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Stainless steel grade comparison

301 vs 310S Stainless Steel

Compare 301 and 310S stainless steel by chemistry, room-temperature strength, work-hardening response, oxidation resistance, creep behavior, thermal expansion, fabrication, product form and high-temperature service conditions.

Quick answer: choose 301 when high room-temperature strength, spring performance and cold-work strengthening control the design. Choose 310S when sustained very-high-temperature oxidation resistance, furnace service or hot-process equipment is the controlling requirement.

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Cold-work strength vs very-high-temperature resistance

301

EN 1.4310 · UNS S30100

Structure Austenitic
Typical C 0.10%
Typical Cr 17.0%
Typical Ni 7.0%
Main feature Work hardening
Typical role Spring / forming

310S

EN 1.4845 · UNS S31008

Structure Austenitic
Typical C 0.05%
Typical Cr 25.5%
Typical Ni 19.1%
Air guidance Up to ~1050°C*
Typical role Furnace service

*1050°C is application-temperature guidance for air service, not a universal allowable design temperature. Atmosphere, load, duration and thermal cycling must be reviewed.

M03 · Decision summary

301 or 310S stainless steel: which one should you specify?

The first decision should be operating temperature. 301 is primarily a high-work-hardening stainless steel for mechanically loaded cold-formed components. 310S is a high-chromium, high-nickel heat-resistant alloy for elevated-temperature oxidation and furnace service.

Decision first: start with 301 when the part operates mainly at ambient or moderate temperature and needs high strength from cold working. Start with 310S when continuous high-temperature oxidation resistance is the controlling design requirement.

Choose 301

High room-temperature strength from cold work

Best for Springs, precision strip, stamped parts and mechanically loaded cold-formed components.

Not recommended for Sustained furnace service where oxidation and creep control service life.

Key trade-off Strong work hardening increases forming load, springback and machining difficulty.

Alternative 304L where general corrosion and welded fabrication matter more than peak cold-work strength.

Choose 310S

Very-high-temperature oxidation resistance

Best for Furnace equipment, heat-treatment baskets, thermowells, heat exchangers and hot-process components.

Not recommended for Commodity ambient-temperature components where high Cr/Ni content provides no useful thermal benefit.

Key trade-off Higher alloy content and cost, with creep, atmosphere and structural stability still requiring review.

Alternative 309S at lower thermal severity, or 253 MA / another heat-resistant alloy where cycling or creep requirements exceed 310S.

Reconsider both

Environment controls the failure mode

Review when Severe wet chlorides, reducing acids, sulfur-rich hot gas, aggressive carburizing conditions or critical creep-pressure service apply.

Why 310S is a heat-resistant alloy, not a universal aqueous-corrosion alloy.

Alternative 316L, duplex, higher-nickel alloys or specialist heat-resistant grades depending on the actual environment.

Engineering reversal conditions: do not select 310S from temperature alone. Atmosphere composition, oxygen potential, water vapor, sulfur compounds, applied stress, thermal cycling, duration and shutdown condensation can change the correct material choice.

M04 · Technical data

301 vs 310S stainless steel properties

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301 and 310S should not be compared using one room-temperature strength number. 301 selection usually depends on final cold-work condition, while 310S high-temperature design requires oxidation, elevated-temperature strength and creep data.

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Typical chemical composition

Typical manufacturer values by mass. The governing material specification and MTC control final acceptance.

Element / feature	301 / S30100	310S / S31008	Selection significance	Basis
Carbon, C	0.10%	0.05%	The S variant uses lower carbon while maintaining high Cr/Ni heat-resistant chemistry.	Typical manufacturer chemistry
Chromium, Cr	17.0%	25.5%	310S has substantially more chromium for high-temperature oxidation resistance.	Outokumpu typical values
Nickel, Ni	7.0%	19.1%	310S has much higher nickel content for high-temperature austenitic stability.	Outokumpu typical values
Molybdenum, Mo	No intentional addition	No intentional addition	Neither is a Mo-alloyed chloride-pitting grade.	Grade design
Microstructure	Austenitic	Austenitic	Same broad microstructure, but very different alloy balance and service objective.	Grade classification

301 cold-rolled mechanical properties

EN 10088-2 cold-rolled coil / strip / sheet reference.

Property	301 value	Unit	Condition	Selection meaning
Rp0.2	250	MPa	Cold rolled	Baseline proof strength before stronger temper conditions.
Rp1.0	280	MPa	Cold rolled	Useful for forming and structural assessment.
Rm	600–950	MPa	Cold rolled	Shows 301's high-strength room-temperature character.
Minimum elongation	40	%	Cold rolled	Useful ductility before more severe cold working.
Temper strengthening	High capability	—	Cold-worked condition	Specify final tensile or temper requirement.

310S elevated-temperature mechanical properties

Outokumpu minimum values based on EN 10028-7. At higher temperature, creep data becomes increasingly important.

Temperature	Rp0.2	Rp1.0	Rm minimum	Design note
100°C	140 MPa	185 MPa	470 MPa	Elevated-temperature reference, not room-temperature data.
200°C	116 MPa	154 MPa	430 MPa	Strength decreases as temperature rises.
300°C	100 MPa	139 MPa	410 MPa	Use actual project design temperature.
400°C	91 MPa	126 MPa	400 MPa	Do not extrapolate room-temperature strength.
450°C	86 MPa	123 MPa	385 MPa	Long-duration behavior becomes increasingly important as temperature rises further.

310S creep rupture reference

Mean 1,000-hour creep rupture strength from Outokumpu Therma data. Project design must use the applicable code and required life.

Temperature	310S mean Rkm,1,000	Unit	Condition	Engineering meaning
600°C	170	MPa	1,000 h creep rupture mean value	Long-duration properties now matter to component sizing.
700°C	80	MPa	1,000 h creep rupture mean value	Large reduction compared with room-temperature strength.
800°C	35	MPa	1,000 h creep rupture mean value	Creep becomes a major dimensioning consideration.
900°C	15	MPa	1,000 h creep rupture mean value	High oxidation resistance does not imply high load-bearing capability.

Temperature and oxidation comparison

High-temperature corrosion, structural stability and allowable stress are separate engineering checks.

Condition	301	310S	Reference condition	Procurement implication
Sustained high-temperature oxidation	Not intended as furnace grade	Very good oxidation resistance	Heat-resistant alloy design	310S is the appropriate starting point of these two.
Maximum application-temperature guidance	Do not use as furnace basis	Approx. 1050°C in air	EN 10095 guidance	Not equivalent to allowable structural temperature.
Mildly cyclic oxidation	Not primary use	Good resistance	Manufacturer grade guidance	More severe cycling may favor another heat-resistant alloy.
600–900°C continuous exposure	Not primary service range	Slight embrittlement susceptibility	Continuous high-temperature operation	Review structural stability and post-service toughness.
High-temperature load-bearing service	Alternative grade review	Use creep data / code allowables	Long-duration service	Do not size the component from room-temperature yield.

Typical physical properties

Temperature-specific values are shown where relevant.

Property	301	310S	Condition	Engineering effect
Density	7.9 kg/dm³	7.8 kg/dm³	Reference	Small difference in mass.
Elastic modulus	200 GPa	196 GPa	20°C	Similar room-temperature stiffness.
310S elastic modulus	—	150 GPa	600°C	Stiffness decreases at elevated temperature.
310S elastic modulus	—	120 GPa	1000°C	High-temperature deformation must be included in design.
Thermal expansion	Approx. 16 ×10⁻⁶/K	18.8 ×10⁻⁶/K	301 low-temp reference; 310S 20–600°C	Hot 310S components need expansion allowance.
310S thermal expansion	—	20.0 ×10⁻⁶/K	20–1000°C	Important for restraints, joints and thermal cycling.
Thermal conductivity	15 W/m·K	15 W/m·K	20°C	Similar room-temperature value.
310S thermal conductivity	—	24 W/m·K	800°C	Use temperature-dependent values for thermal analysis.
Specific heat	500 J/kg·K	472 J/kg·K	20°C	Relevant to thermal transient calculations.
Electrical resistivity	0.73 Ω·mm²/m	0.96 Ω·mm²/m	20°C	310S has higher room-temperature resistivity.

Key point: 310S may resist oxidation at temperatures where 301 is outside its intended service role, but oxidation resistance is not the same as creep strength. Load-bearing high-temperature components must be checked using the applicable design code and required service life.

M05 · Product form matrix

Product forms and supply routes for 301 and 310S

301 is strongly associated with cold-rolled and precision-strip applications. 310S is supplied through heat-resistant flat-product routes for furnace, heat-treatment and hot-process fabrication.

Availability note: this matrix describes typical product and fabrication routes, not live stock. Confirm dimensions, finish, mechanical condition, quantity, certification and actual availability before ordering.

Product / route	301	310S	Status	Procurement note
Cold-rolled coil / sheet	Typical product form	Published product form	Typical product form	Confirm thickness, width, finish and condition.
Hot-rolled coil / plate	Supplier-dependent	Published product form	Confirm availability	For 310S, define scale condition, pickling and fabrication route.
Quarto plate	Supplier-dependent	Published product form	Confirm availability	Common route for heavy fabricated hot-service parts.
Precision strip	Key product route	Published product route	Supplier-dependent	For 301, final temper and strength should be specified.
Spring / temper-rolled strip	Key 301 route	Not primary selection basis	Project-specific	301 final mechanical properties depend strongly on cold-work condition.
Furnace equipment	Not normal design basis	Typical application family	Project-specific	Define continuous temperature, peak temperature, atmosphere and mechanical load.
Heat-treatment baskets	Alternative grade review	Typical application family	Project-specific	Check thermal cycling, creep and distortion.
Heat exchangers / thermowells	Not primary 301 route	Typical application family	Project-specific	Actual tube, plate or pressure-product standard must be verified.
Bar / pipe / long product	Supplier-dependent	Supplier-dependent	Confirm availability	Confirm exact product standard and current mill program.

M08 · Applications & limitations

Where 301 works, where 310S is justified, and where another alloy is required

Discuss Your Application

301 is primarily selected for cold-worked room-temperature strength. 310S is selected for oxidation resistance and mechanical performance at elevated temperature. The governing failure mode should determine the grade.

301

Typical reasons to choose 301

Springs
Press plates
Conveyor chains
Mixer blades
Automotive gaskets
Precision strip
High-strength stamped components

310S

Typical reasons to choose 310S

Industrial furnace equipment
Heat-treatment baskets
Heat exchangers
Steam boilers
Thermowells
Valves and flanges
Hot-process equipment above ~550°C

Review

Conditions that can require another alloy

Service above the practical 310S envelope
Severe thermal cycling
Critical creep-loaded pressure components
Strong sulfur-bearing reducing gases
Severe wet chloride environments
Aggressive reducing acids
Special carburizing or low-oxygen atmospheres

Failure modes that can reverse the recommendation

Oxidation and scale growth

310S contains substantially more chromium than 301 and forms a more protective scale in high-temperature service. However, oxidation rate still depends on temperature, atmosphere, exposure duration and cycling.

Creep deformation

At high temperature, time-dependent deformation can govern component life even when the applied stress is far below room-temperature yield strength. Use approved creep and code data for load-bearing design.

Thermal cycling and scale spalling

Repeated heating and cooling creates thermal expansion and contraction. Scale can crack or detach, while restrained components can develop thermal fatigue. Joint design, geometry and cycle frequency matter.

Embrittlement during 600–900°C exposure

Manufacturer guidance notes slight susceptibility to embrittlement during continuous operation around 600–900°C. Structural stability and post-service toughness should therefore be reviewed.

Sigma-phase effects and thermal ageing

Long elevated-temperature exposure can change the microstructure of high-alloy austenitic stainless steels. Thermal ageing can reduce ductility and adversely affect thermo-mechanical fatigue performance.

Sulfur-bearing hot gas

High chromium and nickel do not guarantee strong performance in every sulfur-containing atmosphere. Reducing sulfur environments in particular can require a different alloy family.

Chloride pitting and crevice corrosion

310S has high chromium, but neither 301 nor 310S is a molybdenum-bearing chloride grade. Do not use high-temperature oxidation performance as evidence of seawater resistance.

301 work hardening and springback

301 gains strength rapidly during cold deformation. This is valuable for springs and lightweight high-strength parts, but increases forming loads, springback and machining difficulty.

Inspection guidance: for 310S, monitor scale, distortion, cracking, weld condition and wall-thickness loss. For cold-worked 301, monitor fatigue cracks, local forming damage and changes in spring performance.

Material image comparison

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301 stainless steel

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310s stainless steel

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M10 · Standards & equivalence

301 and 310S stainless steel grade designations

Use cross-standard designations only as a procurement aid. Final equivalence requires confirmation of chemistry, product form, mechanical condition and the governing project specification.

Designation / standard	301	310S	Procurement caveat
ASTM / AISI type	301	310S	Grade type alone does not define product form or mechanical condition.
UNS	S30100	S31008	Use UNS for exact alloy identification.
EN material number	1.4310	1.4845	Confirm current product standard and delivery condition.
JIS reference	SUS301	SUS310S	Verify chemistry and properties against the actual JIS specification.
GB reference	Verify against project standard	Verify against project standard	Do not rely on unverified informal equivalence.
Microstructure	Austenitic	Austenitic	Same broad family does not mean equal service capability.
ASTM A240/A240M	Flat-product reference	Flat-product reference	Check current revision, thickness and delivery condition.
EN 10088-2	Key flat-product reference	Product-specific verification	301 cold-rolled values must stay attached to the stated condition.
EN 10151	Relevant to spring strip	Not primary 310S route	Useful where 301 spring temper or tensile class is specified.
EN 10095	Not primary selection basis	Heat-resistant steel reference	Relevant to the 310S high-temperature application-temperature guidance.

301 · EN 10151 Relevant to stainless spring strip and strength-controlled conditions.

301 · EN 10088-2 Flat-product mechanical and delivery-condition reference.

310S · ASTM A240/A240M Common plate, sheet and strip specification family.

310S · EN 10095 Relevant heat-resistant steel reference for high-temperature applications.

For 310S in particular, grade equivalence does not establish an allowable operating temperature. The project still needs the correct product specification, atmosphere, creep basis and design code.

M11 · Direct answers

301 vs 310S stainless steel FAQ

Direct answers to common engineering and purchasing questions about 301 versus 310S stainless steel.

What is the main difference between 301 and 310S stainless steel?

301 is primarily a high-work-hardening austenitic grade for springs and cold-formed high-strength components. 310S is a high-chromium, high-nickel heat-resistant grade designed for elevated-temperature oxidation and hot-process service.

Which grade is better for high temperature?

310S is clearly the high-temperature choice of these two. It is specifically designed for elevated-temperature service and has approximately 1050°C application-temperature guidance in air.

Can 310S continuously operate at 1050°C?

1050°C should not be treated as a universal guaranteed continuous design temperature. It is application guidance for oxidation in air. Atmosphere, thermal cycling, applied stress, creep life and component geometry can require a lower limit.

Which grade is better for springs?

301 is normally preferred. It has high work-hardening capacity and is widely used in precision and strength-controlled strip where cold working creates the required spring strength.

Why does 310S contain so much chromium and nickel?

The high chromium content supports formation of a protective oxide scale, while the high nickel content helps maintain an austenitic structure and high-temperature performance.

Does 310S have better seawater resistance than 301?

Do not use 310S's high-temperature oxidation performance as evidence of seawater suitability. Neither grade contains an intentional molybdenum addition for strong chloride-pitting resistance.

What happens to 310S during long exposure around 600–900°C?

Manufacturer guidance notes a slight susceptibility to embrittlement during continuous operation in approximately this range. Long-term structural stability and post-service toughness should therefore be considered.

When should I choose 310S instead of 309S?

310S becomes a stronger candidate when the required oxidation temperature exceeds the normal 309S starting range. 310S contains more chromium and nickel and has approximately 1050°C air-service guidance, compared with approximately 1000°C for 309S.

M13 · Sources & technical review

Technical basis for this 301 vs 310S comparison

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This page separates room-temperature work-hardening strength from high-temperature oxidation, creep, thermal expansion and structural stability.

Primary technical references

Outokumpu Core Range Datasheet 301/4310 chemistry, cold-rolled mechanical properties, physical properties and product-form guidance.
Outokumpu Core / Forta 301/4310 High work-hardening capacity, springs, press plates, conveyor chains and high mechanical-load applications.
Outokumpu Therma Range Datasheet 310S/4845 chemistry, maximum application-temperature guidance, elevated-temperature strength, creep rupture data, physical properties and structural-stability guidance.
Outokumpu Therma 310S/4845 Furnace equipment, heat-treatment baskets, heat exchangers, steam boilers, thermowells and valves / flanges.
EN 10088-2 Flat-product mechanical and delivery-condition reference for 301.
EN 10151 Relevant to stainless spring strip and cold-worked strength classes.
EN 10028-7 Basis used for published 310S elevated-temperature strength values.
EN 10095 Heat-resistant steel application-temperature reference.

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M14 · Ask an engineer

Still deciding between 301 and 310S?

Send the actual temperature, atmosphere, mechanical loading and fabrication requirements so the material can be reviewed against the complete service envelope.

301, 310S or alternative grade under consideration
Coil, sheet, precision strip, plate or fabricated component
Thickness, width, diameter and dimensional tolerance
Required room-temperature strength
301 temper or final cold-work condition
Continuous operating temperature
Peak operating temperature
Time at maximum temperature
Thermal-cycle frequency
Air, steam or process-gas atmosphere
Sulfur, carburizing or reducing conditions
Static, fatigue or creep loading
Welding and joint details
Wet shutdown or condensate exposure
Required surface finish
Applicable ASTM, EN, JIS or customer standard
Quantity, destination and due date
MTC, inspection and documentation requirement

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