Stainless Steel 301 is an austenitic alloy prized for its high work-hardening rate, and it offers greater achievable strength than 304 at the cost of lower corrosion resistance.
Stainless Steel 301 is a chromium-nickel austenitic alloy with lower nickel than 304, giving it an unusually high work-hardening rate: cold-worked tempers reach much higher tensile strength than most other austenitic grades.
Stainless Steel 301 is well suited to springs, fasteners, clamps, and structural or trim components where high achievable strength matters more than top-tier corrosion resistance.