1.4305 Stainless Steel Composition for Free-Machining Applications
1.4305 (X8CrNiS18-9) is the free-machining austenitic stainless steel grade specified under EN 10028-7 and EN 10088-2, equivalent to the widely used 303. Its composition includes 17–19% chromium, 8–10% nickel, and an elevated sulfur content (approximately 0.15–0.35%), which significantly improves machinability and makes it ideal for automatic turning and high-speed cutting operations.
Compared with 1.4301 (304), 1.4305 offers superior performance in turning, drilling, and threading, providing longer tool life and higher machining efficiency, although with slightly reduced corrosion resistance. It is widely used for precision bolts, nuts, fittings, valve components, shafts, and electronic hardware parts. 1.4305 is supplied mainly as bars, wires, and some cold-rolled profiles. It is commonly used in machining industries, automatic lathe components, food-equipment accessories, and structural parts operating in moderate corrosion environments. As the free-machining variant of the 304 family, it delivers excellent processing efficiency and surface finish quality.
Compared with 1.4301 (304), 1.4305 offers superior performance in turning, drilling, and threading, providing longer tool life and higher machining efficiency, although with slightly reduced corrosion resistance. It is widely used for precision bolts, nuts, fittings, valve components, shafts, and electronic hardware parts. 1.4305 is supplied mainly as bars, wires, and some cold-rolled profiles. It is commonly used in machining industries, automatic lathe components, food-equipment accessories, and structural parts operating in moderate corrosion environments. As the free-machining variant of the 304 family, it delivers excellent processing efficiency and surface finish quality.