303 Stainless Steel Bar (ASTM A582)
Arch Metals supplies 303 stainless steel bar from Dallas, Texas, to machine shops, OEMs and aerospace suppliers across Texas and the surrounding states. 303 is a free-machining austenitic stainless steel: added sulfur breaks chips cleanly, so it runs faster and with less tool wear than other 18-8 grades. We supply annealed 303 bar to ASTM A582 and AMS 5640 with certified material and saw cutting to length. Request a quote and we’ll confirm sizes and availability.
303 Stainless Steel Forms
- Round bar, annealed and cold finished
- Hex bar
- Square and flat bar on request
Size availability changes with mill supply. Send us your sizes through our quote request form and we’ll confirm stock, lead time and pricing.
303 Stainless Steel Condition and Specifications
- Annealed bar (ASTM A582, AMS 5640 Type 1): solution annealed (Condition A). 303 is not hardenable by heat treatment; strength comes only from cold work.
- Equivalent designations (UNS S30300): also called Type 303 or free-machining 18-8 stainless.
Not sure which condition or specification your drawing calls for? Send us the print requirements and we’ll match the material.
Typical Properties of Annealed 303 Stainless Steel
- Ultimate tensile strength: about 90 ksi (620 MPa)
- Yield strength: about 35 ksi (240 MPa)
- Elongation: about 50%
- Hardness: about 85 HRB
- Density: 0.289 lb/in³ (8.0 g/cm³)
- Chemistry: about 18% chromium and 9% nickel, with 0.15% minimum sulfur
These are typical values for annealed bar. Guaranteed minimums vary by specification, condition and size, so check the governing spec or your mill cert for design values.
Why Machinists Choose 303 Stainless Steel
303 is the go-to stainless for high-volume turned parts. The sulfur that makes it machine so well also lowers its corrosion resistance and weldability compared with 304 stainless steel bar, so 303 is best for parts that are machined heavily and aren’t welded or exposed to chlorides. For marine or chemical service, step up to 316 stainless steel bar. Common uses for 303 include:
- Screw machine and CNC lathe parts
- Shafts, pins and bushings
- Fittings, nuts and bolts
- Valve and pump components
- Aircraft fittings and electrical hardware
303 Stainless Steel FAQs
What is the difference between 303 and 304 stainless steel?
303 adds sulfur to make it much easier to machine. 304 has better corrosion resistance, weldability and formability, so choose 303 for machined parts and 304 for welded or formed parts.
Is 303 stainless steel magnetic?
Annealed 303 is essentially non-magnetic. Heavy cold work can make it slightly magnetic.
Can 303 stainless steel be welded?
Welding 303 is not recommended because the sulfur can cause hot cracking. If the part must be welded, use 304 or 316 instead.
Cut-to-Size 303 Stainless Steel With Delivery Across Texas
We ship 303 stainless steel throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico and Arizona, and we saw bar and plate to the size you need. See our processing services for cutting options, or browse all the metals we supply. Local DFW buyers can also see our 303 stainless steel Dallas page. We also supply 304 and 316 stainless bar.
To get pricing, send us the grade, condition, form, size, length and quantity through our quote request form, or call (888) 444-6061.