Material

Stainless Steel

Corrosion-resistant alloys for medical, food-grade and outdoor hardware.

Material decision support

How this alloy behaves in your project.

Below is what we tell buyers about this alloy: where it pays for itself, where it costs you in cycle time or tooling, and which records to specify for shipment. Compare against your operating environment and tolerance stack before you finalize the print.

Stainless steel for CNC-machined corrosion-exposed fittings, housings and equipment interfaces. 303 favors machinability, while 304 and 316 are considered for different corrosion environments. Confirm the grade against the service conditions.

Reference grades

Grades to consider for Stainless Steel

CodeNotes
303Free-machining — highest machinability
304 / 304LGeneral purpose — most common stainless
316 / 316LMarine & medical — best corrosion resistance
321Stabilized for high-temperature service
405Welding applications
430Magnetic — decorative
440CHardenable — bearings & cutlery
17-4 PHAerospace & medical — high strength
SUS420JIS equivalent — cutlery & surgical
SUS416JIS free-machining martensitic

Typical uses

Typical uses for Stainless Steel

Medical devices & surgical tools

For instrument housings and equipment parts, specify 303, 304, 316/316L or 17-4 PH as drawn, plus passivation or electropolish notes. Implant production is outside this material page.

Fluid handling & manifolds

For fluid manifolds, specify chloride exposure, sealing-face finish and whether 316L is required instead of 304. Galling on threads should be flagged on the drawing.

Food & beverage processing

For food-contact equipment, specify the grade, cleaning chemicals and surface finish. Declarations are supplied when requested at quotation.

How we work

Materials, tolerances, equipment

Stainless steel for CNC-machined corrosion-exposed fittings, housings and equipment interfaces. 303 favors machinability, while 304 and 316 are considered for different corrosion environments. Confirm the grade against the service conditions.

How should I select the grade?

303 favors machinability, while 304 and 316 are considered for different corrosion environments. Confirm the grade against the service conditions. Material availability, stock size and certificate requirements are confirmed during quotation; a listed grade is not a stock guarantee.

What affects machining and inspection?

Review chlorides, passivation, galling, machining work-hardening and cleaning requirements. Functional tolerances depend on part geometry, material condition, fixturing and measurement method, not only the material family.

What should I specify for finishing?

State the finish standard, thickness, color or texture, masking and functional surfaces. Consider coating build in fits and threads. Approve any material or finishing substitution in writing.

Material quotation checklist

Send the exact grade and condition, 2D drawing, STEP model, quantity, critical features, service environment and traceability requirements. Tecpreva can review machining suitability and proposed alternatives before production.

Bring a drawing

Discuss your Stainless Steel part with us.

Send the CAD file, required grade, quantity and operating conditions. We will review material availability and machining feasibility before confirming a production route and quote.

Request a quote