253MA vs. 310S Stainless Steel: Key Differences
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253MA vs. 310S Stainless Steel: Key Differences
253MA is a specialized, micro-alloyed stainless steel designed for superior strength and oxidation resistance at high temperatures (up to 1150°C), particularly in cycling conditions, due to its cerium and silicon content. 310S is a high-alloy austenitic steel better suited for continuous, high-temperature corrosion resistance.

What is 253 MA stainless steel?
253 MA (UNS S30815) is a high-temperature, lean austenitic stainless steel combining excellent oxidation resistance up to 1150°C, high creep strength, and good fabricability. It is frequently used in heat-treatment furnaces, radiant tubes, and exhaust systems, outperforming Grade 310 in severe cyclic conditions due to its unique nitrogen, silicon, and cerium composition.
What is 310S stainless steel?
310S stainless steel is a low-carbon, highly alloyed austenitic stainless steel designed for extreme high-temperature service, offering exceptional resistance to oxidation and corrosion. With 25% chromium and 20% nickel, it is commonly used in furnace components, heat exchangers, and petrochemical equipment at temperatures up to 1100°C.

253MA (S30815) vs. 310S (S31008)
| Feature | 253MA (UNS S30815) | 310S (UNS S31008) |
| Common Name | Lean Austenitic Heat-Resistant | 25/20 Stainless Steel |
| Max Service Temp (Air) | 1150°C (2100°F) | 1100°C (2010°F) |
| Chemical Composition | Low Ni (11%), High Si (1.7%), N, Ce | High Ni (20%), High Cr (25%) |
253MA vs. 310S Stainless Steel: Chemical Composition (% by weight)
| Grade | C | Cr | Ni | Si | N | Others |
| 253MA | 0.05 - 0.10 | 20.0 - 22.0 | 10.0 - 12.0 | 1.40 - 2.00 | 0.14 - 0.20 | Ce: 0.03 - 0.08 |
| 310S |
≤ 0.08 |
24.0 - 26.0 | 19.0 - 22.0 |
≤ 1.50 |
≤ 0.11 |
- |
253MA vs. 310S Stainless Steel: Mechanical Properties (at 20°C)
| Property | 253MA | 310S |
| Tensile Strength (Rm) |
≥ 600 MPa |
≥ 515 MPa |
| Yield Strength (Rp0.2) |
≥ 310 MPa |
≥ 205 MPa |
| Elongation (A5) |
≥ 40% |
≥ 40% |
253MA vs. 310S Stainless Steel: High Temperature Performance
253MA stainless steel (UNS S30815) outperforms 310S in high-temperature, high-strength, and cyclic thermal applications (up to 1150°C/2100°F) due to enhanced creep strength from micro-alloying (silicon, cerium, nitrogen). 310S (UNS S31008) is a standard, highly alloyed steel (25Cr-20Ni) that excels in constant high-temperature, less-demanding environments.

253MA vs. 310S Stainless Steel: Creep Strength
Compared to 310S, 253MA stainless steel exhibits superior creep strength, being more than twice as strong at temperatures above 870°C (1600°F). In particular, the addition of nitrogen and rare earth metals enables thinner, more efficient designs under high stress and cyclic oxidation conditions, whereas 310S typically withstands only lower design stresses at similar high temperatures.
| Temperature (°C) | Temperature (°F) | 253MA Allowable Stress (ksi) | 253MA Allowable Stress (MPa) | 310S/310H Allowable Stress (ksi) | 310S/310H Allowable Stress (MPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | 1112 | 12.5 | 86.2 | 10.5 | 72.4 |
| 700 | 1292 | 10.8 | 74.5 | 8.8 | 60.7 |
| 800 | 1472 | 9.0 | 62.1 | 7.2 | 49.6 |
| 900 | 1652 | 7.2 | 49.6 | 5.5 | 37.9 |
| 1000 | 1832 | 5.5 | 37.9 | 4.0 | 27.6 |
| 1050 | 1922 | 4.5 | 31.0 | 3.2 | 22.1 |
| 1100 | 2012 | 3.5 | 24.1 | 2.4 | 16.5 |
253MA vs. 310S Stainless Steel: Applications
253MA (UNS S30815) is ideal for high-temperature, structurally demanding environments (up to 2000°F/1100°C) due to superior creep strength and thermal cycling resistance, whereas 310S (UNS S31008) is best for moderate to high heat (up to 1900°F/1050°C) where high chromium/nickel content ensures good oxidation resistance and easier welding. 253MA excels in furnaces, heat exchangers, and waste incinerators; 310S is often used in milder furnaces and kiln parts.
What is the difference between 253MA and 316 stainless steel?
253MA is a heat-resistant austenitic alloy (UNS S30815) designed for high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance, whereas 316 stainless steel is a corrosion-resistant grade intended for aqueous or chemical environments. 253MA performs better at temperatures up to 2000°F, while 316 provides superior corrosion resistance.
What is the difference between 253MA and 309?
253MA is a high-performance, micro-alloyed stainless steel designed for superior high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance (up to 2000°F) compared to 309, which typically caps out around 1900°F. 253MA achieves this through adding rare earth metals (cerium), nitrogen, and silicon, whereas 309 relies on higher nickel and chromium content.
If you have project needs for 310S/253MA stainless steel, please feel free to place an order. GNEE has a large inventory of popular products for your selection. We can process them into various practical product forms, including plates, coils, pipes, bars, etc. For detailed chemical composition and free samples, please contact our factory immediately. We offer competitive prices and excellent service.
310S & 253MA Stainless Steel Specification
| Product Form | Common Specifications | Typical Size Range | Surface Finish |
| Hot Rolled Plate | ASTM A240, EN 10088-2 | Thickness: 3.0mm – 100mm | No.1, HRAP |
| Cold Rolled Sheet | ASTM A240, EN 10088-2 | Thickness: 0.3mm – 6.0mm | 2B, BA, No.4 |
| Strip / Coil | ASTM A240 | Width: 10mm – 1500mm | 2B, No.1 |
| Seamless Pipe | ASTM A312, EN 10216-5 | OD: 6mm – 630mm (Sch 10s - XXS) | Annealed & Pickled |
| Welded Pipe | ASTM A312, ASTM A358 | OD: 10mm – 2000mm | Bead Removed, Pickled |
| Round Bar | ASTM A276, ASTM A479 | Diameter: 5mm – 500mm | Black, Peeled, Polished |











