Common Stainless Steel Grades Chart
Stainless steel is one of the best and most commonly used materials for precision machined parts.
Like most materials, there are 100s of different stainless steel alloys, each with slightly different compositions and use cases. But, not every stainless steel alloy is suitable for precision machined parts. Out of the 100s of different alloys, the majority of precision stainless steel parts are made from a few alloys, and a few more are used for specialty parts.
Spex uses about 15 different stainless steel alloys to machine precision parts for a wide variety of industries. The versatility, corrosion resistance, and strength of stainless steel make it the ideal choice for CNC machined parts.
This chart gives you a brief overview of the most common stainless steel alloys, their costs, and common uses for each.
Common grades of stainless steel
| AISI Grade | Material Cost | Machining Cost | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
|
303 |
Low |
Low |
Nuts, Bolts, Screws, Gears, Shafts, Aerospace Parts |
|
304 |
Low |
Medium-Low |
Nuts, Bolts, Screws, Automotive Parts, Aerospace Parts |
|
304L |
Low |
Medium-Low |
* Same as 304, with improved weldability |
|
310 |
Medium |
Medium |
Pins, Rivets, Spacers, Shafts, Gears |
|
316 |
Medium-Low |
Medium |
Nuts, Bolts, Valve Components, Marine Parts, Lab Equipment |
|
316L |
Medium-Low |
Medium |
* Same as 316, with improved weldability |
|
404 |
Low |
Medium-Low |
Gears, Shafts, Nuts, Bolts |
|
410 |
Low |
Low |
Nuts, Bolts, Screws, Pump and Valve Parts, Surgical Instruments, Nozzles |
|
416 |
Low |
Low |
Nuts, Bolts, Bushings, Fasteners, Turbine Blades, Culinary Tools |
|
430 |
Low |
Low |
Injectors, Valves |
|
440C |
Medium |
Medium |
Pins, Bearings, Valve Components, Dental Parts, |
Spex is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company. Organizations use this standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.
We incorporate world-class excellence in every step of the process, in our ongoing efforts to ensure your success.
Reach out to our team to get a quote for CNC machined stainless steel parts for your next project.
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