301 Stainless Steel
An austenitic Cr-Ni stainless steel that work hardens strongly
Typical values for the temper in the title
301 contains less nickel than 304 (6–8%). Because of this its austenitic structure is less stable, and with cold work part of it transforms to martensite. The result: it strengthens far more from cold work than 304, reaching around 1275 MPa tensile in the full-hard condition.
It is used for springs, strip and thin structural parts in vehicles and railcars, where high strength at low thickness is needed. After cold work it becomes magnetic.
Mechanical and physical properties
| Property | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength Rm | 515–1275 MPa | |
| Yield strength Rp0.2 | 205–965 MPa | |
| Elongation A | 40–7% | |
| Hardness | 150–400 HB | |
| Modulus of elasticity E | 193 GPa | |
| Density ρ | 7.93 g/cm³ | |
| Machinability | 45% | relative rating in the site database |
Chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Range | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Cr chromium | 16.0–18.0 | the protective layer |
| Ni nickel | 6.0–8.0 | deliberately low: a less stable structure that work hardens |
| C carbon | max 0.15 | |
| Mn manganese | max 2.00 | |
| Si silicon | max 1.00 | |
| N nitrogen | max 0.10 | |
| Fe iron | balance |
Ranges per ASTM A240 (plate and sheet). Other product standards, and different editions of the standard, vary slightly. For purchasing, rely on the standard in the order.
Conditions and heat treatment
Strength is set by the amount of cold work. There is no hardening by heat treatment.
| Condition | Properties | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Annealed | Rm min 515 MPa | for forming |
| ¼H to ½H | medium-high strength | thin structural parts |
| ¾H to full hard | Rm up to about 1275 MPa | springs and strip |
Applications
- Springs and spring strip
- Thin structural parts in railcars and vehicles
- Clips and fasteners
- High-strength formed parts
- Conveyor belts
Fabrication
Forming
Forms well annealed, and strengthens during forming.
Welding
Weldable, but the heat removes the cold-work strengthening in the weld zone.
Magnetism
Non-magnetic annealed, and noticeably magnetic after cold work.
Compared with similar materials
| Material | Rm / Rp0.2 | Welding | When it is the better choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304 / 304L | 515–620 / 205–310 MPa | Good — ER308L | more stable, hardens less, and slightly more corrosion resistant · material page |
| 17-4 PH (630) | 930–1310 / 725–1170 MPa | Excellent | for high strength in thick parts, by heat treatment · material page |
| 302 | 515–720 / 205 MPa | Good — ER308 | an older stainless for springs and wire · material page |
Common mistakes
Welding a full-hard part
Welding softens the zone, and strength drops sharply there.
Assuming the part is non-magnetic
After cold work it is magnetic. If it matters, check.
Choosing 301 for chloride environments
Its resistance is similar to or slightly below 304. For chlorides, 316.
Equivalents, standards and supply
| EN | 1.4310 |
|---|---|
| DIN | X10CrNi18-8 |
| JIS | SUS301 |
| Standards | ASTM A240 / EN 10088-2 |
| Forms | plate · strip · springs |
| Producers | Outokumpu · Aperam · Acerinox · Valbruna |
Learn more
Values are typical and for comparison only. For design, rely on the standard and on the mill certificate. Sources: ASTM A240, ASTM A276 and EN 10088 (composition), producer data sheets, and the METAL HUB materials database.
Updated: October 31, 2026