Stainless Steel Grade Selection Datasheet Template
Picking stainless steel is usually framed as 304 versus 316, but the right answer depends on chloride, temperature, welding and strength. This datasheet captures service conditions and the proposed grade in one controlled document, with a reference table of UNS and EN equivalents.
Fill in
Stainless Steel Grade Selection Datasheet Template
Stainless Steel Grade Selection Datasheet
Company: Acme Precision Ltd Project or part: Process skid manifold, PN-48213 Prepared by: A. Kumar, Materials Engineer Date: 2026-10-20
Service conditions
Environment: Food and beverage Chloride level: 50 ppm Maximum service temperature: 80 deg C
Proposed material
Grade: 316L Product form and standard: Seamless tube, ASTM A269, 1.5 in OD x 0.065 in wall Surface finish and treatment: Mill finish, passivated per ASTM A967
Reason for selection
Chloride exposure from wash-down water and requirement for welded joints without post-weld annealing, so a low carbon molybdenum bearing grade is selected.
Grade quick reference
| Grade | UNS | EN number | Family | Typical note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | S30400 | 1.4301 | Austenitic | General purpose, low chloride only |
| 304L | S30403 | 1.4307 | Austenitic | Low carbon for welded parts |
| 316 | S31600 | 1.4401 | Austenitic | Molybdenum improves pitting resistance |
| 316L | S31603 | 1.4404 | Austenitic | Common food, pharma and chemical grade |
| 321 | S32100 | 1.4541 | Austenitic | Titanium stabilized for higher temperature |
| 410 | S41000 | 1.4006 | Martensitic | Hardenable, moderate corrosion resistance |
| 430 | S43000 | 1.4016 | Ferritic | Magnetic, trim and appliances |
| 17-4 PH | S17400 | 1.4542 | Precipitation hardening | High strength with good corrosion resistance |
| 2205 | S32205 | 1.4462 | Duplex | High strength, chloride stress corrosion resistant |
| 904L | N08904 | 1.4539 | Super austenitic | Aggressive acids and higher chloride |
Verification checklist
| Item | Requirement | Result | Initials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material certificate | EN 10204 type 3.1 or equivalent | ||
| Chemistry | Within specification limits | ||
| Positive material identification | As required by drawing | ||
| Passivation or pickling | Per ASTM A967 or customer standard |
Approvals
This template is a starting point for internal documentation and is not an engineering approval or legal advice. Final material selection must follow the applicable design code, customer specification and corrosion data for the actual medium.
Material traceability in ERP
Optional: discuss holding grade, UNS and certificate data as structured ERP attributes.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use the template
Fill in the project, the service environment, chloride level and maximum temperature, then choose the proposed grade and describe the product form and standard. Add your reasoning in the free-text field so a reviewer can see why the grade was selected. Export to PDF or Word for the design file, or to CSV to load into a records system. Update the verification checklist when material certificates arrive.
- Record chloride from the actual process or wash water
- State the product form and standard, not just the grade
- Include finish and passivation requirements
- Keep a copy with the purchase order package
How the grades differ
304 is the general purpose austenitic grade but is prone to pitting in chloride environments. 316 adds about 2 to 3 percent molybdenum for better pitting and crevice resistance. The L grades limit carbon to about 0.03 percent so welds resist sensitization. 321 is stabilized with titanium for higher temperature use. Duplex 2205 offers roughly double the yield strength of 304 with good resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking. 410 and 17-4 PH are chosen for strength, not corrosion performance.
Selection guidance
For food and beverage with cleaning chemicals use 316L as a common baseline. For coastal or high-chloride service consider 2205 or 904L. For hot, non-chloride service above about 425 C, consider stabilized grades such as 321. For purely indoor decorative use, 304 or 430 is generally adequate. These are general guidance rules; always check the corrosion data for your exact medium, concentration and temperature.
- Chloride plus heat is the main driver of grade upgrade
- Welded parts favor L grades or stabilized grades
- Duplex needs controlled welding procedures
- Passivation restores the protective chromium oxide layer
Common mistakes
Mistakes include specifying 304 for chloride wash-down, forgetting that carbon steel tooling can contaminate stainless surfaces, skipping passivation after machining and welding, and accepting material without certificates. In ERP, store grade, UNS number, form and certificate type as structured attributes so receiving inspection and traceability work consistently.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use 316 instead of 304?
Choose 316 when the part sees chlorides, salts, cleaning chemicals or marine air, because molybdenum improves pitting resistance. For dry indoor use or mild food contact, 304 is often adequate and cheaper.
What does the L mean in 316L?
L means low carbon, typically 0.03 percent maximum. Low carbon reduces chromium carbide formation at grain boundaries during welding, which protects corrosion resistance without post-weld annealing.
Is stainless steel magnetic?
Austenitic grades like 304 and 316 are essentially non-magnetic when annealed but can become slightly magnetic after cold work. Ferritic 430 and martensitic 410 are magnetic.
Do I need to passivate stainless after machining?
Usually yes where corrosion resistance matters. Machining can embed iron particles and disturb the oxide layer. Passivation per ASTM A967 or a customer standard removes free iron and restores the passive film.
If you want material grade and certificate data held as structured fields in your ERP, Netray can help design that with your quality team. Ask for a scoping call.
Related Tools
Steel Grade Equivalents Reference (AISI, EN, JIS)
Nearest-equivalent cross reference between AISI/SAE, European EN numbers and names, and JIS grades for common steels.
Engineering & PLMMetal Density Reference Table
Searchable table of nominal densities for common engineering metals in three units, with typical use notes.
Quality & InspectionHardness Conversion Table (HRC, HB, HV)
Approximate Rockwell C, Vickers and Brinell equivalents for non-austenitic steel, with typical applications and conversion caveats.
Engineering & PLMSteel and Aluminum Plate and Bar Weight Calculator
Weight and material cost of plate, round bar, square bar and hex bar in common metals, with kg per metre and a thickness sweep chart.
More Engineering & PLM tools
See all- SAP Super BOM Design Worksheet
- SAP Engineering Change Number Checklist
- SAP Document Info Record Template
- SAP Change Master and Revision Level Log
- SAP Engineering Change Request (ECR) Template
- SAP BOM Usage and Item Category Reference
- SAP Engineering Change Obsolescence Exposure Calculator
- SAP Engineering Change Affected Materials Impact Worksheet
- Cloud MRP BOM Data Cleanup Worksheet