| 304 / 304L | ASTM A312, ASTM A269, EN 10217-7 | Approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel; 304L has a lower carbon limit for improved weldability. | Approximately 205 MPa for annealed material | Suitable for normal service and many moderately elevated-temperature applications. | Good general resistance to atmospheric corrosion, food products, and many organic chemicals. | Food and beverage lines, architectural tubing, water systems, kitchen equipment, general process piping, and decorative structural tubes. | Cost-effective and widely available. Not the preferred choice for high-chloride environments or continuous exposure to seawater. |
| 316 / 316L | ASTM A312, ASTM A269, EN 10217-7 | Chromium-nickel stainless steel containing molybdenum, which improves resistance to chlorides and pitting. | Approximately 205 MPa for annealed material | Suitable for normal service and moderately elevated-temperature applications. | Better pitting and crevice-corrosion resistance than 304, especially in chloride-containing environments. | Marine equipment, pharmaceutical piping, chemical processing, coastal structures, saltwater-related systems, and hygienic tubing. | Usually the better choice than 304 where salt, chlorides, cleaning chemicals, or process contamination are concerns. |
| 321 | ASTM A312, ASTM A269 | Titanium-stabilized austenitic stainless steel designed to reduce chromium-carbide precipitation after heating. | Approximately 205 MPa for annealed material | Suitable for high-temperature service; exact limits depend on load, oxidation conditions, and design requirements. | Good general corrosion resistance with improved resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding or prolonged heating. | Exhaust systems, heat exchangers, furnace components, aerospace-related tubing, and high-temperature process lines. | Useful when the tube will experience repeated heating or welding and post-weld heat treatment is impractical. |
| 310S | ASTM A312, ASTM A269 | High-chromium, high-nickel austenitic stainless steel with increased resistance to oxidation at elevated temperatures. | Approximately 205 MPa for annealed material | Designed for high-temperature furnace and heat-resistant applications; actual limits depend on atmosphere and stress. | Very good oxidation resistance in many hot-air environments; not a universal solution for wet chloride corrosion. | Furnace tubes, radiant tubes, burner components, heat-treatment equipment, and high-temperature industrial ducting. | Choose for heat resistance rather than maximum chloride resistance. Thermal cycling and reducing atmospheres require engineering review. |
| 904L | ASTM B677, ASTM A312, EN 10217-7 | High-alloy austenitic stainless steel with elevated nickel, molybdenum, chromium, and copper content. | Approximately 220 MPa for annealed material | Suitable for demanding ambient and elevated-temperature chemical-processing service, subject to design conditions. | Excellent resistance to many sulfuric-acid environments and strong resistance to localized corrosion. | Chemical processing, acid handling, pollution-control equipment, specialty heat exchangers, and aggressive process piping. | Higher material cost and more demanding fabrication. Confirm compatibility with the exact acid concentration, temperature, and flow conditions. |
| 2205 Duplex | ASTM A790, ASTM A789, EN 10217-5 | Duplex ferritic-austenitic stainless steel containing approximately 22% chromium and 3% molybdenum, with nitrogen added for strength and corrosion resistance. | Approximately 450 MPa for solution-annealed material | Suitable for moderate-temperature service; prolonged exposure to excessive temperatures can reduce toughness and corrosion performance. | Excellent resistance to chloride stress-corrosion cracking, pitting, and crevice corrosion. | Oil and gas piping, offshore systems, desalination equipment, chemical tanks, seawater service, and high-pressure process lines. | Provides much higher strength than 304L or 316L, allowing potential wall-thickness reduction. Welding and heat input must be carefully controlled. |
| 410 | ASTM A268, ASTM A269 | Martensitic stainless steel containing approximately 11.5–13.5% chromium with low nickel content. | Typically higher than austenitic grades after heat treatment; final strength depends strongly on tempering. | Suitable for moderate-temperature mechanical and wear-resistant service. | Moderate corrosion resistance; lower than 304, 316, and duplex 2205 in many wet environments. | Valve components, mechanical tubes, pump parts, shafts, wear-resistant supports, and equipment exposed to mild atmospheric corrosion. | Can be heat treated for higher hardness and strength. Avoid where high ductility, severe chloride exposure, or strong chemical resistance is required. |