301 Stainless Steel Sheet

301 Stainless Steel Sheet

301 stainless steel sheet is the best choice among the 300 series when high strength through cold working is required.
Compared with 304, 316, and 321, it offers higher strength but slightly lower corrosion resistance, making it ideal for structural and spring applications.

Description

301 stainless steel sheet is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel known for its high strength after cold working and excellent ductility in the annealed condition.
It is widely used where high strength, light weight, and good corrosion resistance are required.

Compared with other 300 series grades, 301 offers the highest work-hardening rate, making it ideal for spring components, structural parts, and transportation equipment.

Chemical Composition (Typical %)

Element	301	304	316	321
Carbon (C)	≤ 0.15	≤ 0.08	≤ 0.08	≤ 0.08
Chromium (Cr)	16.0 – 18.0	18.0 – 20.0	16.0 – 18.0	17.0 – 19.0
Nickel (Ni)	6.0 – 8.0	8.0 – 10.5	10.0 – 14.0	9.0 – 12.0
Manganese (Mn)	≤ 2.0	≤ 2.0	≤ 2.0	≤ 2.0
Silicon (Si)	≤ 1.0	≤ 1.0	≤ 1.0	≤ 1.0
Iron (Fe)	Balance	Balance	Balance	Balance

Mechanical & Performance Comparison

Property	301	304	316	321
Structure	Austenitic	Austenitic	Austenitic	Austenitic
Corrosion Resistance	Good	Very good	Excellent	Very good
Work-Hardening Rate	Very high	Medium	Medium	Medium
Strength After Cold Work	Very high	High	High	High
Formability	Good	Excellent	Very good	Very good
Heat Resistance	Good	Good	Good	Excellent
Magnetism After Cold Work	Slightly magnetic	Slight	Slight	Slight

Key Advantages of 301 Stainless Steel

Feature	Benefit
High strength after cold working	Ideal for springs and frames
Excellent fatigue resistance	Long service life
Good corrosion resistance	Suitable for indoor and mild outdoor use
Lightweight design	Reduces material thickness
Easy to form in annealed state	Good for deep drawing