Stainless Steel Wire for Dummies: Product Guide

At Western Steel & Wire, we supply two types of stainless steel wire: Stainless Steel Spring Wire and Stainless Steel Annealed Wire.

Stainless Steel Spring Wire:

Cold drawn
High tensile strength
Magnetic
Good corrosion and heat resistance
Long lifespan under extreme conditions
Springs back into shape when used
Used for automotive springs, medical instruments, electronics, any project that requires sturdy material that, once molded, won’t lose shape under stress

Heat treated and drawn to set diameter and/or shape
Reduces stress of shaping through heat
Softest and most malleable of stainless steel wire
Good corrosion and heat resistance
Used for ties, woven wire, fencing, jewelry and art, any project that requires a lot flexibility to shape wire into various forms

Coating Type

Features

Applications and Uses

Soap Coated

Non-metallic coating

Creates ease of drawing with 2 step process

Least expensive options

Lubricant for spring

Used in application where handling the wire to mold and shape

Bright Coated

Non-metallic coating

Non-lubricating

Creates shine and luster

When visual aesthetic is high importance

Often used in medical

Grade	Cost	Strength	Corrosion resistance	Features	Applications & Uses
T302	MED	MED	MED	Good strength and toughness at cryogenic temperatures Resistant to corrosion and oxidation	Most common spring grade Example applications: compression springs, tension spring, torsion spring and coil spring
T304	MED	LOW to MED	MED	Softer than T302 Easier to form Oxidation resistant High melting point with tensile strength tradeoffs Susceptible to pitting	Annealed conditions for fasteners Easy to clean and sanitize Example applications: auto moldings and trim, wheel covers, kitchen equipment and appliances
T316	HIGH	LOW	HIGH	Incredible corrosion properties High amounts of chromium and nickel High melting point	Used when wire will be exposed to salts and chlorides Example applications: marine parts, chemical equipment, outdoor electrical
T17-7	HIGH	HIGH	MED	High strength General purpose corrosion resistance Excellent fatigue properties Comparable to T304	Similar uses as T302 but at a higher strength Example applications: compression springs, tension spring, torsion spring and coil spring