1/4H 1/2H 3/4H FH Stainless Steel Strip Rolls Alloy 301 Spring
Steel Strips With High Hardness
| Attribute | Value |
| Products | 301 stainless steel strip |
| Thickness | 0.15-2.0mm |
| Width | within 1219mm |
| MOQ | 500 kgs |
| Other | 201 301 304 304L 309S 310S 316L 316Ti 410 420 430 436 439 441 444
440A/B/C,2205,2507,904L,C276,400,600,625,926,825.etc |
| Surface | BA 2B NO.4 HL 8K NO.1 |
| Standard | ASTM EN GB JIS |
| Packing | wooden frame and water proof paper |
Introduction
Alloy 301 stainless steel strips, renowned as high-performance
spring steel strips, are austenitic stainless steels celebrated for
their exceptional work-hardening ability and high hardness across
various tempers. Available in 1/4 Hard (1/4H), 1/2 Hard (1/2H), 3/4
Hard (3/4H), and Full Hard (FH) conditions, these strips are
engineered to deliver superior strength, elasticity, and corrosion
resistance—making them a preferred choice for spring applications
and components requiring consistent performance under repeated
stress. The cold-rolled tempers enhance their hardness and tensile
strength, while the inherent austenitic structure retains good
formability, ensuring adaptability to complex bending and forming
processes.
Chemical Composition (Typical, % by Weight)
Conforming to industry standards, the chemical composition of Alloy
301 stainless steel is carefully balanced to support its mechanical
properties:
- Carbon (C): ≤ 0.15
- Chromium (Cr): 16.0 – 18.0
- Nickel (Ni): 6.0 – 8.0
- Manganese (Mn): ≤ 2.0
- Silicon (Si): ≤ 1.0
- Phosphorus (P): ≤ 0.045
- Sulfur (S): ≤ 0.030
- Nitrogen (N): ≤ 0.10
This composition, rich in chromium and nickel, provides baseline
corrosion resistance, while controlled carbon and nitrogen levels
contribute to the alloy’s ability to harden during cold working.
Mechanical Properties Across Different Hardness Tempers
The mechanical properties of 301 stainless steel strips vary
significantly with cold-worked tempers, directly influencing their
hardness, strength, and ductility. Key properties for each temper
are as follows:
| Property | 1/4H (1/4 Hard) | 1/2H (1/2 Hard) | 3/4H (3/4 Hard) | FH (Full Hard) |
|---|
| Tensile Strength | 700 – 900 MPa | 850 – 1050 MPa | 1000 – 1200 MPa | 1200 – 1450 MPa |
| Yield Strength (0.2% offset) | 450 – 600 MPa | 650 – 800 MPa | 850 – 1050 MPa | 1050 – 1300 MPa |
| Elongation (in 50mm) | 25 – 35% | 15 – 25% | 10 – 15% | 5 – 10% |
| Hardness (Rockwell B/HRC) | 85 – 95 HRB | 95 – 100 HRB / 20 – 25 HRC | 25 – 30 HRC | 30 – 40 HRC |
Note: Values are typical and may vary slightly based on specific
manufacturing processes and strip thickness.
Standards
Alloy 301 stainless steel strips comply with major international
standards, ensuring consistency and quality:
- Primary Standard: ASTM A666 (Specification for Austenitic Stainless
Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate, and Flat Bar)
- Additional Compliance:
- EN 10088-2 (European standard for stainless steel strip/sheet)
- JIS G4305 (Japanese Industrial Standard for cold-rolled stainless
steel strips)
- GB/T 3280 (Chinese standard for stainless steel cold-rolled sheets
and strips)
Equivalent Grades
301 stainless steel has recognized equivalents in global standards,
facilitating cross-industry compatibility:
- UNS: S30100
- EN: 1.4310
- JIS: SUS301
- GB: 12Cr17Ni7 (China)
- DIN: X12CrNi177 (Germany)
Applications
Leveraging their high hardness, elasticity, and corrosion
resistance, 301 stainless steel strips (1/4H to FH) are widely used
in:
- Spring Components: Tension springs, compression springs, clip
springs, and battery contact springs.
- Automotive Industry: Door latches, seat belt components, valve
springs, and fuel system clips.
- Electronics: Connector springs, switch contacts, battery terminals,
and sensor springs.
- Aerospace: Aircraft cabin hardware, control system springs, and
lightweight structural clips.
- Medical Devices: Surgical instrument springs, clamp springs, and
diagnostic equipment components.
- Industrial Machinery: Vibration dampers, conveyor belt clips, and
machinery tension springs.
Packaging
To protect against corrosion, damage, and contamination during
storage and transportation:
- Each coil is wrapped in moisture-proof VCI (Volatile Corrosion
Inhibitor) paper to prevent rust.
- Inner layer: Polyethylene film for additional moisture barrier.
- Coils are secured on wooden pallets or steel reels to avoid
deformation.
- Outer packaging: Heavy-duty cardboard boxes or steel crates (for
bulk shipments).
- Labels include product details (grade, temper, thickness, width,
batch number, and standards compliance) for easy identification.



