High Precision 303 Stainless Steel Round Bar for Machining Applications
The 303 stainless steel round bar is a premium austenitic stainless steel product designed for demanding machining applications. Known for its excellent machinability, corrosion resistance, and dimensional stability, 303 stainless steel is widely used across precision engineering, automotive components, aerospace fittings, food machinery parts, and general mechanical fabrication.
Engineers choose 303 stainless steel round bars when they need a material that offers the strength of stainless steel but with significantly enhanced cutting and machining efficiency. The addition of sulfur makes 303 one of the most machinable stainless steel grades available, while still maintaining the durability and appearance that stainless steel is known for.
This product page provides detailed specifications, mechanical properties, available sizes, benefits, and typical industrial applications to help you evaluate whether the High Precision 303 Stainless Steel Round Bar is the right choice for your project.
1. Product Overview
The High Precision 303 Stainless Steel Round Bar is manufactured through advanced cold-drawing and centerless-grinding processes to achieve a bright, smooth surface and tight dimensional tolerances. These bars are ideal for CNC machining, turning, drilling, threading, and milling operations without excessive tool wear.
Key Highlights
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Superior machinability compared to other stainless steels
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Excellent dimensional accuracy and straightness
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Good corrosion resistance in mild environments
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Smooth, bright surface finish
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Suitable for high-speed production environments
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Non-magnetic in annealed condition
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Available in custom lengths and tolerances
2. Chemical Composition of 303 Stainless Steel
303 stainless steel belongs to the AISI 300 series and is enhanced with sulfur to improve machinability. The table below summarizes the typical chemical composition.
Table 1: Chemical Composition (%)
| Element |
Content (%) |
| Carbon (C) |
≤ 0.15 |
| Chromium (Cr) |
17.0 – 19.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) |
8.0 – 10.0 |
| Manganese (Mn) |
≤ 2.0 |
| Sulfur (S) |
0.15 – 0.35 |
| Silicon (Si) |
≤ 1.0 |
| Phosphorus (P) |
≤ 0.20 |
| Iron (Fe) |
Balance |
The elevated sulfur content is the primary reason why 303 offers significantly better cutting performance compared to 304 stainless steel.
3. Mechanical Properties
303 stainless steel maintains good strength and toughness across a wide temperature range. The following mechanical properties apply to annealed material.
Table 2: Mechanical Properties
| Property |
Metric Value |
Imperial Value |
| Tensile Strength |
515 – 750 MPa |
75,000 – 109,000 psi |
| Yield Strength |
≥ 205 MPa |
≥ 30,000 psi |
| Elongation |
≥ 35% |
≥ 35% |
| Hardness (Brinell) |
160 – 190 HB |
160 – 190 HB |
| Modulus of Elasticity |
193 GPa |
28 x 10⁶ psi |
These properties make the 303 round bar particularly suitable for medium-to-high strength components that require precision machining.
4. Physical Properties
Table 3: Physical Properties
| Property |
Value |
| Density |
7.93 g/cm³ |
| Melting Range |
1400 – 1450°C |
| Thermal Conductivity |
16.3 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity |
0.72 μΩ·m |
| Coefficient of Expansion |
17.3 µm/m°C (0–100°C) |
5. Available Sizes and Tolerances
The High Precision 303 Stainless Steel Round Bar is available in a wide range of diameters and lengths. Custom diameters and tolerances are available upon request.
Table 4: Standard Dimensions
| Diameter Range |
Length Options |
Surface Type |
Tolerances |
| 3 mm – 200 mm |
1 m, 2 m, 3 m, custom length |
Bright, centerless-ground |
h8, h9, h11 or custom |
Surface Finish
6. Key Features and Advantages
1. Exceptional Machinability
303 stainless steel is known as the most machinable austenitic stainless steel. It supports high feed rates, reduces tool wear, and ensures smooth chip formation, enabling faster machining cycles and reduced production costs.
2. Good Corrosion Resistance
While not as corrosion-resistant as 304, 303 performs well in:
3. High Dimensional Accuracy
Our high-precision production ensures:
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Tight tolerances
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Uniform diameter
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Excellent concentricity
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Minimal surface defects
4. Attractive Appearance
The bright surface finish enhances the aesthetic appeal of finished components, making the material suitable for visible mechanical parts, fittings, and decorative hardware.
5. Stable Mechanical Performance
Even after machining or moderate loads, 303 stainless steel maintains:
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Consistent strength
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Toughness
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Dimensional stability
7. Applications of 303 Stainless Steel Round Bar
Thanks to its machinability and durability, 303 round bars are used across multiple industries.
Common Applications
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Precision CNC machined parts
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Shafts, pins, and studs
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Instrumentation fittings
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Gears, fasteners, and bushings
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Valves and pump components
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Screws, bolts, and nuts
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Aerospace connectors
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Automobile precision parts
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Food machinery parts
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Marine hardware (non-critical components)
Industries Using 303 Round Bars
8. Comparison: 303 vs. 304 vs. 316 Stainless Steel
Table 5: Material Comparison
| Property |
303 |
304 |
316 |
| Machinability |
Excellent |
Good |
Fair |
| Corrosion Resistance |
Good |
Very Good |
Excellent |
| Strength |
Moderate–High |
High |
High |
| Weldability |
Fair |
Excellent |
Excellent |
| Applications |
Machining, fittings |
General-purpose |
High corrosion resistance |
If machinability is your top priority, 303 is the best choice.
If corrosion resistance or weldability is more important, consider 304 or 316.
9. Manufacturing Processes
To achieve high precision and a bright surface, our 303 stainless steel round bars undergo:
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Hot rolling or hot forging
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Cold drawing for improved tolerance and finish
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Centerless grinding for superior surface quality
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Cutting to custom lengths
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Final inspection and testing
10. Quality Assurance
Each batch of 303 stainless steel round bar is tested for:
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Chemical composition
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Mechanical strength
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Dimensional accuracy
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Surface quality
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Hardness
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Straightness
Certifications available:
11. Packaging & Delivery
To ensure the product arrives in perfect condition:
Packaging Options
Delivery Options
12. Why Choose Our High Precision 303 Stainless Steel Round Bars?
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Consistent, reliable material quality
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Competitive pricing for bulk orders
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Fast delivery with stable stock availability
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Professional technical support
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Custom machining solutions available
13. Ordering Information
To request a quote, please provide:
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Required diameter
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Length
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Tolerance level
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Surface finish
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Quantity
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Delivery destination
Our technical and sales teams will respond promptly with detailed pricing and lead times.
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