Stainless Steels Classifications Stainless steels are commonly grouped into martensitic stainless steels, ferriti c stainless steels,

austenitic stainless steels, duplex (ferritic-austenitic) st ainless steels, and precipitation-hardening stainless steels Sponsored Links Stainless steels are in general grouped into martensitic stainless steels ferritic stainless steels austenitic stainless steels duplex (ferritic-austenitic) stainless steels precipitation-hardening stainless steels Alloying metallic elements added during the making of the steel increase corrosi on resistance, hardness, or strength. The metals used most commonly as alloying elements in stainless steel include chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. Stainless steels are available in the form of plate sheet strip foil bar wire pipes tubes Stainless steels are a iron-based alloy containing at between 10.5% to 30% Cr. S tainless steel achieve its stainless characteristic through the formation of an invisible and adherent chromium-rich oxide surface film. Other alloying elements added to improve the characteristics of the stainless st eel include nickel, molybdenum, copper, titanium, aluminum, silicon, niobium, ni trogen, sulphur, and selenium. Carbon is normally in amounts from 0.03% to more than 1.0% in some martensitic g rades. Selection of stainless steels are in general based on corrosion resistance fabrication characteristics availability mechanical properties for specific temperature ranges product cost Since stainless steel resists corrosion, maintains its strength at high temperat ures, and is easily maintained, it is widely used in items such as automotive an d food processing products, as well as medical and health equipment. The most co mmon US grades of stainless steel are: TYPE 304 The most commonly specified austenitic (chromium-nickel stainless class) stainle ss steel, accounting for more than half of the stainless steel produced in the w orld. This grade withstands ordinary corrosion in architecture, is durable in ty pical food processing environments, and resists most chemicals. Type 304 is avai lable in virtually all product forms and finishes. TYPE 316 Austenitic (chromium-nickel stainless class) stainless steel containing 2%-3% mo lybdenum (whereas 304 has none). The inclusion of molybdenum gives 316 greater r esistance to various forms of deterioration. TYPE 409 Ferritic (plain chromium stainless category) stainless steel suitable for high t emperatures. This grade has the lowest chromium content of all stainless steels and thus is the least expensive. TYPE 410 The most widely used martensitic (plain chromium stainless class with exceptiona l strength) stainless steel, featuring the high level of strength conferred by t he martensitics. It is a low-cost, heat-treatable grade suitable for non-severe corrosion applications.

TYPE 430 The most widely used ferritic (plain chromium stainless category) stainless stee l, offering general-purpose corrosion resistance, often in decorative applicatio ns. Chemical Formula Fe, <0.03% C, 16-18.5% Cr, 10-14% Ni, 2-3% Mo, <2% Mn, <1% Si, <0.045% P, <0.03% S Topics Covered Background Key Properties Composition Mechanical Properties Physical Properties Grade Specification Comparison Possible Alternative Grades Corrosion Resistance Heat Resistance Heat Treatment Welding Machining Hot and Cold Working Hardening and Work Hardening Applications Background Grade 316 is the standard molybdenum-bearing grade, second in importance to 304 amongst the austenitic stainless steels. The molybdenum gives 316 better overall corrosion resistant properties than Grade 304, particularly higher resistance t o pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments. Grade 316L, the low carbon version of 316 and is immune from sensitisation (grai n boundary carbide precipitation). Thus it is extensively used in heavy gauge we lded components (over about 6mm). There is commonly no appreciable price differe nce between 316 and 316L stainless steel. The austenitic structure also gives these grades excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures. Compared to chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steels, 316L stainless steel of fers higher creep, stress to rupture and tensile strength at elevated temperatur es. Key Properties These properties are specified for flat rolled product (plate, sheet and coil) i n ASTM A240/A240M. Similar but not necessarily identical properties are specifie d for other products such as pipe and bar in their respective specifications. Composition Table 1. Composition ranges for 316L stainless steels. Grade C Mn Si P S Cr Mo Ni N 316L Min 16.0 2.00 10.0 Max 0.03 2.0 0.75 0.045 0.03 18.0 3.00 14.0 0.10 Mechanical Properties Table 2. Mechanical properties of 316L stainless steels. Grade Tensile Str (MPa) min Yield Str 0.2% Proof (MPa) min Elong (% in 50mm) min Hardness Rockwell B (HR B) max Brinell (HB) max

316L 485 170 40 95 217 Physical Properties Table 3. Typical physical properties for 316 grade stainless steels. Grade Density (kg/m3) Elastic Modulus (GPa) Mean Co-eff of Thermal Expansion ( m/m/C) Thermal Conductivity (W/m.K) Specific Heat 0-100C (J/kg.K) Elec Resistivity (n.m) 0-100C 0-315C 0-538C At 100C At 500C 316/L/H 8000 193 15.9 16.2 17.5 16.3 21.5 500 740 Grade Specification Comparison Table 4. Grade specifications for 316L stainless steels. Grade UNS No Old British Euronorm Swedish SS Japanese JIS BS En No Name 316L S31603 316S11 1.4404 X2CrNiMo17-12-2 2348 SUS 316L Note: These comparisons are approximate only. The list is intended as a comparis on of functionally similar materials not as a schedule of contractual equivalent s. If exact equivalents are needed original specifications must be consulted. Possible Alternative Grades Table 5. Possible alternative grades to 316 stainless steel. Grade Why it might be chosen instead of 316? 317L Higher resistance to chlorides than 316L, but with similar resistance to stress corrosion cracking. Corrosion Resistance Excellent in a range of atmospheric environments and many corrosive media - gene rally more resistant than 304. Subject to pitting and crevice corrosion in warm chloride environments, and to stress corrosion cracking above about 60C. Consider ed resistant to potable water with up to about 1000mg/L chlorides at ambient tem peratures, reducing to about 500mg/L at 60C. 316 is usually regarded as the standard marine grade stainless steel, but it is no t resistant to warm sea water. In many marine environments 316 does exhibit surf ace corrosion, usually visible as brown staining. This is particularly associate d with crevices and rough surface finish. Heat Resistance Good oxidation resistance in intermittent service to 870C and in continuous servi ce to 925C. Continuous use of 316 in the 425-860C range is not recommended if subs equent aqueous corrosion resistance is important. Grade 316L is more resistant t o carbide precipitation and can be used in the above temperature range. Grade 31 6H has higher strength at elevated temperatures and is sometimes used for struct ural and pressure-containing applications at temperatures above about 500C. Heat Treatment Solution Treatment (Annealing) - Heat to 1010-1120C and cool rapidly. These grade s cannot be hardened by thermal treatment. Welding Excellent weldability by all standard fusion and resistance methods, both with a nd without filler metals. Heavy welded sections in Grade 316 require post-weld a nnealing for maximum corrosion resistance. This is not required for 316L. 316L stainless steel is not generally weldable using oxyacetylene welding method s. Machining 316L stainless steel tends to work harden if machined too quickly. For this reas on low speeds and constant feed rates are recommended. 316L stainless steel is also easier to machine compared to 316 stainless steel d ue its lower carbon content. Hot and Cold Working 316L stainless steel can be hot worked using most common hot working techniques.

Optimal hot working temperatures should be in the range 1150-1260C, and certainl y should not be less than 930C. Post work annealing should be carried out to indu ce maximum corrosion resistance. Most common cold working operations such as shearing, drawing and stamping can b e performed on 316L stainless steel. Post work annealing should be carried out t o remove internal stresses. Hardening and Work Hardening 316L stainless steel does not harden in response to heat treatments. It can be h ardened by cold working, which can also result in increased strength. Applications Typical applications include: Food preparation equipment particularly in chloride environments. Pharmaceuticals Marine applications Architectural applications Medical implants, including pins, screws and orthopaedic implants like t otal hip and knee replacements Fasteners Chemical Formula Fe, <0.08% C, 17.5-20% Cr, 8-11% Ni, <2% Mn, <1% Si, <0.045% P, <0.03% S Topics Covered Background Key Properties Composition Mechanical Properties Physical Properties Grade Specification Comparison Possible Alternative Grades Corrosion Resistance Heat Resistance Heat Treatment Welding Machining Dual Certification Applications Background Grade 304 is the standard "18/8" stainless; it is the most versatile and most wi dely used stainless steel, available in a wider range of products, forms and fin ishes than any other. It has excellent forming and welding characteristics. The balanced austenitic structure of Grade 304 enables it to be severely deep drawn without intermediate annealing, which has made this grade dominant in the manufa cture of drawn stainless parts such as sinks, hollow-ware and saucepans. For the se applications it is common to use special "304DDQ" (Deep Drawing Quality) vari ants. Grade 304 is readily brake or roll formed into a variety of components for applications in the industrial, architectural, and transportation fields. Grade 304 also has outstanding welding characteristics. Post-weld annealing is not re quired when welding thin sections. Grade 304L, the low carbon version of 304, does not require post-weld annealing and so is extensively used in heavy gauge components (over about 6mm). Grade 304 H with its higher carbon content finds application at elevated temperatures. The austenitic structure also gives these grades excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures. Key Properties These properties are specified for flat rolled product (plate, sheet and coil) i n ASTM A240/A240M. Similar but not necessarily identical properties are specifie d for other products such as pipe and bar in their respective specifications. Composition

Typical compositional ranges for grade 304 stainless steels are given in table 1 . Table 1. Composition ranges for 304 grade stainless steel Grade C Mn Si P S Cr Mo Ni N 304 min. max. 0.08 2.0 0.75 0.045 0.030 18.0 20.0 8.0 10.5 0.10 304L min. max. 0.030 2.0 0.75 0.045 0.030 18.0 20.0 8.0 12.0 0.10 304H min. max. 0.04 0.10 2.0 0.75 -0.045 0.030 18.0 20.0 8.0 10.5 Mechanical Properties Typical mechanical properties for grade 304 stainless steels are given in table 2. Table 2. Mechanical properties of 304 grade stainless steel Grade Tensile Strength (MPa) min Yield Strength 0.2% Proof (MPa) min Elongation (% in 50mm) min Hardness Rockwell B (HR B) max Brinell (HB) max 304 515 205 40 92 201 304L 485 170 40 92 201 304H 515 205 40 92 201 304H also has a requirement for a grain size of ASTM No 7 or coarser. Physical Properties Typical physical properties for annealed grade 304 stainless steels are given in table 3. Table 3. Physical properties of 304 grade stainless steel in the annealed condit ion Grade Density (kg/m3) Elastic Modulus (GPa) Mean Coefficient of Thermal Expa Specific Heat 0-100C (J/kg.K) nsion ( m/m/C) Thermal Conductivity (W/m.K) Electrical Resistivity (n .m) 0-100C 0-315C 0-538C at 100C at 500C 304/L/H 8000 193 17.2 17.8 18.4 16.2 21.5 500 720 Grade Specification Comparison Approximate grade comparisons for 304 stainless steels are given in table 4. Table 4. Grade specifications for 304 grade stainless steel Grade UNS No Old British Euronorm Swedish SS Japanese JIS BS En No Name 304 S30400 304S31 58E 1.4301 X5CrNi18-10 2332 SUS 304 304L S30403 304S11 1.4306 X2CrNi19-11 2352 SUS 304L

304H S30409 304S51 1.4948 X6CrNi18-11 These comparisons are approximate only. The list is intended as a comparison of functionally similar materials not as a schedule of contractual equivalents. If exact equivalents are needed original specifications must be consulted. Possible Alternative Grades Possible alternative grades to grade 304 stainless steels are given in table 5. Table 5. Possible alternative grades to 304 grade stainless steel Grade Why it might be chosen instead of 304 301L A higher work hardening rate grade is required for certain roll formed o r stretch formed components. 302HQ Lower work hardening rate is needed for cold forging of screws, bolts an d rivets. 303 Higher machinability needed, and the lower corrosion resistance, formabi lity and weldability are acceptable. 316 Higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion is required, in chlor ide environments 321 Better resistance to temperatures of around 600-900C is needed321 has high er hot strength. 3CR12 A lower cost is required, and the reduced corrosion resistance and resul ting discolouration are acceptable. 430 A lower cost is required, and the reduced corrosion resistance and fabri cation characteristics are acceptable. Corrosion Resistance Excellent in a wide range of atmospheric environments and many corrosive media. Subject to pitting and crevice corrosion in warm chloride environments, and to s tress corrosion cracking above about 60C. Considered resistant to potable water w ith up to about 200mg/L chlorides at ambient temperatures, reducing to about 150 mg/L at 60C. Heat Resistance Good oxidation resistance in intermittent service to 870C and in continuous servi ce to 925C. Continuous use of 304 in the 425-860C range is not recommended if subs equent aqueous corrosion resistance is important. Grade 304L is more resistant t o carbide precipitation and can be heated into the above temperature range. Grade 304H has higher strength at elevated temperatures so is often used for str uctural and pressure-containing applications at temperatures above about 500C and up to about 800C. 304H will become sensitised in the temperature range of 425-86 0C; this is not a problem for high temperature applications, but will result in r educed aqueous corrosion resistance. Heat Treatment Solution Treatment (Annealing) - Heat to 1010-1120C and cool rapidly. These grade s cannot be hardened by thermal treatment. Welding Excellent weldability by all standard fusion methods, both with and without fill er metals. AS 1554.6 pre-qualifies welding of 304 with Grade 308 and 304L with 3 08L rods or electrodes (and with their high silicon equivalents). Heavy welded s ections in Grade 304 may require post-weld annealing for maximum corrosion resis tance. This is not required for Grade 304L. Grade 321 may also be used as an alt ernative to 304 if heavy section welding is required and post-weld heat treatmen t is not possible. Machining A "Ugima" improved machinability version of grade 304 is available in bar produc ts. "Ugima" machines significantly better than standard 304 or 304L, giving high er machining rates and lower tool wear in many operations. Dual Certification It is common for 304 and 304L to be stocked in "Dual Certified" form, particular ly in plate and pipe. These items have chemical and mechanical properties comply ing with both 304 and 304L specifications. Such dual certified product does not meet 304H specifications and may be unacceptable for high temperature applicatio ns. Applications

Typical applications include: Food processing equipment, particularly in beer brewing, milk processing & wine making. Kitchen benches, sinks, troughs, equipment and appliances Architectural panelling, railings & trim Chemical containers, including for transport Heat Exchangers Woven or welded screens for mining, quarrying & water filtration Threaded fasteners Springs Source: Atlas Steels Australia