Chromium
Supports the passive film and is the defining alloying element of stainless steel.
Technical guide
Stainless Steel Chemical Composition Chart
A stainless steel chemical composition chart is useful only when the grade system, product standard, limits, units and source edition are clear. Final compliance comes from the applicable standard and material certificate.
UnitsPercent by mass
Table basisSelected EN flat-product ranges
Final proofHeat analysis and product standard
Decision summary
Use chemistry to verify a grade, not to predict service alone
Composition influences microstructure and performance, but corrosion, strength, welding and temperature also depend on condition, product form and fabrication.
Nickel
Stabilizes austenite and influences formability, toughness and structure.
Molybdenum
Often improves resistance to localized corrosion, but suitability still depends on the medium and temperature.
Carbon
Lower-carbon L grades reduce sensitization risk during welding, subject to the full grade and procedure.
Nitrogen
Can raise strength and localized-corrosion resistance and is important in duplex grades.
Stabilizing elements
Titanium or niobium may be controlled in stabilized grades to manage carbide precipitation.
Reference table
Selected stainless steel composition ranges
Values are percent by mass and are a compact screening extract from the cited worldstainless technical references. Blank cells mean no value is shown in this compact table, not zero content.
| Grade / EN number | C | Cr | Ni | Mo | N / other key limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304L / 1.4307 | ≤0.030 | 17.5-19.5 | 8.0-10.0 | - | N ≤0.11 |
| 316L / 1.4404 | ≤0.030 | 16.5-18.5 | 10.0-13.0 | 2.0-2.5 | N ≤0.11 |
| 430 / 1.4016 | ≤0.08 | 16.0-18.0 | - | - | - |
| 321 / 1.4541 | ≤0.08 | 17.0-19.0 | 9.0-12.0 | - | Ti 5×C to 0.70 |
| 2205 / 1.4462 | ≤0.030 | 21.0-23.0 | 4.5-6.5 | 2.5-3.5 | N 0.10-0.22 |
| 904L / 1.4539 | ≤0.020 | 19.0-21.0 | 24.0-26.0 | 4.0-5.0 | N ≤0.15; Cu 1.2-2.0 |
The exact purchased specification and edition govern. ASTM type ranges and EN grade ranges can differ, and product analysis tolerances may be handled separately.
Working method
Verify chemical composition in four steps
A chart narrows the review; the order and certificate establish compliance.
Fix the designation system
Identify ASTM type/UNS, EN steel number/name, JIS or another exact designation.
Select the product standard
Flat products, pipe, tube, bar, forgings and castings can use different specifications and grade scopes.
Compare every controlled element
Check minimums, maximums, ranges, footnotes and permitted product-analysis variation.
Review the MTC
Match heat number, grade, standard, heat analysis, product analysis if required and inspection document.
Limits and escalation
Do not read the table as a performance guarantee
Ranges are not typical values
A specification limit describes allowed chemistry, not the exact chemistry of a shipment.
Equivalent labels need verification
Similar ASTM and EN designations are not automatically interchangeable.
Minor elements can matter
Copper, nitrogen, titanium, niobium, sulfur and other limits may affect grade identity and processing.
Chemistry is only one control
Heat treatment, phase balance, cold work, dimensions, finish and testing also affect the delivered product.
Interactive planning aid
Review a selected grade chemistry
Choose a grade to display the compact screening range. Always verify the full current product standard.
Frequently asked questions
Stainless steel chemical composition FAQ
The chromium content must fall within that percentage-by-mass range under the governing standard and analysis rules.
They are separate designation and standards systems. Similar grades can have different ranges, footnotes, products and test requirements.
Heat analysis represents the melt chemistry reported by the producer. Product analysis tests finished material and may use permitted variation rules from the specification.
No. Alloy content affects properties and cost, but suitability depends on the exact service, product, fabrication and design requirements.
Method, sources and review
Traceable sources and review status
Industry-hosted composition and physical-property tables for stainless flat products.
Industry publication with selected stainless composition ranges.
Official BSI listing for stainless grades and composition.
Official ASTM scope for stainless plate, sheet and strip.
The table is a selected educational extract, not a substitute for a licensed standard. Contract compliance comes from the specified edition, product standard, purchase order and MTC.
Composition context
Read composition limits with the product standard and delivery condition.
A chemical composition chart is a starting reference. Final acceptance follows the applicable specification, heat analysis basis, product form and any agreed verification requirements.
- Grade identity
- Heat analysis
- Verification basis
Visual process context
Connect the chemistry table to the evidence used for acceptance.
Reserve one image for material identification or analysis work and another for the certificate or verification context.
Engineering and sourcing support
Request stainless with the chemistry basis defined
Send designation system, product standard and edition, grade, form, analysis, certificate, quantity and destination.