The characteristics and applications of different types of stainless steel

ASTM standard 201

National standard (GB) Cr17Mn6Ni5N

Japanese standard (SUS) SUS201

Properties: It has the characteristics of acid and alkali resistance, high density, smooth polishing without bubbles or pinholes, and is an excellent material for producing various watch cases, straps, covers, etc.

Applications: Mainly used for decorative pipes, industrial pipes, and some shallow extruded products. 

ASTM 202

National Standard (GB) Cr18Mn8Ni5N

Japanese Standard (SUS) SUS202

Properties: Some nickel was replaced with Nm and N, thereby achieving excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. It is a new type of stainless steel with reduced nickel content. Its room temperature strength is higher than that of 304, and it has good oxidation resistance and medium-temperature strength below 800 degrees.

Applications: Primarily used for decorative pipes, industrial pipes, and some shallowly stretched products. 

ASTM 2205

National Standard (GB) 00Cr22Ni5Mo3N

Japanese Standard (SUS) SUS2205

Properties: The ranges of Cr, Mo and N elements in it are relatively narrow, making it easy to achieve a phase plane (i.e., each phase approximately occupies half), improving the strength, corrosion resistance and welding performance of the steel. It is mostly used for materials with higher performance requirements and those requiring welding, such as oil and gas pipelines, etc.

Applications: Used in oil refining, fertilizer, papermaking, petroleum, chemical industries, etc. for heat exchangers and condensers and components that are resistant to seawater, high temperatures and concentrated nitric acid, etc. 

ASTM 304

National Standard (GB) 1Cr18Ni9 (06Cr18Ni10)

Japanese Standard (SUS) SUS304

Properties: As a widely used steel, it has excellent corrosion resistance, heat resistance, low-temperature strength and mechanical properties. It has good hot processing properties such as stamping and bending, and there is no heat treatment hardening phenomenon (no tempering, operating temperature -196℃ - 800℃)

Applications: Food industry, household items (1st and 2nd class tableware, kitchen cabinet indoor pipelines, water heaters, boilers, bathtubs) 

ASTM 304JI

SUS 304JI (Japanese standard)

Properties: Copper should be added. It has good formability, especially in terms of drawing and anti-ageing crack resistance. It can also be used for forming complex-shaped products. Its corrosion resistance is the same as that of 304 steel.

Applications， kitchen sink， pot， cooker， insulated rice bowl， door handle， textile processing machinery. 

ASTM 304L

GB 00Cr19Ni10

SUS 304L

Properties: As a 304 steel with low carbon content, in normal conditions, its corrosion resistance is similar to that of 304 steel. However, after welding or stress relief, its resistance to pitting corrosion is excellent. Without heat treatment, it can still maintain good corrosion resistance, typically used below 400 (non-magnetic, operating temperature -196 ℃ - 800 ℃).

Applications: Applied in the chemical, coal, petroleum industries where there are high requirements for anti-crack corrosion, for outdoor machinery, building materials, heat-resistant parts, and parts with difficult heat treatment. 

ASTM 321

GB 1Cr18NI9T1

SUS 321

Properties: Adding T element to 304 steel to prevent intergranular corrosion, suitable for use at temperatures ranging from 430°C to 900°C.

Applications: Agriculture, ship components, steel machinery industry, aircraft, tubes, boiler steam drums, automotive parts (windshield wipers, mufflers, molded products) 

ASTM grade 316

National standard (GB) 0Cr17Ni12Mo2

Japanese standard (SUS) SUS316

Properties: Mo should be added, so its pre-etching property, atmospheric corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength are particularly good, and it can be used under high-temperature conditions. Excellent work hardening property (non-magnetic)

Applications: Equipment for seawater, chemical, dye, papermaking. Equipment for producing oxalic acid, chemicals, fertilizers, etc.: photography, food industry, coastal area facilities, ropes, CD rods, bolts, nuts. 

ASTM 316L

GB standard 00Cr1714Mo2

SUS standard SUS316L

Properties: As the low C series of 316 steel type, in addition to having the same characteristics as 316 steel, it has excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion.

Applications: Among the applications of 316 steel, it is used for products with special requirements for resisting intergranular corrosion. 

ASTM 309S

GB 0Cr23N113M02

SUS sus309s

Properties: 23Cr-13Ni high-alloy steel stainless steel with excellent corrosion resistance and strength, suitable for components operating at temperatures up to 1000℃

Applications: Exhaust machines, heat treatment furnaces, heat exchangers, etc. 

ASTM 310S

GB 0Cr25N120S12

SUS 310S

Properties: Excellent oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance. Due to the higher percentage of chromium and nickel, 310S has much better ductility and can operate continuously at high temperatures, possessing excellent high-temperature resistance.

Applications: Boilers, exhaust machines, heat treatment and heat exchange equipment, etc. 

ASTM 409L

GB 00Cr12Ti

SUS SUS409L

Properties: The cheapest model. Due to the addition of certain elements, its high-temperature corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength are better. It belongs to ferritic stainless steel (chrome steel).

Applications: For products that need to be welded and do not require heat treatment, such as automotive exhaust pipes, heat exchangers, containers, etc. 

ASTM 410

GB 1Cr13

SUS SUS410

Properties: It is a representative martensitic steel. Although it has high strength, it is not suitable for use in harsh corrosive environments. It has good machinability and undergoes surface hardening during heat treatment (with magnetism).

Applications: Knife blades, mechanical parts, petroleum refining equipment, bolts, nuts, tie rods, Class 1 tableware (knives, forks) 

ASTM 430

GB 1Cr17

SUS SUS430

Properties: As a representative type of ferritic steel, it has a low thermal expansion rate, excellent formability and oxidation resistance.

Applications: Heat-resistant utensils, burners, household appliances, type 2 tableware, kitchen sinks, exterior decorative materials, bolts, nuts, CD rods, screens.