Stainless round bars follow specialized standards for corrosion resistance:
ASTM A276 (U.S.): Covers 304, 316, and 410 stainless round bars, requiring 18–20% chromium for 304 and 16–18% chromium + 2–3% molybdenum for 316. It mandates intergranular corrosion testing (ASTM A262 Practice E) for welded applications.
EN 10088-3 (Europe): Classifies stainless round bars by grade (e.g., 1.4301 for 304, 1.4401 for 316) and specifies stricter limits on carbon (<0.07% for 1.4301) to prevent sensitization during welding.
JIS G4303 (Japan): Defines SUS304 and SUS316 round bars with similar chemistry to ASTM but includes additional grades like SUS440C (high-carbon stainless) for cutting tools.
These standards ensure consistency: a 304 round bar from any region will contain ≥18% chromium, guaranteeing baseline corrosion resistance.