AISI 301 Stainless Steel Plate | 301 China steel mill-Direct Supply
What is AISI 301 Stainless Steel Plate?
As a professional China mill-Direct Supply and stainless steel plate supplier, SHH STEEL is pleased to present AISI 301 Stainless Steel Plate.
AISI 301 (UNS S30100) is a chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steel specially designed for high strength and rapid work-hardening. Compared with standard Type 304, it contains lower nickel (6–8%) and slightly lower chromium, which enables it to harden significantly during cold forming. This makes AISI 301 ideal for structural components, springs, fasteners and transportation parts that require high strength after forming.
The grade is non-magnetic in the annealed condition and becomes magnetic after cold working. It offers good corrosion resistance in mild environments, excellent toughness and outstanding formability.
SHH STEEL supplies AISI 301 as true China mill-Direct Supply, sourcing directly from major Chinese stainless steel mills. This model delivers competitive mill pricing, consistent quality, full heat traceability and reliable delivery. We offer AISI 301 in plate and sheet form across a practical range of thicknesses and surface finishes.
AISI 301 is frequently compared with A240 304, A240 304L and A240 201 when high strength and formability are the key selection factors.
Material Specification
| Specification Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | AISI 301 / UNS S30100 | Confirmed |
| Related Standards | ASTM A240, ASME SA240, JIS G4305 (SUS301), EN 1.4310 | Available |
| Product Form | Plate, Sheet, Coil | Available |
| Delivery Condition | Annealed or Cold Worked (1/4 Hard, 1/2 Hard, Full Hard) | Available |
| Thickness Range | 0.3 mm – 50 mm (thicker available on request) | Custom sizes supported |
| Width | Up to 1500–2000 mm | Available |
| Length | Up to 6000 mm or coil / cut-to-length | Available |
| Surface Finish | 2B, BA, No.1, No.4, HL, Polished | Available |
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1 / Mill Test Certificate | Available |
Chemical Composition
Typical Chemical Composition of AISI 301 (UNS S30100):
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.15 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.00 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 2.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.00 – 18.00 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 6.00 – 8.00 |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
The lower nickel content compared with Type 304 is the main reason for the rapid work-hardening behavior of AISI 301.
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition (typical)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 515 MPa (75 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.2%) | ≥ 205 MPa (30 ksi) |
| Elongation (in 50 mm) | ≥ 40% |
| Hardness | ≤ 217 HB |
Cold Worked Conditions (typical ranges)
| Condition | Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 Hard | 860 – 1035 MPa | 515 – 725 MPa | ≥ 25% |
| 1/2 Hard | 1035 – 1275 MPa | 760 – 965 MPa | ≥ 15% |
| Full Hard | ≥ 1275 MPa | ≥ 965 MPa | ≥ 9% |
The ability of AISI 301 to reach very high strength levels through cold working is its most important advantage over standard austenitic grades such as A240 304.
Physical Properties
- Density: 7.93 g/cm³
- Magnetic: Non-magnetic when annealed; becomes magnetic after cold working
- Melting Range: approximately 1400–1420°C
Material Comparison
| Grade | Work Hardening Rate | Strength Potential | Corrosion Resistance | Typical Preference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AISI 301 | Very High | Very High | Good | High-strength formed parts |
| AISI 304 | Moderate | Standard | Better | General purpose |
| AISI 304L | Moderate | Standard | Better | Welded constructions |
| AISI 201 | High | High | Moderate | Economical alternative |
| AISI 316L | Moderate | Standard | Excellent | Chloride environments |
AISI 301 is selected when high strength after cold forming is the primary requirement. For better general corrosion resistance, A240 304 or A240 304L is preferred. For more severe corrosion, A240 316L is the usual upgrade.
Corrosion Resistance
AISI 301 offers good resistance to atmospheric corrosion, fresh water and many mild chemical environments. Its corrosion performance is slightly lower than Type 304 due to the reduced nickel and chromium content, especially in chloride-containing media.
It is suitable for indoor architectural applications, transportation components and general fabrication in mildly corrosive environments. For outdoor or more aggressive service, higher-alloy grades such as A240 316L or A240 2205 should be considered.
Weldability
AISI 301 can be welded by standard fusion and resistance welding methods. Because of its higher carbon content and strong work-hardening tendency, welding procedures should be carefully controlled. Matching or 308L filler metals are commonly used. Post-weld annealing may be required in critical applications to restore corrosion resistance and ductility.
For applications involving heavy welding, many users prefer A240 304L.
Heat Treatment
AISI 301 is commonly supplied in the annealed condition or in various cold-worked tempers.
Solution Annealing
- Temperature: 1010 – 1120°C
- Cooling: Rapid cooling (water quench preferred)
Annealing is used to soften the material after cold working and to restore maximum corrosion resistance and ductility.
Surface Finishes
| Finish | Description | Typical Use / Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| 2B | Cold-rolled, annealed, pickled, skin-passed | AISI 301 2B – most common for general fabrication |
| BA | Bright Annealed | AISI 301 BA – decorative applications |
| No.1 | Hot-rolled, annealed and pickled | AISI 301 No.1 – industrial plate |
| No.4 | Brushed finish | AISI 301 No.4 – architectural surfaces |
| HL | Hairline finish | AISI 301 HL – decorative panels |
| Polished | Mirror or custom polish | AISI 301 Polished – high-end applications |
SHH STEEL regularly supplies AISI 301 in 2B and BA finishes, and can provide other finishes according to project requirements.
Tolerances
Dimensional tolerances for AISI 301 Stainless Steel Plate generally conform to ASTM A480 practices.
Typical available size range:
- Thickness: 0.3 mm – 50 mm
- Width: up to 1500–2000 mm
- Length: up to 6000 mm or coil / cut-to-length
SHH STEEL provides precise dimensional control for both standard and custom-size AISI 301 plate and sheet.
Equivalent Material Grades
Applications
AISI 301 is widely used where high strength and excellent formability are required. Typical applications of AISI 301 include:
| Industry / Sector | Typical Components / Equipment |
|---|---|
| Transportation | Rail car components, truck bodies, trailer parts |
| Architecture & Construction | Structural panels, roofing, decorative elements |
| Springs & Fasteners | Springs, clips, fasteners, washers |
| Automotive | Wheel covers, trim, structural parts |
| Kitchen & Food Equipment | High-strength formed components |
| General Fabrication | High-strength stamped and formed parts |
For related industry solutions, see our construction industry and equipment manufacturing pages. Fabrication support is available through steel cutting services and steel bending and forming services.
Why Choose SHH STEEL
SHH STEEL is a China mill-Direct Supply specializing in stainless steel plate and sheet. By working directly with major Chinese stainless steel mills, we supply AISI 301 with the following advantages:
- Genuine China mill-Direct Supply pricing
- Consistent quality and complete heat traceability
- Full Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 3.1)
- Supply in annealed or cold-worked conditions
- Flexible dimensions and surface finishes (including AISI 301 2B and AISI 301 BA)
- Technical support for high-strength material selection
- Value-added services including steel cutting services, steel welding services and worldwide shipping service
For more information about our company and full product range, please visit China steel Mill Agent-SHH STEEL.
FAQ
- What is the main advantage of AISI 301 over AISI 304?AISI 301 work-hardens much more rapidly, allowing it to reach significantly higher strength levels after cold forming. SHH STEEL recommends AISI 301 when high strength after forming is the primary requirement
- Is AISI 301 magnetic?It is non-magnetic in the annealed condition but becomes magnetic after cold working. SHH STEEL supplies both annealed and cold-worked material.
- Can AISI 301 be used in the annealed condition only?Yes, it can be used annealed, but its main advantage is realized in the cold-worked conditions. SHH STEEL can supply various tempers according to project needs.
- What is the density of AISI 301?7.93 g/cm³. SHH STEEL provides material certificates confirming physical and mechanical properties.
- Does SHH STEEL supply dual-certified ASTM A240 / AISI 301 material?Yes, SHH STEEL commonly supplies dual-certified material upon request.
Conclusion
AISI 301 Stainless Steel Plate is a high-strength austenitic stainless steel specially designed for applications that require excellent work-hardening capability, good formability and reliable performance in mildly corrosive environments. It is an outstanding choice for transportation, architectural, spring and high-strength fabricated components.
As a professional China mill-Direct Supply, SHH STEEL provides high-quality AISI 301 Stainless Steel Plate with competitive pricing, full certification and complete technical support.
Contact SHH STEEL today for stock availability, temper conditions, surface finish options (including AISI 301 2B and AISI 301 BA), or a competitive quotation.
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