What is Stainless? Stainless steels are distinguished from other steels by a minimum chromium content of 10.

5%, which makes them resistant to corrosive aquous environments and to oxidation. In many situations galvanic protection or painting of a mild steel surface is impractical. This is where the special oxide film formed on chromium alloyed stainless steels becomes so useful. Many types of stainless steels have been developed to resist different corrosion environments and working conditions ensuring that factories are safe, structures last longer and our food is hygienic. Stainless steel is even used for in systems to clean up the exhaust gases from cars and power stations. Stainless steel is also recyclable: when scrapped, it can be re-melted to make something new. Effect of Chromium Stainless steels are chromium containing steel alloys. The minimum chromium content of the standardised stainless steels is 10.5%. Chromium makes the steel stainless this means improved corrosion resistance, as can be seen in the chart. The better corrosion resistance is due to a chromium oxide film that is formed on the steel surface. This extremely thin layer, under the right conditions, is also self-repairing. Besides chromium, typical alloying elements are molybdenum, nickel and nitrogen. Nickel is mostly alloyed to improve the formability and ductility of stainless steel. Alloying these elements brings out different crystal structures to enable different properties in machining, forming, welding etc. Types of stainless steel: Austenitic is the most widely used type of stainless steel. It has a nickel content of at least of 7%, which makes the steel structure fully austenitic and gives it ductility, a large scale of service temperature, non-magnetic properties and good weldability. The range of applications of austenitic stainless steel includes housewares, containers, industrial piping and vessels, architectural facades and constructional structures. Ferritic stainless steel has properties similar to mild steel but with the better corrosion resistance. The most common of these steels are 12% and 17% chromium containing steels, with 12% used mostly in structural applications and 17% in housewares, boilers, washing machines and indoor architecture. Ferritic-Austenitic (Duplex) stainless steel has both ferritic and austenitic lattice structures hence common name: duplex stainless steel. This steel has some nickel content for a partially austenitic lattice structure. The duplex structure delivers both strength and ductility. Duplex steels are mostly used in petrochemical, paper, pulp and shipbuilding industries. Martensitic stainless steel contains mostly 11 to 13% chromium and is both strong and hard with moderate corrosion resistance. This steel is mostly used in turbine blades and in knives

Common Types of Stainless Steels

304

Low carbon modification of 302 for restriction of carbide precipitation during welding. Good formability. Low pitting corrosion resistance. Wide range of applications including water tubing, automotive exhausts. food processing industries. 304L Extra low carbon form of 304 for further restriction of carbide precipitation during welding. It has improved resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride bearing environments. Good forming and machinability characteristics. Applications include brewery, dairy, food processing and pharmaceutical production plant. 304H Higher temperature version of 304. Most common creep resisting steel with good weldability. 304N A Higher nitrogen than 304 to increase strength with minimum effect on ductility and corrosion resistance. Applications as for 304 but requiring higher strength. 309 High temperature strength and scale resistance. 309S Low carbon modification of 309. Service temperatures to 1100 C in air. Good oxidation and sulphidation resistance. Applications include furnaces, heat exchangers, metallurgical plant. 309H A Higher temperature version of 309S. 310 Higher elevated temperature strength and scale resistance than 309. 310S Low carbon version of 310. Good oxidation and sulphidation resistance. Service temperatures to 1100 C in air. Some tendency to long term embrittlement at high temperatures. 310H Higher temperature version of 310S. 316 Similar to 304. Mo gives higher resistance to general corrosion in non-oxidising acids. It also gives higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, and has

higher strength at elevated temperatures. Suitable for applications where chloride contents make 304 unsuitable (i.e. >200mg/l). 316L Low carbon form of 316. It has improved resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride bearing environments. 316H Higher temperature version of 316. High creep resistance. 316Ti Similar to 316L. Ti gives good high temperature qualities. 316N Higher nitrogen than 316 to increase strength with minimum effect on ductility and corrosion resistance. Very high creep resistance/rupture up to 700 C. 316LN Higher strength variant of 316L. 317 Higher corrosion and creep resistance than 316. 317L Extra low carbon version of 317 for restriction of carbide precipitation during welding. Similar to 316L but with further improved corrosion resistance. 321 Similar to 304. Stabilised for weldments subject to corrosive conditions. Very good high temperature qualities, with higher strength at elevated temperatures than 304 steels. Contains titanium added in proportion to carbon. 321H Similar to 321. Higher temperature version. 329 Similar to 316 but with better resistance to stress corrosion cracking. Capable of age hardening. 347 Service temperatures to 850 C in air. 347H available. Applications include superheater tubes in power plants, furnace tubes. 348 Similar to 321. Has low magnetic retentivity. Applications include radioactive systems and nuclear energy uses. 405 Non hardenable grade for assemblies where air hardening grades such as 410 or 403 are not suitable. Applications include petrochemical industry.

409 General purpose construction stainless steel. Applications include car exhaust systems. 410 General purpose heat treatable martensitic grade with 13% chromium giving fair resistance to corrosion. Magnetic. Service temperatures to 750 C. 429 Improved weldability compared with 430. Applications include nitric acid and nitrogen fixation equipment. 430 General purpose non-hardenable ferritic grade with 17% chromium. Used for decorative tube. Service temperatures to 800 C. 431 Special purpose hardenable steel used where particularly high mechanical properties are required. Similar to 410 but with higher corrosion resistance and better machinability. Service temperatures to 650 C.