Stainless Steel 301
AISI/SAE 301 · UNS S30100 · EN 1.4310, X12CrNi17-7 · JIS SUS301 · GB 1Cr17Ni7, 12Cr17Ni7
301 is a low-nickel, metastable austenitic Cr-Ni stainless (17Cr-7Ni, C≤0.15) that work-hardens very rapidly, so cold rolling or drawing converts part of the austenite to martensite and raises strength far above 304.
Values for the Cold Rolled condition
301 tempers and conditions
301 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. Cold Rolled is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
- Annealed
- sixteenth_hard
- eighth_hard
- Cold Rolled
- Quarter Hard
- Half Hard
- Three-Quarter Hard
- Full Hard
- Extra Hard
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
solution annealed / soft temper (2B, 2D, BA) | Pick for deep drawing, severe forming or welding; softest and least magnetic condition. | 280 | 760 | 55 | 165 HB | — |
1/16 Hard | Very lightly temper-rolled 301 strip/sheet (ASTM A666 1/16-Hard) — small strength gain over annealed while keeping near-annealed formability. | 400 | 800 | 45 | 200 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
1/8 Hard | Lightly cold-rolled 301 strip/sheet to ASTM A666 1/8-Hard temper — modest strength increase with still-generous bending and forming ductility. | 500 | 860 | 40 | 225 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Cold RolledDefault light cold-rolled temper (≈1/8–1/4 hard strip/sheet) | Most commonly stocked strip/sheet condition: good strength with usable bendability. | 570 | 900 | 25 | 27 HRC | — |
cold rolled to ASTM A666 quarter-hard temper | Use where moderate bending is still needed but 304-level strength is not enough. | 620 | 950 | 28 | 28 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
cold rolled to ASTM A666 half-hard temper | Common structural/clip temper: high strength with limited 90° bend capability. | 830 | 1,100 | 20 | 35 HRC | — |
cold rolled to ASTM A666 three-quarter-hard temper | Choose for flat springs and high-strength panels needing only mild forming. | 1,000 | 1,280 | 15 | 39 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
cold rolled to ASTM A666 full-hard temper | Maximum standard strength for spring clips, shims and wear strip; bend only along grain with generous radii. | 1,100 | 1,350 | 12 | 42 HRC | — |
heavily cold-rolled 301 strip (301 EH) | Thin-gauge strip for flat springs and constant-force parts where the highest strength is required. | 1,350 | 1,550 | 6 | 46 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 301 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Spring Temper Wire | Cold drawn 1.4310 | Supply form |
What is 301?
301 is a low-nickel, metastable austenitic Cr-Ni stainless (17Cr-7Ni, C≤0.15) that work-hardens very rapidly, so cold rolling or drawing converts part of the austenite to martensite and raises strength far above 304. It is chosen for spring strip, clips, clamps, railcar and structural panels, and formed parts needing high strength-to-weight at low cost. Limits: corrosion resistance is somewhat below 304 (lower Cr/Ni, higher C makes it sensitization-prone), cold-worked material becomes magnetic and loses strength above about 300–425 °C, and heavy cold work sharply reduces ductility and formability. 301 has a density of 7.88 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 59% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,395°C (2,543 °F). 301 has a yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is 301 used for?
- Flat springs and spring clips
- Subway and rail car body panels
- Hose and band clamps
- Structural formed panels
- Retaining clips and brackets
- Spring-temper wire forms
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 570 MPa (82.7 ksi), better than 85% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 5.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
301 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 301-Cold Rolled; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
301 has a density of 7.88 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 59% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,395°C (2,543 °F).
Mechanical17
301 has a yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
301 is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 16.2 W/m·K (9.36 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.9 µm/m·K (9.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
301 conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 58% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 301 takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 5.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
301's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability good (65/100).
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. 301 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 301
Is 301 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening: use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feed, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant; never let the tool dwell or the surface will harden.
Can 301 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW/resistance welded with 308L/309L filler; keep heat input low, no preheat, avoid slow cooling in 425–870 °C to limit carbide precipitation, and expect loss of cold-worked strength in the HAZ.
Can 301 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent stretch formability in the annealed temper thanks to the very high work-hardening rate (n ≈ 0.4), but forces and springback are high and interstage annealing is often needed; bend hard tempers transverse to the rolling direction only.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 301. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better65 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better65 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
301 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C≤0.15 % (higher than 304 — drives work hardening) | ≤ 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| SEN 1.4310 allows ≤0.015 | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Nilow Ni keeps austenite metastable | 6 – 8 | 7 |
| N | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 301?
Not anodizable — passivate per ASTM A967 after machining/welding; takes bright-anneal, No.4 brush and No.8 mirror polish well and accepts PVD colour or electropolishing.
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).
Plating
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 301 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S30100
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.4310X12CrNi17-7X10CrNi18-8
- GB (China)
- 1Cr17Ni712Cr17Ni7
- JIS
- SUS301
How much does 301 cost?
301 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 62% 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.
301 — frequently asked
What is 301 used for?
301 is typically used for flat springs and spring clips, subway and rail car body panels, hose and band clamps, structural formed panels, retaining clips and brackets and spring-temper wire forms. In short: highest strength stainless spring.
What is the yield strength of 301?
301 has a typical yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 301 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening: use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feed, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant; never let the tool dwell or the surface will harden.
Can 301 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW/resistance welded with 308L/309L filler; keep heat input low, no preheat, avoid slow cooling in 425–870 °C to limit carbide precipitation, and expect loss of cold-worked strength in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on 301?
Not anodizable — passivate per ASTM A967 after machining/welding; takes bright-anneal, No.4 brush and No.8 mirror polish well and accepts PVD colour or electropolishing.
Can 301 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent stretch formability in the annealed temper thanks to the very high work-hardening rate (n ≈ 0.4), but forces and springback are high and interstage annealing is often needed; bend hard tempers transverse to the rolling direction only.
What is the maximum service temperature of 301?
301 is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 301 cost?
301 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 62% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 301?
Yes — 301 is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- EN 10088-2 / EN 10151 — Stainless steels: flat products and spring strip (1.4310) — CEN (2014)
- EN 10270-3 — Steel wire for mechanical springs, stainless spring steel wire — CEN (2011)
- GB/T 3280 / GB/T 20878 (1Cr17Ni7, 12Cr17Ni7) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Outokumpu / Sandvik stainless strip and spring wire datasheets (301, 1.4310) — Outokumpu, Sandvik (2023)
- SMM / Mysteel — SMM / Mysteel (2026)
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.