310S

310S (UNS S31008) is a high-chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steel. It is renowned for excellent high-temperature resistance, outstanding oxidation resistance, and good corrosion resistance. It maintains stable mechanical properties during long-term service at high temperatures (up to 1150 °C) and has strong thermal fatigue resistance, making it a preferred material for high-temperature and harsh environment applications.

Behaviour that matters in service

• High-Temperature Oxidation Resistance — Excels in oxidation resistance in air at temperatures up to 1150 °C. It forms a dense, stable chromium oxide film on the surface to prevent further oxidation and effectively resists spalling under thermal cycling.
• Corrosion Resistance — Demonstrates strong resistance to reducing acids (e.g., dilute sulfuric acid) and oxidizing acids (e.g., nitric acid). It also performs well in high-temperature gas and humid corrosive environments, avoiding pitting and intergranular corrosion.
• Mechanical Strength — Retains high tensile strength and yield strength at elevated temperatures. It does not easily undergo creep deformation even after long-term high-temperature use, ensuring component structural stability.
• Good Formability — Can be processed via cold working (e.g., rolling, stamping) and hot working (e.g., forging, extrusion). It is easy to form into complex shapes without obvious cracking or deformation, suitable for customized product manufacturing.
• Weldability — Compatible with common welding methods (e.g., TIG welding, MIG welding). Welded joints maintain good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, with no significant performance loss compared to the base material, facilitating large-scale equipment assembly.

Typical applications

• Thermal Processing Industry — Widely used in industrial furnace components (e.g., furnace linings, furnace doors, heating elements), heat treatment baskets, and radiant tubes. It withstands long-term high-temperature baking and thermal cycling without damage.
• Chemical Industry — Applied to corrosion-resistant equipment such as acid-resistant tanks, chemical reaction kettles, heat exchanger tubes, and pipeline systems. It is suitable for handling medium-to-high temperature corrosive media (e.g., sulfuric acid, nitric acid, organic solvents).
• Power Generation Industry — Used in high-temperature parts of thermal power plants (e.g., boiler superheater tubes, reheater tubes) and waste incineration power generation equipment. It resists high-temperature flue gas corrosion and ash erosion.
• Metallurgical Industry — Employed in molten metal handling equipment (e.g., stainless steel casting molds, molten aluminum launders) and high-temperature annealing furnaces. It has good resistance to molten metal erosion and high-temperature oxidation.
• Other Fields — Used for high-temperature parts of small engines in the aerospace industry. In the food processing industry, it is applied to high-temperature sterilization equipment (thanks to its good hygiene and corrosion resistance). It is also used in high-temperature exhaust systems of automobiles and ships.