Welding of Stainless Steels

What is Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel (SS) is a generic term for a
family of corrosion resistant alloy steels
containing 10 wt% or more chromium.
(accidentally discovered in 1913 by
English metallurgist Harry Brearly)
The high corrosion resistance of SS is due
to the naturally occurring chromium
oxide film formed on the surface of the
steel.

SELF HEALING SKIN OF SS

Though the chromic
oxide layer is
extremely thin, this
invisible, inert film is
tightly adherent to the
metal and extremely
protective in a wide
range of corrosive
media. The film is
rapidly self repairing on
damage by abrasion,
cutting or machining.
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Why Stainless Steel for railway

coaches.
Corrosion Resistance
No repairs needed
No painting
Easy maintenance
Smooth clean surface
Easy to clean

Mechanical properties

High
High
High
High

yield strength
fatigue resistance
energy absorption(2.5 times carbon steel)
temp properties

Variables in any process.

Material
Method
Machine
Men
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About the material

What is stainless steel?
Important properties of stainless
steel
Why stainless steel for rail coaches?

What is Stainless steel?

High alloy steel with at least 12%
chromium is known as stainless steel
Two important features of stainless
steel
Corrosion resistance
Mechanical properties

Stainless
>= 12% chromium
A dense adherent
layer of chromiumrich oxide protects
the surface from
corrosion
The steel is
passive

STAINLESS STEEL
Steel is stainless when it has under 1,0 % of carbon and its
alloyed with chromium (cr)
Chromium produces transparent oxide layer to the surface
of steel, thickness of this oxide layer is around 0.000001 mm
- When concentration of chromium is 11,0 - 12,0 %
Stainless steel is passive material
- Corrosion resistant
Corrosion resistance increases when concentration of
chromium grows to the 16,0 to18,0 %
Base material
Oxide layer

Stainless Steels
The alloying elements determine
Corrosion properties
Mechanical properties
Structure

Previously, these steels were

named according to their use
Stainless, heat-resistant etc

Nowadays they are named

according to their structure
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STAINLESS STEEL

Stainless steel is based on Ferrite body and its alloying

components
make it stainless Chromium (Cr)
Nickel (Ni)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Manganese (Mn)
Silicon (Si)
When these components are alloyed with certain
amounts together is possible to have different
alloys of Stainless steel
- For instance: acid - resistant Stainless steel alloy
ASTM (AISI) 316
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