STAINLESS STEEL PROPERTIES

1. CORROSION RESISTANCE – stainless steels are iron based alloys containing

around 10.5% chromium. The chromium in the alloy forms a self-healing protective
clear oxide layer giving the stainless steel its corrosion resistance. The self-healing
nature means corrosion resistance remains intact regardless of fabrication methods. If
the material surface is cut or damaged it will self-heal and corrosion resistance will be
maintained. Commented [PD1]: Material needs to be fabricated to
2. CRYOGENIC (LOW TEMPERATURE) RESISTANCE – This is measured by the store hexane, corrosion resistance – longer lasting, less
costly to repair – cost efficient – economical
ductility or toughness at sub-zero temperatures. At these temperatures, the tensile
strengths are higher than at ambient temperatures and they also maintain excellent
toughness Commented [PD2]: Hexane needs to be stored at
3. LONG LIFE CYCLE cryogenic temperatures – the steel is stronger at these
temperatures making it suitable to use
4. RECYCLABLE
Commented [PD3]: Cost effective – doesn’t need to be
replaced often - economical
Commented [PD4]: Environmentally friendly
Types Cost effective

There are five major types of stainless steel.

Austenitic stainless steels are 200 series or 300 series. They are non magnetic
and have high corrosion resistance. They can be hardened only by cold working -
not by heat treatment. They are highly formable. But, they are prone to stress
corrosion cracking. There are three subtypes: straight, L and H. Popular straight
types are grades are 201, 202, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 308, 309, 310, 314, 316,
317, 321, 347, 348 and 384. L types have higher corrosion resistance than the
straight types. Examples include 304L and 316L. H types are suitable for use in
high temperature environments. Austenitic stainless steels are used in shafts,
valves, bolts, bushings, nuts, aircraft fittings, chemical equipment, food
processing equipment, brewing equipment, cryogenic vessels etc.
Ferritic stainless steels are 400 series. They are magnetic. They have lower
ductility and lower corrosion resistance than the austenitic grades. But, they offer
high resistance to stress corrosion cracking. They are hardened by cold working
and are not heat treatable. Some of the popular grades are 405, 409, 430, 434,
442, 436 and 446. Typical applications are heat exchangers, automotive fasteners,
furnace parts, heater parts.
Martensitic stainless steels are 400 series and 500 series. They are magnetic.
They have higher strength, higher wear resistance and higher fatigue resistance
than the austenitic and ferritic grades. They can also be heat treated. But,
corrosion resistance is moderate and lower than the austenitic and ferritic grades.
They are highly machinable. Some of the popular grades are 410, 414, 416, 420,
440 and 431. Major applications are machine parts, pump shafts, bolts, bushings,
coal chutes, cutlery, hardware, jet engine parts, mining machinery, rifle barrels,
screws, valves, aircraft fittings, fire extinguisher inserts, rivets.
Precipitation Hardening Grade Stainless Steels are also called PH types. Their
corrosion resistance is equivalent to that of austenitic grades and strength is
generally higher than that of martensitic grades. They also retain high strength at
elevated temperatures. They are heat treatable. They are mainly used in
aerospace industry for aerospace structural components. Popular grades include
17-4PH and 15-5PH.
Duplex stainless steels are mixture of austenitic and ferritic. They provide higher
corrosion resistance than the austenitic stainless steels. They are also more
resistant to stress corrosion cracking than the austenitic stainless steels. They
have higher strength than the austenitic grades. Popular UNS duplex grades
include S32101, S32304, S32003, S31803, S32205, S32760, S32750, S32550,
S32707 and S33207. Typical applications are water treatment plants and heat
exchanger components.

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