As a type of material, stainless steel is noteworthy in industry manufacturing and our day-to-day lives.
XMAKE has discovered that identifying the kind of stainless steel that best fits particular needs is hard for many people due to the sheer diversity and range of stainless steel available(and looks pretty similar).
Following this article, I’ll introduce you to several different categories of stainless steel, which will help you better understand their properties in each application.
What is Stainless Steel?
In this part, I’ll introduce you to what stainless steel is, the exact composition stainless steel is made, and factors to be considered to choose the right stainless steel for you.
Brief Overview of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an alloy with chromium, iron and steel to create a corrosion-resistant material.
The addition of chromium forms a thin oxide layer on the surface of the steel, which helps protect it from rust and corrosion and makes stainless steel an ideal material for a wide range of applications, including kitchen appliances, surgical instruments, and industrial equipment.
Properties of Stainless Steel to Consider
When choosing the right type of stainless steel for a particular application, several factors need to be taken into consideration.
Resistance to Corrosion
Different grades of stainless steel offer varying levels of resistance to corrupt, so it is important to choose a grade that is appropriate for the environment in which it will be used.
Strength and Durability
Some applications may require higher-strength steel, while others may be able to use a lower-strength grade.
Temperature and Pressure
Different grades have different temperature and pressure limits, so it is essential to choose a grade that can withstand the conditions of the application.
Cost
Some grades of stainless steel are also more expensive than others, so it is important to balance the cost with the requirements.
Aesthetic Appeal
Some applications may require a more visually appealing stainless steel, while others may prioritize function over form.
By taking all of these factors into account, you can ensure that you choose the right grade of stainless steel to meet the requirements of your application.
Different Types of Stainless Steel Alloy
ByIn this part, I’ll introduce you to several common stainless steel types, explain what these steel means, and their advantages. Compositions, and applications.
Austenitic Stainless Steel
Austenitic contains high levels of chromium and nickel, which give it excellent corrupt resistance and strength. This steel is non-magnetic in its annealed state and becomes slightly magnetic after cold working.
Austenitic steel is also known for its good formability, weldability, and toughness, making it a popular choice for a wide range of applications.
This stainless steel alloy is commonly used in the production of kitchenware, food processing equipment, chemical processing plants, and medical devices. Its resistance to corruption makes it ideal for applications where contact with corrosive substances is a concern.
This steel is also favored in the automotive and aerospace industries for its high strength-to-weight ratio.
Some popular grades include 304, 316, and 321.
Grade 304: The most common type and is widely used in household appliances and construction materials.
Grade 316: Known for its higher resistance to corruption, making it suitable for marine applications.
Grade 321: Stabilized with titanium and is often used in high-temperature environments such as exhaust systems and jet engine components.
| Attributes | Austenitic Stainless Steel |
| Ingredients | Chromium, Nickel |
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| Popular Grades | 304, 316, 321 |
Martensitic Stainless Steel
Martensitic is known for its high strength, hardness, and wear resistance. It has a low carbon content that contains chromium, which allows it to be hardened and tempered through heat treatment.
Martensitic also has a unique, needle-like structure known as martensite, which gives it the ability to be hardened but with corrosion resistance.
This steel is commonly used in applications of cutlery, surgical instruments, valves, shafts, and gears. Its high strength and hardness make it suitable for applications where wear resistance is important, such as in industrial and automotive parts.
Some example grades include 410, 420, and 440.
Grade 410: A general-purpose stainless steel with good corrosion-resist and mechanical properties.
Grade 420: Known for its high hardness and wear resistance. Grade 440: A high-carbon stainless steel with excellent corrosion resistance and hardness, commonly used in bearings and valves.
| Attributes | Martensitic Stainless Steel |
| Ingredients | Carbon, Chromium, Martensite |
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| Popular Grades | 410, 420, 440 |
Ferritic Stainless Steel
Ferritic has high chromium content as its main alloying element ranging percent from 10.5 to 27, along with little to no nickel.
It is known for its high corrosion resistance, making it suitable for use in harsh environments. Ferritic stainless steel also exhibits good formability and magnetic properties.
Ferritic steel is commonly used in a variety of applications such as automotive exhaust systems, kitchen appliances, and heat exchangers.
Its resistance to stress corrosion cracking and high-temperature oxidation make it an ideal choice for components that are exposed to high temperatures and corrosive substances.
Some examples include 410, 416, and 420. These grades are known for their high strength, good hardness, and excellent wear resistance.
They are commonly used in applications that require high strength and hardness, such as blades, surgical instruments, and turbine components.
| Attributes | Ferritic Stainless Steel |
| Ingredients | Chromium, Nickel(little to no) |
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| Popular Grades | 410, 416, 420 |
Duplex Stainless Steel
Duplex steel contains a two-phase microstructure consisting of both austenitic and ferritic phases.
This unique combination of characteristics makes it highly resistant to corrosion, cracking, and erosion, while also providing excellent strength and toughness.
Due to its superior properties, duplex is often used in applications where high strength and corrosion resistance are required.
Its common uses include the construction of bridges, offshore oil rigs, pressure vessels, and storage tanks. It is also commonly used in the chemical processing, pulp and paper, and food processing industries.
Some examples of grades include 410, 420, and 431. These grades are known for their high strength, hardness, and wear resistance.
It is commonly used in applications where high mechanical properties are required, such as in surgical instruments, industrial knives, and turbine blades.
| Attributes | Duplex Stainless Steel |
| Ingredients | Two-phase microstructure Austeniticthe (Austentic and Ferritic) |
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| Popular Grades | 410, 420, 431 |
Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel
Precipitation Hardening is a special member in family of stainless steel that gains additional strength through a heat treatment process.
This process involves the formation of fine particles within the steel structure, which help increase its hardness and toughness.
These fine particles are usually a result of the dissolution of alloying elements during the heat treatment and their subsequent precipitation.
Common uses and applications include aerospace components, high-performance automotive parts, and industrial equipment.
Due to its superior strength and corrosion resistance, this steel is used in applications where high mechanical performance is required.
Examples of grades that are commonly used in precipitation hardening include 17-4PH, 15-5PH, and 17-7PH.
These grades are known for their high strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance, making them ideal for a wide range of applications where reliability is essential.
| Attributes | Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steel |
| Ingredients | Fine Particles within Steel Structure |
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| Popular Grades | 17-4PH, 15-5PH, 17-7PH |
Conclusion in Choosing the Right Stainless Steel
In conclusion, stainless steel is a kind of alloy material widely used in industry and our daily lives. There are many different types of stainless steel available and each one has its pros and cons.
Manufacturers should choose the stainless steel based on many different factors and specific requirements of application.
Where Can I Get High-Quality Stainless Steel Parts?
You can trust XMAKE! As a leading digital manufacturing platform, we serve various ranging processes, able to make parts with austenitic and ferritic steels(and many grades and types else).
Tell us what types of steel you want, what grade of steel you need, and the production you required, and we’ll give you a pleasant answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How is stainless steel different from carbon steel?
A: Stainless steel is not only durable and resistant to corrosion but also contains a higher percentage of chromium and nickel compared to carbon steel. This makes stainless steel more resistant to rust and staining.
Q2: What are the properties of stainless steel that make it a popular choice?
A: Stainless steel is known for its high ductility. It can be easily shaped and manipulated, ductile it is a versatile material for various applications.
Q3: How does the marine environment affect stainless steel?
A: Stainless Steel grade 316 is highly resistant to corrosion in marine environments. The presence of molybdenum in grade 316 stainless steel enhances its ability to withstand the harsh conditions of saltwater exposure.
Q4: How is stainless steel made?
A: Stainless steel is made by melting iron ore with a proportion of around 10-11% chromium. Other alloying elements like nickel, molybdenum, or titanium may also be added to achieve specific qualities.
Q5: What is the importance of chromium in stainless steel?
A: Chromium is a key element in stainless steel as it enhances its corrosion resistance properties. Stainless steel typically contains at least 10.5% chromium, with grade 430 stainless steel having around 17% chromium.
Q6: Stainless steel was created by whom and when?
A: The history of stainless steel can be dated back to Harry Brearley in 1913 in Sheffield, England. He developed a corrosion-resistant steel by adding chromium to traditional steel composition.
References
- Classification of Stainless Steel and Properties and Uses of Common Types. (n.d.). https://www.hdw999.com/Article/bxgdflhcjx.html
- Classification and Characteristics of Stainless Steel . (n.d.). https://tehongss.com/page11?article_id=80
- Miniidea. (n.d.). How many types of stainless steel are there (performance characteristics and application introduction of various types) | Nagahara Spray. https://www.spraycyco.com/news/1298.html
