Stainless steel is the general name for a family of steels that are corrosion-resistant and contain a minimum of 10.5% chromium. The effect of this minimum level creates a chromium oxide layer on the surface, which is a self-healing oxygen barrier that stops further oxidation. Below 10.5% chromium, the oxide film is of insufficient durability to be self-healing.
Stainless steels are widely used in most industries, including construction, marine, aerospace, automotive, and consumer goods. The material delivers high strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion, making it ideal for many cosmetic and open-environment components. Stainless steel is supplied in grades classed by their alloy content. The grade selected for an application depends on factors such as the environment in which it will be used, the required strength and durability, and the desired aesthetic standard. This article will define: What is stainless steel?, its composition, types, grades, properties, and applications.
Austenitic stainless steel is the most common classification, offering high corrosion resistance, ductility, and toughness. It is alloyed with a minimum of 16% chromium and 6% nickel, with other metals/non-metals such as manganese, nitrogen, and sometimes molybdenum. These steels can handle salt exposure, although some brown staining is possible.
This type of stainless steel is generally stronger and harder but suffers lower corrosion resistance. They contain 12–18% chromium and may also include nickel or molybdenum.
Ferritic stainless steels can have a broad range of chromium content (10.5–27%) and use higher carbon content steels than austenitic types. This group is less ductile and tougher, but still has good corrosion resistance and is often used for automotive applications. These steels react less well to salt and are not generally used in marine environments.
Duplex stainless steels combine austenitic and ferritic stainless steels, with a carefully tuned proportion of both types of crystalline structure. They offer higher strength combined with great corrosion resistance and are often used in chemical processing and oil and gas applications.
Stainless steel is the general name for a family of steels that are corrosion-resistant and contain a minimum of 10.5% chromium. The effect of this minimum level creates a chromium oxide layer on the surface, which is a self-healing oxygen barrier that stops further oxidation. Below 10.5% chromium, the oxide film is of insufficient durability to be self-healing.
Stainless steels are widely used in most industries, including construction, marine, aerospace, automotive, and consumer goods. The material delivers high strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion, making it ideal for many cosmetic and open-environment components. Stainless steel is supplied in grades classed by their alloy content. The grade selected for an application depends on factors such as the environment in which it will be used, the required strength and durability, and the desired aesthetic standard. This article will define: What is stainless steel?, its composition, types, grades, properties, and applications.
Austenitic stainless steel is the most common classification, offering high corrosion resistance, ductility, and toughness. It is alloyed with a minimum of 16% chromium and 6% nickel, with other metals/non-metals such as manganese, nitrogen, and sometimes molybdenum. These steels can handle salt exposure, although some brown staining is possible.
This type of stainless steel is generally stronger and harder but suffers lower corrosion resistance. They contain 12–18% chromium and may also include nickel or molybdenum.
Ferritic stainless steels can have a broad range of chromium content (10.5–27%) and use higher carbon content steels than austenitic types. This group is less ductile and tougher, but still has good corrosion resistance and is often used for automotive applications. These steels react less well to salt and are not generally used in marine environments.
Duplex stainless steels combine austenitic and ferritic stainless steels, with a carefully tuned proportion of both types of crystalline structure. They offer higher strength combined with great corrosion resistance and are often used in chemical processing and oil and gas applications.
