Chemical compositions of stainless steel
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Austenitic Grades

GradeEN SpecificationCarbon (C)Silicon (S)Manganese (Mn)Phosphorus (P)Sulfur (S)Chromium (Cr)Molybdenum (Mo)Nickel (Ni)Nitrogen (N)Iron (Fe)
3011.43100.05 - 0.152.002.000.0450.01516.0 - 19.00.806.0 - 9.50.10Balance
3041.43010.071.002.000.0450.01517.5 - 19.5-8.0 - 10.50.1Balance
304L1.43070.031.002.000.0450.01517.5 - 19.5-8.0 - 10.50.1Balance
2011.43720.151.005.5 - 7.50.0450.01516.0 - 18.0-3.5 - 5.50.05 - 0.25Balance
3161.44010.071.002.000.0450.01516.5 - 18.52.0 - 2.510.0 - 13.00.1Balance
316L1.44040.031.002.000.0450.01516.5 - 18.52.0 - 2.510.0 - 13.00.1Balance

Austenitic Grades

GradeEN SpecificationCarbon (C)Silicon (S)Manganese (Mn)Phosphorus (P)Sulfur (S)Chromium (Cr)Molybdenum (Mo)Nickel (Ni)Nitrogen (N)Iron (Fe)
3011.43100.05 - 0.152.002.000.0450.01516.0 - 19.00.806.0 - 9.50.10Balance
3041.43010.071.002.000.0450.01517.5 - 19.5-8.0 - 10.50.1Balance
304L1.43070.031.002.000.0450.01517.5 - 19.5-8.0 - 10.50.1Balance
2011.43720.151.005.5 - 7.50.0450.01516.0 - 18.0-3.5 - 5.50.05 - 0.25Balance
3161.44010.071.002.000.0450.01516.5 - 18.52.0 - 2.510.0 - 13.00.1Balance
316L1.44040.031.002.000.0450.01516.5 - 18.52.0 - 2.510.0 - 13.00.1Balance

Ferritic Grades

GradeEN SpecificationCarbon
(C)
Silicon
(Si)
Manganese
(Mn)
Phosphorus
(P)
Sulfur
(S)
Chromium
(Cr)
Titanium
(Ti)
Niobium
(Nb)
Molybdenum
(Mo)
Nickel (Ni)
4091.45120.0301.001.000.0400.01510.5 - 12.5[6 x (C + N)] to max 0.65---
4301.40160.0801.001.000.0400.01516.0 - 18.0----
4341.41130.0801.001.000.0400.01516.0 - 18.0----
4391.45100.0501.001.000.0400.01516.0 - 18.0[4 x (C + N) + 0.15] to max 0.8(3 x C + 0.3) to max 1--
45091.45090.0301.001.000.0400.01517.5 - 18.50.1 - 0.6---
4361.45130.0251.001.000.0400.01516.0 - 18.0[4 x (C + N) + 0.15] to max 0.8-0.80 - 1.400.020

Ferritic Grades

GradeEN SpecificationCarbon
(C)
Silicon
(Si)
Manganese
(Mn)
Phosphorus
(P)
Sulfur
(S)
Chromium
(Cr)
Titanium
(Ti)
Niobium
(Nb)
Molybdenum
(Mo)
Nickel (Ni)
4091.45120.0301.001.000.0400.01510.5 - 12.5[6 x (C + N)] to max 0.65---
4301.40160.0801.001.000.0400.01516.0 - 18.0----
4341.41130.0801.001.000.0400.01516.0 - 18.0----
4391.45100.0501.001.000.0400.01516.0 - 18.0[4 x (C + N) + 0.15] to max 0.8(3 x C + 0.3) to max 1--
45091.45090.0301.001.000.0400.01517.5 - 18.50.1 - 0.6---
4361.45130.0251.001.000.0400.01516.0 - 18.0[4 x (C + N) + 0.15] to max 0.8-0.80 - 1.400.020

Martensitic Grades

GradeEN SpecificationCarbon (C)Silicon (S)Manganese (Mn)Phosphorus (P)Sulfur (S)Chromium (Cr)Nickel (Ni)Nitrogen (N)Iron (Fe)
4101.40060.08 - 0.151.001.500.0400.01511.5 - 13.50.75-Balance
4201.40210.16 - 0.251.001.500.0400.01512.0 - 14.0--Balance
4201.40310.071.002.000.0450.01517.5 - 19.58.0 - 10.50.1Balance

Martensitic Grades

GradeEN SpecificationCarbon (C)Silicon (S)Manganese (Mn)Phosphorus (P)Sulfur (S)Chromium (Cr)Nickel (Ni)Nitrogen (N)Iron (Fe)
4101.40060.08 - 0.151.001.500.0400.01511.5 - 13.50.75-Balance
4201.40210.16 - 0.251.001.500.0400.01512.0 - 14.0--Balance
4201.40310.071.002.000.0450.01517.5 - 19.58.0 - 10.50.1Balance

What is Stainless Steel?

The term stainless steel refers to a wide variety of grades of metal that contain an alloy that has at least 10.5% of chromium. The most popular grades of stainless steel are 304 and 430. Each of the different grades of stainless steel contains different alloying elements that contribute to its properties such as resistance to corrosion, strength, and flexibility.

Because it’s a low-cost material, has a great appearance, has a high resistance to corrosion, and its durable, stainless steel has become very popular, and a preferred material in different applications.

Why is it Stainless?

The word simply means the metal does not stain. This valuable attribute is a result of the addition of the alloying element chromium which reacts with oxygen in the air forming a layer of chromium oxide which protects the surface of the metal.

If scratches or contact with aggressive chemicals destroy the layer, it repairs itself as soon as the metal is exposed to the air again, forming a constant protective coat on the steel.