gtMATERIAL

Alloy AISI 321 1.4541 UNS N32100 is a stabilized stainless steel which offers as its main
advantage an excellent resistance to intergranular corrosion following exposure
to temperature in the chromium carbide precipitation range from 800 to 1500°F (427 to
816°C). Alloy 321 stainless steel tubing is stabilized against chromium carbide formation by
the addition of titanium.

321 Stainless Steel is a titanium-stabilised version of 304, used in particular applications

within the sensitizing temperature range. Its resistance to sensitization, coupled with its higher
strength at high temperature makes it suitable in application where 304 will become
sensitized, or where 304L has insufficient hot strength. It is not subject to weld decay
intergranular corrosion when exposed to mildly corrosive environments. However, welded 321
must never be used in highly oxidising environments as it is liable to 'Knife-line' attack.
However, 321 is a much better option in operating temperature environments in excess of
500° C and therefore has its own merits. Alloy 321stainless steel tube is also advantageous
for high temperature service because of its good mechanical properties. Alloy 321 stainless
steel offers higher creep and stress rupture properties than Alloy 304 and, particularly,
Alloy304L also be considered for exposure where sensitization and intergranular
corrosion are concern.

A limitation with 321 is that titanium does not transfer well across a high temperature arc, so is
not recommended as a welding consumable. In this case grade 347 is preferred - the niobium
performs the same carbide stabilisation task but can be transferred across a welding arc.
Grade 347 is therefore the standard consumable for welding 321. Grade 347 is only
occasionally used as parent plate material.

Like other austenitic grades, 321 and 347 have excellent forming and welding characteristics,
are readily brake or roll formed and have outstanding welding characteristics. Post-weld
annealing is not required. They also have excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic
temperatures. Grade 321 does not polish well, so is not recommended for decorative
applications.

Grade 304L is more readily available in most product forms, and so is generally used in
preference to 321 if the requirement is simply for resistance to intergranular corrosion after
welding. However 304L has lower hot strength than 321 and so is not the best choice if the
requirement is resistance to an operating environment over about 500°C.

General Properties
Chemical Composition
Resistance to Corrosion
Physical Properties
Mechanical Properties
Heat Treatment
Fabrication
Elevated Temperature Oxidation Resistance
Oxidation Behavior of Type 321 Stainless Steel Tube
321 S32100 Chemical Composition Comparison Table
Physical Properties of 321 Stainless Steel Pipe in the Annealed Condition at -20°F to +100°F
according to ASTM A213

Physical Properties of 321 Stainless Steel Pipe in the Annealed Condition at -20°F to +100°F
according to ASTM A213
Tensile Yield
Strength Strength
Mean
Coefficient
Elongation The
Modulus of of
in 2 Grain Con
Alloy UNS Spec MPa ksi MPa ksi Maximum Harndess Elasticity(x106 Thermal
inches SizeReq. (BTU
psi) Expansion
(min.) % h-°F
(IN./IN./°F
x 10-6)
321 S32100 — 515 — 205 — 35 — — 29.0 9.2 —
7 or
321H S32109 — 515 — 205 — 35 — 29.0 9.2 —
coarser

321 321H Stainless Steel Density Specific Gravity: 7.93 (kg/m3)

Composition 321 stainless steel

Grade 321 321H
UNS Designation S32100 S32109
Carbon (C) Max. 0.08 0.04–0.10
Manganese (Mn) Max. 2.00 2.00
Phosphorous (P) Max. 0.04 0.04
Sulphur (S) Max. 0.03 0.03
Silicon (Si) Max. 0.75 0.75
Chromium (Cr) 17.0–20.0 17.0–20.0
Nickel (Ni) 9.0–12.0 9.0–12.0
Molybdenum (Mo) — —
Nitrogen (N) 0.1 Max. 0.1 Max.
Iron (Fe) Bal. Bal.
Other Elements Ti=5(C) to 0.70% Ti=4(C) to 0.60%

321 Stainless Steel Pipe Range

Alloy UNS Designation Werkstoff NR. Specifications*
321 S32100 1.4541 A269, A/SA249, A/SA312
321H S32109 — A/SA249, A/SA312
 321 Stainless Steel Pipe Typical Properties in the Annealed Condition

The properties quoted in this publication are typical of mill products. Unless otherwise
indicated they should not be regarded as guaranteed minimum values for specification
purposes.

1. 321 Stainless Steel Pipe Mechanical Properties at Room Temperature according to ASTM
A370

Typical Minimum
Tensile Strength, MPa ASTM A370 594 515
Yield Strength (0.2 % offset), MPa ASTM A370 295 205
Elongation (Percent in Lo = 5.65 So) ASTM A370 60 40
Hardness (Rockwell) 74 -
Endurance (fatigue) limit, MPa 260 -

2. 321 Stainless Steel Pipe Mechanical Properties at Elevated Temperatures

Short Time Elevated Temperature Tensile Strength

Temperature, oC 600 650 700 750 800 850

Tensile Strength, MPa 390 329 280 230 190 140

Creep data
Stress to develop a creep rate of 1% in the indicated time at the indicated temperature.

Time Temperature oC 550 600 650 700 800

10 000 h Stress MPa 180 100 70 40 10
100 000 h Stress MPa 120 80 50 25 5

321 Stainless Steel Tube Recommended Maximum Service Temperature

(Oxidising Conditions)

Continuous Service 950oC

Intermittent Service 870oC

321 Stainless Steel Pipe Thermal Processing

1. Annealing Heat from 1050 to 1150oC and cool in air. This ensures maximum ductility of the steel.
2. Stress Relieving 321 can be stress-relief annealed within the sensitization temperature range
450-800oC without carbide precipitation occurring, thus avoiding the possibility of intergranular
corrosion.
3. Hot working
Initial forging and pressing temperature: 1150 - 1250oC
 Finishing temperature: 950oC

321 Stainless Steel Tubing Corrosion Resistance

Equivalent to Grade 304 in the annealed condition, and superior if a weldment in these grades has not
been post-weld annealed or if the application involves service in the 425-900°C range. Subject to pitting
and crevice corrosion in warm chloride environments, and to stress corrosion cracking above about 60°C.
Considered resistant to potable water with up to about 200mg/L chlorides at ambient temperatures,
reducing to about 150mg/L at 60°C.
321 Stainless Steel Tube Heat Resistance
Good oxidation resistance in intermittent service to 900°C and in continuous service to 925°C. These
grades perform well in the 425-900°C range, and particularly where subsequent aqueous corrosive
conditions are present. 321H has higher hot strength, and is particularly suitable for high temperature
structural applications.
321 Stainless Steel Pipe Heat Treatment
Solution Treatment (Annealing) - heat to 950-1120°C and cool rapidly for maximum corrosion resistance.
Stabilising - heat to 870-900°C for 1 hour per 25mm of thickness and air cool. Stabilisation is
recommended for most severe service conditions (above 425°C) and particularly for material annealed at
the upper side of the annealing temperature range.
Stress Relief - Heat to 700°C for 1 to 2 hours and air cool.
These grades cannot be hardened by thermal treatment.
321 Stainless Steel Pipe Welding
Excellent weldability by all standard fusion methods, both with and without filler metals. AS 1554.6 pre-
qualifies welding of 321 and 347 with Grade 347 rods or electrodes; high silicon version of 347 is also
pre-qualified for welding of 321.
321 Stainless Steel Tube and Pipe Applications
Typical applications include:
• Aircraft exhaust manifolds
• Expansion joints
• Bellows
• Furnace parts
• Heating element tubing
• Heat Exchanger
• Woven or welded screens for high temperature mineral processing
• Spiral Welded tube for burner pipes and flues
Nominal Pipe Size ⅛ to Nominal Pipe Size 3½
Wall Thickness
Nominal inches (mm)
DN OD
Pipe
mm inches (mm) SCH SCH SCH
Size SCH 5 SCH 10 SCH 30 SCH 80 XXS
40/STD 120 160
0.035 in 0.057 in 0.068 in 0.095 in
0.405 in 0.049 in
⅛ 6 (0.889 (1.448 (1.727 (2.413 --- --- ---
(10.29 mm) (1.245 mm)
mm) mm) mm) mm)
0.049 in 0.073 in 0.088 in 0.119 in
0.540 in 0.065 in
¼ 8 (1.245 (1.854 (2.235 (3.023 --- --- ---
(13.72 mm) (1.651 mm)
mm) mm) mm) mm)
0.049 in 0.073 in 0.091 in 0.126 in
0.675 in 0.065 in
⅜ 10 (1.245 (1.854 (2.311 (3.200 --- --- ---
(17.15 mm) (1.651 mm)
mm) mm) mm) mm)
0.065 in 0.109 in 0.147 in 0.294 in
0.840 in 0.083 in
½ 15 (1.651 --- (2.769 (3.734 --- 4.78mm (7.47
(21.34 mm) (2.108 mm)
mm) mm) mm) mm)
0.065 in 0.113 in 0.154 in 0.308 in
1.050 in 0.083 in
¾ 20 (1.651 2.41mm (2.870 (3.912 --- 5.56mm (7.823
(26.67 mm) (2.108 mm)
mm) mm) mm) mm)
0.065 in 0.133 in 0.179 in 0.358 in
1.315 in 0.109 in
1 25 (1.651 2.90mm (3.378 (4.547 --- 6.35mm (9.093
(33.40 mm) (2.769 mm)
mm) mm) mm) mm)
0.065 in 0.117 in 0.140 in 0.191 in 0.382 in
1.660 in 0.109 in
1¼ 32 (1.651 (2.972 (3.556 (4.851 --- 6.35mm (9.703
(42.16 mm) (2.769 mm)
mm) mm) mm) mm) mm)
0.065 in 0.125 in 0.145 in 0.200 in 0.400 in
1.900 in 0.109 in
1½ 40 (1.651 (3.175 (3.683 (5.080 --- 7.14mm (10.160
(48.26 mm) (2.769 mm)
mm) mm) mm) mm) mm)
0.065 in 0.125 in 0.154 in 0.218 in 0.250 in 0.436 in
2.375 in 0.109 in
2 50 (1.651 (3.175 (3.912 (5.537 (6.350 8.74mm (11.074
(60.33 mm) (2.769 mm)
mm) mm) mm) mm) mm) mm)
0.083 in 0.188 in 0.203 in 0.276 in 0.300 in 0.344 in 0.552 in
2.875 in 0.120 in
2½ 65 (2.108 (4.775 (5.156 (7.010 (7.620 (8.738 (14.021
(73.02 mm) (3.048 mm)
mm) mm) mm) mm) mm) mm) mm)
0.083 in 0.188 in 0.216 in 0.300 in 0.350 in 0.438 in 0.600 in
3.500 in 0.120 in
3 80 (2.108 (4.775 (5.486 (7.620 (8.890 (11.13 (15.240
(88.90 mm) (3.048 mm)
mm) mm) mm) mm) mm) mm) mm)
4.000 in 0.083 in 0.188 in 0.226 in 0.318 in 0.636 in
0.120 in
3½ 90 (101.60 (2.108 (4.775 (5.740 (8.077 --- --- (16.154
(3.048 mm)
mm) mm) mm) mm) mm) mm)