For Mild to medium Corrosive Environments

Core

The Core range contains austenitic and ferritic stainless steels grades for mild to medium corrosive environments in PRE range 17 – 22. 

The most widely used austenitic stainless grade, Core 304L/4307 (EN 1.4307), defines the overall landscape of the Core range. The Core range is complemented by modern stabilized nickel-free 18 – 21% chromium ferritic stainless steels, like Core 441/4509 (EN 1.4509), and low-nickel austenitic alternatives.

The latest Core range addition is the stabilized 21% chromium ferritic stainless steel, Core 4622 (EN 1.4622). Nickel-free Core 4622 offers similar corrosion resistance, weldability and better heat transfer, machinability and deep-drawability compared to 304L.

Core range Cr-Ni austenitic stainless steels have good corrosion resistance, welding and forming, especially stretch-forming characteristics. Austenitic steels exhibit very high ductility also down to cryogenic temperatures. Due to the higher toughness and work hardening nature of the austenitic stainless steels, special attention may be needed during forming and machining operations compared to ferritic stainless or carbon steels. 

Modern Core range stabilized ferritic stainless steels have good corrosion resistance, welding and deep-drawing properties. Thanks to phase structure, nickel-free ferritic stainless steels grades have excellent resistances to chloride-induced stress-corrosion cracking. Ferritics have good heat transfer properties that can be utilized in applications where uniform and fast heat transfer is preferred. Good heat transfer with lower thermal expansion eases weldability via smaller weld distortion and buckling behavior than austenitics. In addition, ferritics have similar machinability as carbon streels, due to low work hardening characteristics.

Core range grades can be used in a wide range of applications supported with a broad selection of surface finishes from mills and service centers.

Outokumpu Core grades

Core 304/4301

Core 304/4301 is a classic 18% chromium, 8% nickel austenitic stainless steel. It’s an all-purpose product with good corrosion resistance and is suitable for a wide variety of applications that require good formability and weldability. Core 304/4301 can be delivered with a variety of surface finishes.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4301
  • ASTM type: 304
  • ASTM UNS: S30400
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications
  • Household appliances and consumer goods
  • Kitchen equipment
  • Indoor and outdoor cladding, handrails and window frames
  • Food and beverage industry equipment
  • Storage tanks
  • Flanges and valves
Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.04
  • Cr: 18.1
  • Ni: 8.1
  • Mo: -
  • N: -
  • Others: -

Core 304L/4307

Core 304L/4307 is a low-carbon alternative to Core 304/4301. The lower carbon content minimizes carbide precipitation as a result of heat input, for example during welding, giving improved resistance against intergranular corrosion. Core 304L/4307 is suitable for a wide variety of applications that require good formability and weldability, and can be delivered with a variety of surface finishes.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4307
  • ASTM type: 304L
  • ASTM UNS: S30403
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications
  • Food and beverage industry equipment
  • Chemical and pharmaceutical industry equipment (mild to medium corrosive environments)
  • Heat exchangers
  • Storage tanks
  • Tank containers
  • Pipes and tubes
  • Flanges and valves
Typical chemical composition,% by mass
  • C: 0.02
  • Cr: 18.1
  • Ni: 8.1
  • Mo: -
  • N: -
  • Others: -

Core 304LN/4311

A low-carbon, higher nickel and nitrogen alloyed alternative to Core 304L/4307 with improved strength and low-temperature toughness. Suitable for applications that require high tensile strength.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4311
  • ASTM type: 304L
  • ASTM UNS: S30453
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications
  • Railroad cars
  • Pressure vessels
  • Chemical plant equipment (mild to medium corrosive environments)
  • Flanges and valves
Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.02
  • Cr: 18.5
  • Ni: 9.2
  • Mo: -
  • N: 0.14
  • Others: -

Core 304L/4306

A higher nickel alternative to Core 304L/4307 with improved formability and deep drawability.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4306
  • ASTM type: 304L
  • ASTM UNS: S30403
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications
  • Chemical and pharmaceutical plant equipment (mild to medium corrosive environments)
  • Flanges and valves
Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.02
  • Cr: 18.2
  • Ni: 10.1
  • Mo: -
  • N: -
  • Others: -

Core 305/4303

A high-nickel alternative to Core 304/4301 with reduced strain hardening and excellent cold-forming properties. Ideal for parts that require high degree of deformation. 

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4303
  • ASTM type: 305
  • ASTM UNS: S30500
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications
  • Industrial parts with complex shapes
  • Sinks and other deep-drawn products
  • Complex stamping processes
  • Re-rollers producing very thin-gauge coils
Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.04
  • Cr: 17.7
  • Ni: 12.5
  • Mo: -
  • N: -
  • Others: -

Core 321/4541

A titanium-stabilized austenitic stainless steel with improved intergranular corrosion resistance for an extended temperature range.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4541
  • ASTM type: 321
  • ASTM UNS: S32100
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications
  • Anneailing covers
  • Stack liners
  • Automotive exhaust systems
  • Welded pressure vessels
  • Flanges and valves
Typical chemical composotion, % by mass
  • C: 0.04
  • Cr: 17.3
  • Ni: 9.1
  • Mo: -
  • N: -
  • Others : Ti

Core 347/4550

Core 347/4550 is a niobium stabilized alternative to Core 321/4541 with improved intergranular corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties at high temperatures. Core 347/4550 is particularly useful in applications with intermittent heating in the range 400–900 °C/750–1650 °F.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4550
  • ASTM type: 347
  • ASTM UNS: S34700
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications
  • High temperature gaskets
  • Rocket engine parts
  • Expansion joints
  • Aircraft collector rings
  • Exhaust manifolds
  • Chemical production equipment
  • Flanges and valves
Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.05
  • Cr: 17.5
  • Ni: 9.5
  • Mo: -
  • N: -
  • Others: Nb

Core 301LN/4318

A low-carbon, nitrogen alloyed alternative to Core 301/4310 with elevated strength, making it particularly suitable for lightweight construction.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4318
  • ASTM type: 301LN
  • ASTM UNS: S30153
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications

• Automotive applications, especially vehicles chassis
• Railroad cars

Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.02
  • Cr: 17.7
  • Ni: 6.5
  • Mo: -
  • N: 0.14
  • Others : -

Core 301/4310

A lower chromium and nickel alternative to Core 304/4301 with high work hardening capacity, this is a good choice for applications subjected to high mechanical loading

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4310
  • ASTM type: 301
  • ASTM UNS: S30100
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications
  • Springs
  • Press plates
  • Conveyor chains
  • Mixer blades
  • Sinks
Typical chemical composition, by mass %
  • C: 0.10
  • Cr: 17.0
  • Ni: 7.0
  • Mo: -
  • N: -
  • Others : -

Core 201/4372

This low-nickel stainless steel has properties approaching Core 301/4310 but with a higher work hardening coefficient. Grade is available from Outokumpu Americas.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4372
  • ASTM type: 201
  • ASTM UNS: S20100
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications
  • Household appliances
  • Kitchen utensils
  • Sinks
  • Doors and windows
  • Railroad cars
Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.05
  • Cr: 16.1
  • Ni: 3.6
  • Mo: -
  • N: 0.08
  • Others: 7Mn

Core 201LN/4372

This low-nickel stainless steel also has properties approaching Core 301/4310, but has a higher strength than Core 201/4372. It hardens more quickly due to its higher work hardening coefficient. Grade is available from Outokumpu Americas.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4372
  • ASTM type: 201LN
  • ASTM UNS: S20153
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications
  • Railroad freight cars
  • Truck trailers
  • Coal handling
  • Bulk transport equipment
Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.03
  • Cr: 16.2
  • Ni: 4.0
  • Mo: -
  • N: 0.20
  • Others: Cu, 6.5Mn

Core 441/4509

A nickel-free 17% chromium ferritic stainless steel grade with good corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength was originally designed for exhaust systems. Core 441/4509 is available with single (niobium) or dual (niobium and titanium) stabilization. Due to good formability and weldability it is often a suitable replacement for Core 301/4310.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4509
  • ASTM type: -
  • ASTM UNS: S43940
  • Microstructure: Ferritic
Usage
  • Indoor claddings
  • Restaurant equipment and appliances
  • Tubes
  • Heat exchangers
Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.02
  • Cr: 17.6
  • Ni: -
  • Mo: -
  • N:

    -

     

  • Others: Nb, Ti 

Core 4622

A nickel-free, high-chromium (21Cr) ferritic stainless steel with equal corrosion resistance to Core 304/4301. Core 4622 has excellent deep drawability and is almost ridging free, meaning it is easier to polish and has a lower overall production cost.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4622
  • ASTM type: -
  • ASTM UNS: S44330
  • Microstructure: Ferritic
Typical applications
  • Household, catering and architectural applications (indoor and outdoor)
  • Tubular products for automotive and process industries
  • Building facades
  • Tanks and process equipment
Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.02
  • Cr: 21.0
  • Ni: -
  • Mo: -
  • N: -
  • Others: Nb,Ti,Cu

Core 434/4113

A molybdenum-alloyed ferritic stainless steel that offers improved corrosion resistance. This grade is available from Outokumpu Americas.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4113
  • ASTM type: 434
  • ASTM UNS: S43400
  • Microstructure: Ferritic
Typical applications
  • Automotive trim and fittings
Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.04
  • Cr: 16.5
  • Ni: -
  • Mo: 1.0
  • N: -
  • Others: -

Circle Green Core 304/4301

Circle Green Core 304/4301 is a classic 18% chromium, 8% nickel austenitic stainless steel. It’s an all-purpose product with good corrosion resistance and is suitable for a wide variety of applications that require good formability and weldability. Circle Green Core 304/4301 can be delivered with a variety of surface finishes.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4301
  • ASTM type: 304
  • ASTM UNS: S30400
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications
  • Household appliances and consumer goods
  • Kitchen equipment
  • Indoor and outdoor cladding, handrails and window frames
  • Food and beverage industry equipment
  • Storage tanks
  • Flanges and valves
Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.04
  • Cr: 18.1
  • Ni: 8.1
  • Mo: -
  • N: -
  • Others: -

Circle Green Core 304L/4307

Circle Green Core 304L/4307 is a low-carbon alternative to Core 304/4301. The lower carbon content minimizes carbide precipitation as a result of heat input, for example during welding, giving improved resistance against intergranular corrosion. Circle Green Core 304L/4307 is suitable for a wide variety of applications that require good formability and weldability, and can be delivered with a variety of surface finishes.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4307
  • ASTM type: 304L
  • ASTM UNS: S30403
  • Microstructure: Austenitic
Typical applications
  • Food and beverage industry equipment
  • Chemical and pharmaceutical industry equipment (mild to medium corrosive environments)
  • Heat exchangers
  • Storage tanks
  • Tank containers
  • Pipes and tubes
  • Flanges and valves
Typical chemical composition,% by mass
  • C: 0.02
  • Cr: 18.1
  • Ni: 8.1
  • Mo: -
  • N: -
  • Others: -

Circle Green Core 441/4509

A nickel-free 17% chromium ferritic stainless steel grade with good corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength was originally designed for exhaust systems. Circle Green Core 441/4509 is available with single (niobium) or dual (niobium and titanium) stabilization. Due to good formability and weldability it is often a suitable replacement for Core 301/4310.

Please remove item from comparison before you can add another one

  • EN: 1.4509
  • ASTM type: -
  • ASTM UNS: S43940
  • Microstructure: Ferritic
Usage
  • Indoor claddings
  • Restaurant equipment and appliances
  • Tubes
  • Heat exchangers
Typical chemical composition, % by mass
  • C: 0.02
  • Cr: 17.6
  • Ni: -
  • Mo: -
  • N:

    -

     

  • Others: Nb, Ti 

Standards and approvals for Core range

EN ISO 18286 Hot-rolled stainless steel plates – Tolerances on dimensions and shape
EN 10051
Hot-rolled steel strip.
EN 10088-1
Stainless steels – list of stainless steels
ISO 15510
Stainless steels – chemical composition
EN ISO 9445
Cold-rolled stainless narrow strip, wide strip, plate/sheet and cut lengths.
ASTM A 480
General requirements for flat-rolled stainless and heat resisting steel
ASTM A 959
Harmonized standard grade compositions for wrought stainless steels
ASME IID
Materials – Physical properties tables

The most commonly used international product standards are given here. For a list of standards by product, go to Stainless Steel Finder.

EN 10028-7 Flat products for pressure purposes – Stainless steels
EN 10088-2
Stainless steels – sheet/plate and strip for general purposes
EN 10088-3
Stainless steels – semi-finished products, bars, rods sections for general purposes
EN 10088-4
Technical delivery conditions for sheet/plate and strip
EN 10095
Heat resisting steels and nickel alloys
EN 10151
Stainless steel strip for springs
EN 10217-7
Welded steel tubes for pressure purposes – Stainless steel tubes
EN 10296-2
Welded circular steel tubes for mechanical and general engineering purposes – Stainless Steel tubes
EN 10302
Creep resisting steels, nickel and cobalt alloys
ASTM A 167
Stainless and heat-resisting Cr-Ni steel plate, sheet, and strip
ASTM A 176
Stainless and heat-resisting Cr steel plate, sheet, and strip
ASTM A182/ ASME SA-182
Stainless steel and heat resisting steel bars and shapes
ASTM A 240
Cr and Cr-Ni stainless steel plate, sheet and strip for pressure vessels
ASTM A276
Stainless steel and heat-resisting steel rod and wire for cold heading and forging
ASTM A479/ ASME SA-479
General requirements for stainless and heat resistant steel wire and wire rod
ASTM A 666
Austenitic stainless steel sheet, strip, plate, bar for structural and architectural applications
ASME IIA Materials. Part A –
Ferrous Material Specifications
Eurocode 3 / EN 1993-1-4
Design of steel structures – Part 1-4: General rules – Supplementary rules for stainless steels

The most commonly used international product standards are given here. For a list of standards by product, go to Stainless Steel Finder.

Outokumpu meets the most common certifications and approvals, including:

  • AD 2000 Merkblatt
  • Approval of Material Manufacturers
  • Factory Production Control Certificate
  • ISO 9001
  • ISO 14001
  • ISO 50001
  • ISO/TS 16949
  • NORSOK
  • OHSAS 18001
  • Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)

The most commonly used international product standards are given here. For a list of standards by product, go to Stainless Steel Finder.

Core range use cases and articles

Case Kavika hygienic fixtures

No chance for germs

Case Temoco

Adding a sustainable touch to the Nordic’s leading bars

Article

What if you understood stainless properties from the name?

Case Mine rescue chambers

Stainless saves lives underground

Case Weilong Winery

Fast-track stainless steel for Australian winery

Case brewery modernization

A better brew with local stainless

Case Story

Luxury and sustainability combined for a sleek stainless steel façade

Case Story

Vision of the future - BMW Welt

Article

Stainless steel for hydrogen storage tanks

Downloads

Outokumpu Core range datasheet
Outokumpu 4622 and 316plus brochure
Machining guidelines for standard austenitic stainless steel grades
Outokumpu Product Ranges chart