321 Stainless Steel Car Exhausts can reach temperatures up to 1000 degrees. 321 Stainless Steel Supplier Stainless Shapes is a proud 321 Stainless Steel supplier. 321 Stainless Steel is essentially a modified version of type 304 stainless steel. The main difference between the two is the quintupled amount of carbon due to the addition of Titanium. The addition of titanium is used to help prevent carbide precipitation during welding and in high-temperature variance situations. Regardless of the wonderful addition of the titanium, 321 still has a lot of the same characteristics that make the 300 series of Stainless so great. The common uses of 321 stainless is annealing, heavy-duty automotive exhaust systems, firewalls, stack liners, aircraft components, and other high temperature utilized equipment. What is Carbide Precipitation? Carbide Precipitation is often spoken about when talking about 300 series stainless. The concept is simple, but it has to do with metallic fusion. When metals are at high temperatures, they will often fuse to create a denser metal than they were before. When it comes to stainless, there is chrome and carbon in stainless steel, and the two of them form a denser metal known as chromium carbide. This fusion is bad for stainless steel because it takes away from important properties. Chromium, for example, helps against corrosion resistance, and depleting it by forming another metal will make your stainless steel weaker. The other side is that despite being structurally weaker to corrosion in certain places, the integrity of the stainless steel will also deplete because there will be structural pathways for these two metals to form. 321 prevents this with the addition of titanium, which means they can be held at higher temperatures for longer than other 300 series stainless. This makes it a much easier metal to work with regarding machining and working them into the appropriate shapes or uses. Stainless Shapes Not sure what you’re looking for? We have two sales offices in Florida and Illinois, filled with industry professionals who are prepared to help you with any questions you have. Make sure to give us a call at (800) 748-9811! Furthermore, for a prompt and accurate quote, call us today. Call - 800-748-9811 Frequently Asked Questions What is 321 stainless steel equivalent to? + Grade 321 is equivalent to UNS S32100 and EN 1.4541. It is the titanium-stabilized equivalent of 304 stainless steel, designed to prevent weld sensitization in elevated-temperature service. What is 321 stainless used for? + Grade 321 is used for welded assemblies and components operating at temperatures between 800 F and 1500 F (425-816 C) where intergranular corrosion after welding must be prevented. Applications include aircraft exhaust manifolds, expansion joints, heat exchanger shells, chemical plant piping, and pressure vessels. What grade of steel is 321? + Grade 321 is in the 300 series austenitic stainless steel family. Its AISI grade number is 321; UNS is S32100; it falls within the austenitic family alongside 304, 316, 309, and 310. Does 321 stainless have titanium? + Yes, Grade 321 contains a minimum of 5x the carbon content in titanium (typically 0.40-0.70% Ti) as a stabilizing element. The titanium preferentially combines with carbon, preventing chromium carbide precipitation during welding and elevated-temperature service. What do you weld 321 stainless with? + Grade 321 is welded using TIG or MIG processes with ER321 filler for best performance. For non-critical applications, ER347 is sometimes substituted. Pre-weld cleaning and proper shielding gas are important. Is 321 stainless food safe? + Yes, Grade 321 is food-safe. It is an austenitic stainless steel with the same fundamental corrosion resistance as 304, suitable for food contact applications and also used in pharmaceutical and dairy equipment. What is the difference between 321 and 316Ti stainless steel? + The key difference between 321 and 316Ti is the base composition: 321 uses a 304-base stabilized with titanium; 316Ti adds titanium to a 316-base (which already contains molybdenum). 316Ti therefore has both the chloride resistance of 316 and stabilization against sensitization -- preferable in marine or chemical environments at elevated temperatures. What is the price of 321 stainless steel? + Grade 321 stainless steel is priced higher than 304 due to the titanium addition and tighter chemistry controls, but generally lower than 316 in equivalent forms. Pricing varies by product form and market conditions. What is the difference between stainless steel 309 and 321? + The key difference between 309 and 321 is purpose. Grade 309 is designed for high-temperature oxidation resistance (up to 2000 F). Grade 321 is designed for weld stabilization -- preventing sensitization at intermediate elevated temperatures (800-1500 F). 309 is used in furnace and kiln hardware; 321 in welded pressure vessels and aircraft components. Is 321 SS better than 316 SS? + Yes, Grade 321 is generally considered better than 316 for high-temperature welded applications because it resists sensitization. However, for room-temperature chloride environments, 316 (with molybdenum) provides better pitting resistance.
