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Home Materials Stainless Steel AISI 301 Stainless Steel (UNS S30100 / 1.4310 / X10CrNi18-8 / SUS301)

SUS301)

AISI 301 is a metastable austenitic stainless steel with excellent cold work hardening characteristics. After cold working, it can achieve very high strength while maintaining good formability and ductility. In the annealed condition, the material is soft and easy to process, while its tensile strength increases significantly after cold working.
AISI 301 is widely used in springs, fasteners, precision stamped components, and other applications requiring high strength and lightweight performance, offering high dimensional accuracy and stable mechanical properties.

DIN EN 10088-1：
Stainless steels - Part 1: List of stainless steels
ASTM A240：
Standard Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for General Applications
ASTM F899：
Standard Specification for Wrought Stainless Steels for Surgical Instruments

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Chemical Composition

Element	C	Mn	P	S	Si	Cr	Ni	N	Fe
Content (%)	≤0.15	≤2.00	≤0.045	≤0.030	≤1.00	16.00-18.00	6.00-8.00	≤0.10	Balance

Mechanical Properties

Condition	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Yield Strength (MPa)	Elongation（4D）	Reduction of Area（%）	Hardness (HRB)
Annealed	≥515	≥205	40	/	≥95
1/4 Hard	≥860	≥515	25	/	/
1/2 Hard	≥1035	≥760	18	/	/
3/4 Hard	≥1205	≥930	12	/	/
Full Hard	≥1275	≥965	9	/	/
Super Full Hard	≥1860	≥1790	/	/	/

Supply Forms

Available Form	Size Range	Surface Finish	Length (Customizable)	Tolerance (Customizable)	Delivery Condition
Plate	T0.5-T200.0mm	Milled	L:200/250/300 W:200/300/500/1000	-0.0/+1.0mm	Solution treatment/Cold working
Bar	φ1.0-φ200.0mm	Ground / Precision Ground	3M/PCS	h6-h9	Solution treatment/Cold working
Wire	φ1.0-φ3.0mm	Ground / Precision Ground	1M/PCS	h6-h9	Solution treatment/Cold working
Tube	OD：1.0-10.0mmID:0.08mm-2.0mm	Ground / Precision Ground	3M/PCS	h6-h9	Solution treatment/Cold working

Datasheet

Additional Info

A Brief History of AISI 301 Stainless Steel

AISI 301 stainless steel, also known as 1.4310, UNS S30100, X10CrNi18-8 or SUS301, is a metastable austenitic stainless steel.

Within the 300 series of stainless steels, 301 is one of the grades commonly used for spring components, stamped parts and precision-formed components. Compared to more stable austenitic stainless steels such as 304, 301 has lower austenitic stability and is more prone to significant work hardening during cold rolling, bending, stamping or drawing.

This is also the primary value of 301. It is suitable for parts where higher strength is required following cold working, such as spring plates, clips, washers, retaining rings, stamped parts, elastic supports and precision formed components.

How AISI 301 was developed

The design focus of AISI 301 is to enable the material to achieve a significant increase in strength following cold working.

In the annealed condition, 301 is relatively easy to form and machine. Following cold working, the material undergoes rapid work hardening, with part of the microstructure potentially transforming into strain-induced martensite, thereby significantly increasing strength without the need for additional ageing treatment.

This change in strength is quite evident. In the annealed condition, the tensile strength of AISI 301 can reach over 515 MPa; in the Full Hard condition, it can reach over 1275 MPa, approximately 2.5 times that of the annealed condition; and in the Super Full Hard condition, it can reach over 1860 MPa, more than 3.6 times that of the annealed condition.

For manufacturers, the advantage of 301 lies in the fact that parts can achieve higher strength simultaneously during cold working and forming processes. For spring plates, clips, washers, stamped parts and thin-walled elastic components, this cold-working strengthening route is typically simpler and more direct.

Early Applications of AISI 301

AISI 301 was initially used primarily for thin-walled parts requiring both formability and elastic strength.

Early applications centred on products such as spring plates, spring clips, washers, retaining rings, fastening-related components and precision stamped parts. Ordinary annealed stainless steel may be too soft for these parts, whilst materials already in a hardened state are difficult to form.

AISI 301 addresses this issue perfectly. It can be formed and strengthened simultaneously through cold working, making it well-suited for thin-walled parts, elastic components and precision stamped parts.

Current Applications of AISI 301

AISI 301 stainless steel is primarily used for parts requiring cold-working strength, elastic performance, formability and practical corrosion resistance.

Common applications include:

Medical instruments and device components: springs for medical devices, instrument clips, clamps, elastic fasteners, small stents, and reusable instrument components. AISI 301 is more suitable for instrument and device parts and is not typically used for implantable applications.

Aerospace: Spring plates, fixtures, clips, small brackets, formed elastic components, and thin-walled stainless steel parts requiring strength after cold working.

Mechanical engineering: Springs, washers, clips, retaining rings, elastic connectors, sensor spring contacts and precision stamped parts.

Industrial Applications: Springs, washers, stamped parts, clamping plates, elastic supports, small brackets, and formed parts requiring strength and dimensional control.

AISI 301 is generally not used for implantable medical devices, highly corrosive environments, or parts requiring high strength achieved through heat treatment.

Sunxin’s AISI 301 Stainless Steel Supply Support

Sunxin supplies AISI 301 stainless steel in sheet, bar, wire and tube forms, as well as custom-cut sizes.

Sheets are available in thicknesses ranging from 0.5 mm to 200.0 mm, with a milled finish.

Bars are available from Φ1.0 mm to Φ200.0 mm, with a polished or precision-polished finish, and h6–h9 tolerance options are available.

Wire is available from Φ1.0 mm to Φ3.0 mm.

Tubes are available with OD 1.0–10.0 mm and ID 0.08–2.0 mm.

For AISI 301, sheet and wire are more commonly used in spring sheet, clip, stamping and elastic component projects. The material can be discussed in either an annealed or cold-worked condition, depending on the final application requirements.

It is recommended to confirm the required strength grade, hardness, dimensions, tolerances, surface finish, inspection items and quality documentation prior to production.

Sunxin is certified to the ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 quality management systems and can support batch management, traceability control, inspection coordination and quality documentation management.

For spring plates, clips, washers, precision stamped parts and elastic component projects, Sunxin can assist in confirming material forms, delivery conditions and inspection documentation in accordance with application requirements.

FAQs

Product FAQs

Why do buyers choose AISI 301 stainless steel?

Buyers typically choose AISI 301 because the parts need to be formed first and then cold-worked to increase their strength. In the annealed condition, AISI 301 has a tensile strength of ≥515 MPa. After cold working, the tensile strength in the Full Hard condition can reach ≥1275 MPa, and in the Super Full Hard condition, it can reach ≥1860 MPa. Whether a specific hardening condition can be achieved depends on the product’s form, dimensions, and cold working requirements.

What is the difference between annealed and cold-worked AISI 301?

Annealed AISI 301 is easier to form, with a tensile strength of ≥515 MPa and an elongation of 40%. After cold working, strength increases but elongation decreases. For example, in the Full Hard condition, the tensile strength is ≥1275 MPa, but elongation drops to 9%. Therefore, when purchasing, both strength requirements and formability requirements must be confirmed.

How do you choose between 1/4 Hard, 1/2 Hard, 3/4 Hard, and Full Hard?

The choice depends on the part’s forming requirements and strength specifications. 1/4 Hard has a tensile strength of ≥860 MPa and an elongation of 25%; 1/2 Hard has a tensile strength of ≥1035 MPa and an elongation of 18%. 3/4 Hard and Full Hard offer higher strength but are more difficult to form subsequently. Before purchasing, confirm the product type, dimensions, tolerances, and target hardening condition.

When should Super Full Hard AISI 301 be selected?

If a part requires a tensile strength of ≥1860 MPa and minimal subsequent forming, Super Full Hard may be considered. In this condition, the yield strength is ≥1790 MPa. It is better suited for small elastic components, spring contacts, latches, and parts requiring high elasticity.

Is AISI 301 suitable for spring plates and elastic components?

Yes. AISI 301 is commonly used for spring plates, clips, washers, retaining rings, stamped parts, and elastic support components because its strength increases significantly after cold working. If parts require repeated bending or springback, the hardening condition, thickness, forming direction, and fatigue requirements should be confirmed in advance.

What is the difference between AISI 301 and 304 stainless steel?

AISI 301 exhibits a more pronounced cold work hardening capability than 304, achieving higher strength after cold working. 304 is more commonly used in applications where corrosion resistance and general formability are prioritized. If a part requires elasticity, springback, or high strength after forming, 301 is typically more suitable.

What is the difference between AISI 301 and 17-7PH?

AISI 301 primarily relies on cold working to increase strength, rather than achieving high strength through conventional aging heat treatment. 17-7PH achieves its properties through cold working and precipitation hardening and is often used for parts with higher requirements for elasticity, fatigue performance, or service stability. If a project requires a more cost-effective material for elastic components, 301 should be evaluated first; if higher requirements are needed, 17-7PH can be compared.

Is AISI 301 magnetic?

In the annealed condition, AISI 301 is an austenitic stainless steel and typically exhibits weak magnetism. However, magnetism may increase after cold working, which is a normal characteristic of metastable austenitic stainless steels. If the final product has specific requirements regarding magnetism, the cold-worked condition should be confirmed before purchasing.

Is AISI 301 corrosion-resistant?

AISI 301 is suitable for general atmospheric environments, indoor structural components, elastic parts, and general precision parts. Its corrosion resistance is inferior to that of 316L or 316LVM. If parts will be exposed to chlorine-containing environments, chlorine-based cleaning agents, strong disinfectants, or highly corrosive media, the material selection should be re-evaluated.

What information is needed when requesting a quote for AISI 301?

We recommend providing the material grade, applicable standards, product form, dimensions, tolerances, quantity, delivery condition, target strength or hardening condition, surface finish requirements, inspection documentation requirements, and end use. If the parts are spring plates, clips, stamped parts, or elastic components, the forming condition and operating load are also important.