Stainless Steel 301 · temper
Stainless Steel 301 sixteenth_hard
Properties of the sixteenth_hard condition, compared with the other 301 tempers.
Very lightly temper-rolled 301 strip/sheet (ASTM A666 1/16-Hard) — small strength gain over annealed while keeping near-annealed formability.
What is 301 sixteenth_hard?
301 sixteenth_hard is 301 in the sixteenth_hard temper — very lightly temper-rolled 301 strip/sheet (ASTM A666 1/16-Hard) — small strength gain over annealed while keeping near-annealed formability. 301 sixteenth_hard has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 301 sixteenth_hard 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). Cold Rolled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; sixteenth_hard is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 76% of stainless steel grades
301 sixteenth_hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 301 sixteenth_hard — 37 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 301 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
301 sixteenth_hard 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 sixteenth_hard has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
301 sixteenth_hard 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 sixteenth_hard conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 71% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 301 sixteenth_hard takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
301 sixteenth_hard's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability very good (80/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 301 tempers and conditions
301 is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 301 overview.
- Cold RolledDefaultMost commonly stocked strip/sheet condition: good strength with usable bendability.570 MPa yield · 27 HRC
- Spring Temper WireCold-drawn round wire for corrosion-resistant compression/extension springs; strength rises as diameter falls.1,450 MPa yield · 48 HRC
- Extra HardThin-gauge strip for flat springs and constant-force parts where the highest strength is required.1,350 MPa yield · 46 HRC
- Full HardMaximum standard strength for spring clips, shims and wear strip; bend only along grain with generous radii.1,100 MPa yield · 42 HRC
- Three-Quarter HardChoose for flat springs and high-strength panels needing only mild forming.1,000 MPa yield · 39 HRC
- Half HardCommon structural/clip temper: high strength with limited 90° bend capability.830 MPa yield · 35 HRC
- Quarter HardUse where moderate bending is still needed but 304-level strength is not enough.620 MPa yield · 28 HRC
- eighth_hardLightly cold-rolled 301 strip/sheet to ASTM A666 1/8-Hard temper — modest strength increase with still-generous bending and forming ductility.500 MPa yield · 225 HB
- sixteenth_hardVery lightly temper-rolled 301 strip/sheet (ASTM A666 1/16-Hard) — small strength gain over annealed while keeping near-annealed formability.400 MPa yield · 200 HB
- AnnealedPick for deep drawing, severe forming or welding; softest and least magnetic condition.280 MPa yield · 165 HB
Working with 301 sixteenth_hard
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.
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.
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 | — |
301 sixteenth_hard — frequently asked
What is 301 sixteenth_hard used for?
301 sixteenth_hard 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 sixteenth_hard?
301 sixteenth_hard has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 301 sixteenth_hard easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 79% 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 sixteenth_hard 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 sixteenth_hard?
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 sixteenth_hard 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 sixteenth_hard?
301 sixteenth_hard 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 301 sixteenth_hard?
Yes — 301 sixteenth_hard 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.