Alloy 330 (UNS N08330 / EN 1.4886) coils remain a specialty, heat-resisting product sold at a material premium versus commodity 300-series CR coils; typical transactional prices in 2025 vary widely by origin, mill processing, thickness and order terms — from roughly USD 5,000–10,000 per metric ton for standard coil stock in international trade, with small-volume, tightly-spec’d or processed coils pushing above that band. Buyers should expect price volatility tied to nickel markets, scrap premiums and regional surcharges; we recommend quoting by exact spec (UNS N08330, thickness, temper, surface finish) and including nickel/energy surcharges when negotiating.
What is Alloy 330?
Alloy 330 is a nickel-iron-chromium austenitic alloy (UNS N08330) engineered for oxidation and carburization resistance at elevated temperatures — it contains high nickel and silicon additions that stabilize the austenitic structure and form protective oxides under oxidizing atmospheres. It is commonly supplied as plate, strip and coils for heat-resisting applications (furnace components, heat-treatment fixtures, petrochemical service).
Chemistry, standards and naming conventions
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UNS / EN / ASTM names: UNS N08330; EN 1.4886; sometimes marketed under trade names (e.g., RA330® when supplied by specific mills).
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Typical composition (indicative ranges): high Ni (~30–35%), Cr (~19%), Si (1.5–2.5%) plus Fe balance; low C; additions chosen to resist carburization/oxidation. (Consult mill certificates for exact limits.)
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Relevant standards and specs: common references include UNS designation, EN material numbers, and purchaser standards that quote tensile, hardness and heat-resisting properties. Buyers commonly specify ASTM/ASME or EN equivalents in purchase orders.
Key performance characteristics that affect price
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High temperature stability: maintains strength and resists scale/carburization to ~1,000–1,150°C in oxidizing atmospheres.
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Oxidation resistance enhanced by Si: the silicon content gives Alloy 330 superior oxidation protection vs plain 304/316 at high T.
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Weldability & fabrication: generally weldable with matching filler metals; weld procedure and post-weld checks add cost on delivery.
These performance claims explain why alloy 330 is sold at a premium compared to commodity stainless coils.
Common coil specifications and why they change price
When we price coils we break cost into specification drivers:
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Thickness & gauge: thinner foils/strip (sub-mm) require tighter tolerances and yield losses — higher $/kg.
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Width & coil weight: very narrow or very wide coils change rolling and slitting costs. Coil weight affects shipping unit economics.
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Surface finish (2B, BA, No.1, No.4): bright or highly finished surfaces raise processing time and inspection needs.
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Cold rolled vs annealed: additional annealing or stress-relief steps add cost.
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Certification & tests: mill test certificates, PMI, tensile and hardness tests, and special packing raise price.
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Processing (slitting, recoiling, edging): each secondary operation adds $/ton.
Buyers who fix these items in an RFQ will obtain consistent prices; loosely specified RFQs attract risk premiums.
Who buys 330 coils (end-use, demand side)
Main industries include:
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Furnace and heat-treat equipment makers (internal parts, baskets).
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Petrochemical and refinery equipment operating in carburizing environments.
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Power generation and boilers for high-temperature components.
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Chemical processing plants requiring oxidation-resistant alloys.
Demand from any of these sectors spikes when capex or replacement cycles are active, which in turn moves spot availability and pricing.
Five principal price drivers explained
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Nickel & alloying metal prices (largest single influence). Nickel is the dominant cost component in high-Ni alloys; spot nickel movements and LME trends are passed through via mill surcharges.
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Stainless scrap & feedstock availability. Scrap grades used for alloying are benchmarked weekly and affect recycled input cost. Industry assessments (Argus, SSINA) list specific scrap classifications (including UNS S33000 solids) used for reconciliation.
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Mill capacity & product mix. Specialty alloys are produced at fewer mills — limited capacity raises lead times and premiums.
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Energy, logistics and regional trade actions. Furnace gas/electricity costs and tariffs or quotas shift ex-works prices; producers may layer surcharges. Recent trade and tariff dynamics in stainless have influenced pricing behaviour.
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Processing & quality demands. Tight tolerances, certifications and low-volume orders multiply unit cost.
Real-world 2025 price signals
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Commodity CR coil indices (304/304L) are useful baselines: Q1–Q2 2025 indices showed strong regional variance (US, China, Europe), with CR coil ranges reported in many market trackers. Those indices help us understand whether specialty alloy premiums are compressing or widening.
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Supplier listings for Alloy 330 — we surveyed active supplier pages and trade portals: factory offers from Chinese mills or traders for 330 coils often list FOB ranges around USD 5,500–8,000 per ton for basic cold-rolled coil stock (MOQ typically 1 tonne) — that supply signal sets a floor for 330 in export trade.
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Scrap and mill surcharges — industry price assessors publish weekly scrap references (including S33000 solids) used to calculate premiums; changes here feed spot quote adjustments.
Global price comparison (representative ranges, explained)
Important: The table below shows representative transactional ranges observed in mid-2025 for Alloy 330 coils (UNS N08330). These are market ranges, not firm quotes. Actual pricing depends on specs, volume and incoterm.
| Region | Typical transactional range (USD / metric ton) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| China (export FOB) | 5,500 – 8,000 | Multiple supplier listings for standard coil stock show this export band; small MOQs common. |
| USA (domestic ex-mill / distributor) | 6,000 – 10,000+ | Domestic specialty producers / service centers add processing premiums and shorter lead times. Mills may add nickel surcharges. |
| Europe (ex-works / CIF) | 6,500 – 11,000+ | OEM demand, energy costs and trade measures push regional premiums; price patterns can differ widely by country. |
| India / South Asia (import CIF) | 5,800 – 9,000 | Import parity and local taxes shape landed costs; availability sometimes limited. |
| Middle East / GCC (CIF) | 5,500 – 9,500 | Sourcing from Asia common; shipping and duty factors matter. |
How to interpret the ranges: the lower bound is usually bulk FOB for standard coil stock with minimal finishing (higher MOQ), while the upper bound represents small lots, tight tolerances, special finishes or value-added processing and strict certification.
(Caveat: commodity CR coil indices (304/316) are reported much lower; specialty 330 commands the premium due to nickel/silicon content and limited production.)
Why Chinese FOB offers can look “low” vs Western distributor prices
Chinese export listings often quote a narrow factory price for raw coil — but buyers must add:
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Shipping (CIF), insurance, import duties and VAT.
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Inspection, testing and any rework.
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Typical lead times and MOQ differences.
Therefore landed costs for a US or EU buyer may approach or exceed local ex-works from nearby service centers — that explains apparent price parity or premium in some markets.
How we (a supplier) build a formal quote
When we price Alloy 330 coil we request and fix:
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UNS / EN grade and exact composition limits.
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Thickness, width and coil weight.
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Surface finish and required post-processing (anneal, pickling).
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Required certificates, testing (MTC to EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2), PMI, and destructive tests if needed.
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Packing, delivery incoterm and lead time.
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Payment terms and any acceptance tests at destination.
Ways buyers can reduce purchase cost
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Buy in larger coil weights or consolidated lots to capture scale.
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Relax non-essential tolerances (width or surface) if end use permits.
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Accept standard mill test certificates rather than extended testing unless required.
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Negotiate a rolling contract (3–6 months) to smooth spot volatility and avoid rush premiums.
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Consider alternate grades where the full high-temperature resistance is not required (e.g., 310 for some high-T oxidation service) — but do a technical risk assessment first.
Quality assurance, testing and certifications we recommend
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MTC 3.1 or 3.2 (manufacturer declared or independently witnessed).
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Chemical & mechanical test reports for each heat/coil.
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Pearson/PMI spot checks for lot verification where specified.
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Surface and dimensional inspection records.
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Non-destructive testing (when necessary) for critical components.
Specifying these upfront reduces later disputes and unplanned replacement costs.
How scrap and secondary markets affect price
Industry assessors publish scrap classifications (UNS S33000 solids) and these weekly references feed into mill input costs. When scrap premiums rise, mills pass costs via surcharges or higher ex-works prices. Monitor scrap tables and mill surcharge notices weekly to anticipate spot movement.
Short-term outlook (relevant to purchasing in 2025)
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Near term (3–6 months): expect continued sensitivity to nickel price swings and regionally differing demand; the specialty-alloy market will track broader stainless movements but with larger percentage swings because of lower volumes.
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Practical stance for buyers: secure fixed-price contracts for predictable consumption; for opportunistic buys, keep a monitored list of vetted suppliers and be ready to place orders when spot premiums ease.
Practical checklist for RFQs
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UNS or EN number (N08330 / 1.4886).
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Thickness (min/max), width tolerance, coil ID/weight.
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Surface finish and cold/hot rolling state.
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Required MTC and any witnessed testing.
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Packing, incoterms, destination port.
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Delivery window and penalty clauses (if any).
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Payment terms and acceptable LME or metal surcharge index.
Global price comparison table
(Repeat of earlier but grouped by typical buyer perspective)
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Importer (small lot, CIF): USD 6,500–11,000 /ton (includes shipping + duties).
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Large OEM (long contract, EXW): USD 5,500–8,500 /ton (bulk contract, FOB/EXW).
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Local service center (value added): USD 6,500–12,000 /ton (processing + short lead time).
FAQs
Q1 — Is Alloy 330 the same price as 304/316?
No. Alloy 330 commands a premium due to higher nickel and silicon content and its heat-resisting properties; commodity 304/316 CR coils trade at materially lower base prices. Use the alloy spec to benchmark.
Q2 — Can I substitute a cheaper grade for non-critical applications?
Sometimes: 310 or certain 400-series heat-resisting steels can substitute where oxidation resistance is adequate, but you must evaluate carburization risk. We recommend a technical review before substitution.
Q3 — How much does nickel movement change my final price?
Significantly — nickel surcharges are standard on high-Ni alloys. Mill surcharges track nickel indices; a sharp nickel rally raises coil prices quickly. Monitor LME and supplier surcharge formulas.
Q4 — What is a fair MOQ and lead time?
Common supplier MOQs for coil export are 1 ton (trade portals show this), but most mills prefer larger lots for competitive pricing; lead times vary 2–8 weeks depending on stock and processing.
Q5 — How do I verify quality on receipt?
Check MTCs against PO, perform dimensional checks, confirm surface and finish, and do sample PMI if alloy content is mission-critical. Hold supplier to agreed test acceptance criteria.
