Stainless Steel Grade AISI 321 | EN 1.4541

AISI 321 | EN 1.4541 | DIN X6CrNiTi18-10 - is an austenitic stainless steel which is able to provide excellent resistance to oxidation and corrosion. It has good creep resistance. It is used mainly in parts and structures involving continuous and intermittent working temperatures in the carbide precipitation range of 427 - 816 ℃. EN 1.4541 has the same corrosion properties as EN 1.4301 / AISI 304, except for improved resistance to intergranular corrosion due to the addition of titanium for stabilization. Resistance to organic acids and other acids is excellent. However, it should be noted that prolonged exposure to temperature can reduce the overall corrosion resistance, but this steel grade remains in a better condition compared to non-stabilized steel grades.

Technological properties

EN 1.4541 steel exhibits excellent corrosion resistance in most natural waters (agriculture and industry), provided that chloride, salt and hydrochloric and organic acid concentrations are low. Since this grade of stainless steel is still resistant to intergranular corrosion after welding, i.e. in the sensitized state, the corrosion test results indicate that this grade has a high level of corrosion resistance..

⓵ Welding

Considered suitable for welding by conventional fusion and resistance methods. Special care is needed to avoid "hot cracking" during welding by ensuring the formation of ferrite in the weld.

⓶ Hot processing

Typically, it is first heated to a temperature of 1150 - 1180 °C to ensure forging, which takes place at a temperature between 1180 and 950 °C. After forging, cooling in water is required.

⓷ Formability

Can be easily formed and drawn, but requires higher pressure and higher resilience than carbon steel and ferritic stainless steels. Like other austenitic stainless steels, AISI 321 hardens quickly and may require edge removal after heavy forming.

Physical properties

The formation of titanium carbonitrides in AISI 321 EN 1.4541 changes the machinability of the stainless steel compared to low carbon, non-titanium stainless steel variants. When using metal coated cutting tools, appropriate cutting parameters should be used.

Table No. 1: physical properties of stainless steel grade AISI 321 | EN 1.4541 | 08Х18Н10Т
Density of steel (specific gravity)	7.9 g/cm³
*Thermal conductivity at +20°C, W/mK**	15
*Specific heat capacity at +20°C, J/kgK**	500
*Specific electrical resistance at +20°C, μOhmm**	0,73

It should be noted that stainless steel grade DIN X6CrNiTi18-10 is non-magnetic in the annealed condition.

Table No. 2: physical properties of stainless steel grade AISI 321 | EN 1.4541 | DIN X6CrNiTi18-10
Properties	Temperature
Properties	+20°С	+100°С	+200°C	+300°С	+400°С	+500°С
Modulus of elasticity, GPa	200	194	186	179	172	165
Coefficient of linear expansion, 10^-6/°C	16,0	16,0	16,5	17,0	17,5	18,0

Mechanical properties

Table: mechanical properties of stainless steel grade AISI 321 | EN 1.4541 | DIN X6CrNiTi18-10
Tensile strength Rm ≥ N/mm²	500-700
Yield strength Rp ≥ N/mm²	190
Relative elongation A5 ≥ %	40/30
Hardness HB	215
Modulus of elasticity kN/mm²	200

Table: chemical composition of steel grade AISI 321 | EN 1.4541 | DIN X6CrNiTi18-10
Chemical composition steel grade AISI 321 \| EN 1.4541 \| DIN X6CrNiTi18-10
C	Si	Mn	P	S	Cr	Ni	Ti	Fe
<0,08	<1,00	<2,00	<0,045	<0,015	17,0-19,0	9,0-12,0	<0,70	Other