310 / 310S / 310H Stainless Steel Plate – High-Performance Heat-Resistant Alloy
A Multi-Purpose Austenitic Heat Resistant Stainless Steel with Oxidation Resistance Under Mildly Cyclic Conditions to 2010°F (1100°C).
Available thicknesses for Alloy 310/310S/310H:
| 3/16" | 1/4" | 5/16" | 3/8" | 1/2" | 5/8" | 3/4" | 1" |
| 4.8mm | 6.3mm | 7.9mm | 9.5mm | 12.7mm | 15.9mm | 19mm | 25.4mm |
| 1 1/4" | 1 1/2" | 1 3/4" | 2" | 2 1/4" | 2 1/2" | 3" | |
| 31.8mm | 38.1mm | 44.5mm | 50.8mm | 57.2mm | 63.5mm | 76.2mm |
Specification Sheet Overview
for Alloy 310/310S/310H (UNS S31000, S31008, S31009)
W. Nr. 1.4845:
General Properties
Alloy 310 (UNS S31000) is an austenitic stainless steel developed for use in high temperature corrosion resistant applications. The alloy resists oxidation up to 2010oF (1100oC) under mildly cyclic conditions.
Because of its high chromium and moderate nickel content, Alloy 310 is resistant to sulfidation and can also be used in moderately carburizing atmospheres.
The more severe carburizing atmospheres of thermal process equipment usually require nickel alloys such as 330 (UNS N08330). Alloy 310 can be utilized in slightly oxidizing, nitriding, cementing and thermal cycling applications, albeit, the maximum service temperature must be reduced. Alloy 310 also finds usage in cryogenic applications with low magnetic permeability and toughness down to -450oF (-268oC). When heated between 1202 – 1742oF (650 – 950oC) the alloy is subject to sigma phase precipitation. A solution annealing treatment at 2012 – 2102oF (1100 – 1150oC) will restore a degree of toughness.
310S (UNS S31008) is the low carbon version of the alloy. It is utilized for ease of fabrication. 310H (UNS S31009) is a high carbon modification developed for enhanced creep resistance. In most instances the grain size and carbon content of the plate can meet both the 310S and 310H requirements.
Alloy 310 can be easily welded and processed by standard shop fabrication practices.
Applications
- Cryogenic Components
- Food Processing
- Furnaces – burners, doors, fans, piping and recuperators
- Fluidized Bed Furnaces – coal combustors, grids, piping, wind boxes
- Ore Processing/Steel Plants – smelter and steel melting equipment, continuous casting equipment
- Petroleum Refining – catalytic recovery systems, flares, recuperators, tube hangers
- Power Generation – coal gasifier internals, pulverized coal burners, tube hangers
- Sintering/Cement Plants – burners, burner shields, feeding and discharging systems, wind boxes
- Thermal Processing – annealing covers and boxes, burner grids, doors, fans, muffles and retorts, recuperators, walking beams
Corrosion Resistance
Wet Corrosion
Alloy 310 is not designed for service in wet corrosive environments. The high carbon content, which is present to enhance creep properties, has a detrimental effect on aqueous corrosion resistance. The alloy is prone to intergranular corrosion after long term exposure at high temperatures. However, due to its high chromium content (25%), Alloy 310 is more corrosion resistant than most heat resistant alloys.
High Temperature Corrosion
The high chromium (25%) and silicon (0.6%) content of Alloy 310 make it more resistant to high temperature corrosion in most in-service environments. Operating temperatures are listed below.
Oxidizing conditions (max sulfur content – 2 g/m3)
1922°F (1050°C) continuous service
2012°F (1100°C) peak temperature
Oxidizing conditions (max sulfur greater than 2 g/m3)
1742°F (950°C) maximum temperature
Low oxygen atmosphere (max sulfur content – 2 g/m3)
1832°F (1000°C) maximum temperature
Nitriding or carburizing atmospheres
1562 – 1742°F (850 – 950°C) maximum
The alloy does not perform as well as Alloy 600 (UNS N06600) or Alloy 800 (UNS N08800) in reducing, nitriding or carburizing atmospheres, but it does outperform most heat resistant stainless steels in these conditions.
Creep Properties
Typical Creep Properties
| °C | °F | 1000 H | 10000 H | 100000 H | 1000 H | 10000 H | 100000 H |
| 600 | 1112 | 120 | 100 | 40 | 200 | 140 | 80 |
| 700 | 1292 | 50 | 35 | 20 | 80 | 45 | 20 |
| 800 | 1472 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 35 | 20 | 8 |
| 900 | 1652 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 1000 | 1832 | 5 | 3 | 1.5 | 9 | 4 | 2 |
Chemical Analysis
Weight % (all values are maximum unless a range is otherwise indicated)
| Element | 310 | 310S | 310H |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium | 24.0 min.-26.0 max. | 24.0 min.-26.0 max. | 24.0 min.-26.0 max. |
| Nickel | 19.0 min.-22.0 max. | 19.0 min.-22.0 max. | 19.0 min.-22.0 max. |
| Carbon | 0.25 | 0.08 | 0.04 min. - 0.10 max. |
| Manganese | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Phosphorus | 0.045 | 0.045 | 0.045 |
| Sulfer | 0.030 | 0.030 | 0.030 |
| Silicon | 1.50 | 1.50 | 0.75 |
| Iron | Balance | Balance | Balance |
Density
0.285 lbs/in3
7.89 g/cm3
Specific Heat
0.12 BTU/lb-°F (32 – 212°F)
502 J/kg-°K (0 – 100°C)
Modulus of Elasticity
28.5 x 106 psi
196 GPa
Thermal Conductivity 212°F (100°C)
8.0 BTU/hr/ft2/ft/°F
10.8 W/m-°K
Melting Range
2470 – 2555°F
1354 – 1402°C
Electrical Resistivity
30.7 Microhm-in at 68°C
78.0 Microhm-cm at 20°C
Fabrication Data
Alloy 310 can be easily welded and processed by standard shop fabrication practices.
Hot Forming
Heat uniformly at 1742 – 2192°F (950 – 1200°C). After hot forming a final anneal at 1832 – 2101°F (1000 – 1150°C) followed by rapid quenching is recommended.
Cold Forming
The alloy is quite ductile and forms in a manner very similar to 316. Cold forming of pieces with long-term exposure to high temperatures is not recommended since the alloy is subject to carbide precipitation and sigma phase precipitants.
Welding
Alloy 310 can be readily welded by most standard processes including TIG, PLASMA, MIG, SMAW, SAW and FCAW.
Alloy 310/310S/310H Stainless Steel – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the primary differences between Alloy 310, 310S, and 310H stainless steels?
Alloy 310 (UNS S31000) is an austenitic stainless steel designed for high-temperature corrosion resistance. Alloy 310S (UNS S31008) is the low-carbon version, enhancing weldability and reducing the risk of carbide precipitation during welding. Alloy 310H (UNS S31009) has a higher carbon content, providing improved creep resistance at elevated temperatures. In most instances the grain size and carbon content of the plate can meet both the 310S and 310H requirements.
2. What is the maximum operating temperature for Alloy 310/310S/310H?
These alloys resist oxidation up to 2010°F (1100°C) under mildly cyclic conditions. However, frequent thermal cycling may reduce oxidation resistance.
3. In which applications are Alloy 310/310S/310H commonly used?
These alloys are typically used in high-temperature environments such as furnaces, fluidized bed furnaces, paper mill equipment, petroleum refining, power generation, thermal processing, and waste treatment.
4. How does Alloy 310/310S/310H perform in corrosive environments?
These alloys offer superior resistance to oxidation and corrosion in high-temperature environments. However, they are not recommended for use in highly carburizing atmospheres due to moderate resistance to carbon absorption. They can be utilized in slightly oxidizing, nitriding, cementing, and thermal cycling applications, albeit with reduced maximum service temperatures.
5. Can Alloy 310/310S/310H be welded?
Yes, these alloys can be easily welded and processed by standard shop fabrication practices. For applications requiring the best corrosion resistance after welding, the low-carbon 310S variant is preferred to minimize carbide precipitation.
6. What standards and specifications apply to Alloy 310/310S/310H?
These alloys conform to several industry standards, including:
• ASTM A240
• ASME SA240
• AMS 5521
7. What are the physical properties of Alloy 310/310S/310H?
Typical physical properties include:
• Density: 0.285 lbs/in³ (7.89 g/cm³)
• Modulus of Elasticity: 28.5 x 10⁶ psi (196 GPa)
• Melting Range: 2470–2555°F (1354–1402°C)
• Specific Heat: 0.12 BTU/lb-°F (32–212°F)
• Thermal Conductivity at 212°F (100°C): 8.0 BTU/hr/ft²/ft/°F (10.8 W/m-K)
• Electrical Resistivity: 30.7 microhm-in at 68°F (78 microhm-cm at 20°C)
8. What are the chemical compositions of Alloy 310, 310S, and 310H?
The typical chemical compositions are:
• Chromium: 24.0–26.0%
• Nickel: 19.0–22.0%
• Carbon: 0.25% max (310), 0.08% max (310S), 0.04–0.10% (310H)
• Manganese: 2.00% max
• Phosphorus: 0.045% max
• Sulfur: 0.030% max
• Silicon: 1.50% max (310/310S), 0.75% max (310H)
• Iron: Balance
10. What thicknesses of Alloy 310/310S/310H plate does Sandmeyer Steel stock?
Sandmeyer Steel stocks Alloy 310/310S/310H stainless steel plate in thicknesses ranging from 3/16″ (4.8 mm) through 3″ (76.2 mm).