Thermal Conductivity and Electrical Resistivity of Eight Selected AISI Stainless Steels

The thermal conductivity and the electrical resistivity of eight technologically and commercially important AISI stainless steels were studied. The eight selected stainless steels were AISI 303, 304 (including 304L), 316, 317, 321, 347, 410, and 430. Experimental data on these properties of the stainless steels were exhaustively searched, systematically compiled, and critically evaluated. The evaluated data were further analyzed with regard to factors that affect the properties such as the amount and nature of the various alloying elements, the metallurgical structure of the steels, heat treatment, cold working, etc. As a result, recommended values were generated for both the solid and molten states covering the temperature range from 1 K to above the melting point. Estimated values were synthesized for those stainless steels and temperature ranges for which no data were available. As an aid to the data analysis and synthesis, the properties of other non-AISI designated stainless steels with similar compositions and structures were also studied. These included British, German, and Russian stainless steels and other American stainless steels.