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@gbj_tester
Markets being what they are, anybody launching a new formulation with the proposition to end users that it could be dropped into their projects as a 531 replacement would need to show how that was going to save them money. For small orders, though, the price has much more to do with the competitiveness of the distribution channel rather than the mill price per million feet
Can you even weld 531? I though it was all brazed. 4130 is cheap, weldable and available in loads of sizes and shapes. Of the commonly available stainless grades, 316 is probably the prime candidate, but it's weaker than 4130 (not that this is necessarily a problem) and quite expensive, although that's offset by the cost of finishing the non-stainless options to make them weatherproof.