Stainless Steel S41003
UNS S41003 · EN 1.4003, X2CrNi12
Low-carbon utility stainless steel with a mixed ferritic-martensitic structure, chosen for structural and wear applications needing better corrosion resistance than carbon steel but at lower cost than 304.
Reference datasheet — S41003 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
S41003 tempers and conditions
S41003 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault hot rolled, annealed and pickled (HRAP / 1D plate) | Standard stocked condition for plate and structural sections — best ductility, weldability and formability. | 350 | 500 | 27 | 165 HB | — |
as-rolled plate, not annealed (1U/1C) | Lowest-cost heavy plate/section condition where surface finish and maximum ductility are not critical. | 390 | 560 | 22 | 185 HB | 2.9 % IACS |
bar, cold finished from annealed stock | Bar stock with tighter tolerance, higher strength and better chip control for turned parts and shafts. | 520 | 640 | 15 | 210 HB | 2.9 % IACS |
Q&T | Choose when higher yield strength with retained toughness is needed in machined or wear components. | 550 | 700 | 18 | 22 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
austenitised ~980 °C and air cooled, untempered | Maximum hardness/wear condition for liners and wear plate; low toughness, normally tempered before service. | 700 | 950 | 12 | 33 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S41003 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
2B | Cold rolled, annealed, pickled and skin passed sheet | Surface finish |
What is S41003?
Low-carbon utility stainless steel with a mixed ferritic-martensitic structure, chosen for structural and wear applications needing better corrosion resistance than carbon steel but at lower cost than 304. S41003 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). S41003 has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 52% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is S41003 used for?
- Mining chutes and bins
- Railway wagons
- Structural weldments
- Water treatment equipment
- Storage tanks
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 50/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 85% of stainless steel grades
S41003 properties
Typical room-temperature values for S41003-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S41003 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical16
S41003 has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 52% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
S41003 is rated for continuous service to 600°C (1,112 °F). It conducts heat at 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S41003 conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 85% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S41003 takes about 40 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability6
S41003's machinability is good (55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability good (60/100).
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. S41003 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S41003
Is S41003 easy to machine?
Machines more easily than 304 (less work hardening, lower stickiness) — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speeds and generous coolant; expect ~55% of 1212 rating.
Can S41003 be welded?
Readily welded by GMAW/GTAW/FCAW/SAW with 309L or 316L fillers (or matching low-C 12Cr wire); low carbon keeps HAZ martensite soft, so preheat is usually unnecessary below ~20 mm but keep heat input moderate and interpass < 150 °C.
Can S41003 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends, rolls and press-brake work well with generous inside radii (≈2t) and grain-direction awareness; deep drawing is limited compared with austenitic grades, hot forming at 800–1100 °C followed by annealing is preferred for severe shapes.
S41003 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 / EN 1.4003 max 0.030 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| SEN 1.4003 limits S to 0.015 max | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 10.5 – 12.5 | 11.5 |
| NiEN 1.4003: 0.30–1.00 | ≤ 1.5 | 0.5 |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on S41003?
Supplied as a utility finish — pickled/blasted plate or 2B sheet; can be ground, brushed or painted (excellent paint substrate) but does not take a mirror polish as well as 304, and light surface rust staining in wet service is cosmetic rather than structural.
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 S41003 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does S41003 cost?
S41003 is a budget-cost stainless steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
S41003 — frequently asked
What is S41003 used for?
S41003 is typically used for mining chutes and bins, railway wagons, structural weldments, water treatment equipment and storage tanks. In short: cheapest weldable stainless; carbon steel replacement grade; good abrasion-corrosion balance.
What is the yield strength of S41003?
S41003 has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 52% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is S41003 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 94% of stainless steel grades). Machines more easily than 304 (less work hardening, lower stickiness) — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speeds and generous coolant; expect ~55% of 1212 rating.
Can S41003 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily welded by GMAW/GTAW/FCAW/SAW with 309L or 316L fillers (or matching low-C 12Cr wire); low carbon keeps HAZ martensite soft, so preheat is usually unnecessary below ~20 mm but keep heat input moderate and interpass < 150 °C.
What surface finishes work on S41003?
Supplied as a utility finish — pickled/blasted plate or 2B sheet; can be ground, brushed or painted (excellent paint substrate) but does not take a mirror polish as well as 304, and light surface rust staining in wet service is cosmetic rather than structural.
Can S41003 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends, rolls and press-brake work well with generous inside radii (≈2t) and grain-direction awareness; deep drawing is limited compared with austenitic grades, hot forming at 800–1100 °C followed by annealing is preferred for severe shapes.
What is the maximum service temperature of S41003?
S41003 is rated for continuous use to about 600°C (1,112 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does S41003 cost?
S41003 is a budget-cost stainless steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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 A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip (UNS S41003) — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10088-1 / EN 10088-2 — Stainless steels: grades and technical delivery conditions (1.4003, X2CrNi12) — CEN (2014)
- 3CR12 utility ferritic stainless steel technical brochure — Columbus Stainless (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.