300 Series Stainless Steel Alloy Applications

302 Stainless Steel offers users the best of both worlds, offering deep draw and stretch ability. 302 alloy’s ability to resist corrosion makes it a smart choice for those looking for stainless steel help in the food, dairy, and chemical industries. Other common applications include usage in the spring and stamping process, bellows, springs, laminated couplings, camera shutters, thermostats, diaphragms, and shims.

304 Stainless Steel can be used during welding due to the fact that it contains lower levels of carbon, as compared to 302 Stainless Steel, which enables the alloy to perform effectively in carbon precipitation. 304 Alloy is commonly used in control diaphragms, tubing, ferrules, gaskets, watchbands, and metal hoses. During the annealing process, 304 is slightly weaker as compared to 302 as a result of its reduced carbon content. 304L possesses even less carbon than 304 and is proactive in the as-welded state, with no threat of intergranular corrosion.

316 Alloy is a durable stainless steel, having exceptional temperature tensile, creep, stress, and rupture ability. 316, versus 302, is more adaptable to atmospheric and mild conditions. In the as-welded condition, 316 is prone to intergranular corrosion. In certain conditions, 316 is able to resist dilute solutions; on the other hand, within some acids, 316 alloy is weaker versus 304.

316L is recommended for use when presence in the carbide precipitation range cannot be avoided or post-welding annealing is not an intended outcome. 316 stainless steel alloys are commonly used in bellows, instrument diaphragms, exhaust containers, filters, seals, and chemical equipment.

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