SUS301 Stainless Steel: Cold-Work Hardening Benefits

301 stainless steel is a high-strength austenitic stainless steel in the 300 series, primarily composed of 16-18% chromium and 6-8% nickel. It conforms to standards such as ASTM A240 and is equivalent to grades like 1.4310 (EN).

301 has excellent work hardening capabilities, where strength increases significantly through cold working. This also results in partial magnetism, depending on the degree of cold rolling. 301 also offers good corrosion resistance but is slightly lower than grade 304.

It is commonly used in applications requiring a combination of formability and strength, such as springs, fasteners, automotive parts, railway cars, conveyors, and decorative components.

Unlike martensitic grades, 301 stainless steel cannot be hardened by heat treatment but solely through cold rolling.