Stainless Steel
Corrosion- and heat-resistant steels for medical, food, marine and demanding industrial parts.
Stainless steel combines strength with excellent corrosion resistance thanks to its chromium content, which forms a self-healing passive oxide layer. It is the standard choice wherever parts face moisture, chemicals, food contact or sterilization.
304 is the versatile, economical workhorse; 316 adds molybdenum for superior resistance to chlorides and marine environments; 17-4 PH is a precipitation-hardening grade combining high strength with good corrosion resistance; and 440C hardens to a high HRC for wear and cutting applications.
Material properties
| Density | ~8.0 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength (304) | 515–620 MPa |
| Tensile strength (17-4 PH) | up to 1300 MPa |
| Max service temp | up to ~870 °C (304) |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent |
| Machinability | Fair (303 = good) |
| Relative cost | Medium |
Typical values for reference; exact properties depend on grade, temper and heat treatment. Full material certification is provided on every order.
Machinability
Stainless steel work-hardens, so it requires rigid setups, sharp tooling and consistent feeds to avoid glazing the surface. 303 is the free-machining variant of 304 for parts where the slightly lower corrosion resistance is acceptable. 316 and 17-4 PH machine more slowly and wear tooling faster.
Typical applications
Related engineering guides
Frequently asked questions
304 vs 316 — what is the difference?
316 contains molybdenum, giving it much better resistance to chlorides and salt water. Use 316 for marine and harsh chemical environments; 304 is fine and more economical for general use.
What is passivation and do I need it?
Passivation is a chemical treatment that removes free iron and enhances the protective oxide layer. It is recommended for medical, food and corrosion-critical stainless parts.
Can stainless steel be hardened?
17-4 PH and 440C can be heat-treated to high hardness. Austenitic grades like 304/316 cannot be hardened by heat treatment, only by cold work.