Stainless Steel 305
AISI/SAE 305 · UNS S30500 · EN 1.4303 · JIS SUS305 · GB 10Cr18Ni12
305 (UNS S30500, SUS305, 10Cr18Ni12) is an austenitic stainless with nickel raised above 304 to lower the work-hardening exponent for severe drawing, spinning and cold heading.
Values for the Annealed condition
305 tempers and conditions
305 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Finish State | Hot-rolled/hot-forged and solution-annealed 305 bar: soft, fully austenitic, non-magnetic condition supplied for further forming or machining. | 250 | 570 | 50 | 150 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (1010–1120 °C, rapid cool) | Default stock condition for sheet, plate, coil and cold-heading wire; maximum ductility for drawing, spinning and multi-blow heading. | 260 | 585 | 50 | 150 HB | — |
bar/wire drawn to size, lightly work-hardened | Pick for straight bar and wire needing better surface, tighter tolerance and modest strength gain while keeping heading ductility. | 430 | 655 | 32 | 200 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Light temper strip for parts that still need bending but more spring-back resistance than annealed. | 515 | 860 | 20 | 25 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Half hard | Use for flat springs, clips and stiff formed strip where a mild bend radius is acceptable. | 760 | 1,035 | 12 | 32 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
heavily cold worked strip/wire | Highest strength condition; chosen where a stiff, still fully non-magnetic strip or spring wire is required. | 1,000 | 1,275 | 8 | 38 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
What is 305?
305 (UNS S30500, SUS305, 10Cr18Ni12) is an austenitic stainless with nickel raised above 304 to lower the work-hardening exponent for severe drawing, spinning and cold heading. Annealed sheet and bar give 260 MPa yield, 585 MPa tensile, 50 % elongation and 150 HB (80 HRB) with formability rated 95, and stock is available annealed, cold drawn, hot finished and in 1/4 hard, 1/2 hard and full hard tempers. Service reaches 760 °C, but the higher nickel content makes it costlier than 304 and its low-ferrite weld metal is hot-crack sensitive; 304 or 304Cu suit less demanding forming. 305 has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). 305 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 84% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
What is 305 used for?
- Sinks
- Hollowware
- Spinning cones
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 99% 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 — 85/100, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 6.2 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Low strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
305 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 305-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
305 has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
305 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 84% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
305 is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °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 17.2 µm/m·K (9.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
305 conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 59% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 305 takes about 82 MJ of energy and emits 6.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 90% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
305's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability excellent (95/100).
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. 305 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 305
Is 305 easy to machine?
Gummy and stringy — use sharp positive-rake carbide, 0.15 mm+ feed to break the chip, rigid setup and flood coolant; expect ~40 % of AISI 1212 rates.
Can 305 be welded?
Weld with GTAW/GMAW using 308L/308LSi filler; low-ferrite 305 weld metal is hot-crack sensitive, so limit heat input, avoid restraint and skip preheat.
Can 305 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding for deep drawing, spinning and 4–6 blow cold heading thanks to a low work-hardening exponent; intermediate anneals are rarely needed.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 305. Every 305 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent95 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent78 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
305 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A240/A276 | ≤ 0.12 | 0.06 |
| SiEN 1.4303 allows ≤1.00 | ≤ 0.75 | 0.45 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Nihigh Ni stabilises austenite, lowers n-value | 10.5 – 13 | 11.75 |
| NEN 1.4303 limit | ≤ 0.1 | 0.04 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 305?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after forming; takes BA and No.8 mirror polish well, and stays non-magnetic so magnetic-particle-free assemblies are possible.
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 305 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S30500
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.4303
- GB (China)
- 10Cr18Ni12
- JIS
- SUS305
How much does 305 cost?
305 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 58% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
305 — frequently asked
What is 305 used for?
305 is typically used for sinks, hollowware and spinning cones. In short: deep-drawing austenitic stainless.
What is the yield strength of 305?
305 has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 84% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 305 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and stringy — use sharp positive-rake carbide, 0.15 mm+ feed to break the chip, rigid setup and flood coolant; expect ~40 % of AISI 1212 rates.
Can 305 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Weld with GTAW/GMAW using 308L/308LSi filler; low-ferrite 305 weld metal is hot-crack sensitive, so limit heat input, avoid restraint and skip preheat.
What surface finishes work on 305?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after forming; takes BA and No.8 mirror polish well, and stays non-magnetic so magnetic-particle-free assemblies are possible.
Can 305 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding for deep drawing, spinning and 4–6 blow cold heading thanks to a low work-hardening exponent; intermediate anneals are rarely needed.
What is the maximum service temperature of 305?
305 is rated for continuous use to about 760°C (1,400 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 305 cost?
305 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 58% 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 305?
Yes — 305 is available for sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Cr and Cr-Ni stainless plate, sheet and strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A276/A276M — Stainless steel bars and shapes — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10088-1/-2 — Stainless steels, grade 1.4303 — CEN (2014)
- JIS G 4305 / G 4303 — SUS305 — JSA (2021)
- 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Austenitic cold-heading grade 305 wire data — Sandvik / Outokumpu (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.