321 Stainless Steel Plate: Parameters, Standards, Equivalent Grades, Applications, and Laser Cutting Advantages & Scope

1. Overview of 321 Stainless Steel Plate

2. Key Parameters

• Chemical Composition (wt%):
  • Carbon (C) ≤ 0.08%
  • Manganese (Mn) ≤ 2.0%
  • Silicon (Si) ≤ 1.0%
  • Phosphorus (P) ≤ 0.045%
  • Sulfur (S) ≤ 0.03%
  • Chromium (Cr) 17.0–19.0%
  • Nickel (Ni) 9.0–12.0%
  • Titanium (Ti) ≥ 5 × C (min. 0.2%, max. 0.8%)
  • Iron (Fe): Balance
• Mechanical Properties (annealed condition):
  • Tensile Strength: ≥ 515 MPa
  • Yield Strength (0.2% offset): ≥ 205 MPa
  • Elongation: ≥ 40%
  • Hardness: ≤ 187 HB

3. Standards

• ASTM A240 / A240M (Standard for chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plate, sheet, and strip for pressure vessels)
• ASME SA-240 (For pressure vessel applications, equivalent to ASTM A240)
• EN 10088-2 (European standard for stainless steel sheet/plate, designated as X6CrNiTi18-10)
• JIS G4305 (Japanese standard, designated as SUS321)

4. Equivalent Grades

• UNS S32100 (USA)
• EN 1.4541 (European Union)
• DIN X6CrNiTi18-10 (Germany)
• JIS SUS321 (Japan)
• GB 06Cr18Ni10Ti (China)

5. Applications

• Aerospace industry: Jet engine components, exhaust systems, and heat exchangers exposed to high temperatures.
• Chemical processing: Reactors, pipelines, and tanks handling organic acids, where resistance to sensitization is critical.
• Petrochemical industry: Refinery equipment, including distillation columns and heat exchangers operating at 400–800°C.
• Automotive sector: Exhaust manifolds and catalytic converter housings.
• Food processing: High-temperature sterilization equipment, as it maintains corrosion resistance after thermal cycling.
• Power generation: Boiler tubes, turbine parts, and heat recovery systems in fossil fuel or nuclear power plants.

6. Laser Cutting of 321 Stainless Steel Plate

• Advantages:
  • Precision and accuracy: Narrow kerf width (0.1–0.3 mm) and tight tolerances (±0.05 mm) enable intricate designs and complex shapes.
  • Minimal heat impact: A small heat-affected zone (HAZ) prevents distortion or degradation of the material’s corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, critical for maintaining 321’s stability.
  • Clean, burr-free edges: Reduces the need for post-processing (e.g., grinding), saving time and cost.
  • High efficiency: Faster cutting speeds compared to mechanical methods (e.g., sawing or plasma cutting) for thin to medium thicknesses.
  • Versatility: Compatible with various sheet sizes and capable of cutting holes, slots, or custom profiles without tool wear.
• Processing Range:
  • Thickness: Typically 0.5 mm to 20 mm (thicker plates up to 30 mm can be cut with high-power lasers, though speed decreases).
  • Sheet sizes: Standard sizes (e.g., 1220×2440 mm, 1500×3000 mm) or custom dimensions.
  • Cutting capabilities: Complex 2D shapes, including curves, notches, and fine details, suitable for precision components in aerospace, automotive, or industrial machinery.