Description

321 stainless steel is a heat-resistant stainless steel known for its excellent corrosion resistance and high strength at elevated temperatures. It is commonly used in various industrial applications where resistance to intergranular corrosion and oxidation is required.

Applications

321 stainless steel is widely used in the aerospace, automotive, chemical, and petrochemical industries. It is commonly used for applications such as exhaust systems, heat exchangers, furnace parts, jet engine components, and chemical processing equipment.

Blacksmith Applications

321 stainless steel can be used by blacksmiths for creating tooling components that require excellent corrosion resistance and high strength at elevated temperatures. It is suitable for making forging dies, punches, and tooling for hot forming operations.

321 Forging Temperature

Forging of 321 stainless steel should be done between 2000°F - 2200°F (1093°C to 1204°C), followed by air cooling or rapid quenching to preserve its corrosion resistance.

321 Heat Treatment

321 Annealing Temperature

Annealing is typically performed at 1800°F to 2000°F (982°C to 1093°C) for a sufficient amount of time, followed by slow cooling in the furnace or air cooling to relieve internal stresses and restore corrosion resistance.

321 Normalizing Temperature

Normalizing can be carried out at 1750°F to 1850°F (954°C to 1010°C) for a proper soak time, followed by air cooling.

321 Hardening Temperature

321 stainless steel is not designed for hardening through traditional heat treatment methods. Its strength is achieved through cold working or precipitation-hardening.

321 Tempering Temperature

Tempering of 321 stainless steel is not typically required, as it is a stabilized stainless steel alloy. However, if needed, it should be performed at temperatures ranging from 750°F to 1500°F (399°C to 816°C).

Machinability

321 stainless steel has a machinability rating of 45, indicating fair machinability. It can be machined using appropriate cutting tools and techniques, but its high strength makes it more challenging than regular stainless steels.

Weldability

321 stainless steel has excellent weldability. It can be welded using common welding techniques such as TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) or MIG (Metal Inert Gas). Post-weld annealing is recommended to restore corrosion resistance and eliminate any sensitization.