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Stainless steel grade comparison

310S vs 347 Stainless Steel

Compare 310S and 347 stainless steel by chemistry, microstructure, corrosion resistance, fabrication, product form, governing standard and procurement priorities.

Quick answer: Choose 310S where niobium-stabilized weldability and general corrosion resistance are sufficient. Choose 347 where niobium stabilization is needed for a stronger localized-corrosion margin in chloride-containing service.

The alloying and microstructure difference behind the selection decision

310S
EN 1.4845 · UNS S31008
  • C0.02%
  • Cr18.1%
  • Ni8.1%
  • Mo—
347
EN 1.4550 · UNS S34700
  • C0.02%
  • Cr17.2%
  • Ni10.1%
  • Mo2.1%

Technical basis: Outokumpu Core 310S/4845 and Supra 347/347/4550 reference material. Final composition and properties must follow the applicable specification and mill test certificate.

M03 · Decision summary

310S or 347: which one should you specify?

Both grades are niobium-stabilized austenitic stainless steels. The central distinction is the 2% niobium stabilization addition in 347, not a simple difference in weldability.

Decision factor310S stainless steel347 stainless steel
Corrosion resistance310S — niobium-stabilized austenitic Cr-Ni347 — niobium-stabilized austenitic Cr-Ni-MoService environment controls the decision.
Welding and fabricationState thickness, weld route and required corrosion performance.State thickness, weld route and required corrosion performance.Do not use grade name alone.
Magnetic behaviorConfirm delivery condition and cold-work exposure.Confirm delivery condition and cold-work exposure.Microstructure can matter to the design.
Supply conditionDefine product form, finish, dimensions and certificate scope.Define product form, finish, dimensions and certificate scope.Quote to the finished requirement.
Selection priorityWelded tanks, architectural fabrication, food equipment and general corrosive service.Process equipment, chloride-exposed fabrication, marine-adjacent systems and more demanding cleanability.Start from service evidence, not price alone.

Neither grade should be specified as universally seawater-proof. Crevices, deposits, temperature and chloride concentration can require duplex or higher-alloy review.

M04 · Technical data

310S vs 347 Stainless Steel properties

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Typical chemistry is shown as an engineering reference. Mechanical properties must be compared only under the same product standard and delivery condition.

Typical chemical composition

Reference values by mass, not guaranteed purchase limits.

Element / indicator310S347Selection significance
C0.02%0.02%Confirm final chemistry against the governing material standard and MTC.
Cr18.1%17.2%Confirm final chemistry against the governing material standard and MTC.
Ni8.1%10.1%Confirm final chemistry against the governing material standard and MTC.
Mo—2.1%niobium stabilization materially changes localized-corrosion performance.

Material and fabrication behavior

Use these points to frame a condition-specific technical review.

Property310S347Procurement interpretation
Microstructureniobium-stabilized austenitic Cr-Niniobium-stabilized austenitic Cr-Ni-MoDefines the main fabrication and service behavior.
Heat treatmentSpecify delivery condition; this comparison does not imply a hardening route.Specify delivery condition; this comparison does not imply a hardening route.Confirm finished property requirements.
General fabricationUse the applicable welding/forming procedure.Use the applicable welding/forming procedure.Process route matters as much as grade.
Corrosion reviewDefine chlorides, chemicals, temperature, deposits and crevices.Define chlorides, chemicals, temperature, deposits and crevices.Higher-alloy review may be required.
Engineering caution: Neither grade should be specified as universally seawater-proof. Crevices, deposits, temperature and chloride concentration can require duplex or higher-alloy review.
M05 · Product form matrix

Product forms and supply routes for 310S and 347

Both grades can be supplied in common stainless product forms, but availability, finish and certification are product-specific. Confirm the exact grade and delivery condition in the RFQ.

RFQ rule: grade, product form, dimensions, tolerance, finish, governing standard, quantity, destination and certificate scope.
Product form / route310S347Procurement note
Cold-rolled coil, strip and sheetCommon routeCommon routeConfirm thickness, width, finish and edge.
Plate and fabricated componentsAvailableAvailableState fabrication and inspection requirements.
Bar / mechanical componentProgram dependentProgram dependentUse the correct long-product standard and condition.
Welded fabricationProcedure reviewProcedure reviewState joint design, filler, post-weld treatment and service.
M06 · Grade selector

Screen 310S and 347 against the service conditions

This is a preliminary routing tool, not a substitute for governing specification review.

Preliminary result

Define the controlling requirement

Select the conditions that apply to your component.

Send conditions to an engineer
01Define environment
02Define fabrication
03Define final condition
04Confirm standard
M08 · Applications & limitations

Where 310S works, where 347 is justified, and where a further review is needed

Discuss your application

The relevant choice is the one that meets the finished-component and service requirement with defined specification evidence.

310S

Typical reasons to choose 310S

Welded tanks, architectural fabrication, food equipment and general corrosive service.

347

Typical reasons to choose 347

Process equipment, chloride-exposed fabrication, marine-adjacent systems and more demanding cleanability.

Review

Conditions needing a different alloy review

Neither grade should be specified as universally seawater-proof. Crevices, deposits, temperature and chloride concentration can require duplex or higher-alloy review.

Fabrication and service comparison

Use these points to define the RFQ.

Requirement310S347Selection effect
Corrosion resistance310S — niobium-stabilized austenitic Cr-Ni347 — niobium-stabilized austenitic Cr-Ni-MoService environment controls the decision.
Welding and fabricationState thickness, weld route and required corrosion performance.State thickness, weld route and required corrosion performance.Do not use grade name alone.
Magnetic behaviorConfirm delivery condition and cold-work exposure.Confirm delivery condition and cold-work exposure.Microstructure can matter to the design.
Supply conditionDefine product form, finish, dimensions and certificate scope.Define product form, finish, dimensions and certificate scope.Quote to the finished requirement.
Selection priorityWelded tanks, architectural fabrication, food equipment and general corrosive service.Process equipment, chloride-exposed fabrication, marine-adjacent systems and more demanding cleanability.Start from service evidence, not price alone.
Important: Neither grade should be specified as universally seawater-proof. Crevices, deposits, temperature and chloride concentration can require duplex or higher-alloy review.

Material image comparison

Reserved positions for approved product imagery showing each material option. These blocks can be replaced directly with Media Library images later.

310S stainless steel

Use an approved product-form or surface-detail image.

347 stainless steel

Use an approved product-form or application image.

M10 · Standards & equivalence

310S and 347 stainless steel grade designations

310S and 347 are niobium-stabilized austenitic grades. Confirm the product form, delivery condition and governing standard before purchase.

Designation / standard310S347Procurement caveat
ASTM / AISI type310S347Use the exact grade identity.
UNSS31008S34700Use UNS where grade identity matters.
EN material number1.48451.4550Do not rely on informal equivalence alone.
Alloy familyniobium-stabilized austenitic Cr-Niniobium-stabilized austenitic Cr-Ni-Moniobium stabilization provides a higher chloride-corrosion margin.
Typical product routeA240 / A276 as applicableA240 / A276 as applicableConfirm dimensions, finish and delivery condition.
EN grade nameX2CrNi18-9X6CrNiNb18-10Both are niobium-stabilized austenitic grades; niobium stabilization distinguishes the 347 route.
JIS referenceSUS310SSUS347Confirm the governing JIS product standard and exact chemistry.
ASTM / ASME flat-product routeASTM A240 / ASME SA-240 where applicableASTM A240 / ASME SA-240 where applicableConfirm thickness range, finish and current edition.
ASTM long-product routeASTM A276 / A479 as applicableASTM A276 / A479 as applicableBar, billet, forging and pressure-service requirements are product-specific.
EN flat-product referenceEN 10088-2 where applicableEN 10088-2 where applicableUse the exact delivery condition and product form.
EN long-product referenceEN 10088-3 where applicableEN 10088-3 where applicableLong-product properties must be checked separately from flat-product data.
Material certificateEN 10204 3.1 when specifiedEN 10204 3.1 when specifiedState certificate, testing and traceability requirements in the RFQ.
Delivery condition310S: commonly solution annealed; state finish and dimensions.347: commonly solution annealed; state finish and dimensions.Do not assume a common condition across forms, dimensions or suppliers.
Selection inputState chloride exposure, fabrication route and required documentation.Use the governing specification for final acceptance.
310S · S31008niobium-stabilized austenitic stainless steel.
310S · 1.4845EN niobium-stabilized Cr-Ni designation.
347 · S34700niobium-stabilized niobium-stabilized austenitic grade.
347 · 1.4550EN niobium-stabilized Cr-Ni-Mo designation.

Grade equivalence is not permission to substitute. Confirm chemistry, product form, dimensions, finish, delivery condition, standard revision and mill test certificate before changing material.

M11 · Direct answers

310S vs 347 Stainless Steel FAQ

Answers to the main purchasing and engineering questions behind this comparison.

What is the main difference between 310S and 347 stainless steel?

Both grades are niobium-stabilized austenitic stainless steels. The central distinction is the 2% niobium stabilization addition in 347, not a simple difference in weldability.

Which grade has the stronger corrosion-resistance starting point?

347 has the stronger chloride-resistance starting point because it includes niobium stabilization. Both are niobium-stabilized grades, so the actual welding procedure, thickness and corrosive service should be specified.

What should be included in an RFQ for this comparison?

State grade, product form, dimensions, finish, standard, quantity, service environment, weld route and required certificate or inspection level.

Can one grade replace the other simply to reduce cost?

No. A grade change can alter corrosion resistance, fabrication behavior, magnetic response, heat treatment and certification requirements. Compare the finished component and actual service.

When should a higher-alloy stainless steel be reviewed?

Neither grade should be specified as universally seawater-proof. Crevices, deposits, temperature and chloride concentration can require duplex or higher-alloy review.

M13 · Sources & technical review

Technical basis for this 310S vs 347 comparison

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This page distinguishes manufacturer typical chemistry from final purchase specification. It does not make a live-inventory or fixed-price claim.

Primary technical references

  • Outokumpu product-range informationOutokumpu Core 310S/4845 and Supra 347/347/4550 reference material.
  • ASTM A240/A240MCommon flat-product specification family; confirm the applicable edition and delivery condition.
  • EN 10088 seriesEuropean stainless-steel designation and product-condition reference.
  • Mill test certificateFinal chemistry and properties must be confirmed against the supplied heat and purchase specification.

Page accountability

AuthorStainless Steel Market technical content team

Material-selection and procurement guidance for buyer review.

Technical reviewSupplier confirmation required for final acceptance

Confirm product form, standard, condition and MTC for each enquiry.

Review date24 September 2026

Checked against current manufacturer reference material.

Update log

2026-09-24 — Initial T09 comparison prepared with technical tables, selector, FAQ and RFQ routing.

M14 · Ask an engineer

Still deciding between 310S and 347?

Send the product form, service environment, fabrication route, dimensions and governing specification for a condition-specific material review.

  • 310S, 347 or alternative grade under consideration
  • Product form, dimensions, tolerance and finish
  • Chlorides, chemicals, temperature and cleaning conditions
  • Welding, forming, machining and final condition
  • Required standard, MTC, inspection and destination
  • Quantity, timing and commercial requirements

Send your material requirement

For a useful review, include product form, dimensions, service conditions, fabrication route, required standard, quantity and documentation needs.

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