301 Stainless Steel

Information on 301 Stainless Steel

301 is an austenitic chromium-nickel based stainless steel that is non-magnetic in the annealed condition but becomes magnetic when cold worked. The high strength and corrosion resistance of this grade of stainless steel makes it useful for a variety of applications.

What is the Difference Between 301 Stainless Steel & 304 Stainless Steel?

Generally 301 Stainless Steel is a more cost efficient alternative to 304 Stainless Steel. Why? 304 stainless steel gets more chromium and nickel than grade 301 does. So depending on the price of Nickel and Chromium, 304 could be a a little more costlier. 

As for effective Tensile Strength, 301 stainless steel has a higher carbon content (0.15% compared to 304’s 0.08% by weight), which can better withstand mechanical force. In room temperature conditions, grade 301 stainless can take up to 120 ksi (kilopounds per square inch), while 304 stainless steel can only take up to 90 ksi of pressure before experiencing mechanical failure. This means that at room temperature, a basket made of grade 301 stainless steel can take up to 33% more stress than a similar basket made from grade 304 alloy.

ConditionTensile Strength Min0.2% Yield Strength MinElongation % in 2″ (50.8mm)Hardness HRC
Ksi
MPaKsiMPa
AMS 5901
301 Annealed
75515302054092 HRB
AMS 5517
301 1/4 Hard
125862755172525
AMS 5518
301 1/2 Hard
1501,0341107581832
AMS 5902
301 3/4 Hard
1751,2071259311237
AMS 5519
301 Full Hard
1851,276140965941

301 STAINLESS STEEL SPECIFICATIONS

301 SHEET SOLUTION HEAT TREATED / ANNEALED

301 SHEET 1/4 HARD

301 SHEET 1/2 HARD

301 SHEET 3/4 HARD

301 SHEET FULL HARD

301 BARS & FORGINGS

FEDERAL & MILITARY SHEET SPECIFICATIONS