Stainless steel type 1.4305 is popularly known as grade 303 stainless steel.
Grade 303 is the most readily machineable of all the austenitic grades of stainless steel.
The machineable nature of grade 303 is due to the presence of sulphur in the steel composition. Whilst the sulphur improves machining, it also causes a decrease in the corrosion resistance and a slight lowering of the toughness. The corrosion resistance of type 303 is lower than that for 304. The toughness is still excellent as with other austenitic grades.
Property data given in this document is typical for bar products covered by EN Standards. ASTM, or other standards may cover products sold. It is reasonable to expect specifications in these standards to be similar but not necessarily identical to those given in this datasheet.
| Product Form | Imperial Sizes | Metric Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Round Bar Bright Drawn H9 | 1⁄8" - 1" | 2.0mm - 25.0mm |
| Round Bar Smooth Turned H9⁄10 | 1" - 3" | 25.0mm - 60.0mm |
| Round Bar Peeled K12/K16 | 3 1⁄4" - 8" | |
| Hexagon Bar | 0.250" - 2.750" | 7.0mm - 50.0mm |
Stainless steel grade 1.4305/334 also corresponds to the following designations but may not be a direct equivalent:
| Chemical Element | % Present |
|---|---|
Carbon (C) | 0.00 - 0.10 |
Chromium (Cr) | 17.00 - 19.00 |
Manganese (Mn) | 0.00 - 2.00 |
Silicon (Si) | 0.00 - 1.00 |
Phosphorous (P) | 0.00 - 0.05 |
Sulphur (S) | 0.15 - 0.35 |
Nickel (Ni) | 8.00 - 10.00 |
Copper (Cu) | 0.00 - 1.00 |
Nitrogen (N) | 0.00 - 0.11 |
Iron (Fe) | Balance |
| Mechanical Property | Value |
|---|---|
Proof Stress | 190 Min MPa |
Tensile Strength | 500 to 750 MPa |
Elongation A50 mm | 35 Min % |
Hardness Brinell | 230 Max HB |
| Physical Property | Value |
|---|---|
Density | 8.03 g/cm³ |
Melting Point | 1455 °C |
Thermal Expansion | 17.3 x 10-6/K |
Modulus of Elasticity | 193 GPa |
Thermal Conductivity | 16.3 W/m.K |
Electrical Resistivity | 0.72 x 10-6 Ω .m |
Fabrication of all stainless steels should be done only with tools dedicated to stainless steel materials. Tooling and work surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned before use. These precautions are necessary to avoid cross contamination of stainless steel by easily corroded metals that may discolour the surface of the fabricated product.
The sulphur addition present in 303 stainless steel results in poor weldability. If 303 must be welded the recommended filler rods or electrodes are grades 308L and 309 stainless steels. For maximum corrosion resistance, the welds must be annealed.
Grade 303 stainless steel has excellent machinability. Machining can be enhanced by adhering to the following rules:
Sulphur additions to the composition act as initiation sites for pitting corrosion. This decreases the corrosion resistance of 303 stainless steel to less than that for 304. However. corrosion resistance remains good in mild environments.
In chloride containing environments over 60°C, 303 stainless steel is subject to pitting and crevice corrosion. Grade 303 stainless is not suitable for use in marine environments.
Type 303 is not readily cold workable. Some cold working is possible but sharp bending should not be attempted.
Grade 303 stainless steel cannot be hardened by heat treatment.
Solution treatment or annealing can be done by rapid cooling after heating to 1010-1120°C.
Grade 303 stainless steel has good resistance to oxidation when intermittently exposed to temperature up to 760°C temperatures. It also has good oxidation resistance in continuous service to 870°C. This, however, is not recommended as 303 is sensitive to carbide precipitation with continuous use at 425-860°C.
Fabrication methods, like forging, that involve hot working like should occur after uniform heating to 1149-1260°C. The fabricated components should then be rapidly cooled to ensure maximum corrosion resistance.
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