The effect of composition on the 1-, 100-, and 1000-h recrystallization temperature of 20% cold-worked Type 316 stainless steel was determined by using hardness measurements. The study was performed on 45 different alloys, based on Type 316 stainless steel; compositional variations were in carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, boron, manganese, copper, silicon, molybdenum, cobalt, chromium, and nickel. Relatively minor compositional changes can markedly increase or decrease cold-work stability.