High Quality SS 321/321H Round Bars & Rods

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Stainless Steel 321 / 321H Explained

Stainless Steel 321 and 321H are titanium-stabilized austenitic stainless steels designed to resist intergranular corrosion and carbide precipitation during prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures. These grades maintain excellent mechanical strength, oxidation resistance, and structural stability in high-temperature environments. SS 321 is suitable for moderate high-temperature service, while SS 321H contains higher carbon for improved creep and rupture strength.

Typical applications of SS 321/321H include aircraft exhaust systems, automotive manifolds, heat exchangers, boiler components, petrochemical equipment, and thermal expansion joints. Their superior thermal stability and weldability make them highly reliable for cyclic heating and continuous high-temperature service.

Other Types of Stainless Steel 321 / 321H Bars

  • Stainless Steel 321 / 321H precision square bars and rods
  • UNS S32100 / S32109 material specifications
  • Produced as per ASTM A276 / ASME SA276 standards
  • DIN 1.4541 machined square profiles
  • ASME SA276 certified SS 321 / 321H hexagonal bars
  • ASTM A276 stainless steel hex rods for machining
  • DIN 1.4541 / UNS S32100 grade compliance
  • Bright, polished and smooth finish hex sections
  • Stainless steel 321 rectangular bar profiles
  • UNS S32100 / DIN 1.4541 material conformity
  • ASTM A276 approved rectangular rods
  • Precision machined and polished sections
  • DIN 1.4541 stainless steel flat bars and strips
  • UNS S32100 heavy-duty flat sections
  • Manufactured as per ASTM A276 standards
  • Hot rolled, ground and polished finishes
  • ASTM A276 SS 321 / 321H bright drawn bars
  • UNS S32100 / S32109 material grades
  • Cold drawn, peeled and centerless ground finish
  • High dimensional accuracy and surface quality
  • UNS S32100 stainless steel forged bar supply
  • ASTM A276 compliant SS 321 / 321H forged rods
  • Heat treated and precision machined forgings
  • High strength forged bars for industrial usage

321/321H STAINLESS STEEL ROUND BAR EQUIVALENT GRADES

STANDARD UNS WNR. JIS EN
SS 321 S32100 1.4541 SUS 321 X6CrNiTi18-10
SS 321H S32109 1.4878 SUS 321H X12CrNiTi18-9

SPECIFICATION OF STAINLESS STEEL 321/321H ROUND BAR

Stainless Steel Round Bar Specification ASTM A276 / A479, ASME SA276 / A479
Dimension Standard EN, DIN, JIS, ASTM, BS, ASME, AISI
Size 14 mm – 300 mm
Thickness 50 mm to 6000 mm Long
Length 1 to 6 Meters, Custom Cut Length
Form Round, Square, Hex (A/F), Rectangle, Billet, Ingot, Forging Etc.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF STAINLESS STEEL 321/321H ROUND BAR

Grade Cr% Ni% C% Si% Mn% P% S% N% Ti% Fe%
321 17.0 – 19.0 9.0 – 12.0 0.08 max 0.75 max 2.0 max 0.045 max 0.03 max 0.10 max Min 5×(C+N), Max 0.70 Balance
321H 17.0 – 19.0 9.0 – 12.0 0.04 – 0.10 1.0 max 2.0 max 0.045 max 0.03 max 0.10 max Min 5×(C+N), Max 0.70 Balance

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STAINLESS STEEL 321/321H ROUND BAR

Grade Tensile Strength (ksi) Yield Strength 0.2% (ksi) Elongation (%) in 50 mm Hardness (Brinell) MAX
321 / 321H 75 30 40 217

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF 321/321H STAINLESS STEEL ROUND BAR

Density lb/in³ Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (min/in)-°F Thermal Conductivity BTU/hr-ft-°F Specific Heat BTU/lb-°F Modulus of Elasticity (psi)
0.286 at 68°F 9.2 at 68–212°F
20.5 at 68–1832°F
9.3 at 200°F 0.12 at 32–212°F 28 × 10⁶ (annealed, E)

💡 Practical Difference in Use

Use Stainless Steel 321 Round Bars when: resistance to intergranular corrosion, good oxidation stability, and reliable performance after welding are required for medium-temperature industrial environments. Titanium stabilization prevents carbide precipitation during fabrication and service. → Example: exhaust system components, heat exchanger rods, chemical processing shafts, pressure piping, and structural fasteners.


Use Stainless Steel 321H Round Bars when: higher tensile strength, improved creep resistance, and long-term durability are required at elevated operating temperatures, especially in continuous thermal service conditions. → Example: furnace parts, power plant hardware, high-temperature piping, thermal equipment supports, and heavy-duty fasteners.

Applications of Stainless Steel 321 / 321H Round Bars

Stainless Steel 321 and 321H round bars are widely used in heat-resistant and welded applications where thermal stability, oxidation resistance, and structural reliability are essential.

  • Power Generation & Thermal Systems: Heat exchanger rods, boiler supports, turbine hardware, and exhaust assemblies.
  • Chemical & Process Industry: Shafts, piping systems, structural supports, and fabrication components.
  • Aerospace & Automotive: Exhaust manifolds, brackets, fasteners, and high-temperature structural parts.

When to Choose Stainless Steel 321 vs. 321H Round Bars?

The selection mainly depends on operating temperature, strength requirement, welding exposure, and long-term thermal stability.

Choose SS 321 Round Bars when:

  • Resistance to sensitization and intergranular corrosion is critical
  • Welded fabrication without post-weld heat treatment is required
  • Stable mechanical performance is needed at moderate temperatures
  • Used in exhaust systems, piping, frames, and structural assemblies
  • Good oxidation resistance improves service life
  • Balanced cost and performance are preferred

Choose SS 321H Round Bars when:

  • Continuous exposure to elevated temperatures is expected
  • Higher carbon content delivers increased strength and creep resistance
  • Long-term thermal durability is essential
  • Used in furnaces, power plants, thermal processing equipment
  • Improved load-bearing capability at high temperature
  • Excellent stability during thermal cycling conditions

Industries That Use Stainless Steel 321 / 321H Round Bars

These grades are preferred in industries where heat resistance, welding reliability, oxidation protection, and long operational service life are required.

Power & Energy Industry

Used in high-temperature mechanical and thermal environments.

Uses

Boiler parts, turbine components, heat exchanger supports.

Why SS 321 / 321H?

Excellent thermal stability and oxidation resistance.

Chemical & Process Industry

Used in welded systems exposed to moderate heat and chemicals.

Uses

Piping systems, shafts, frames, pressure components.

Why SS 321?

Titanium stabilization prevents intergranular corrosion.

Automotive & Transportation

Used in exhaust and emission control systems.

Uses

Exhaust manifolds, brackets, fasteners, thermal shields.

Why SS 321?

High resistance to heat scaling and vibration fatigue.

Aerospace & Defense

Used in lightweight high-temperature structural assemblies.

Uses

Engine supports, brackets, heat-resistant fasteners.

Why SS 321H?

Higher strength retention at elevated temperatures.

Fabrication & Engineering

Used in welded and precision-machined components.

Uses

Frames, pressure parts, industrial assemblies.

Why SS 321?

Excellent weldability with minimal carbide precipitation.

Heat Treatment & Furnace Equipment

Used in continuous high-temperature operating systems.

Uses

Furnace fixtures, supports, thermal carriers.

Why SS 321H?

Enhanced creep strength for prolonged heat exposure.

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