301

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Type 301 is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel known for excellent cold-work hardening capacity: it can be supplied soft (annealed) for forming or heavily cold-worked to very high strengths for springs and high-strength components. It is widely used for spring strip, wire, fasteners and decorative/structural parts. For spring design and sealing energizers see our spring-energized seal and canted coil spring resources.

Contents

Introduction & quick summary
Core characteristics
Typical applications
Forming into springs & spring types
Alternatives & comparison
Selection guidance
FAQ
References

Introduction & quick summary

Stainless Steel 301 (UNS S30100) is an austenitic Cr-Ni alloy (≈16–18% Cr, 6–8% Ni) prized in spring manufacture because of its ability to develop very high strength by cold working while retaining useful ductility. 301 is often chosen when a stainless spring must combine high strength, good fatigue life and reasonable corrosion resistance at ambient and moderately elevated temperatures. See comparable materials such as Elgiloy and MP35N when corrosion cracking or extreme fatigue performance is required.

Need spring wire/strip in 301 or technical help? Request a quote — include intended temper (e.g., Full-Hard, 1/2 Hard), operating temperature range and environment.

Core characteristics

Typical chemical composition (wt%) — representative

Note: compositions vary slightly by spec/producer; Fe (iron) is the balance — always confirm with supplier mill certificate.

Element	Typical (wt%)
Iron (Fe)	Balance (≈ 72–77)
Chromium (Cr)	16.0 – 18.0
Nickel (Ni)	6.0 – 8.0
Carbon (C)	≤ 0.15
Manganese (Mn)	≤ 2.0
Silicon (Si)	≤ 1.0
Phosphorus (P)	≤ 0.045
Sulfur (S)	≤ 0.03
Nitrogen (N)	≤ 0.10 (varies)

This presentation shows alloying element ranges; Fe (iron) is the remainder (balance) so the totals ~100%. Always use the mill certificate for procurement/acceptance.

Key physical data (typical)

Values are typical for flat-rolled/spring tempers — verify exact temper/diameter with your supplier. `` values use SI units (density kg/m³, moduli & strengths Pa, temperatures K).

Property	Stainless Steel 301 (typical)
Density	8.03 g/cm³ — (8030 kg/m³)
Elastic modulus (E)	≈ 193×10⁹ Pa — (≈ 193 GPa)
Shear modulus (G)	≈ 78×10⁹ Pa — (≈ 78 GPa)
Tensile strength (UTS) — annealed (typ.)	≈ 515×10⁶ Pa — (≈ 515 MPa / 75 ksi). Full-hard tempers can reach >1200 MPa.
Yield strength (0.2% offset) — annealed (typ.)	≈ 205×10⁶ Pa — (≈ 205 MPa / 30 ksi). Higher in cold-worked tempers.
Min service temperature	≈ −196 °C (≈ −320.8 °F) — suitable for many cryogenic uses (verify product form).
Short-term / intermittent max (oxidation limit)	≈ 840 °C (≈ 1544 °F) — thin adherent oxide can protect up to ~840 °C; mechanical integrity at very high T is limited.
Recommended long-term continuous	≈ 260 °C (≈ 500 °F) — above this range yield strength falls with temperature and cold-work benefits diminish; for long-term elevated-T springs consult supplier data.
Form availability	Wire, strip, sheet, plate — commonly available in multiple tempers (annealed → full-hard). For springs use spring-tempered strip/wire from specialty suppliers (confirm temper codes such as 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, full-hard / AMS specs).

Typical applications

Springs (compression, tension, flat springs, constant-force strips), especially where high cold-worked strength is required.
Spring-energized seals where ambient / moderately elevated temperatures and moderate corrosion resistance are acceptable.
Automotive trim, structural parts, fasteners, hose clamps and appliances.
Architectural and decorative components where strength and finish matter.

Forming into springs & spring types

Summary: Stainless Steel 301 is ideal for springs produced from wire or strip because cold work significantly increases strength. Common spring forms (produced from 301 wire/strip) include canted coil, helical, cantilever and full-contact types — see our product pages for design guidance: Canted Coil Springs, Helical Springs and Full Contact Springs, Cantilever V Spring .

Stainless Steel 301 Helical Spring | Handa Springs

Stainless Steel 301 Garter Spring(Oil &gas Spring Seals)

Stainless Steel 301 Helical Springs | Handa Spring

Stainless Steel 301 Cantilever V Springs / Cantilever U Springs | Handa Spring

Forming & finishing notes (practical)

301 is **not** heat-hardenable — strength is achieved by cold working (rolling, drawing, coiling). Choose temper (1/4, 1/2, 3/4, full-hard) per required UTS & fatigue life.
Cold working increases magnetic permeability (annealed is essentially non-magnetic; cold-worked becomes magnetic).
Surface finish and passivation (electropolish) improve corrosion fatigue life in aggressive service.
For sealing energizers request supplier **spring temper charts** and **stress-relaxation data** at the intended operating temperature.

Alternatives & comparison

When deciding between 301 and nearby alloys consider corrosion, fatigue, SSC risk and required long-term temperature. Below is a compact comparison to help shortlist alternatives (values indicative — verify with supplier data for temper/diameter).

Material	Best when	Typical strength (UTS)	Service temp guidance
Stainless 301 (UNS S30100)	Highest cold-work strength for austenitics; good general corrosion resistance; spring wire/strip	~515 MPa (annealed) → >1200 MPa (full-hard)	Long-term ≤ ≈ 260 °C (≈ 500 °F); short-term up to ≈ 840 °C (≈ 1544 °F)
Stainless 304 / 304L	Better weldability (304L), slightly better general corrosion resistance vs 301	~515 MPa (annealed); lower cold-work hardenability than 301	Similar temp guidance; long-term ≤ ≈ 260 °C (verify)
17-7 PH	When high spring strength + reasonable corrosion resistance + heat treatability needed	High (precipitation hardened)	Long-term temperature limited by precipitate stability; consult supplier
Inconel 625 / MP35N / Elgiloy	When corrosion or SSC resistance and elevated temperature/fatigue are dominant	High — depends on alloy and temper	Often better high-T and SSC resistance than 301; choose based on fluid chemistry

Selection guidance

Simple, direct selection points for spring-energizer designers:

Choose 301 when you need a stainless spring material that can be cold-worked to very high strength, at ambient to moderate temperatures, and corrosion is not extremely aggressive.
Choose 304/316 (or nickel alloys) when corrosion resistance (chlorides, acids) is the dominant constraint.
Choose precipitation-hardened or cobalt/nickel alloys (17-7 PH, Elgiloy, MP35N) when you need superior fatigue, SSC resistance or elevated-temperature preload retention.

Quick validation checklist

Confirm required temper & corresponding UTS / yield in supplier temper charts.
Request stress-relaxation data at intended operating temperature and wire/strip diameter.
Run corrosion + fatigue validation in representative fluid & temperature where service is critical.

FAQ

Q1: Is 301 suitable for spring energized seals in chloride environments?

A1: 301 has good general corrosion resistance similar to 304 in many mild environments, but for chloride-rich or highly aggressive chemistries consider 316 / 625 / Elgiloy / MP35N depending on SCC/SSC risk.

Q2: What tempers of 301 are used for springs?

A2: Spring tempers commonly range from 1/4 Hard to Full Hard (AMS spec groupings such as AMS 5517 / 5518 / 5519); choose temper to meet the required UTS and fatigue life.

Q3: Can 301 be used at elevated temperatures?

A3: 301 maintains usable mechanical properties up to ~260 °C (≈ 500 °F) for long-term service; short-term oxidation resistance extends to higher temperatures but mechanical performance may degrade — consult supplier data for high-T springs.

Q4: Is 301 magnetic?

A4: Annealed 301 is essentially non-magnetic; cold working (to increase strength) increases ferromagnetism — this is normal and expected for spring tempers.