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Austenitic

Austenitic
This group of steel alloys contains chromium normally in the range 17-25% and nickel in a range 8-20%, with various additional elements to achieve the desired properties. In the fully annealed condition, the steel alloys exhibit a useful range of physical and mechanical properties. The mechanical properties can be can be increased with cold working. Welding of this group must be carried out with the correct methods but the low carbon content results in fewer problems than the Ferritic or Martensitic grades. Normally these steels are non-magnetic but when a significant amount of cold working is involved, as in centreless grinding, the magnetic permeability may be increased. If this group is included with the Ferritic and Martensitic groups it can be seen that the stainless steel alloys offer a great deal of versatility for applications within modern industry. The numbers listed below represent grades within British Standard 970(bar) and British Standard 1449 (sheet and plate). The figures in brackets after each number are the Euronorms currently being introduced to supersede British Standards.

Type 302 (BS EN 10088 1.4310)

A basic 18% chrome, 8% nickel, 18/8, grade from which the majority of other forms have been developed. It has excellent ductility and welding characteristics.

Type 304 (BS EN 10088 1.4301)

Similar to type 302 but due to lower carbon content, 0.08% is less susceptible to inter-granular corrosion after welding.

Type 304L (BS EN 10088 1.4307)

A low carbon form of 304, 0.03%-0.035% carbon maximum, designed primarily to avoid inter-granular corrosion after welding. The tensile strength is somewhat lower than type 304.

Type 321 (BS EN 10088 1.4541)

Basically type 302 but with the addition of titanium, in direct proportion to carbon content, to prevent intergranular corrosion and offer scale resistance at higher temperatures, up to 850C . C orrosion resistance is slightly lower than type 304. This grade is not suitable for bright or mirror polishing.

Type 347 (BS EN 10088 1.4550)

Similar to type 321 but with niobium added to stabilise the steel instead of titanium. This reduces the incidence of inter-granular corrosion, but has the effect of increasing corrosion resistance to the level of type 304.

Type 303 (BS EN 10088 1.4305)

This is a free machining variant of type 304 with added sulphur or selenium to improve machining characteristics.

Type 316 (BS EN 10088 1.4401)

This is a molybdenum bearing stainless steel designed for applications involving severe corrosion conditions, resulting in a wide application in the chemical, textile and paper industries.

Type 316L (BS EN 10088 1.4404)

Similar to type 316 but with lower carbon content, 0.03%00.035% maximum, to avoid inter-granular corrosion after welding.

Type 310 (BS EN 10088 1.4845)

A 25% chrome, 20% nickel stainless steel developed for high temperature service where high creep strength is
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Austenitic

required, its maximum service temperature is aproximately 1100C . This group is not recommended for applications of prolonged service as brittleness may occur. C opyright 2008 - 2011 C hase Alloys Ltd. Hosted and Search Engine Optimisation by Staffdordshire Telecom Ltd

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