AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEELS

Austenitic Stainless Steel – AISI 300 Series by Radiant Industries

Radiant Industries manufactures a wide range of stainless steel products in different grades, including Austenitic Stainless Steel (AISI 300 Series).

Austenitic stainless steels are non-magnetic and contain high levels of chromium and nickel with low carbon content. They are the most widely used stainless steel grades, with the most common composition being 18% chromium and 8% nickel (18/8 steel), offering excellent corrosion resistance, formability, and impact strength.

Types of Austenitic Stainless Steel

Austenitic stainless steels are classified into two main groups:

Chromium-Nickel AISI 300 Series
Chromium-Nickel-Manganese 200 Series

To enhance corrosion resistance, 2-3% molybdenum is added, creating what is often referred to as acid-proof steel. The most widely used grade is 304 stainless steel, which contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel.

Due to their high creep strength, scaling resistance, and ability to retain impact strength at extreme temperatures, these steels are the most popular choice for various industrial applications.

Work Hardening & Strength Levels

Certain austenitic stainless steels have a high work hardening rate. In such cases, austenite partially transforms into martensite during cold working.
For example, Grade 301 has the lowest nickel content (6.5% Ni) and the highest work hardening rate, making it suitable for applications requiring high strength levels.

Products Manufactured by Radiant Industries

We produce all materials in this grade, including:

Bright Round Bars
PSQ Bars
HRAP Flat Bars
HR Bars & RCS
Cold Drawn Round, Flat, Square, Hexagon Bars
Concast Billets & Ingots

Properties of Austenitic Stainless Steel

1. Formability

Austenitic stainless steels exhibit excellent formability.
In welded joints, good mechanical strength is achieved without preheating or post-weld annealing.
To prevent corrosion in the weld area, heat treatment or low-carbon grades are recommended.

2. Strength at Temperature

These steels perform well in both high-temperature applications (~600°C or higher) and cryogenic conditions, depending on load and permissible distortion.
At sub-zero temperatures, austenitic steels maintain ductility and impact strength.
They are commonly used for liquefied gas storage, heat exchangers, and pollution control equipment.

Applications of Austenitic Stainless Steel

Austenitic stainless steels are used across various industries, including:

Automotive trim
Cookware & kitchen equipment
Food & beverage processing
Industrial machinery

Applications by Grade

304 & 304L (Standard Grades)

Used in:

Tanks, storage vessels, and pipelines for corrosive liquids
Mining, chemical, cryogenic, food & beverage industries
Cutlery, sinks, pharmaceutical equipment, and deep drawing applications

309 & 310 (High Chrome & Nickel Grades)

Used in furnace parts, kiln equipment, catalytic converters
Resistant to temperatures up to 1100°C

316 & 316L (High Molybdenum Grades)

Higher corrosion resistance, used in marine equipment, chemical storage tanks, pressure vessels, and piping

321 & 316Ti (“Stabilized” Grades)

Titanium-stabilized version of 316 for high-temperature strength & resistance to intergranular corrosion
Used in superheaters, compensators, and expansion bellows

200 Series (Low Nickel Grades)