Stainless 301

Annealing Procedure

1850-2050 F (101-1121 C) followed by rapid cooling. For thin sections air cooling is acceptable, while heavier sections should be water quenched.

Applications

Automotive trim, kitchen equipment, hose clamps, wheel covers, aircraft components and a wide variety of industrial applications.

Cold Workability

Most common cold work methods are successful with this alloy. It should be understood however that the material will be more difficult to work than other austenitic stainless steels due its high work hardening rate. The resulting hardening will, however, produce increases in strength and toughness which may be of value in the finished product.

Forgeability

Commence forging at 2000-2200 F(1093-1204 C) and finish at 1700 F(927 C).

Formability

Easily formed in the annealed condition. Care must be taken in forming operations which involve deforming the material in the tempered condition as cracking and tearing can result. Intermediate annealing only serves to reduce the hardness and therefore ultimate properties.

Hardening Procedure

This alloy does not respond to heat treatment.

Hot Workability

While cold forming is recommended wherever feasible, forging, upsetting and other operations can be performed at 1800-2100 F. Temperatures above this range will cause scaling and a reduction in the workability of the material. Post-process annealing is required to re-attain maximum corrosion resistant properties.

Machinability

301 is not available in bar, plate, tube, pipe or forging, therefore no information is available.

Principle Design Features

301 is a commonly available austenitic stainless with good corrosion resistance and elevated carbon to allow for cold working to a variety of tempers. It can be obtained in the annealed, 1/4 hard, 1/2 hard, 3/4 hard, full hard, extra full hard and high yield tempers from both producers and distributors.

Weldability

All popular techniques may be used, however the material will lose temper in the heat affected weld zone.