305 Stainless Steel

Inventory Size Ranges for 305

Type	Thickness	Get a Quote
Precision Reroll Strip	0.0008" - 0.015"	Get a Quote

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Characteristics of 305

305 alloy is used for applications requiring a low rate of work hardening during severe cold forming operations such as deep drawing and features increased nickel content which decreases working hardening. This material is corrosion resistant similar to 304/304L stainless steel. 305 features resistance to oxidation, ease of formability, high strength and low weight, and good strength and toughness at cryogenic temperatures. 

Working with 305

The austenitic stainless steels are heat treated to remove the effects of cold forming or to dissolve precipitated chromium carbides. The surest heat treatment to accomplish both requirements is the solution anneal which is conducted in the 1850°F to 2050°F range (1010°C to 1121°C). Cooling from the anneal temperature should be at sufficiently high rates through 1500-800°F (816°C – 427°C) to avoid reprecipitation of chromium carbides. These materials cannot be hardened by heat treatment. 

The austenitic stainless steels are considered to be the most weldable of the high-alloy steels and can be welded by all fusion and resistance welding processes. Two important considerations in producing weld joints in the austenitic stainless steels are: 1) preservation of corrosion resistance, and 2) avoidance of cracking. A temperature gradient is produced in the material being welded which ranges from above the melting temperature in the molten pool to ambient temperature at some distance from the weld. The higher the carbon level of the material being welded, the greater the likelihood that the welding thermal cycle will result in the chromium carbide precipitation which is detrimental to corrosion resistance. To provide material at the best level of corrosion resistance, low carbon material (ATI 304L) should be used for material put in service in the welded condition. Alternately, full annealing dissolves the chromium carbide and restores a high level of corrosion resistance to the standard carbon content materials. Weld metal with a fully austenitic structure is more susceptible to cracking during the welding operation.