Stainless Steel Grade 310 is a medium carbon austenitic stainless steel, for high temperature applications such as furnace parts and heat treatment equipment. It is used at temperatures up to 1150°C in continuous service, and 1035°C in intermittent service.Stainless Steel Grade 310S is a low carbon version of grade 310.
Applications of Grade 310/310S Stainless Steel
Typical Applications Stainless Steel Grade 310/310S is used in fluidised bed combustors, kilns, radiant tubes, tube hangers for petroleum refining and steam boilers, coal gasifier internal components, lead pots, thermowells, refractory anchor bolts, burners and combustion chambers, retorts, muffles, annealing covers, saggers, food processing equipment, cryogenic structures.
Properties of Grade 310/310S Stainless Steel
These grades contain 25% chromium and 20% nickel, making them highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion. Stainless Steel Grade 310S is a lower carbon version, less prone to embrittlement and sensitisation in service. The high chromium and medium nickel content make these steels capable for applications in reducing sulphur atmospheres containing H2S. They are widely used in moderately carburising atmospheres, as encountered in petrochemical environments. For more severe carburising atmospheres other heat resisting alloys should be selected. Grade 310 is not recommended for frequent liquid quenching as it suffers from thermal shock. The grade is often used in cryogenic applications, due to its toughness and low magnetic permeability.
In common with other austenitic stainless steels, these grades cannot be hardened by heat treatment. They can be hardened by cold work, but this is rarely practiced.
In common with other austenitic stainless steels, these grades cannot be hardened by heat treatment. They can be hardened by cold work, but this is rarely practiced.
The chemical composition of grade 310 and grade 310S stainless steel are summarised in the following table.
Table 1. Chemical composition % of grade 310 and 310S stainless steel
Table 1. Chemical composition % of grade 310 and 310S stainless steel
| Chemical Composition | 310 | 310S |
| Carbon | 0.25 max | 0.08 max |
| Manganese | 2.00 max | 2.00 max |
| Silicon | 1.50 max | 1.50 max |
| Phosphorus | 0.045 max | 0.045 max |
| Sulphur | 0.030 max | 0.030 max |
| Chromium | 24.00 - 26.00 | 24.00 - 26.00 |
| Nickel | 19.00 - 22.00 | 19.00 - 22.00 |
Mechanical Properties of Grade 310/310S Stainless Steel
The mechanical properties of grade 310 and grade 310S stainless steel are summarised in the following table.
Table 2. Mechanical properties of of grade 310/310S stainless steel
Table 2. Mechanical properties of of grade 310/310S stainless steel
| Mechanical Properties | 310/ 310S |
| Grade 0.2 % Proof Stress MPa (min) | 205 |
| Tensile Strength MPa (min) | 520 |
| Elongation % (min) | 40 |
| Hardness (HV) (max) | 225 |
Physical Properties of Ferritic Stainless Steel
The physical properties of grade 310 and grade 310S stainless steel are summarised in the following table.
Table 3. Physical properties of grade 310/310S stainless steel
Table 3. Physical properties of grade 310/310S stainless steel
| Properties | at | Value | Unit |
| Density | 8000 | Kg/m3 | |
| Electrical Conductivity | 25°C | 1.25 | %IACS |
| Electrical Resistivity | 25°C | 0.78 | Micro ohm.m |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 20°C | 200 | GPa |
| Shear Modulus | 20°C | 77 | GPa |
| Poisson's Ratio | 20°C | 0.3 | |
| Melting Rnage | 1400-1450 | °C | |
| Specific Heat | 500 | J/kg°C | |
| Relative Magnetic Permeability | 1.02 | ||
| Thermal Conductivity | 100°C | 14.2 | W/m°C |
| Coefficient of Expansion | 0-100°C | 15.9 | /°C |
| 0-315°C | 16.2 | /°C | |
| 0-540°C | 17 | /°C |
Forms of 310/310S Stainless Steel
The forms of 310/310S stainless steel are:
- Stainless steel Plate
- Stainless steel Bar
- Stainless Steel Pipe & Stainless Steel Tube
- Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings (i.e. stainless steel flanges, slip-ons, blinds, weld-necks, lap joints, long welding necks, socket welds, elbows, tees, stub-ends, returns, caps, crosses, reducers, and pipe nipples)
- Stainless Steel Sheet
- Stainless Steel Weld Wire.
Fabrication of Grade 310/310S Stainless Steel
Fabrication Stainless Steel Grade 310/310S is forged in the temperature range 975 - 1175°C. Heavy work is carried out down to 1050°Cand a light finish is applied to the bottom of the range. After forging annealing is recommended to relieve all stresses from the forging process. The alloys can be readily cold formed by standard methods and equipment.
Machinability Stainless Steel Grade 310/310SS is similar in machinability to type 304. Work hardening can be a problem and it is normal to remove the work hardened layer by using slow speeds and heavy cuts, with sharp tools and good lubrication. Powerful machines and heavy, rigid tools are used.
Welding of Grade 310/310S Stainless Steel
Welding Stainless Steel Grade 310/310S is welded with matching electrodes and filler metals. The alloys are readily welded by SMAW (manual), GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG) and SAW. Electrodes to AWS A5.4 E310-XX and A 5.22 E310T-X, and filler metal AWS A5.9 ER310 are used. Argon is shielding gas. Preheat and post heat are not required, but for corrosion service in liquids full post weld solution annealing treatment is essential. Pickling and passivation of the surface to remove high temperature oxides are essential to restore full aqueous corrosion resistance after welding. This treatment is not required for high temperature service, but welding slag should be thoroughly removed.
Heat Treatment of Grade 310/310S Stainless Steel
Heat Treatment Type 310/310S is solution annealed by heating to temperature range 1040 -1065°C, holding at temperature until thoroughly soaked, then water quenching.
Heat Resistance of Grade 310/310S Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel Grade 310/310S has good resistance to oxidation in intermittent service in air up to 1035°Cand 1050°C in continuous service. The grades are resistant to oxidation, sulphidation and carburisation.
Available Forms of Grade 310/310S Stainless Steel
Austral Wright Metals can supply these grades as stainless steel flange, stainless steel bar and stainless steel rod, seamlessstainless steel tube and seamless stainless steel pipe, welded stainless steel tube and welded stainless steel pipe, forgings and forging billet, stainless steel tube and stainless steel wire, stainless steel pipe fittings. Corrosion Resistance Stainless Steel Grade 310/310S is generally not used for corrosive liquid service, although the high chromium and nickel content give corrosion resistance superior to grade 304. The alloy does not contain molybdenum, so pitting resistance is quite poor. Grade 310/310S will be sensitised to intergranular corrosion after service at temperatures in range 550 - 800°C. Chloride stress corrosion cracking may take place in corrosive liquids containing chlorides at temperatures exceeding 100°C.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Zhejiang Yaang Pipe Industry Co., Limited.
