Stainless Steel 301L 1/16H
Temper
AISI/SAE 301L · UNS S30103 · EN 1.4318
1/16H = 1/16-Hard
Small strength/flatness boost while keeping near-annealed formability; common for lightly formed panels and skins.
Values for the 1/16H condition
Other 301L tempers and conditions
301L is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 301L.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Pick for maximum formability, deep drawing, welding and lowest magnetic permeability; strength comes later from forming or work hardening. | 350 | 650 | 50 | 165 HB | — |
1/16HThis page 1/16-Hard | Small strength/flatness boost while keeping near-annealed formability; common for lightly formed panels and skins. | 400 | 700 | 44 | 200 HB | — |
1/8-Hard | Intermediate temper when moderate strength is needed but roll-forming/bending is still required. | 470 | 770 | 38 | 225 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Standard structural temper for rail-car bodies and stiff panels — good strength-to-weight with usable bend ductility. | 600 | 870 | 28 | 25 HRC | — |
Half hard | High-strength sheet for lightweight welded structures, springs and clamps where only simple bends are needed. | 760 | 1,000 | 20 | 32 HRC | — |
Three-quarter hard | Mill-option temper for spring strip and clips where maximum strength beats formability; not listed for 301L in every standard. | 900 | 1,120 | 12 | 36 HRC | — |
What is 301L 1/16H?
301L 1/16H is 301L in the 1/16H temper — small strength/flatness boost while keeping near-annealed formability; common for lightly formed panels and skins. 301L 1/16H has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 44% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 301L 1/16H 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). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/16H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
301L 1/16H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 301L 1/16H; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 301L reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
301L 1/16H 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
301L 1/16H has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 44% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
301L 1/16H is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 15.5 W/m·K (8.96 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
301L 1/16H conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (57/100), worse than 66% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 301L 1/16H takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
301L 1/16H's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (76/100); formability very good (80/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 301L 1/16H
Is 301L easy to machine?
Work-hardens fast — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, no dwell, and flood coolant; expect ~45 % of 1212 in the annealed temper and less when cold worked.
Can 301L be welded?
Excellent with GTAW/GMAW/laser/resistance welding; low carbon avoids sensitization so no post-weld anneal is needed, but weld metal (309L/308L filler) loses the cold-worked strength in the HAZ.
Can 301L be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed sheet deep-draws and roll-forms very well but hardens rapidly and springs back strongly — plan interstage anneals, generous bend radii and press tonnage 30–50 % above carbon steel.
What surface finishes work on 301L?
Not anodizable; use passivation per ASTM A967, electropolishing, No.4/BA/No.8 mechanical finishes, or PVD coating — clean weld heat tint to restore corrosion resistance.
301L 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow carbon — improves weld corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.3 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| CrEN 1.4318: 16.5–18.5 | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Ni | 6 – 8 | 7 |
| NEN 1.4318 requires 0.10–0.20 N for strength and austenite stability | ≤ 0.2 | 0.13 |
| Fe | balance | — |
301L 1/16H — frequently asked
What is 301L 1/16H used for?
301L 1/16H is typically used for rail car structures, elevator panels and structural sheet components. In short: weldable work-hardening 301; high-strength structural sheet; better ductility than 301.
What is the yield strength of 301L 1/16H?
301L 1/16H has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 301L 1/16H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades). Work-hardens fast — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, no dwell, and flood coolant; expect ~45 % of 1212 in the annealed temper and less when cold worked.
Can 301L 1/16H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (76/100). Excellent with GTAW/GMAW/laser/resistance welding; low carbon avoids sensitization so no post-weld anneal is needed, but weld metal (309L/308L filler) loses the cold-worked strength in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on 301L 1/16H?
Not anodizable; use passivation per ASTM A967, electropolishing, No.4/BA/No.8 mechanical finishes, or PVD coating — clean weld heat tint to restore corrosion resistance.
Can 301L 1/16H be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed sheet deep-draws and roll-forms very well but hardens rapidly and springs back strongly — plan interstage anneals, generous bend radii and press tonnage 30–50 % above carbon steel.
What is the maximum service temperature of 301L 1/16H?
301L 1/16H is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- EN 10088-2 — Stainless steels: technical delivery conditions for sheet/plate and strip (1.4318) — CEN (2014)
- EN 10088-1 — Stainless steels: list of stainless steels (physical properties) — CEN (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Austenitic stainless 1.4318 / 301L cold-rolled strip datasheet — Outokumpu (2023)
- GB/T 3280 (022Cr17Ni7) (2015)
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.