316L stainless steel soft wire

Alloy 321 is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel with titanium added to prevent carbide precipitation during welding or when exposed to temperatures from 800 to 1500°F (427 to 816°C). The titanium addition in 321 stainless steel soft wire improves oxidation and corrosion resistance and eliminates the need for annealing after welding. This alloy also offers excellent creep strength, making it ideal for high-temperature applications.

Applications of 321 Stainless Steel Soft Wire

321 stainless steel soft wire is commonly used in various industries due to its durability and resistance to high temperatures. Typical applications include:

• Header bars for heat exchangers
• Jet engine components
• Fasteners
• Couplings

Chemical Composition

The typical chemical composition of 321 stainless steel soft wire is as follows:

• Carbon: 0.08% max
• Manganese: 2.00% max
• Silicon: 0.75% max
• Chromium: 17.00-19.00%
• Nickel: 9.00-12.00%
• Molybdenum: 0.75% max
• Phosphorus: 0.045% max
• Sulfur: 0.030% max
• Copper: 0.75% max
• Nitrogen: 0.010% max
• Titanium: 5x(Carbon + Nitrogen) min - 0.70% max
• Iron: Balance

Physical Properties of 321 Stainless Steel Soft Wire

• Density: 0.29 lbs/in³ (9.01 g/cm³)
• Electrical Resistivity: 28.4 microhm-in (72 microhm-cm) at 68°F (20°C)
• Specific Heat: 0.12 BTU/lb/°F (0.50 kJ/kg•K) from 32-212°F (0-100°C)
• Thermal Conductivity:
  • At 212°F (100°C): 9.3 BTU/hr/ft²/ft/°F (16.0 W/m•K)
  • At 932°F (500°C): 12.8 BTU/hr/ft²/ft/°F (22.0 W/m•K)
• Mean Coefficient of Thermal Expansion:
  • 32-212°F (0-100°C): 9.2 x 10⁻⁶ in/in/°F (16.6 μm/m•K)
  • 32-1500°F (0-873°C): 11.2 x 10⁻⁶ in/in/°F (20.2 μm/m•K)
• Modulus of Elasticity:
  • 28.0 x 10³ KSI (193 x 10³ MPa) in tension
  • 11.2 x 10³ KSI (78 x 10³ MPa) in torsion
• Magnetic Permeability: H = 200 Oersteds, annealed < 1.02 max
• Melting Range: 2500 – 2550°F (1371 – 1400°C)

The unique combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature tolerance makes 321 stainless steel soft wire a reliable choice for demanding industrial and aerospace applications.