304 Stainless Steel, designated UNS S30400, is the most widely used austenitic stainless steel, valued for its excellent balance of corrosion resistance, formability, strength, and cost-effectiveness. Composed primarily of chromium and nickel, 304 offers good resistance to a wide range of atmospheric environments and many corrosive media, making it the standard “18-8” stainless grade. While it does not provide the chloride resistance of higher-alloyed stainless steels, it performs well in mildly corrosive environments and maintains strength and toughness across a wide temperature range. Because of these characteristics, 304 is applied across diverse industries including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemical processing, water treatment, and architecture. It is especially valued in food processing equipment, brewing tanks, kitchen appliances, storage vessels, and sanitary piping where cleanliness, non-reactivity, and corrosion resistance are critical. In construction and architecture, it is widely used for railings, facades, and structural elements requiring both strength and aesthetic appeal. In the chemical and water industries, 304 is applied in piping, tanks, and heat exchangers handling less aggressive environments. Beyond large-scale equipment, 304 Stainless Steel is one of the most common materials for fasteners such as bolts, nuts, screws, studs, and washers, providing reliable performance, ease of fabrication, and cost-efficient durability in general-purpose applications.
310 Stainless Steel, designated UNS S31000, is an austenitic stainless steel alloy specifically designed for high-temperature service, combining good corrosion resistance with excellent strength and oxidation resistance up to 2000°F (1093°C). With higher chromium and nickel content than 304 or 316 stainless steels, 310 provides superior resistance to scaling, carburization, and sulfidation in prolonged elevated-temperature exposure. While it maintains toughness at cryogenic temperatures, its primary advantage lies in thermal stability, making it a go-to material for applications where heat and oxidation resistance are critical. Industries that commonly utilize 310 include heat treatment, power generation, petrochemical, and furnace manufacturing. It is widely applied in furnace parts, heat exchangers, burners, kilns, and boiler baffles, as well as in refractory anchors and combustion chambers exposed to cyclic heating and cooling. In the petrochemical sector, 310 is chosen for catalytic converter housings, reformer tubes, and process piping in high-temperature oxidizing atmospheres. Its durability also makes it useful in thermal processing equipment for the food industry. In addition to large components, 310 Stainless Steel is manufactured into fasteners such as bolts, nuts, screws, studs, and washers, which provide reliable service in furnaces, exhaust systems, and other assemblies requiring long-term strength and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures.
316 Stainless Steel, designated UNS S31600, is an austenitic stainless steel alloy that offers superior corrosion resistance compared to the widely used 304 grade, primarily due to the addition of molybdenum. This alloying element enhances resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-rich environments such as seawater and chemical processing conditions. Known for its excellent mechanical properties, toughness, and ability to maintain strength across a wide temperature range, 316 is also non-magnetic in the annealed condition and provides good weldability and formability. Because of these qualities, 316 is used extensively in industries where durability and resistance to aggressive environments are essential. In the marine sector, it is employed in boat fittings, pumps, and piping systems exposed to seawater. In chemical processing, 316 is used for tanks, valves, heat exchangers, and process piping handling acids, alkalis, and brines. The food and beverage industry relies on 316 for hygienic equipment such as storage vessels, brewing systems, and processing lines, while the pharmaceutical and medical sectors adopt it for surgical instruments, implants, and sanitary systems. Beyond large-scale applications, 316 Stainless Steel is also produced into fasteners such as bolts, nuts, screws, studs, and washers, delivering excellent corrosion resistance and long-term reliability in demanding service environments.
317 Stainless Steel, designated UNS S31700, is a molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel that provides higher corrosion resistance than the standard 304 and 316 grades, particularly in environments containing chlorides, sulfates, and other aggressive chemicals. With increased levels of molybdenum, chromium, and nickel, 317 offers superior resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and general chemical attack, making it an excellent choice for highly corrosive service where 316 may not be sufficient. The alloy also maintains good mechanical properties, toughness, and ductility across a wide temperature range while offering strong weldability and formability. Because of these characteristics, 317 Stainless Steel is widely used in industries that demand enhanced durability in challenging environments. The chemical and petrochemical industries employ it for process piping, heat exchangers, evaporators, and tanks handling acidic or chloride-bearing solutions. In the pulp and paper sector, it is used for bleaching equipment and digesters exposed to harsh chemicals. The food and beverage industry applies it in processing lines, storage vessels, and equipment requiring both corrosion resistance and cleanliness, while marine applications include pumps, piping, and fittings exposed to saltwater. In addition, 317 is manufactured into fasteners such as bolts, nuts, studs, screws, and washers, providing reliable strength and corrosion resistance in structural and pressure-retaining assemblies.
347 Stainless Steel, designated UNS S34700, is a stabilized austenitic stainless steel alloy formulated with niobium (columbium) to improve resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding or exposure to elevated temperatures. The niobium addition prevents chromium carbide precipitation, making 347 more resistant to sensitization than standard grades like 304. It offers excellent oxidation and creep resistance up to about 1500°F (815°C), along with good toughness, weldability, and mechanical strength. Because of these properties, 347 is widely used in high-temperature and corrosive environments where both stability and durability are critical. Industries that employ 347 include aerospace, power generation, chemical processing, petroleum refining, and food processing. In power plants and refineries, it is used in boiler tubes, heat exchangers, furnace parts, catalytic converter housings, and exhaust manifolds. The chemical industry relies on it for piping, pressure vessels, and equipment handling hot acids, steam, and corrosive gases. In aerospace, it is used in jet engine components and high-temperature structural parts, while the food industry applies it to processing equipment requiring resistance to both corrosion and heat. Beyond large-scale applications, 347 Stainless Steel is also manufactured into fasteners such as bolts, nuts, screws, studs, and washers, ensuring long-term reliability and corrosion resistance in high-temperature service conditions.
Nitronic® 50, also designated UNS S20910, is a high-strength austenitic stainless steel that combines outstanding corrosion resistance with excellent mechanical properties. Its chemistry, containing higher levels of chromium, molybdenum, and nitrogen compared to standard stainless steels, provides superior resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and chloride stress corrosion cracking, even outperforming alloys like 316 and 317 in aggressive environments. Nitronic® 50 retains non-magnetic characteristics even after cold working, making it unique among high-strength stainless steels. It also delivers nearly twice the yield strength of 304 and 316 while maintaining toughness at both cryogenic and elevated temperatures. Because of this versatility, Nitronic® 50 is widely applied across marine, chemical processing, pulp and paper, oil and gas, and aerospace industries. In marine and offshore environments, it is used for seawater pumps, valves, shafts, and piping systems exposed to high salinity. In chemical and petrochemical plants, it is applied in heat exchangers, process piping, and tanks handling aggressive chemicals. The pulp and paper industry employs it for bleaching equipment, while aerospace applications include shafts, structural parts, and hardware where strength and corrosion resistance are critical. Nitronic® 50 is also manufactured into fasteners such as bolts, screws, nuts, studs, and washers, offering high strength, long-term corrosion resistance, and durability in demanding structural and pressure-retaining assemblies.
Nitronic® 60, designated UNS S21800, is an austenitic stainless steel alloy engineered for excellent wear resistance, galling resistance, and good corrosion performance. Unlike many stainless steels that prioritize corrosion resistance alone, Nitronic® 60 was specifically developed to combat metal-to-metal wear, making it ideal for applications involving sliding, abrasion, or heavy contact pressure. Its composition includes higher levels of silicon and manganese, which significantly improve resistance to galling and fretting, even in unlubricated conditions, while still maintaining corrosion resistance superior to 304 stainless and comparable to 316 in many environments. Nitronic® 60 also retains good mechanical properties over a wide temperature range, maintaining toughness at cryogenic levels and strength at elevated service conditions. These characteristics make it valuable across industries including oil and gas, chemical processing, marine, pulp and paper, and power generation. In these sectors, it is used for pump components, valve stems, bushings, bearings, shafts, and wear rings where resistance to galling and seizing is critical. In addition, Nitronic® 60 is widely manufactured into fasteners such as bolts, nuts, studs, screws, and washers, particularly for assemblies subject to heavy loads, vibration, or repeated tightening. These fasteners provide long service life by minimizing galling and wear while delivering reliable strength and corrosion resistance in harsh industrial environments.
