Grade 321 stainless steel is a standard 18/8 chromium-nickel alloy reinforced by titanium and niobium. The addition of titanium stabilizes this alloy and removes its susceptibility to intergranular corrosion while mitigating carbide precipitation during welding. At elevated temperatures, it resists oxidation and has higher creep and rupture properties than 304/304L stainless steel.
Grade 321H contains more carbon (between 0.04% to 0.1%) than regular 321 (≥ 0.08%), which enhances its high-temperature performance, including increasing its resistance to cracking or warping due to shifts in temperature.
Both grades are the ideal option in high-temperature applications up to 1,650°F. They also offer the following key benefits and advantages:
- Superior resistance to intergranular corrosion
- Higher strength, creep, and stress rupture properties
- Excellent performance in extremely high-temperature conditions
- Resistant to scaling and phase stability
- Resistant to subsequent aqueous corrosion
- Good resistance to cracking and warping
- Outstanding welding and forming characteristics
- Enhanced durability and toughness
While Grade 321 offers numerous benefits and possesses numerous advantageous material properties, it does not transfer well across a high-temperature arc due to its titanium content. Thus, neither grade is recommended as a welding consumable. Also, this stainless steel grade does not polish well, so it should not be used for cosmetic architecture.
Grade 321 and 321H Stainless Steel Plate Applications
Because of its ability to withstand high temperatures and superior resistance to various forms of corrosion, Grade 321 and 321H are used in many different applications. Because of its outstanding heat resistance compared to other stainless steels, both grades are often used in pressure vessels, boilers, exhaust systems, and heat exchangers.
Sabre Alloys streamlines our customers’ Grade 321 and 321H stainless steel supply chain in numerous industries by reducing the lead time associated with stainless steel acquisition and processing. The following are some of the industries we serve:
- Petrochemical
- Oil and Gas
- Wastewater
- Power generation
- Energy
- Water
- Food processing
- Environmental
- Piping and valve manufacturing
- Appliances
- Pharmaceutical
Grade 321 and 321H Stainless Steel Plate Processing Services
In conjunction with our extensive material stock, Sabre Alloys offers various steel processing services to meet our customers’ material requirements better. Our value-added stainless steel services allow us to meet exact specifications with short turn-around times.
Sabre Alloys offer the following value-added steel processing services:
- HD Plasma cutting
- Shearing
- Bar sawing
- Waterjet cutting
- Laser cutting
Contact Sabre Alloys
As a full-service stainless steel distributor, Sabre Alloys prides itself on getting you the steel you need, exactly how and when you need it. Let us help you save time and money with our high-quality Grade 321 and 321H stainless steel materials and processing services. For more information, call Sabre Alloys at 281-405-8580 to speak to a metal expert.