Stainless Steel 403 Wire
Product Description
FUSHUN METAL's Stainless Steel 403 Wire is a premium martensitic stainless steel wire offering an exceptional combination of moderate corrosion resistance, high mechanical strength, and excellent hardenability. With a carefully controlled chemical composition featuring approximately 12% chromium and very low carbon content, our 403 wire provides superior performance in applications requiring good mechanical properties with moderate corrosion resistance. Available in precision diameters down to 0.10mm, this specialized wire combines strength with machinability and magnetic properties, making it the ideal choice for demanding applications in power generation, oil and gas, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing. Unlike standard austenitic stainless steels, FUSHUN METAL's 403 stainless steel wire is heat-treatable to various hardness levels while maintaining dimensional stability and corrosion resistance, providing versatility for components requiring both strength and resistance to mild corrosive environments. Each spool of our 403 wire undergoes comprehensive quality control to ensure consistent properties, precise dimensions, and superior surface quality.
Wire Specifications
FUSHUN METAL offers Stainless Steel 403 Wire in a comprehensive range of specifications to meet diverse application requirements:
Available Wire Diameters
- Ultra-Fine Wire: 0.10 mm to 0.30 mm
- Fine Wire: 0.31 mm to 1.00 mm
- Medium Wire: 1.01 mm to 3.00 mm
- Standard Wire: 3.01 mm to 10.00 mm
Dimensional Tolerances
| Wire Diameter Range |
Standard Tolerance |
Precision Tolerance (Available on Request) |
| 0.10 mm - 0.30 mm |
±0.005 mm |
±0.003 mm |
| 0.31 mm - 1.00 mm |
±0.010 mm |
±0.005 mm |
| 1.01 mm - 3.00 mm |
±0.020 mm |
±0.010 mm |
| 3.01 mm - 10.00 mm |
±0.030 mm |
±0.015 mm |
Surface Finishes
- Bright Drawn: Clean, smooth surface with excellent dimensional accuracy
- Annealed: Soft condition for forming operations
- Tempered: Heat treated to specific hardness levels
- Pickled: Chemically cleaned surface free from scale
- Polished: Enhanced surface finish for improved corrosion resistance
- Custom Finishes: Available upon request for specific applications
Temper Conditions
- Annealed (Soft): Maximum ductility for forming operations
- Process Annealed: Balanced formability and strength
- Spring Temper: High strength for spring applications
- Quenched and Tempered: Various hardness levels (HRC 35-45) available
- Custom Heat Treatments: Available to meet specific mechanical property requirements
Packaging Options
- Precision Layer Wound Spools: For automated feeding and processing
- Standard Spools: Various sizes available
- Pancake Coils: For specialized applications
- Straight Cut Lengths: Available from 0.5m to 6.0m
- Custom Packaging: Designed to meet specific handling and storage requirements
- Oil-Coated Option: Available for enhanced corrosion protection during storage
Applications
FUSHUN METAL's Stainless Steel 403 Wire is specifically engineered for applications requiring a combination of strength, moderate corrosion resistance, and magnetic properties:
Power Generation and Turbine Components
- Turbine blades and blade attachment hardware
- Steam turbine components
- Generator retaining rings
- Valve stems and components
- Fasteners for turbine assemblies
- Compressor parts
- Coupling components
Oil and Gas Industry
- Valve components
- Downhole tool parts
- Pump shafts and components
- Wireline components
- Fasteners for moderate corrosion environments
- Flow control equipment
- Wellhead components
Spring and Mechanical Components
- High-strength springs requiring corrosion resistance
- Load cells and force measurement devices
- Mechanical fasteners
- Pins and shafts
- Valve components
- Actuator parts
- Bearing components
Aerospace and Defense
- Aircraft component fasteners
- Structural pins and bushings
- Landing gear components
- Control mechanism parts
- Actuation system components
- Support hardware
- Magnetic sensor components
Specialty Applications
- Magnetic components requiring corrosion resistance
- Instrument parts
- Surgical tools and components
- Food processing equipment fasteners
- Knife blade components
- Cutting tools
- Motor and transformer components
Chemical Composition
FUSHUN METAL's Stainless Steel 403 Wire features the following nominal composition:
| Element |
Content (%) |
| Chromium (Cr) |
11.5-13.0% |
| Carbon (C) |
≤ 0.15% |
| Manganese (Mn) |
≤ 1.0% |
| Silicon (Si) |
≤ 0.5% |
| Phosphorus (P) |
≤ 0.040% |
| Sulfur (S) |
≤ 0.030% |
| Nickel (Ni) |
≤ 0.60% |
| Iron (Fe) |
Balance |
Key Element Functions
- Chromium (11.5-13.0%): Provides corrosion resistance through the formation of a passive chromium oxide layer and contributes to hardenability.
- Carbon (≤ 0.15%): Carefully controlled to balance hardenability, strength, and corrosion resistance. Lower than in 410 grade for improved toughness and weldability.
- Manganese and Silicon: Act as deoxidizers during melting and contribute to mechanical properties.
- Limited Nickel Content: Ensures proper martensitic structure formation and maintains magnetic properties.
Physical and Mechanical Properties
Our Stainless Steel 403 Wire offers an impressive combination of physical and mechanical properties that make it ideal for demanding applications:
| Property |
Units |
Value |
| Density |
g/cm³ |
7.7 |
| Melting Point (approximate) |
°C |
1450-1510 |
| Electrical Resistivity at 20°C |
μΩ·cm |
60 |
| Thermal Conductivity at 20°C |
W/m·K |
24.9 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20-100°C) |
10⁻⁶/K |
10.8 |
| Specific Heat at 20°C |
J/kg·K |
460 |
| Young's Modulus |
GPa |
215 |
| Magnetic Permeability |
- |
Ferromagnetic |
Mechanical Properties by Condition
The mechanical properties of our 403 wire vary by heat treatment condition to meet diverse application requirements:
| Condition |
Tensile Strength (MPa)* |
Yield Strength (MPa)* |
Elongation (%)* |
Hardness* |
| Annealed |
570-760 |
275-450 |
18-25 |
≤ 23 HRC |
| Quenched |
900-1200 |
700-950 |
10-15 |
38-45 HRC |
| Quenched and Tempered at 315°C |
1350-1550 |
1100-1300 |
8-12 |
42-47 HRC |
| Quenched and Tempered at 425°C |
1200-1400 |
1000-1200 |
10-15 |
38-43 HRC |
| Quenched and Tempered at 540°C |
950-1100 |
750-900 |
15-20 |
30-35 HRC |
| Quenched and Tempered at 650°C |
750-900 |
600-750 |
18-22 |
24-30 HRC |
* Values are approximate and may vary depending on wire diameter and exact processing conditions
Special Features of FUSHUN METAL's 403 Wire
Our Stainless Steel 403 Wire offers several distinctive advantages that set it apart from conventional wire products:
Heat Treatment Response
Stainless Steel 403 wire exhibits excellent response to heat treatment, allowing tailoring of properties for specific applications:
- Superior Hardenability: Can be hardened throughout in sections up to 12 mm diameter, providing uniform properties.
- Predictable Response: Consistent hardening response with minimal distortion compared to higher carbon martensitic grades.
- Tempering Flexibility: Wide range of mechanical properties achievable through controlled tempering at different temperatures.
- Stress Relief Performance: Excellent response to stress relieving treatments to minimize residual stresses in formed components.
- Pre-heat Treated Options: Available in various pre-heat treated conditions to minimize or eliminate customer heat treatment.
Corrosion Resistance Characteristics
403 stainless steel provides moderate corrosion resistance in various environments:
- Atmospheric Corrosion: Good resistance to normal atmospheric conditions and mildly corrosive industrial environments.
- Fresh Water Resistance: Good resistance to fresh water corrosion.
- Mild Chemical Resistance: Moderate resistance to mild chemical solutions.
- Stress Corrosion Cracking: Good resistance to stress corrosion cracking compared to austenitic grades in certain environments.
- Optimized Corrosion/Strength Balance: Carefully balanced composition to provide both strength and corrosion resistance.
Magnetic Properties
Unlike austenitic stainless steels, 403 wire is ferromagnetic, offering unique advantages for certain applications:
- High Magnetic Permeability: Excellent response to magnetic fields.
- Retention of Magnetism: Can be permanently magnetized if required.
- Magnetic Property Stability: Properties remain stable across a wide temperature range.
- Combined Corrosion Resistance: Offers both magnetic properties and moderate corrosion resistance.
Manufacturing Excellence
FUSHUN METAL employs specialized processes to ensure our 403 wire delivers reliable performance in critical applications:
- Precision Drawing: Advanced wire drawing technology ensures tight dimensional tolerances and excellent surface quality.
- Controlled Heat Treatment: Precise thermal processing for consistent mechanical properties.
- Enhanced Cleanliness: Rigorous melting practices minimize non-metallic inclusions for improved mechanical properties and fatigue resistance.
- Surface Quality Control: Specialized in-line inspection systems detect and eliminate surface imperfections.
- Straightness Control: Enhanced processing for superior straightness in cut lengths.
Heat Treatment Recommendations
For customers performing their own heat treatment of 403 stainless steel wire, FUSHUN METAL recommends the following parameters:
Annealing
- Heat to 750-815°C (1380-1500°F)
- Hold for appropriate time based on section thickness (typically 1 hour per 25 mm)
- Slow cool in furnace or air
- Resulting hardness: approximately 85 HRB (≤ 23 HRC)
Hardening
- Preheat to 650-760°C (1200-1400°F)
- Austenitize at 925-980°C (1700-1800°F)
- Hold for appropriate time (typically 30-60 minutes depending on section size)
- Air cool or oil quench depending on section size
- As-quenched hardness: approximately 38-45 HRC
Tempering
- Temper immediately after hardening
- Tempering temperature selection based on desired final properties:
- 205-315°C (400-600°F): Maximum hardness and strength
- 315-425°C (600-800°F): High strength with improved toughness
- 425-540°C (800-1000°F): Balanced strength and ductility
- 540-650°C (1000-1200°F): Maximum ductility and toughness
- Hold at temperature for minimum 2 hours
- Air cool
- Double tempering recommended for critical applications
Quality Assurance and Testing
Every batch of FUSHUN METAL's Stainless Steel 403 Wire undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets our exacting quality standards:
- Chemical Composition Analysis: Spectrographic testing to verify precise element content critical for performance.
- Mechanical Property Testing: Tensile testing to confirm strength, ductility, and hardness characteristics.
- Microstructural Examination: Metallographic analysis to verify proper structure and grain size.
- Surface Quality Inspection: Advanced eddy current and visual inspection systems to detect surface imperfections.
- Dimensional Verification: Precision measurement throughout production to ensure tight diameter tolerances.
- Magnetic Property Testing: Verification of magnetic characteristics when required.
- Corrosion Testing: Sample testing available for critical applications.
Certifications Provided
- Material Test Certificates according to EN 10204 3.1
- Chemical composition analysis
- Mechanical property test results
- Dimensional inspection report
- Heat treatment certification when applicable
- Special property verifications available upon request
- Certificate of conformity to ordered specifications
International Standards Compliance
Our Stainless Steel 403 Wire complies with the following international standards:
| Standard |
Designation |
| ASTM/AISI |
403 |
| UNS |
S40300 |
| EN/DIN |
1.4002 (X7CrAl13) |
| JIS |
SUS 403 |
| BS |
403S17 |
| SAE |
J405 (Grade 51403) |
Handling and Storage Recommendations
To maintain the quality and performance of your Stainless Steel 403 Wire, FUSHUN METAL recommends the following handling and storage practices:
- Store in a clean, dry environment away from chemical contaminants.
- Maintain original protective packaging until ready for use.
- For extended storage, consider light oil coating for additional corrosion protection.
- Handle with clean gloves to prevent surface contamination from oils or salts.
- Avoid exposure to chloride-containing environments which may cause pitting.
- For heat treating operations, ensure clean furnace conditions to prevent carbon contamination.
- After any heat treatment, clean thoroughly to remove any heat treatment residues.
- For wire intended for spring applications, minimize mechanical damage during handling.
Comparative Advantages over Other Martensitic Stainless Steels
Understanding how 403 stainless steel wire compares to other martensitic grades helps in selecting the optimal material for your application:
| Property |
403 |
410 |
416 |
420 |
| Carbon Content |
≤ 0.15% |
≤ 0.15% |
≤ 0.15% |
≥ 0.15% |
| Distinguishing Feature |
Balanced Properties |
General Purpose |
Free-Machining |
Higher Hardness |
| Maximum Hardness |
42-45 HRC |
42-45 HRC |
40-43 HRC |
50-55 HRC |
| Corrosion Resistance |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Good |
| Toughness |
Good |
Good |
Fair |
Moderate |
| Machinability |
Good |
Good |
Excellent |
Fair |
| Weldability |
Fair |
Fair |
Poor |
Poor |
| Typical Applications |
Turbine components, fasteners |
General purpose |
High-machining components |
Cutting tools, high hardness |
Customization Capabilities
FUSHUN METAL offers extensive customization options to meet your specific application requirements:
- Custom Diameters: Special sizes manufactured to exact specifications for your application.
- Modified Chemical Composition: Slight adjustments to standard composition available to optimize specific properties.
- Specialized Heat Treatments: Custom heat treatment cycles to achieve specific mechanical properties.
- Specialized Surface Finishes: Surface treatments to enhance performance characteristics.
- Special Packaging: Customized packaging for protection during shipping and storage.
- Specialized Testing: Application-specific testing protocols available upon request.
- Cut-to-Length Service: Precision cutting to customer-specified lengths.
- Technical Consultation: Expert metallurgical support for your specific application challenges.
Why Choose FUSHUN METAL for 403 Stainless Steel Wire
When you select FUSHUN METAL as your supplier for Stainless Steel 403 Wire, you partner with a leading manufacturer committed to excellence:
- Martensitic Stainless Expertise: Specialized experience in manufacturing heat-treatable stainless steel wire products.
- Advanced Production Facilities: State-of-the-art melting, drawing, and heat treatment equipment specifically optimized for martensitic stainless steels.
- Stringent Quality Control: Comprehensive testing and inspection protocols ensure consistent performance in demanding applications.
- Metallurgical Knowledge: In-depth understanding of heat treatment and microstructural control of martensitic stainless steels.
- Supply Chain Reliability: Robust inventory management and production planning to ensure consistent availability of critical materials.
- Technical Support: Expert assistance in material selection, heat treatment guidance, and application support.
- Global Capabilities: Worldwide shipping network with experience in international documentation and compliance.
- Material Traceability: Complete documentation and batch traceability for quality assurance.
- Continuous Improvement: Ongoing research and development in martensitic stainless steel processing and performance.
- Industry Compliance: Materials and processes that meet or exceed international standards for critical applications.
Request Information
Contact FUSHUN METAL today to discuss your Stainless Steel 403 Wire requirements. Our technical team is ready to assist you with:
- Detailed product specifications
- Technical consultations for your specific application
- Heat treatment recommendations for optimal properties
- Custom wire development for specialized requirements
- Pricing inquiries and delivery schedules
- Sample requests for evaluation
FUSHUN METAL – Your trusted partner for premium martensitic stainless steel wire solutions that deliver consistent quality, superior mechanical properties, and reliable performance in demanding applications requiring both strength and corrosion resistance.
