Stainless Steel Chemical Composition Chart
Chemical composition (% by weight) of 14 stainless steel grades and 17 nickel and special alloys, with mechanical properties — on one page for quick comparison.
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Stainless steel grades: chemical composition (%)
Limits are as per ASTM A240 for sheet, plate and strip. A single value is a maximum unless marked "min"; the balance is iron (Fe). Click a grade for its full data sheet, equivalents and uses.
| Grade | UNS | C | Mn | Si | P | S | Cr | Ni | Mo | N | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS 201Austenitic | S20100 | 0.15 max | 5.5 – 7.5 | 1.00 max | 0.060 max | 0.030 max | 16.0 – 18.0 | 3.5 – 5.5 | — | 0.25 max | — |
| SS 202Austenitic | S20200 | 0.15 max | 7.5 – 10.0 | 1.00 max | 0.060 max | 0.030 max | 17.0 – 19.0 | 4.0 – 6.0 | — | 0.25 max | — |
| SS 304Austenitic | S30400 | 0.07 max | 2.00 max | 0.75 max | 0.045 max | 0.030 max | 17.5 – 19.5 | 8.0 – 10.5 | — | 0.10 max | — |
| SS 304LAustenitic | S30403 | 0.030 max | 2.00 max | 0.75 max | 0.045 max | 0.030 max | 17.5 – 19.5 | 8.0 – 12.0 | — | 0.10 max | — |
| SS 316Austenitic | S31600 | 0.08 max | 2.00 max | 0.75 max | 0.045 max | 0.030 max | 16.0 – 18.0 | 10.0 – 14.0 | 2.00 – 3.00 | 0.10 max | — |
| SS 316LAustenitic | S31603 | 0.030 max | 2.00 max | 0.75 max | 0.045 max | 0.030 max | 16.0 – 18.0 | 10.0 – 14.0 | 2.00 – 3.00 | 0.10 max | — |
| SS 316TiAustenitic | S31635 | 0.08 max | 2.00 max | 0.75 max | 0.045 max | 0.030 max | 16.0 – 18.0 | 10.0 – 14.0 | 2.00 – 3.00 | 0.10 max | Ti 5×(C+N) – 0.70 |
| SS 317LAustenitic | S31703 | 0.030 max | 2.00 max | 0.75 max | 0.045 max | 0.030 max | 18.0 – 20.0 | 11.0 – 15.0 | 3.0 – 4.0 | 0.10 max | — |
| SS 321Austenitic | S32100 | 0.08 max | 2.00 max | 0.75 max | 0.045 max | 0.030 max | 17.0 – 19.0 | 9.0 – 12.0 | — | 0.10 max | Ti 5×(C+N) – 0.70 |
| SS 310SAustenitic heat-resistant | S31008 | 0.08 max | 2.00 max | 1.50 max | 0.045 max | 0.030 max | 24.0 – 26.0 | 19.0 – 22.0 | — | — | — |
| SS 904LSuper-austenitic | N08904 | 0.020 max | 2.00 max | 1.00 max | 0.045 max | 0.035 max | 19.0 – 23.0 | 23.0 – 28.0 | 4.0 – 5.0 | 0.10 max | Cu 1.0 – 2.0 |
| SS 410Martensitic | S41000 | 0.08 – 0.15 | 1.00 max | 1.00 max | 0.040 max | 0.030 max | 11.5 – 13.5 | 0.75 max | — | — | — |
| SS 430Ferritic | S43000 | 0.12 max | 1.00 max | 1.00 max | 0.040 max | 0.030 max | 16.0 – 18.0 | 0.75 max | — | — | — |
| Duplex 2205Duplex | S32205 / S31803 | 0.030 max | 2.00 max | 1.00 max | 0.030 max | 0.020 max | 22.0 – 23.0 | 4.5 – 6.5 | 3.0 – 3.5 | 0.14 – 0.20 | — |
Mechanical properties and density
Minimum values in the annealed condition (ASTM A240), with typical density for weight calculations.
| Grade | Tensile (MPa, min) | Yield 0.2% (MPa, min) | Elongation (%, min) | Hardness (max) | Density (g/cm³) | EN / W.Nr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS 201 | 515 | 260 | 40 | 241 HB max | 7.8 | 1.4372 |
| SS 202 | 620 | 260 | 40 | 241 HB max | 7.8 | 1.4373 |
| SS 304 | 515 | 205 | 40 | 92 HRB / 201 HB max | 7.93 | 1.4301 |
| SS 304L | 485 | 170 | 40 | 92 HRB / 201 HB max | 7.93 | 1.4307 |
| SS 316 | 515 | 205 | 40 | 95 HRB / 217 HB max | 7.98 | 1.4401 |
| SS 316L | 485 | 170 | 40 | 95 HRB / 217 HB max | 7.98 | 1.4404 |
| SS 316Ti | 515 | 205 | 40 | 95 HRB / 217 HB max | 7.98 | 1.4571 |
| SS 317L | 515 | 205 | 40 | 95 HRB / 217 HB max | 7.98 | 1.4438 |
| SS 321 | 515 | 205 | 40 | 95 HRB / 217 HB max | 7.92 | 1.4541 |
| SS 310S | 515 | 205 | 40 | 95 HRB / 217 HB max | 7.98 | 1.4845 |
| SS 904L | 490 | 220 | 35 | 90 HRB max | 7.95 | 1.4539 |
| SS 410 | 450 | 205 | 20 | 96 HRB / 217 HB max (annealed) | 7.75 | 1.4006 |
| SS 430 | 450 | 205 | 22 | 89 HRB / 183 HB max | 7.7 | 1.4016 |
| Duplex 2205 | 655 | 450 | 25 | 293 HB max | 7.8 | 1.4462 |
Need the weight of a sheet, pipe or bar? Use the weight calculator or the size & weight charts.
Nickel and special alloys: chemical composition (%)
Inconel, Incoloy, Monel, Hastelloy, pure nickel, Alloy 20, 254 SMO and super duplex — the "percentage items". Typical specification limits; click an alloy for full details.
| Alloy | UNS | Ni | Cr | Mo | Fe | Cu | C | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inconel 600W.Nr. 2.4816 | N06600 | 72.0 min | 14.0 – 17.0 | — | 6.0 – 10.0 | 0.50 max | 0.15 max | Mn 1.0 max; Si 0.50 max; S 0.015 max |
| Inconel 601W.Nr. 2.4851 | N06601 | 58.0 – 63.0 | 21.0 – 25.0 | — | Balance | 1.0 max | 0.10 max | Al 1.0 – 1.7; Mn 1.0 max; Si 0.50 max |
| Inconel 617W.Nr. 2.4663 | N06617 | 44.5 min | 20.0 – 24.0 | 8.0 – 10.0 | 3.0 max | — | 0.05 – 0.15 | Co 10.0 – 15.0; Al 0.8 – 1.5 |
| Inconel 625W.Nr. 2.4856 | N06625 | 58.0 min | 20.0 – 23.0 | 8.0 – 10.0 | 5.0 max | — | 0.10 max | Nb+Ta 3.15 – 4.15; Mn 0.50 max; Si 0.50 max; Co 1.0 max |
| Inconel 718W.Nr. 2.4668 | N07718 | 50.0 – 55.0 | 17.0 – 21.0 | 2.80 – 3.30 | Balance | — | 0.08 max | Nb+Ta 4.75 – 5.50; Ti 0.65 – 1.15; Al 0.20 – 0.80 |
| Incoloy 800W.Nr. 1.4876 | N08800 | 30.0 – 35.0 | 19.0 – 23.0 | — | 39.5 min | — | 0.10 max | Al 0.15 – 0.60; Ti 0.15 – 0.60; Mn 1.5 max; Si 1.0 max |
| Incoloy 800H / 800HTW.Nr. 1.4958 / 1.4959 | N08810 / N08811 | 30.0 – 35.0 | 19.0 – 23.0 | — | 39.5 min | — | 0.05 – 0.10 (800HT: 0.06 – 0.10) | Al+Ti 0.30 – 1.20 (800HT: 0.85 – 1.20); Mn 1.5 max; Si 1.0 max |
| Incoloy 825W.Nr. 2.4858 | N08825 | 38.0 – 46.0 | 19.5 – 23.5 | 2.5 – 3.5 | 22.0 min | 1.5 – 3.0 | 0.05 max | Ti 0.6 – 1.2; Mn 1.0 max |
| Monel 400W.Nr. 2.4360 | N04400 | 63.0 min | — | — | 2.5 max | 28.0 – 34.0 | 0.30 max | Mn 2.0 max; Si 0.50 max; S 0.024 max |
| Monel K-500W.Nr. 2.4375 | N05500 | 63.0 min | — | — | 2.0 max | 27.0 – 33.0 | 0.25 max | Al 2.30 – 3.15; Ti 0.35 – 0.85; Mn 1.5 max |
| Hastelloy C-276W.Nr. 2.4819 | N10276 | Balance | 14.5 – 16.5 | 15.0 – 17.0 | 4.0 – 7.0 | — | 0.010 max | W 3.0 – 4.5; Co 2.5 max; Mn 1.0 max; V 0.35 max |
| Hastelloy C-22W.Nr. 2.4602 | N06022 | Balance | 20.0 – 22.5 | 12.5 – 14.5 | 2.0 – 6.0 | — | 0.015 max | W 2.5 – 3.5; Co 2.5 max; Mn 0.50 max |
| Nickel 200W.Nr. 2.4066 | N02200 | 99.0 min | — | — | 0.40 max | 0.25 max | 0.15 max | Mn 0.35 max; Si 0.35 max; S 0.010 max |
| Nickel 201W.Nr. 2.4068 | N02201 | 99.0 min | — | — | 0.40 max | 0.25 max | 0.02 max | Mn 0.35 max; Si 0.35 max; S 0.010 max |
| Alloy 20W.Nr. 2.4660 | N08020 | 32.0 – 38.0 | 19.0 – 21.0 | 2.0 – 3.0 | Balance | 3.0 – 4.0 | 0.07 max | Nb 8×C – 1.00; Mn 2.0 max |
| 254 SMOW.Nr. 1.4547 | S31254 | 17.5 – 18.5 | 19.5 – 20.5 | 6.0 – 6.5 | Balance | 0.50 – 1.00 | 0.020 max | N 0.18 – 0.25; Mn 1.00 max |
| Super Duplex 2507W.Nr. 1.4410 | S32750 | 6.0 – 8.0 | 24.0 – 26.0 | 3.0 – 5.0 | Balance | 0.50 max | 0.030 max | N 0.24 – 0.32; Mn 1.20 max |
Inconel®, Incoloy® and Monel® are trademarks of Special Metals Corporation; Hastelloy® of Haynes International; 254 SMO® of Outokumpu.
What each element does in stainless steel
The essential element. At 10.5% or more it forms the protective oxide film that makes steel stainless. More chromium improves corrosion and oxidation resistance.
Stabilises the austenitic (non-magnetic) structure, improves toughness, ductility and weldability, and helps resistance to some acids. Nickel is the main driver of stainless steel prices.
Greatly improves resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chlorides, sea water and acids. It is the key difference between 304 and 316, and is higher still in 317L, 904L and duplex.
Adds strength and hardness — essential in martensitic 410 — but in austenitic grades it can form chromium carbides during welding. "L" grades keep carbon at 0.030% or less.
Increases strength and pitting resistance, and partly replaces nickel in 200-series and duplex grades.
Improves hot working and strength. In 200-series grades (201, 202) it replaces part of the nickel to reduce cost.
Stabilisers in 321 and 316Ti: they combine with carbon so chromium stays free, preventing intergranular corrosion after welding or high-temperature service.
Improves resistance to sulphuric acid and other reducing acids — used in 904L, Alloy 20 and Incoloy 825.
All values on this page are typical specification limits for guidance. The actual chemistry of every lot is shown on the mill test certificate we supply with the material.
Chemical composition — FAQs
What is the difference in chemical composition between SS 304 and SS 316?
SS 316 contains 2.00 – 3.00% molybdenum, which SS 304 does not, and more nickel (10.0 – 14.0% against 8.0 – 10.5% in 304). The molybdenum is what gives 316 its better resistance to chlorides, sea water and many acids.
What does "L" mean in 304L and 316L?
"L" means low carbon. 304L and 316L are limited to 0.030 max% carbon, against 0.07 max% for 304 and 0.08 max% for 316. Low carbon prevents chromium carbides forming during welding, so welded joints keep their corrosion resistance.
How is SS 202 different from SS 304 in composition?
SS 202 replaces part of the nickel with manganese and nitrogen: it has 4.0 – 6.0% nickel and 7.5 – 10.0% manganese, while 304 has 8.0 – 10.5% nickel and 2.00 max% manganese. That makes 202 cheaper, but less corrosion resistant, so it suits indoor and decorative use.
Which stainless steel grades are magnetic?
The 400-series grades are magnetic: ferritic SS 430 and martensitic SS 410 contain little or no nickel. Duplex 2205 is partly magnetic because about half of its structure is ferrite. Austenitic grades such as 304 and 316 are non-magnetic when annealed, though cold working can make them slightly magnetic.
What percentage of chromium makes steel stainless?
Steel needs at least about 10.5% chromium to form the thin, self-healing chromium oxide layer that makes it "stainless". Common grades contain 11.5–26% chromium; more chromium generally means better resistance to corrosion and scaling.
How can I check the composition of the material I receive?
Every lot we supply comes with the mill test certificate (EN 10204 3.1), which lists the actual chemistry of that heat. For critical jobs, positive material identification (PMI) or third-party inspection can be arranged before dispatch.
Need a grade with a specific chemistry? Get a quote
Tell us the grade, size, finish and quantity. We check stock and send a per-kg rate with dispatch date — usually the same working day.
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