How can I tell if my stainless steel is 1.4310 ?

Apr 02, 2026

Leave a message

1.4310 stainless steel, commonly known as 301 or UNS S30100, is a high-strength austenitic stainless steel that offers exceptional work hardening characteristics. With its lower nickel and chromium content compared to 304, it achieves higher strength through cold working, making it ideal for applications requiring high strength, good ductility, and moderate corrosion resistance. Its excellent spring properties and high yield strength after cold reduction make it the material of choice for springs, clips, fasteners, and structural components where high strength-to-weight ratio is critical.

Standard	Equivalent Grade
EN (Europe)	1.4310
ASTM/AISI (USA)	301, UNS S30100
JIS (Japan)	SUS301
KS (Korea)	STS301
Common Name	301

Element	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Cr	Ni
Content (%)	≤ 0.15	≤ 2.0	≤ 2.0	≤ 0.045	≤ 0.03	16.0 - 18.0	6.0 - 8.0

Condition	Yield Strength (Rp0.2)	Tensile Strength (Rm)	Elongation (A)	Hardness (HRB/HRC)
Annealed	~ 205 MPa	~ 520 MPa	~ 40%	~ 85 HRB
1/4 Hard	~ 410 MPa	~ 860 MPa	~ 25%	~ 92 HRB
1/2 Hard	~ 620 MPa	~ 1030 MPa	~ 18%	~ 33 HRC
3/4 Hard	~ 760 MPa	~ 1170 MPa	~ 12%	~ 38 HRC
Full Hard	~ 860 MPa	~ 1270 MPa	~ 9%	~ 41 HRC

Exceptional Work Hardening: Rapid work hardening rate allows for achieving high strength through cold working, with tensile strengths exceeding 1200 MPa in the full hard condition.

Excellent Spring Properties: High yield strength and good fatigue resistance make it ideal for springs, clips, and other elastic components.

Good Corrosion Resistance: Provides corrosion resistance similar to 304 in many environments, suitable for atmospheric and mild chemical exposure.

Good Formability: Can be formed in the annealed condition and then work hardened to achieve desired strength.

Springs: Flat springs, coil springs, leaf springs, and spring washers.

Clips and Fasteners: Retaining clips, hose clamps, and spring fasteners.

Automotive: Seat belt springs, window regulator components, and suspension parts.

Aerospace: Aircraft structural components, seat tracks, and fasteners.

Railway: Passenger seat components and interior fittings.

Electronics: Battery contacts, switch springs, and connector components.

Industrial: Conveyor belts, screens, and press plates.

301 has lower nickel (6-8% vs. 8-10.5%) and slightly lower chromium (16-18% vs. 17.5-19.5%) than 304, making it less expensive but also slightly less corrosion resistant. However, 301 work hardens much more rapidly than 304, allowing it to achieve significantly higher strengths through cold working. In the full hard condition, 301 can achieve tensile strengths over 1200 MPa, compared to 304 which typically maxes out around 800 MPa. 301 is the preferred choice for spring applications and components requiring high strength, while 304 is better for applications requiring maximum corrosion resistance and formability.

301 is not hardenable by heat treatment; its strength is achieved through cold working. Key heat treatment considerations include:

Annealing: Heat to 1010-1120°C, then water quench or rapid air cool to soften the material

Stress Relieving: Heat to 250-400°C to relieve residual stresses without significantly reducing strength

Solution Treatment: 1010-1120°C followed by rapid cooling to restore corrosion resistance

Avoid prolonged exposure in the 400-900°C range to prevent sensitization

Annealing should be performed before complex forming operations

301 has good weldability using common methods, but care is required:

Suitable for TIG, MIG, and resistance welding

Matching filler metals (ER308, ER309) are recommended

Low heat input techniques help maintain corrosion resistance

Sensitization can occur in the 450-850°C range, so rapid cooling is recommended

Post-weld heat treatment is not required for most applications

For heavily cold worked material, annealing may be needed before welding to prevent cracking

GNEE Steel supplies high-strength 301 (1.4310) stainless steel in strip, sheet, wire, and bar forms, available in various tempers from annealed to full hard. We provide full material certification (EN 10204 3.1) and processing support including slitting, cutting, and forming services. If you have any requirements, please feel free to contact us.