What makes stainless steel so essential in engineering and manufacturing? This article breaks down the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of various grades of stainless steel. From its chemical composition to mechanical strength and thermal properties, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of why stainless steel is favored in diverse applications. Learn how different grades perform under stress, their heat resistance, and specific uses, equipping you with the knowledge to select the right type for your project.
| Category | Grade | Chemical Composition (%) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KS （JIS) | C | Cr | Ni | Mo | Others | |
| Austenitic | 301 | ≤0.15 | 16.0～18.0 | 6.00～8.00 | – | – |
| 301L | ≤0.030 | 16.0～18.0 | 6.00～8.00 | – | N≤0.20 | |
| 304 | ≤0.08 | 18.0～20.0 | 8.00～10.50 | – | – | |
| 304J1 | 0.02～0.05 | 16.5～17.1 | 7.5～7.9 | – | Cu1.9～2.2 | |
| 304L | ≤0.030 | 18.0～20.0 | 9.00～13.00 | – | – | |
| 304N1 | ≤0.08 | 18.0～20.0 | 7.00～10.50 | – | N0.10～0.25 | |
| 304N2 | ≤0.08 | 18.0～20.0 | 7.50～10.50 | – | Nb≤0.15 | |
| 316 | ≤0.08 | 16.0～18.0 | 10.00～14.00 | 2.00～3.00 | – | |
| 316L | ≤0.03 | 16.0～18.0 | 12.00～15.00 | – | – | |
| 321 | ≤0.08 | 17.0～19.0 | 9.00～13.00 | – | Ti5×C% | |
| Ferritic | 409L | ≤0.03 | 17.0～19.0 | – | – | Ti6×C%～0.75 |
| 410L | ≤0.03 | 11.0～13.5 | – | – | – | |
| 430 | ≤0.12 | 16.0～18.0 | – | – | – | |
| 430J1L | ≤0.025 | 16.0～20.0 | – | – | Nb8(C%+N%)～0.8Cu0.30～0.80 | |
| 436L | ≤0.025 | 16.0～19.0 | – | 0.75～1.25 | Ti、Nb、Zr8×(C%+N%)～0.8 | |
| Martensitic | 410 | ≤0.15 | 11.5～13.5 | – | – | – |
| 420J1 | 0.16～0.25 | 12.0～14.0 | – | – | – | |
| 420J2 | 0.26～0.4 | 12.0～14.0 | – | – | – | |
| Category | Grade | Mechanical Properties | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KS （JIS) | Heat Treatment Conditions | Internal Stress (N/mm2 ) | Tensile Strength (N/mm2 ) | Elongation Rate（%） | Hardness | |||
| HB | HRB | HV | ||||||
| Austenitic | 301 | S | ≥205 | ≥520 | ≥40 | ≤207 | ≤95 | ≤218 |
| 301L | S | ≥215 | ≥550 | ≥45 | ≤187 | ≤90 | ≤200 | |
| 304 | S | ≥205 | ≥520 | ≥40 | ≤187 | ≤90 | ≤200 | |
| 304J1 | S | ≥155 | ≥450 | ≥40 | ≤187 | ≤90 | ≤200 | |
| 304L | S | ≥175 | ≥480 | ≥40 | ≤187 | ≤90 | ≤200 | |
| 304N1 | S | ≥275 | ≥550 | ≥35 | ≤217 | ≤95 | ≤200 | |
| 304N2 | S | ≥345 | ≥690 | ≥35 | ≤248 | ≤100 | ≤260 | |
| 316 | S | ≥205 | ≥520 | ≥40 | ≤187 | ≤90 | ≤200 | |
| 316L | S | ≥175 | ≥480 | ≥40 | ≤187 | ≤90 | ≤200 | |
| 321 | S | ≥205 | ≥520 | ≥40 | ≤187 | ≤90 | ≤200 | |
| Ferritic | 409L | A | ≥175 | ≥360 | ≥25 | ≤162 | ≤80 | ≤175 |
| 410L | A | ≥195 | ≥360 | ≥22 | ≤183 | ≤88 | ≤200 | |
| 430 | A | ≥205 | ≥450 | ≥22 | ≤183 | ≤88 | ≤200 | |
| 430J1L | A | ≥205 | ≥390 | ≥22 | ≤192 | ≤90 | ≤200 | |
| 436L | A | ≥245 | ≥410 | ≥20 | ≤217 | ≤96 | ≤230 | |
| Martensitic | 410 | A | ≥205 | ≥440 | ≥20 | ≤201 | ≤93 | ≤210 |
| 420J1 | A | ≥225 | ≥520 | ≥18 | ≤223 | ≤97 | ≤234 | |
| 420J2 | A | ≥225 | ≥540 | ≥18 | ≤235 | ≤99 | ≤247 | |
| Category | Grade | Physical Properties | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KS （JIS) | Specific Heat Capacity (J/g°C) | Elastic Modulus×103 N/mm2 | Thermal Expansion Coefficient ×10-6 cm/cm/0C(2.0～1000C) | Thermal Conductivity W/m. 0C(1000C) | |
| Austenitic | 301 | 0.5 | 194 | 16.9 | 16.3 |
| 301L | 0.5 | 194 | 16.9 | 16.3 | |
| 304 | 0.5 | 194 | 17.3 | 16.3 | |
| 304J1 | 0.5 | 194 | 17.3 | 16.3 | |
| 304L | 0.5 | 194 | 17.3 | 16.3 | |
| 304N1 | 0.5 | 194 | 17.3 | 16.3 | |
| 304N2 | 0.5 | 194 | 17.3 | 16.3 | |
| 316 | 0.5 | 194 | 16 | 16.3 | |
| 316L | 0.5 | 193 | 16 | 16.3 | |
| 321 | 0.5 | 194 | 16.7 | 16.1 | |
| Ferritic | 409L | 0.46 | 200 | 11.7 | 24.9 |
| 410L | 0.46 | 200 | 9.9 | 25.1 | |
| 430 | 0.46 | 200 | 10.4 | 26.4 | |
| 430J1L | 0.46 | 200 | 10.4 | 25 | |
| 436L | 0.46 | 200 | 10.4 | 25 | |
| Martensitic | 410 | 0.46 | 202 | 9.9 | 24.9 |
| 420J1 | 0.46 | 202 | 10.3 | 23.8 | |
| 420J2 | 0.46 | 202 | 10.3 | 23.8 | |
| Category | Grade | Similar Grades of Steel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KS （JIS) | UNS | AISI | DIN | ISO | |
| Austenitic | 301 | S30100 | 301 | ×12CrNi17 7 | 14 |
| 301L | – | – | ×2CrNi18 7 | – | |
| 304 | S30400 | 304 | ×5CrNi18 10 | 11 | |
| 304J1 | – | – | – | – | |
| 304L | S30403 | 304L | ×2CrNi19 11 | 10 | |
| 304N1 | S30451 | 304N | – | – | |
| 304N2 | S30452 | – | – | – | |
| 316 | S31600 | 316 | ×5CrNiMo17 12 2 | 20、20a | |
| ×5CrNiMo17 14 3 | |||||
| 316L | S31603 | 316L | ×2CrNiMo17 13 2 | 19、19a | |
| ×2CrNiMo17 14 3 | |||||
| 321 | S32100 | 321 | ×6CrNiTi18 10 | 15H11 | |
| Ferritic | 409L | – | – | – | – |
| 410L | – | – | – | – | |
| 430 | S43000 | 430 | ×6Cr17 | 8、H4 | |
| 430J1L | – | – | – | – | |
| 436L | S43600 | 436 | – | – | |
| Martensitic | 410 | S41000 | 410 | ×10Cr13 | 3 |
| 420J1 | S42000 | 420 | ×20Cr13 | 4 | |
| 420J2 | S42000 | 420 | ×20Cr13 | 5 | |
As the founder of MachineMFG, I have dedicated over a decade of my career to the metalworking industry. My extensive experience has allowed me to become an expert in the fields of sheet metal fabrication, machining, mechanical engineering, and machine tools for metals. I am constantly thinking, reading, and writing about these subjects, constantly striving to stay at the forefront of my field. Let my knowledge and expertise be an asset to your business.
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