Complete Detaied Guide For 303 Austenitic Stainless Steel Bars

Alloy 303 is a non-magnetic, austenitic stainless steel that is not hardenable by heat treatment. It is the free machining modification of the basic 18% chromium / 8% nickel stainless steel.

Alloy 303 was specially designed to exhibit improved machinability while maintaining good mechanical and corrosion-resistant properties Due to the presence of sulfur in the steel composition,

Alloy 303 is the most readily machineable austenitic stainless steel; however, the sulfur addition does lower Alloy 303’s corrosion resistance to below that of Alloy 304. Like other austenitic grades, Alloy 303 demonstrates excellent toughness, although the sulfur does reduce this a little as well.

Ni - 9.00, Cr-18.00, Fe-Balance, Si -1.00, Mn-2.00, C - 0.120, 

P-0.040, S - 0.030

Key Properties

These properties are specified for the long product (bar) in ASTM A582. Similar but not necessarily identical properties are specified for other products such as wire and forgings in their respective specifications. Grade 303 is not produced in flat-rolled products.

Heat Resistance

Good oxidation resistance at temperatures up to 1700oF (927 oC)

Continuous use at temperatures above 1400oF (760oC) is not usually recommended due to carbide precipitation which can lead to irregular scaling

Does not have a low carbon content so it is also vulnerable to sensitization

Corrosion Resistance:

Good resistance to mildly corrosive atmospheres, but significantly less than Grade 304 due to the sulfur addition; the sulfide inclusions act as pit initiation sites. Grade 303 should not be exposed to marine or other similar environments, as these will result in rapid pitting corrosion. Because the sulfide inclusions in 303 are primarily aligned along the rolling direction the corrosion resistance is particularly reduced in cross-sections.

Grade 303, like other common austenitic stainless steels, is subject to stress corrosion cracking in chloride-containing environments above about 60°C.

Applications:

Typical applications include:

•         Nuts and Bolts

•         Bushings

•         Shafts

•         Aircraft Fittings

•         Electrical Switchgear Components

•         Gears

•         In general, any component that is heavily machined and where the corrosion resistance and fabrication properties of 303 are viable.

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