Stainless Steel 384
AISI/SAE 384 · UNS S38400 · JIS SUS384
384 (S38400, SUS384) is a high-nickel austenitic stainless with a very low work-hardening rate, developed for severe cold heading and cold forming rather than for machining or strength.
Reference datasheet — 384 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 Annealed condition
384 tempers and conditions
384 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (1010–1120 °C, rapid cool) | Default stock: solution annealed at 1010–1120 °C and rapidly cooled soft wire or bar, intended for subsequent cold heading, cold extrusion and deep drawing. | 240 | 550 | 55 | 140 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick lightly cold drawn bar or wire when dimensional accuracy and surface quality matter; yield rises to 380 MPa while 35% elongation still allows secondary forming. | 380 | 640 | 35 | 185 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Use quarter hard cold worked stock as the balance point: the moderate cold reduction gives 515 MPa yield yet leaves 25% elongation for limited further forming. | 515 | 760 | 25 | 18 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Half hard | Choose half hard cold worked material for non-magnetic fasteners and spring parts that need 690 MPa yield; formability falls to 15% elongation. | 690 | 900 | 15 | 25 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
low-temperature stress relief after cold work (≈300–400 °C) | Apply the 300–400 °C low-temperature stress relief to cold-formed parts to cut residual stress and cracking risk while keeping essentially full strength at 700 MPa yield. | 700 | 900 | 16 | 27 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Specify three-quarter hard wire, stocked only in limited quantities, for high-strength non-magnetic spring parts; 830 MPa yield comes with just 11% elongation and little forming reserve. | 830 | 1,000 | 11 | 30 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Full hard | Use fully cold drawn wire at maximum reduction for 930 MPa yield and 8% elongation; the low work-hardening rate keeps strength below 302/304 drawn to the same cold work. | 930 | 1,100 | 8 | 34 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Spring hard | Pick spring-temper drawn wire in fine gauges for 1250 MPa tensile springs; slow work hardening means lower strength than 302 spring wire of equal diameter, at 5% elongation. | 1,050 | 1,250 | 5 | 38 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 384 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 | Cold heading quality annealed wire | Surface finish |
What is 384?
384 (S38400, SUS384) is a high-nickel austenitic stainless with a very low work-hardening rate, developed for severe cold heading and cold forming rather than for machining or strength. Annealed material gives 240 MPa yield, 550 MPa tensile, 55 % elongation and 140 HB (75 HRB) with a formability score of 95, and it is stocked mainly as cold-heading quality wire, cold-drawn bar and strip in Annealed, CHQ, CD, 1/4H, 1/2H, 3/4H, FH, Spring and stress-relieved conditions. Machinability is only about 45 % of AISI 1212, and the higher nickel content raises cost over 304; use 303 for parts needing heavy turning and 305 as a closer forming alternative. 384 has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,398°C (2,548 °F). 384 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is 384 used for?
- cold-headed fasteners
- rivets
- cold-formed hardware
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
- High service temperature — 870°C (1,598 °F), better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 240 MPa (34.8 ksi), worse than 96% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
384 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 384-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
384 has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,398°C (2,548 °F).
Mechanical16
384 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
384 is rated for continuous service to 870°C (1,598 °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 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
384 conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 52% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 384 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 5.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 66% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
384's machinability is fair (36/100, better than 57% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); 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. 384 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 384
Is 384 easy to machine?
Tough and prone to sticking to the tool; use sharp, high-positive-rake tooling, rigid clamping, constant feed and ample coolant. Machinability is about 45 % of AISI 1212 — select dedicated non-free-machining chip-breaker geometries, or substitute 303 on parts requiring extensive turning.
Can 384 be welded?
GTAW, GMAW and resistance welding are all usable, typically with ER308L or ER347 filler. With no stabilising elements and carbon up to 0.08 %, solution treat after welding or specify low-carbon heats where intergranular corrosion resistance is required, and allow for the hot-cracking sensitivity of high-nickel weld metal.
Can 384 be formed, bent or molded?
This is the grade's main advantage: the low work-hardening rate permits high-deformation cold heading, cold extrusion, multi-station forming and deep drawing without intermediate annealing. Use phosphate or oxalate coating plus soap, or a polymer lubricant film, to prevent die pickup.
384 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ccold-heading grades usually held below 0.05 | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.2 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 15 – 17 | 16 |
| Nihigh Ni stabilizes austenite, lowers work-hardening rate | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 384?
Not anodised; standard treatments are nitric or citric passivation (ASTM A967), electropolishing, mechanical polishing or barrel tumbling. It remains non-magnetic after cold working, which suits fasteners with low magnetic permeability requirements.
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 384 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S38400
- JIS
- SUS384
How much does 384 cost?
384 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
384 — frequently asked
What is 384 used for?
384 is typically used for cold-headed fasteners, rivets and cold-formed hardware. In short: best cold-heading stainless; low work-hardening austenitic; non-magnetic after cold work.
What is the yield strength of 384?
384 has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 96% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 384 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (36/100, better than 57% of stainless steel grades). Tough and prone to sticking to the tool; use sharp, high-positive-rake tooling, rigid clamping, constant feed and ample coolant. Machinability is about 45 % of AISI 1212 — select dedicated non-free-machining chip-breaker geometries, or substitute 303 on parts requiring extensive turning.
Can 384 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). GTAW, GMAW and resistance welding are all usable, typically with ER308L or ER347 filler. With no stabilising elements and carbon up to 0.08 %, solution treat after welding or specify low-carbon heats where intergranular corrosion resistance is required, and allow for the hot-cracking sensitivity of high-nickel weld metal.
What surface finishes work on 384?
Not anodised; standard treatments are nitric or citric passivation (ASTM A967), electropolishing, mechanical polishing or barrel tumbling. It remains non-magnetic after cold working, which suits fasteners with low magnetic permeability requirements.
Can 384 be formed, bent or molded?
This is the grade's main advantage: the low work-hardening rate permits high-deformation cold heading, cold extrusion, multi-station forming and deep drawing without intermediate annealing. Use phosphate or oxalate coating plus soap, or a polymer lubricant film, to prevent die pickup.
What is the maximum service temperature of 384?
384 is rated for continuous use to about 870°C (1,598 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 384 Annealed and 384 Spring?
Annealed is the default condition — default stock: solution annealed at 1010–1120 °C and rapidly cooled soft wire or bar, intended for subsequent cold heading, cold extrusion and deep drawing. Spring: pick spring-temper drawn wire in fine gauges for 1250 MPa tensile springs; slow work hardening means lower strength than 302 spring wire of equal diameter, at 5% elongation. Yield strength is 240 MPa in Annealed versus 1,050 MPa in Spring.
How much does 384 cost?
384 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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
- ASTM A493 — Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rod for Cold Heading and Cold Forging — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM A959 — Harmonized Standard Grade Compositions for Wrought Stainless Steels — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A276/A484 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2017)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- UNS S38400 alloy data (SAE/ASTM Metals & Alloys in the Unified Numbering System) — SAE International (2017)
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.