Stainless Steel 303 Bright Round Bars

303 stainless steel bright bar has good strength and good corrosion resistance, as supplied in the annealed condition with a typical brinell hardness of 190. It is characterised by excellent machinablity and non galling properties due to its higher sulphur content, which has the effect of lowering slightly its corrosion resistance. However, it is fairly resistant to general atmospheric corrosion, general foodstuffs, sterilizing solutions, dyestuffs, most organic chemicals, plus some inorganic chemicals. But has very limited resistance to acids.

303 stainless steel bright bars cannot be hardened by thermal treatment, but strength and hardness can be increased substantially by cold working, with susequent reduction in ductility.

Elevated Temperature Properties:

303 displays good oxidation resistance in continuous service up to 870 oC and in intermittent service up to 760 oC. Continuous service however, between 430 oC and 850 oC is not recommended, nor is slow cooling through this range due to the problem of intergranular corrosion. N.B. High temperature use is therefore not generally recommended.

Cold Bending: 303 has very limited cold bending properties and it is not generally recommended.

Hot Blending: Hot bending should be performed at 950 oC - 1100 oC, followed by annealing to restore optimum corrosion resistance.

Corrosion Resistance:

303 due to its higher sulphur content has lower resistance to all corrosion types than 304, and indeed all of the 300 series austenitic stainless steels. Its selection therefore is generally based upon its excellent machinability, coupled with its lower corrosion resistance. N.B. It is most important that oxygen is always allowed to circulate freely on all stainless steel surfaces to ensure that a chrome oxide film is always present to protect it. If this is not the case, rusting will occur as with other types of non stainless steel. For optimum corrosive resistance surfaces must be free of scale and foreign particles. Finished parts should be passivated.

Typical uses:

Stainless Steel 303 Bright Round Bars can used in Architectural Components, Food Processing Equipment, Dairy Equipment, Dying Industry, Hardware and Kitchenware manufacturing and allied industries. Commonly used to manufacture Bolts and Nuts, Bushes, Gears, Shafts, Valve Bodies and Fittings etc.. Material non magnetic in the annealed condition, but can become mildly magnetic following heavy cold working. Annealing is required to rectify if necessary.