Material Chemistry

Chemical Composition of Stainless Steel

Engineering reference chart of chemical composition in weight % — 27 stainless steel grades across carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, chromium, nickel and other elements.

27 Grades200, 300, 400 and 900 series

7 ElementsC, Mn, P, S, Si, Cr, Ni

Weight %All values as weight percent

Others ColumnMo, Ti, Cb, Cu and N limits

Find a Grade

Pick a stainless steel grade to read its chemistry element by element, or filter the full reference chart below.

C — Carbon Mn — Manganese P — Phosphorus S — Sulfur Si — Silicon Cr — Chromium Ni — Nickel Others

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COMMON GRADES

Chemical Compositions (%) — chemical composition in weight percent

Grade	C	Mn	P	S	Si	Cr	Ni	Others
201	0.15	5.50 - 7.5	0.060	0.030	1.00	16.0 - 18.0	3.5 - 5.5	N 0.25
202	0.15	7.5 - 10.0	0.060	0.030	1.00	17.0 - 19.0	4.0 - 6.0	N 0.25
301	0.15	2.00	0.045	0.030	1.00	16.0 - 18.0	6.0 - 8.0	N 0.25
302	0.15	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	17.0 - 19.0	8.0 - 10.0	N ~0.10
304	0.08	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	18.0 - 20.0	8.0 - 10.5	N 0.25
304L	0.03	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	18.0 - 20.0	8.0 - 12.0	N 0.25
304H	0.04 - 0.10	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	18.0 - 20.0	8.0 - 10.5	—
305	0.12	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	—	—	—
309S	0.08	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	22.0 - 24.0	12.0 - 15.0	—
310S	0.08	2.00	0.045	0.030	1.50	24.0 - 26.0	19.0 - 22.0	—
310H	0.04 - 0.10	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	24.0 - 26.0	19.0 - 22.0	—
316	0.08	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	16.0 - 18.0	10.0 - 14.0	Mo 2.0-3.0, N 0.10
316L	0.03	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	16.0 - 18.0	10.0 - 14.0	Mo 2.0-3.0, N 0.10
316H	0.04 - 0.10	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	16.0 - 18.0	10.0 - 14.0	—
316Ti	0.08	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	16.0 - 18.0	10.0 - 14.0	N 0.10, Ti 5(C+N) Min, 0.70 Max
317	0.08	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	18.0 - 20.0	11.0 - 15.0	Mo 3.0-4.0, N 0.10
317L	0.03	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	18.0 - 20.0	11.0 - 15.0	Mo 3.0-4.0, N 0.10
321	0.08	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	17.0 - 19.0	9.0 - 12.0	Ti 5(C+N) Min, 0.70 Max
321H	0.04 - 0.10	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	17.0 - 20.0	9.0 - 13.0	—
347	0.08	2.00	0.045	0.030	0.75	17.0 - 19.0	9.0 - 13.0	Cb 10 x C Min, 1.0 Max
347H	0.04 - 0.10	2.00	0.040	0.030	1.00	17.0 - 20.0	9.0 - 13.0	—
904L	0.02	2.00	0.045	0.030	1.00	19.0 - 23.0	23.0 - 28.0	Mo 4.0-5.0, Cu 1.0-2.0
409L	0.03	1.00	0.030	0.040	1.00	10.50 - 11.75	0.50	Ti 6(C) Min - 0.75 Max, Cb 0.17 Max
410	0.15	1.00	0.040	0.030	1.00	11.50 - 13.50	0.75	—
410S	0.08	1.00	0.030	0.040	1.00	11.50 - 13.50	0.60	—
420	0.15 (Min)	1.00	0.045	0.030	1.00	10.50 - 15.50	1.0 - 2.5	Mo 0.20-1.20
430	0.12	1.00	0.030	0.040	1.00	16.0 - 18.0	0.75	—

Single figures are maximum limits unless the cell shows a range or is marked (Min). A dash means no value is shown for that element in the supplied reference.

Note: values are reproduced from the MBM material-chemistry reference. Confirm the chemistry against your project specification before ordering — our technical team is happy to verify a grade for you.

Reference Notes

Values are reproduced from the supplied MBM material-chemistry reference.

Blank cells indicate no value shown in the supplied reference image.

All values are shown as weight percent unless otherwise stated.

Element Key

C = Carbon Mn = Manganese P = Phosphorus S = Sulfur Si = Silicon Cr = Chromium Ni = Nickel Mo = Molybdenum Ti = Titanium Cb = Columbium/Niobium

Important

For purchase orders, MTCs, QAPs and code compliance, verify chemistry

against the exact ASTM / ASME specification, grade and edition ordered.

This sheet is an engineering reference and not a substitute for the standard.

How to read the chart

MAX

A single figure is a maximum

Where a cell shows one number — 304 carbon at 0.08 — that is the upper limit. The element may be present at any level up to it.

–

A range is a min and a max

18.0 – 20.0 chromium means the heat must fall inside that band, both ends inclusive.

MIN

(Min) marks a floor

Grade 420 carbon reads 0.15 (Min): the element must be at least that figure, with no upper limit shown here.

—

A dash is a blank cell

No value is shown against that element in the supplied reference. It is not a declaration that the element is absent.

What the suffixes mean

Low carbon

304L and 316L cap carbon at 0.03 against 0.08 for the base grade, which limits carbide precipitation at the weld.

High carbon

304H, 316H, 321H and 347H hold carbon in a 0.04 – 0.10 band for creep strength in elevated-temperature service.

Titanium stabilised

321 and 316Ti carry Ti at 5(C+N) minimum, 0.70 maximum, so titanium ties up carbon ahead of chromium.

Columbium stabilised

347 carries Cb at 10 × C minimum, 1.0 maximum — the same idea using columbium (niobium) instead.

Products we manufacture in these grades

SMLS

Seamless Pipes & Tubes

Cold drawn and pilgered seamless stainless steel.

WLD

Welded Pipes & Tubes

TIG welded in a full range of grades and finishes.

Heat Exchanger Tubes

Exchanger and condenser duty in 304, 316, 321 and duplex.

MTC

Test Certificates

Chemistry and mechanical results supplied with every heat.

Need a size not listed?

MBM Tubes manufactures stainless steel seamless and welded tubes in various grades, sizes, gauges and specifications as per customer requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are the values in this chart weight percent?

Yes. All values are shown as weight percent unless otherwise stated, which is how chemistry is reported on a mill test certificate.

What does a blank cell mean?

A blank cell — shown as a dash in the chart — means no value is given for that element in the supplied reference. It does not mean the element is absent from the grade, so check the governing specification for those figures.

What is the difference between 304 and 304L?

Carbon. 304 allows up to 0.08 % while 304L is capped at 0.03 %. The rest of the chemistry is the same band, and the lower carbon of 304L reduces sensitisation in the weld heat-affected zone.

Why do 304H, 316H, 321H and 347H show a carbon range?

The H grades hold carbon between 0.04 and 0.10 % rather than simply capping it. The carbon is wanted, because it is what gives these grades their creep strength in elevated-temperature service.

What are the stabilising elements in 321, 347 and 316Ti?

321 and 316Ti use titanium at 5(C+N) minimum and 0.70 maximum; 347 uses columbium at 10 × C minimum and 1.0 maximum. Both tie up carbon so it cannot combine with chromium at the grain boundary.

Can I use this chart for a purchase order or a QAP?

Treat it as an engineering reference only. For purchase orders, MTCs, QAPs and code compliance, verify the chemistry against the exact ASTM / ASME specification, grade and edition you have ordered — this sheet is not a substitute for the standard.

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