303 stainless steel is a common type of stainless steel, and its chemical composition includes:
Carbon (C): Maximum content 0.15%
Silicon (Si): maximum content of 1.00%
Manganese (Mn): maximum content 2.00%
Phosphorus (P): maximum content 0.20%
Sulfur (S): Maximum content 0.15%
Chromium (Cr): 17.00% to 19.00%
Nickel (Ni): 8.00% to 10.00%
303 stainless steel is a type of easy to cut austenitic stainless and wear-resistant acid steel, mainly used in fields that require extensive machining operations. Compared with traditional 18-8 stainless steel, this alloy adds sulfur, which can decompose car debris and reduce resistance to cutting tools.
After annealing to remove stress, the mechanical properties of 303 stainless steel are tensile strength of 515MPa, yield strength of 205MPa, and elongation of 40%. The standard hardness is HRB 90-100, HRC20-25.
303 stainless steel has good plasticity, toughness, and cold workability in the solid solution state, and has good corrosion resistance in oxidizing acids, water, atmosphere, and other media. However, its sensitized state or after welding is prone to intergranular corrosion, so it is not suitable for use as a welding structural material.
303 stainless steel is commonly used in the manufacturing of bearings, automotive parts, valves, instruments, textile machinery, food machinery, and other fields. After cold processing, its strength can be improved, but its elongation is slightly lower than that of 301 stainless steel.
