Stainless Steel 1.4303
EN 1.4303 · UNS S30500 · AISI/SAE 305 · JIS SUS305
1.4303 (X4CrNi18-12, S30500/305, SUS305) is a higher-nickel European austenitic stainless whose low work-hardening rate is aimed at deep drawing and cold heading.
Reference datasheet — 1.4303 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +AT condition
1.4303 tempers and conditions
1.4303 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. +AT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ATDefault Solution annealed | Standard stock condition: maximum ductility and corrosion resistance for deep drawing, spinning and cold heading. | 240 | 570 | 55 | 140 HB | — |
Cold worked to 700 MPa minimum tensile strength | Lightly cold-rolled strip/wire when higher strength is needed but some residual forming ductility must remain. | 450 | 760 | 30 | 220 HB | — |
Quarter hard | US-market equivalent of light cold work for 305 sheet and strip where an ASTM temper call-out is required. | 520 | 800 | 25 | 22 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Cold worked to 800 MPa minimum tensile strength | Harder cold-rolled condition for springs, clips and flat parts needing strength with non-magnetic behaviour. | 600 | 870 | 22 | 25 HRC | — |
Cold worked to 1000 MPa minimum tensile strength | Heavily drawn wire/strip; the practical upper strength limit for this low-hardening grade, ductility largely spent. | 800 | 1,060 | 12 | 32 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 1.4303 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
CHQ | Annealed and drawn cold-heading quality wire | Surface finish |
What is 1.4303?
1.4303 (X4CrNi18-12, S30500/305, SUS305) is a higher-nickel European austenitic stainless whose low work-hardening rate is aimed at deep drawing and cold heading. Annealed material gives 240 MPa yield, 570 MPa tensile, 55 % elongation and 140 HB (78 HRB) with a formability score of 96 and service to 800 °C; typical forms are cold-heading quality wire, strip and bar in +AT, +C700 to +C1000, 1/4H and CHQ. Corrosion resistance matches 304 (65), but the extra nickel raises cost and machining remains difficult; use 1.4301 for general fabrication and 1.4305 where turning volume dominates. 1.4303 has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). 1.4303 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1.4303 used for?
- cold-headed fasteners
- deep-drawn parts
- wire forming
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 96/100, better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 220 MPa·√m (200.2 ksi·√in), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 240 MPa (34.8 ksi), worse than 96% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
1.4303 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4303-+AT; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4303 has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
1.4303 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4303 is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4303 conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 56% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4303 takes about 56 MJ of energy and emits 6 kg of CO₂ — more than 59% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability7
1.4303's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability excellent (96/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the stainless steel family
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade FabDigit runs. 1.4303 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1.4303
Is 1.4303 easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp, positive-rake carbide, heavy feed, rigid setup and flood coolant; expect ~40% of AISI 1212 speeds.
Can 1.4303 be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L filler; no preheat, keep interpass low and avoid heavy heat input to limit sensitisation and distortion.
Can 1.4303 be formed, bent or molded?
Its low work-hardening rate gives excellent deep drawing, spinning, thread rolling and cold heading with less interstage annealing than 304.
1.4303 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10088; ASTM 305 allows ≤0.12 | ≤ 0.06 | 0.04 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| SASTM 305 allows ≤0.030 | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Nihigh Ni stabilises austenite, low work hardening | 11 – 13 | 12 |
| N | ≤ 0.11 | 0.04 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1.4303?
Cannot be anodized; passivate per ASTM A967 after machining, and electropolish or mechanically polish (BA/No.4/No.8) for hygienic or decorative surfaces.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on stainless steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Organic Coating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 1.4303 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S30500
- AISI / SAE
- 305
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- X4CrNi18-12
- JIS
- SUS305
How much does 1.4303 cost?
1.4303 is a standard-cost stainless steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1.4303 — frequently asked
What is 1.4303 used for?
1.4303 is typically used for cold-headed fasteners, deep-drawn parts and wire forming. In short: deep-drawing austenitic grade; lower work hardening than 304; higher nickel, higher cost.
What is the yield strength of 1.4303?
1.4303 has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 1.4303 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp, positive-rake carbide, heavy feed, rigid setup and flood coolant; expect ~40% of AISI 1212 speeds.
Can 1.4303 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L filler; no preheat, keep interpass low and avoid heavy heat input to limit sensitisation and distortion.
What surface finishes work on 1.4303?
Cannot be anodized; passivate per ASTM A967 after machining, and electropolish or mechanically polish (BA/No.4/No.8) for hygienic or decorative surfaces.
Can 1.4303 be formed, bent or molded?
Its low work-hardening rate gives excellent deep drawing, spinning, thread rolling and cold heading with less interstage annealing than 304.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4303?
1.4303 is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 1.4303 cost?
1.4303 is a standard-cost stainless steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 10088-1/-2/-3 Stainless steels — grade and product specifications — CEN (2014)
- ASTM A240/A666 (UNS S30500, Type 305) — ASTM International (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Austenitic stainless 1.4303 / 305 strip and wire datasheets — Outokumpu / Sandvik (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.