Which stainless steel grades does RapidDirect offer?

RapidDirect offers 201, 303, 304, 316, 316L, 420, 430, 431, 440C, and 17-4PH for CNC machining; SUS303, SUS304, and SUS316 for sheet metal; and SLM 316L, 17-4PH, and 15-5PH for 3D printing.

Which stainless steel is best for CNC machining?

303 is highly machinable for precision parts. 304 offers a versatile balance of corrosion resistance and machinability, while 316 suits marine and chemical environments.

What is the difference between 316 and 316L?

316L is the low-carbon version of 316 and offers improved weldability for pharmaceutical, chemical, and fabricated equipment.

Can stainless steel be 3D printed?

Yes. RapidDirect uses selective laser melting to produce stainless steel parts in 316L, 17-4PH, and 15-5PH.

Which finishes are available for stainless steel?

Choose as-machined, sand blasting, tumbling, electropolishing, electroplating, passivation, powder coating, painting, brushing, shot peening, or CNC machining depending on the manufacturing process.

Stainless Steel for Custom Parts

Stainless Steel Material Overview

Stainless steel combines strength, corrosion resistance, easy cleaning, and durability. RapidDirect machines ten stainless steel grades, fabricates SUS303, SUS304, and SUS316 sheet metal parts, and 3D prints 316L, 17-4PH, and 15-5PH using SLM.

Corrosion resistance: Stainless steel performs in marine, medical, food, and chemical processing environments.
Strength and durability: Multiple stainless steel grades provide a broad range of strength and hardness.
Easy to clean: Stainless steel surfaces support clean, hygienic equipment and components.
Three manufacturing routes: Choose CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, or SLM 3D printing.

Selection note: Choose a stainless steel grade and manufacturing process for your part's corrosion environment, strength, formability, machinability, and geometry.

Manufacturing Processes for Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel CNC Machining

Custom Stainless Steel CNC machined parts for prototypes and production, with fast turnaround from RapidDirect.

Explore Stainless Steel CNC Machining

Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Fabrication

Custom Stainless Steel sheet metal parts, cut, bent, and finished by RapidDirect for prototypes and production.

Explore Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Fabrication

Stainless Steel 3D Printing

Custom SLM Stainless Steel parts with complex geometry, heat treatment, and finishing from RapidDirect.

Explore Stainless Steel 3D Printing

Compare Stainless Steel Grades

Compare ten conventional stainless steel grades by yield strength, fatigue strength, elongation, hardness, and density.

Material & condition	Applicable processes	Tensile strength, yieldMPa	Fatigue strengthMPa	Elongation at break%	HardnessBrinell	Densityg/cm³	Material data
201 Stainless Steel	cnc machining	275–380	240–290	40–60	147–217	7.90	View data
303 Stainless Steel	cnc machining sheet metal	415–450	240–300	35–50	190–240	7.90	View data
304 Stainless Steel	cnc machining sheet metal	215–505	240–300	40–70	170–220	7.90	View data
316 Stainless Steel	cnc machining sheet metal	170–310	240–290	30–50	140–220	7.90	View data
316L Stainless Steel	cnc machining	170–290	240–290	40–50	140–190	7.90	View data
420 Stainless Steel	cnc machining	345–650	275	10–25	180–290	7.80	View data
430 Stainless Steel	cnc machining	275–450	240–280	20–30	150–200	7.75	View data
431 Stainless Steel	cnc machining	690–900	350	15–17	248–293	7.75	View data
440C Stainless Steel	cnc machining	450–1900	275	10–20	285–600	7.75	View data
17-4PH Stainless Steel	cnc machining	725–1170	480	6–14	248–388	7.80	View data
SLM 17-4PH Stainless Steel	3d printing	1000–1200	380–430	6–10	—	7.78	View data
SLM 316L Stainless Steel	3d printing	500–580	220–260	35–48	—	7.90	View data