no nickel, reducing material costs.
Good Corrosion Resistance
Suitable for most indoor and decorative applications.
Excellent Surface Finish
Supports mirror, brushed, and decorative finishes.
Magnetic Material
Useful for magnetic and electromagnetic applications.
Good Thermal Conductivity
Higher than many austenitic stainless steels.
Excellent Formability
Easy to stamp, bend, and fabricate.
Limitations
Lower Corrosion Resistance Than SS304
Not suitable for harsh chemical or marine environments.
Limited Weldability
Welding may reduce toughness and corrosion resistance.
Not Heat Treatable
Cannot be hardened through heat treatment.
Lower Toughness at Low Temperatures
Not recommended for cryogenic applications.
Comparison with Other Stainless Steels
| Property | SS430 | SS304 | SS316 | SS410 | SS201 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Good | Excellent | Outstanding | Moderate | Good |
| Cost | Low | Medium | High | Low | Low |
| Magnetic | Yes | No | No | Yes | Slightly |
| Weldability | Fair | Excellent | Excellent | Fair | Good |
| Formability | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Moderate | Good |
| Heat Treatable | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Comparison with Common Engineering Metals
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Corrosion Resistance | Cost | Magnetic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS430 | 7.75 | Good | Low | Yes |
| SS304 | 8.00 | Excellent | Medium | No |
| SS316 | 8.00 | Outstanding | High | No |
| Aluminum 5052 | 2.68 | Excellent | Medium | No |
| Galvanized Steel | 7.85 | Moderate | Low | Yes |
| Carbon Steel | 7.85 | Poor | Low | Yes |
Available Surface Finishes
Mill Finishes
- 2B Finish
- BA (Bright Annealed)
- No.1 Finish
- No.4 Finish
Decorative Finishes
- Mirror Polish (8K)
- Hairline Finish
- Satin Finish
- Brushed Finish
- Vibration Finish
- Etched Finish
Functional Finishes
- Passivation
- Anti-Fingerprint Coating
- PVD Coating
- Protective Film Lamination
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is SS430 stainless steel?
SS430 is a ferritic stainless steel known for its good corrosion resistance, decorative appearance, magnetic properties, and low cost.
What is SS430 used for?
Typical applications include:
- Home Appliances
- Kitchen Equipment
- Decorative Panels
- Automotive Trim
- Architectural Components
Is SS430 magnetic?
Yes. SS430 is fully magnetic because of its ferritic microstructure.
What is the difference between SS430 and SS304?
| Property | SS430 | SS304 |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Good | Excellent |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Nickel Content | None | 8–10.5% |
| Magnetic | Yes | No |
Can SS430 rust?
SS430 resists rust well in indoor environments but may corrode in coastal or chloride-rich environments.
Is SS430 food grade?
Yes. SS430 is commonly used in kitchen appliances and food-contact applications, although SS304 is generally preferred for commercial food processing.
Is SS430 suitable for outdoor use?
Yes, for mild environments. For coastal areas or harsh weather conditions, SS304 or SS316 is recommended.
Can SS430 be welded?
Yes, but weldability is more limited than SS304. Post-weld treatment may be required for optimal performance.
Why is SS430 widely used in home appliances?
Because it combines:
- Attractive Appearance
- Good Corrosion Resistance
- Low Cost
- Easy Forming
- Magnetic Properties
making it ideal for mass-produced appliance components.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for SS430?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Laser Cutting
- Stamping
- Deep Drawing
- CNC Machining
- Decorative Surface Finishing
- Appliance Component Manufacturing
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production