We find that Alloy 330 (UNS N08330 / AISI 330 / Incoloy-330 / RA330) remains a specialty, high-temperature austenitic alloy whose price in 2025 is materially higher than generic 300-series plates because of its very high nickel content and its use as a heat-resistant alloy. Prices vary widely by region, supply form (mill plate vs. small cut pieces), order size, and market conditions — typical quoted ranges in 2025 run from a few thousand USD per metric ton for commodity stainless plate to $15,000–$26,000 / MT (i.e. $15–26 /kg) or higher for genuine Incoloy/RA330 mill plate from some China/FOB suppliers, and local domestic premiums (tariffs, freight, surcharges) can push landed cost still higher.

What is 330 stainless steel

We treat “330” as a heat-resisting, nickel-rich austenitic alloy commonly sold under names like Alloy 330, Incoloy 330, RA330, UNS N08330 (AISI 330). It’s engineered to maintain strength and resist carburization/oxidation in oxidizing and carburizing atmospheres at elevated temperatures, which is why its chemistry is skewed very high in nickel and chromium.

Chemical composition and standards

Standard chemical ranges for 330 that you will see on mill datasheets are approximately:

• Nickel (Ni): ~34–37%

• Chromium (Cr): ~17–20%

• Silicon (Si): ~0.7–1.5% (silicon helps oxidation/carburization resistance)

• Carbon (C): ≤0.08% typical

• Iron (Fe): balance, with small Mn, P, S allowances

Designation equivalents: UNS N08330; Werkstoff 1.4864 (EN); sometimes sold as RA330 / Incoloy 330. Always request the exact mill certificate (3.1/3.2) that shows the recorded chemical analysis for your heat/lot.

Mechanical & physical properties (room temperature → elevated)

We summarize the practical properties relevant to buyers and designers:

• Density: ~8.0 g/cm³ (approx.).

• Strength: good tensile and yield strength for an austenitic alloy; retains a significant portion of strength at high temperature relative to simple stainless steels.

• Creep/High-temp: retains usable mechanical properties up to very high temperatures (commonly cited service up to ~1100–1200°C or ~2100–2200°F for oxidation/carburization resistance). Actual allowable stress depends on code and product thickness.

High-temperature performance — and why cost is higher

Two technical reasons cause the price premium:

1. High nickel content. Nickel is the dominant cost driver for nickel-rich alloys; changes in LME nickel directly affect mill prices for RA330 and similar grades.

2. Special melting / processing. Heat-resisting alloys are often produced with controlled melting (AOD/VOD), extra testing, and limited mill capacity — all of which add cost versus commodity 300-series plates.

Because of both factors, 330 behaves more like a specialty nickel alloy in pricing than a standard stainless plate.

Typical applications (who buys 330 plate)

We usually see 330 specified for:

• Furnace parts (retorts, rollers, internal furnace components)

• Heat-treatment fixtures and baskets

• Petrochemical and chemical processing where carburizing, high-temperature oxidation, or thermal cycling occurs

• Power generation and high-temp heat-exchange components

Buyers in these sectors are prepared to accept higher material cost in return for long term service life, reduced replacement downtime, and lower scale/oxidation losses.

Typical supply forms, plate sizes and finishes

Common supply forms:

• Mill plate (cold-rolled or hot-rolled), cut-to-size plate, sheet, and processed flat bar. Plates are offered in standard mill thickness ranges (e.g., 1.5–50 mm; metric mill offerings vary by mill).

Finishes you will see: mill finish / annealed / pickled; special polishes available for some manufacturers. Small cut pieces (low-quantity buys) attract steep processing and cutting surcharges.

Fabrication, welding, inspection (factors that affect cost)

Brief practical points we always share with buyers:

• Fabrication: 330 machines and forms like other austenitics; cold work is the normal way to harden.

• Welding: weldable by standard procedures but you should use qualified procedures and appropriate filler metals (consult the mill datasheet and code if equipment will operate at creep temperatures). Post-weld heat treatment is usually not required but weld procedure qualification and traceable records are essential for critical work.

• Inspection: request mill certificates (EN/ASTM spec), PMI verification by lot if required, and NDE records for critical components.

These steps add to delivered cost — especially for small orders.

Corrosion behaviour & service limitations

330 is not a general-purpose corrosion-resistant grade like 316 in wet chloride environments. Its advantage is high-temperature oxidation and carburization resistance. For wet chloride stress-corrosion resistance other austenitics or duplex grades may be better. Always select 330 only when the service temperature and atmosphere justify the alloy's high-temperature capability.

Market drivers for 330 price in 2025

Key drivers we monitor that change a buyer’s landed cost:

• Nickel and chromium raw material prices. Nickel movements on LME are the primary lever.

• Mill production and inventory. Limited dedicated mill capacity for RA330 increases lead time and price sensitivity.

• Trade measures & tariffs. In 2024–2025 many regions saw shifting tariff regimes and local measures that inflate domestic prices relative to Chinese export offers. This affects landed cost heavily.

• Freight and energy costs. Plate is heavy; shipping and energy surcharges matter.

• Order size & form: small cut pieces = higher per-kg cost; tonnage buys reduce the unit price.

Global price comparison (representative, 2025)

Below is a representative comparison for Alloy/RA330 / AISI 330 plate or comparable specialist offers in 2025. Prices depend heavily on thickness, dimensions, cut-to-size services and certification. Use these as starting reference bands (FOB / ex-mill / supplier quote ranges seen publicly in 2025):

Interpretation (we emphasize): generic stainless plate indices (used for 304/316 commodity plate) and specialized RA330 alloy plate are not the same product. Public indices (IMARC, MEPS) refer primarily to broad stainless plate markets; true RA330 pricing for mill plate is typically sold at a higher niche premium — the China FOB listings seen on trading platforms frequently show $/kg in the $16–26 range for small lots, which equates to the higher end in the table. Always confirm alloy, UNS designation, mill, and heat certificate.

How we (Luokaiwei) price and sell 330 plate — commercial notes

If we quote 330 plate for a buyer today we will:

1. Confirm exact specification (UNS N08330 / ASTM/EN equivalence), thickness, finish, plate dimensions, and certification level (EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2).

2. Check mill availability and lead time — specialty heats can add weeks to months.

3. Decide whether to source mill plate (preferred) or cut from other stock (cheaper but higher risk).

4. Final landed price calculation includes FOB mill price + testing surcharge + cutting/processing + packing + freight + duties + local logistics. Small orders (< 1 MT) routinely carry substantial per-kg premiums.

Practical buying tips to reduce total landed cost

We advise customers to:

• Buy larger, consolidated lots to reduce per-kg premium.

• Specify the minimal necessary certification — e.g., if 2.2 or 3.1 MTC is sufficient, don't automatically require 3.2 unless your auditors demand it.

• Negotiate mill lead time — flexible delivery windows often reduce price.

• Compare genuine mill RA330 offers vs. “330-like” re-labels — avoid purchases where the seller uses “330” name loosely without UNS/mill certificates.

• Consider alternative alloys if the service temperature or atmosphere does not strictly need 330; lower-nickel alloys can save materially.

Testing, traceability and standards to insist on

For critical components we always require:

• Mill certificate EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 (chemical + mechanical test results per heat).

• Material traceability (heat/lot numbers on the certificate match stamp/packing).

• PMI or spectro verification at receipt for lot confirmation (optional but common).

• NDE records for welded/critical parts.

• Referenced standard: mills commonly supply to ASTM/ASME/EN equivalents (check the exact standard number with supplier).

FAQs

Q1 — Is 330 the same as 304/316?
No. 330 is a nickel-rich, heat-resisting alloy with very different high-temperature behaviour. It is not a drop-in replacement for 304/316 in terms of cost or high-temperature performance.

Q2 — How should I request a price from a supplier?
Ask for: alloy designation (UNS N08330), thickness & dimensions, finish, required certificate (3.1/3.2), quantity (MT), and desired delivery term (FOB/CIF). This avoids ambiguous quotes.

Q3 — Why do Chinese FOB listings sometimes show lower prices than local distributors?
FOB reflects mill or factory price and does not include shipping, duties, inland logistics, cutting, or local distributor mark-ups. Also, some low public listings are for remelted or non-mill certified stock — always verify certificates.

Q4 — Can 330 be welded without post-weld heat treatment?
In most cases yes — 330 is austenitic and typically does not require PWHT for corrosion resistance restoration, but welding procedure qualification and suitable filler metal selection remain essential for critical parts.

Q5 — What is the main single factor that will move price in 2025?
Movements in nickel pricing (LME) and trade policy/tariffs have the largest near-term effect on final plate price.