# Stainless Steel 303

> The machinist's stainless: sulfur additions cut machining cost ~30% versus 304 on turned parts.

- Category: Stainless Steels → austenitic
- HTML page: https://fabvector.com/materials/stainless-steel-303 (Portuguese: https://fabvector.com/pt/materials/stainless-steel-303)
- Price index: $$$ (1–5, 6061-T6 = $)

## Mechanical properties (typical values, not certified minimums)

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | ~620 MPa (cold drawn) |
| Yield strength | ~415 MPa (cold drawn) |
| Hardness | ≤228 HB |
| Density | 8.00 g/cm³ |
| Machinability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Corrosion resistance | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |

## When to choose it

The right stainless for high-volume turned parts: faster speeds, better chip control and longer tool life than 304 usually save more in machining than the small material premium.

## When to look elsewhere

The same sulfur that aids cutting causes hot cracking in welds and pit initiation in chlorides — for welded assemblies or marine service, specify 304 or 316L instead.

## Typical applications

- High-volume turned fittings and adapters
- Shafts, bushings and standoffs
- Swiss-machined pins and inserts

## Compatible surface finishes

- [As-Machined](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/as-machined)
- [Passivation](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/passivation)
- [Electropolishing](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/electropolishing)
- [Bead Blasting](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/bead-blasting)
- [Brushed Finish](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/brushed-finish)
- [Polishing](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/polishing)
- [Vibratory Tumbling](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/vibratory-tumbling)
- [Laser Marking](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/laser-marking)

Industries: industrial-automation, robotics, consumer-electronics, medical-devices · Instant quote: https://fabvector.com/quote