Common Grades
3003
This grade is alloyed with 1.2% manganese to provide a tensile strength range of 17,000 to 30,000 p.s.i. Excellent workability and corrosion resistance. Used for drawing, spinning, fuel tanks, sheet metal work and other applications where slightly higher strength than 1100 is required. Non-heat treatable.
5052
This grade is alloyed with 0.8% magnesium. Tensile strength range is 31,000 to 44,000 p.s.i. Very good corrosion resistance, good workability, weldability and strength. Used for aircraft fuel tanks, storm shutters, utensils, electronic mounting plates, etc. Non-heat treatable.
6061
This grade is alloyed with 0.8% magnesium and 0.6% silicon. Tensile strength range is 20,000 to 42,000 p.s.i., weldability and corrosion resistance. Used for engineering and structural applications, furniture, boats, transportation equipment, etc. Heat treatable.
Common Grades
303
A free machining version of 304 with only slightly less corrosion resistance and physical properties.
304
The most popular type of stainless, exhibiting good corrosion resistance, formability, and ease of welding by all common methods.
304L
Lower carbon version of 304. Used to minimize carbide precipitation during welding. Physical properties somewhat less than 304.
310
Heat resistant. Good resistance to thermal fatigue due to cyclic heating; resists scaling up to 2050°F.
316
Superior corrosion resistance and higher strength at elevated temperatures than 304. Frequently used in marine applications. Resistant to creep at high temperatures.
316L
Lower carbon version of 316. Used to minimize carbide precipitation during welding.
321
Stabilized for use as a substitute to post-weld annealing process. Corrosion resistance similar to 304.
ASTM A36 Hot Rolled
A36 is the most commonly used mild and hot-rolled steel. It has excellent welding properties and is suitable for grinding, punching, tapping, drilling and machining processes. Yield strength of ASTM A36 is less than that of cold roll C1018, thus enabling ASTM A36 to bend more readily than C1018. Normally, larger diameters in ASTM A36 are not produced since C1018 hot roll rounds are used.
1055 Hot Rolled
Applications include battering tools, hot upset forging dies, ring-rolling tools, wear-resistant parts, hand tools, and parts for agricultural implements which require high strength at low cost. When heat treated, this steel yields a high surface hardness, combined with good toughness. Good forging characteristics