COMMON GRADES

Non-Hardening, Chrome Nickel Steels

303 – A free machining version of 304 with only slightly less corrosion resistance and physical properties.

304 – The most popular type of stainless, with good corrosion resistance, formability and ease of welding by all common methods.

304L – Lower carbon version of 304, used to minimize carbide precipitation during welding. Physical properties somewhat less than 304.

310 – Heat resistant, with good resistance to thermal fatigue due to cyclic heating. Resists scaling up to 2050oF.

316 – Superior corrosion resistance and higher strength at elevated temperatures than 304. Frequently used in marine applications. Resistant to creep at high temperatures.

316L – Lower carbon version of 316, used to minimize carbide precipitation during welding.

SHEET & PLATE FINISHES

No. 1 – Hot-rolled, annealed and descaled, generally used in HRAP applications in which corrosion- and heat-resistance are more important than smoothness or finish appearance.

No. 2B – Annealed, descaled and cold-rolled with a bright finish, commonly used for all but difficult deep drawing applications. This finish is more readily polished than No. 1.

No. 4 – General purpose, polished finish on one side, widely used in applications requiring a superior cosmetic finish, such as restaurant and kitchen equipment, dairy equipment, etc.

No. 8 – The most reflective finish commonly available, with a surface essentially free of grit lines from preliminary grinding operations. Commonly used for press plates, as well as small mirrors and reflectors.