301 Stainless Steel Strip: Cold Rolled, Annealed & Full Hard Tempers for Spring and Stamping Applications
301 stainless steel strip is supplied in cold rolled, annealed, and full hard tempers with thickness from 0.05 mm to 2.0 mm, width from 3 mm to 610 mm, and hardness up to HV 600+. Typical applications include springs, spring clips, shims, fasteners, and stamping parts requiring high fatigue resistance and elasticity. We are a China-based manufacturer with in-house cold rolling and annealing lines, supplying annealed through extra hard conditions with consistent properties and tight tolerances. 301 is the AISI/ASTM designation equivalent to JIS SUS301 and EN 1.4310.
Tempers and Mechanical Properties
| Temper / Condition | Process | Hardness (HV), typical | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Typical Applications |
| Annealed (ANN) | Cold rolled + annealed | 150–200 | ≥ 620 | Deep drawing, complex forming |
| 1/4 Hard (1/4H) | Cold rolled | 250–310 | ≥ 860 | Moderate bending, stamping |
| 1/2 Hard (1/2H) | Cold rolled | 310–370 | ≥ 1030 | Spring clips, connectors |
| 3/4 Hard (3/4H) | Cold rolled | 370–430 | ≥ 1200 | Springs, fasteners |
| Full Hard (FH) | Cold rolled | 430–530+ | ≥ 1270 | High-stress springs, constant force springs |
| Extra Hard (EH) | Cold rolled | 530–600+ | ≥ 1500 | Special elastic elements |
Custom tempers between these grades are available. Please specify hardness range or tensile strength target when inquiring.
Manufacturing Process
Our 301 strip is produced through precision cold rolling with intermediate annealing to control hardness, flatness, and surface quality. Annealing is performed after cold reduction to restore ductility and enable further rolling; the final cold rolling passes determine the delivered temper. Because the process is in-house, we can supply annealed, quarter hard through extra hard conditions with reproducible properties from coil to coil.
Cold rolling: multi-pass, controlled reduction
Annealing: intermediate and final anneal as required by temper
Final temper rolling: sets hardness and mechanical properties
Slitting: width 3–610 mm, burr-controlled edges
Inspection: hardness, thickness, width, surface, and flatness checked per lot
Typical Applications
Constant force springs
Spring clips and fasteners
Precision shims
Automotive wiper blade springs
Electronic connector contacts
Stamping parts requiring high strength and fatigue resistance
Conveyor belt and clamp components
Standards and Certifications
Standards: ASTM A666, JIS G4313, EN 10151
Grade equivalents: AISI 301 / JIS SUS301 / EN 1.4310 / UNS S30100.
Certifications: SGS material certificate available; RoHS report upon request
Inspection: mill test certificate supplied with each shipment
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between annealed and full hard 301 strip?
A: Annealed 301 is soft and ductile, suitable for deep drawing and complex forming. Full hard 301 is cold rolled to high strength and spring properties, with lower elongation but much higher tensile strength.
Q: What hardness can you supply?
A: We supply 301 in Annealed, 1/4H, 1/2H, 3/4H, Full Hard, and Extra Hard, with hardness up to HV 600+.
Q: What is the thickness and width range?
A: Thickness from 0.05 mm to 2.0 mm, width from 3 mm to 610 mm. Thickness tolerance is ±0.01 mm.
Q: Do you provide samples for evaluation?
A: Yes, trial samples are available for evaluation before bulk ordering.
Q: Which standards do your 301 strips meet?
A: Our 301 strip is produced to ASTM A666, JIS G4313, and EN 10151, with SGS material certificates available.
Request a Quote
Tell us the temper (annealed / 1/4H / 1/2H / 3/4H / full hard / extra hard), thickness, width, and application, and we will confirm hardness range, tolerance, MOQ, and lead time.
