Stainless Steel Comparator

Let’s Go to Class
There are more than 250 different stainless steels. These various
grades of stainless are divided into five major families or classes.
The general classes have been developed to consolidate the
chemistries and mechanical properties required to meet specific cus-
tomer application needs.

Martensitic Stainless Steels

Welcome to AK Steel’s Family These steels of the 400 series usually contain a minimum of 11.5%
up to 18% chromium and have higher levels of carbon than ferritics.
of Stainless Steels They are capable of being heat treated to a wide range of useful hard-
ness and strength levels, and are used extensively in cutlery, sports
knives and multipurpose tools.
This product comparator reviews the fundamentals of stainless
steels. It compares the types, grades, chemistries, finishes and applica-
tions of stainless produced by AK Steel. The basic product information Ferritic Stainless Steels
contained in the following pages will help you match the application
needs with a specific grade of stainless steel. This group of steels in the 400 series contains 10.5% to 20% chro-
mium for corrosion resistance and resistance to scaling at elevated
temperatures. They are nonhardenable by heat treating and are
What is Stainless Steel? always magnetic. Ferritic stainless is used in applications where resis-
tance to corrosion is important, such as automotive emission control
In the early nineteen hundreds, metallurgists noticed that chromium exhaust systems.
had a greater attraction to oxygen than iron did so they added the
element chromium to steel. Studies prove that when at least 10%
Austenitic Stainless Steels
chromium was added, the chrome united with oxygen to form a very
tight transparent layer over the steel surface that prevented rusting by
Austenitic stainless steels are the most specified grades produced
precluding further oxidation. This transparent layer is self-healing
because of their excellent formability and corrosion resistance.
when damaged by scratches, wear or denting.
All 200 and 300 series steels are austenitic and con-
tain 15% to 30% chromium and 2% to 20%
Stainless steels are materials of enduring beauty. These steels
nickel for enhanced surface quality, forma-
also withstand the corrosive attack of many acids. They possess
bility and increased corrosion and wear
strength and toughness at both extremes of the temperature scale,
resistance. They are non-magnetic in
yet can be fabricated into intricate shapes for many uses. Because of
the annealed condition and depend-
this outstanding versatility, stainless deserves careful consideration
ing on the composition, primarily
for any product where one or more of the following requirements
the nickel content, they become
are involved:
slightly magnetic when cold
worked. These steels are used for
Corrosion Resistance automotive trim, cookware, pro-
Strength at Elevated Temperatures cessing equipment and a variety
of industrial applications.
Strength and Ductility at Cryogenic Temperatures
Oxidation Resistance at High Temperatures
Appearance
Abrasion Resistance
 Alloys Make the Grade
Precipitation-Hardening The manufacture of quality stainless steel, from heat to heat and
Stainless Steels year to year, demands precise control of raw material ingredients and
melting practices. Exact quantities of presorted scrap and alloying
There are two general areas of PH grade stainless elements are delivered to the melting furnaces so that the heats or
steels; martensitic and semi-austenitic. The martensi- lots will be within specified composition ranges. Those composition
tic group includes 17-4 PH® and 15-5 PH® chromium- ranges typically include a group of chemical elements for each grade
nickel, with columbium and copper additions. They of stainless steel.
develop their high strength and hardness through heat
treatment, which precipitates the copper. The marten-
Alloying Elements
sitic PH steels are used in aerospace, chemical and
petrochemical, and food processing applications.
Following is a brief look at the alloying elements found in stainless
steels and their functions.
The semi-austenitic grades are 17-7 PH® and
PH 15-7 Mo®. They are austenitic in the annealed Chromium forms a Molybdenum increases
state, but martensitic in the hardened condition. surface film of chromium corrosion resistance, strength
17-7 PH stainless has excellent high strength and oxide to make the stainless at elevated temperatures, and
steel corrosion resistant. creep resistance. It expands the
fatigue properties, and is used in aerospace compo-
It also increases the scaling range of passivity and counter-
nents. PH 15-7 Mo stainless is used in applications resistance at elevated acts tendency to pit especially
requiring high strength and hardness, such as retain- temperatures. in chloride environments.
ing rings, springs and aircraft bulkheads.
Nickel stabilizes the Aluminum is a very
austenitic structure and strong ferrite former and lowers
Duplex Stainless Steels increases ductility, making the hardenability of stainless
stainless steel easier to form. steel. It improves scaling
These alloys have a mixture of austenite and ferrite It increases high temperature resistance.
strength and corrosion
in their structure. They exhibit characteristics of both
resistance, particularly in Carbon strengthens
phases with higher strength and ductility. Nitrogen is
industrial and marine atmos- stainless steel but promotes
added to second generation duplex alloys and pheres, chemical, food and the formation of precipitates
provides strength and increased weldability. textile processing industries. harmful to corrosion resistance.
AK Steel’s NITRONIC® 19D has good
cyclic oxidation, high strength Silicon increases scaling Columbium combines
resistance by forming a tight with carbon to reduce suscepti-
and excellent stress corro-
initial scale, which will bility to intergranular corrosion.
sion resistance, and the
withstand cyclic temperature It acts as a grain refiner and
2205 alloy provides changes. It resists carburizing promotes the formation of ferrite.
very good pitting at high temperatures and
and uniform corro- slightly increases tensile Copper is added to
sion resistance, strength and hardness. Small stainless steels to increase
amounts of silicon are added their resistance to certain
high strength and
to all grades of stainless for corrosive environments. It also
high resistance to
deoxidizing. decreases susceptibility to
stress corrosion stress corrosion cracking and
cracking. Manganese promotes provides age-hardening effects.
the stability of austenite,
at or near room temperature Titanium combines with
and improves hot working carbon to reduce susceptibility
properties. Addition of up to to intergranular corrosion. It
2% manganese has no effect acts as a grain refiner and pro-
on strength, ductility and motes the formation of ferrite.
toughness. Manganese is
important as a partial replace-
ment of nickel in 200 series
stainless grades.
 AK Steel
Typical Chemical Composition %

Stainless Types Cr Ni C Other Significant Characteristics Typical Applications

Elements

Ferritic Stainless Steels

409 11 – .01 Ti – .20 Economical corrosion and Heat exchangers, furnace liners,
oxidation resistance automotive exhaust systems

Aluminized 409 11 – .01 Ti – .20 Economical corrosion, oxidation, Heat exchangers, furnace liners,
Aluminum coating salt and cosmetic corrosion resistance automotive exhaust systems

409 Ni 11 0.85 .02 Ti – .20, Mn – .75 Corrosion resistance superior to Coal handling equipment, exhaust
mild and low-carbon steels flanges, transportation equipment

400 12 – .015 Al – .15 Corrosion resistance comparable Applications requiring improved

to 409, better surface finish finish over Type 409, caskets

400 Cb 11.5 – .01 Cb – .15, Al – .15 Corrosion resistance comparable Electrical cabinetry
to 409, better surface finish

410S 12 – .015 Low-cost, general purpose Mild corrosive service

Fractionation towers

11 Cr-Cb 11 – .01 Si – 1.30, Cb – .35 More oxidation and creep resistant High-temperature use, furnaces,
than 409 and 439 auto exhaust components

41003 11 .40 .02 Si – .40, Mn – .80 Excellent weldability, toughness and Tubing for bus frames, hopper cars,
fabricating characteristics chutes, storage tanks and
shipping containers

430 16.5 – .05 General-purpose corrosion Appliance, food equipment, mis-

resistance cellaneous automotive, flue liners

434 16.5 – .065 Mo – 1.0 Improved corrosion resistance Automotive trim

over 430

436 16.8 – .06 Mo – 1.0, Cb – .40 Controlled roping Automotive trim

439 17 – .012 Ti – .30 Wet corrosion and oxidation Heating units, welded tubing and
resistance auto exhaust components

Aluminized 439 17 – .012 Ti – .30 Economical corrosion oxidation, Heating units, welded tubing and
salt and cosmetic corrosion resistance auto exhaust components

435 Mod. 19.5 – .02 Cb – .70, Cu – .50 Improved formability Automotive trim
and weldability

18 SR 17 – .02 Al – 1.70, Ti – .20 High-temperature scaling Industrial ovens, heat

resistance exchangers, furnace liners

18 Cr-Cb 17.5 – .02 Ti – .25, Cb – .55 Oxidation resistant, creep resistant Heat exchangers, furnace com-
ponents, auto exhaust systems

444 17.5 – .015 Ti – .25, Cb – .15 Oxidation, corrosion and stress Water heaters, solar panels,
Mo – 2.0 cracking resistance engine components

Martensitic Stainless Steels

410 11.5 – .14 General purpose, hardenable Cutlery, machine parts

410H 11.5 – .18 Increased hardenability Cutlery, rulers

420 12.5 – .38 Increased hardenability Cutlery, multifunctional tools

420 HC 12.5 – .42 Increased hardenability Cutlery, scissors

 Stainless Steel
Typical Chemical Composition %

Stainless Types Cr Ni C Other Significant Characteristics Typical Applications

Elements

Austenitic Stainless Steels

201 16 3.5-5.0 .06 Mn – 6-7.5 Low nickel, high work hardening Hose clamps, cookware

NITRONIC® 30 16 2.5 .02 Mn – 8.5, N – .17 High strength, abrasion resistance, Hose clamps, truck and bus
good formability frames, bulk solids handling
equipment, coal buckets and
hopper cars

301 17 7 .10 High strength, high work hardening Wheel covers, springs, hose
clamps, food processing
equipment

304 18 8 .06 Multipurpose Food equipment, tubing,

architectural trim

304L 18 9 .02 Low carbon minimizes carbide Welded parts and other 304
precipitation during welding applications

309S 22 12.5 .05 Oxidation resistant Heating elements, furnace parts

316 16.5 10.5 .05 Mo – 2 Pitting corrosion resistance Heat exchangers, chemical
equipment, marine applications

316L 16.5 10.8 .02 Mo – 2 Low carbon minimizes carbide Welded Type 316 applications
precipitation during welding

321 17 9.5 .02 Ti – 5XC min. Titanium stabilized Heat exchangers to intermediate
temperatures, aircraft

Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steels

17-4 PH® 15.5 4.5 .05 Cu – 3.0, Cb – .25 High strength and hardness Aerospace, chemical and
petrochemical, food processing

15-5 PH® 14.5 4.5 .05 Cu – 3.5, Cb – .25 High strength and hardness, Aerospace, chemical and
ferrite free petrochemical, food processing

17-7 PH® 17 7 .085 Al – 1.0 High strength, excellent fatigue Aerospace components, flat
properties springs

PH 15-7 Mo® 14.5 7.5 .085 Mo – 2.0, Al – 1.0 High strength and hardness Retaining rings, springs, aircraft
bulkheads

Duplex Stainless Steels

NITRONIC 19D 21 1.25 .02 Cu – 0.5, Mn – 5.0 Ferrite/austenite matrix, good cyclic Tubing, water heater tanks
oxidation, high strength and good
stress corrosion resistance

2205 22 5.5 .02 Mo – 3.0 High strength, low thermal expansion, Heat exchangers, pipe, pressure
high resistance to stress corrosion vessels, tanks, fans, shafts and
cracking and corrosion fatigue press rolls
 AK Steel Reflections on Finish
Coated Stainless Steels Surface finish is an important element in any specification or pur-
chase order for stainless steel regardless of the intended end use.
And, for those applications in which appearance is important, finish
Aluminized Steel Type 1 Stainless Steels is a design element and must be specified.

Aluminum coated 409 and 439 stainless steels were developed
to provide the automotive industry with longer life exhaust
system materials. The Type 1 hot-dipped aluminum coating
provides excellent resistance to muffler condensate corrosion
and pitting from road salt which allows the exhaust system to
remain virtually rust free, thus retaining its good appearance.
I n architecture or other highly visible applications, the appear-
ance of stainless steel is a critical design element and specification
of the wrong finish can alter the desired effect. In consumer prod-
ucts, the gleam of well-polished stainless steel has strong sales
appeal. In institutional kitchen, restaurant, and hospital applica-
tions, properly finished stainless helps to emphasize the feeling of
cleanliness.

Black Coat™ Stainless Steels
AK Steel Black Coat stainless steels a re available as Type 409,
Aluminized 409, Type 439, and AK Steel 18 Cr-Cb. The Black
Coat system is a multi-layer surface coating continuously
applied to stainless steel coils. It is especially useful for
applications requiring an attractive cosmetic appearance at
high temperatures. Black Coat stainless steel products provide
enhanced formability compared to bare stainless alloys. These
products are particularly useful in applications involving the
cold end of exhaust systems such as mufflers and tail pipes.
I n addition to visual appeal of polished stainless, there are a
number of functions served by properly prepared stainless surfaces. In
sanitary applications, polished stainless steel not only looks clean,
but also is easy to clean and keep clean.
There are also economic considerations in specifying finish. For
example, a cold rolled bright annealed finish might be specified instead
of a more expensive No. 8 polished finish; or some proprietary rolled
finishes might serve the same purpose as a No. 4 polished finish. A
knowledge of finishes can sometimes result in significant savings.

Color Lock™ Stainless Steel Sheet Finishes

AK Steel Color Lock stainless steel consists of a fluoropolymer No. 1 — A rough, dull surface
paint system applied to a clean, pretreated and primed stain- that results from hot
less steel coil. The fluoropolymer top coat is a Duranar® high- rolling to the specified thick-
performance coating designed for architectural coil coating ness followed by annealing and
applications. The coating features excellent color retention descaling.
and chalk, corrosion, chemical and pollution resistance as well
as good flexibility and adhesion. Color Lock is available in a No. 2D — A dull finish
wide range of colors for use in metal roofing, mansard roofs, produced by cold rolling to
fascias, soffits and specialty accent applications. gauge, then annealing and pick-
ling in acid to remove scale and
oxide from an open air anneal.
No. 2B — A reflective cold-
rolled finish produced
in the same manner as a 2D
Sheet Finish, except that a light
temper pass on polished rolls
is performed on the annealed
and pickled product. This is
the general-purpose cold-rolled
finish that can be used as is,
or as a preliminary step to
polishing.

Glossary of Stainless Sheet and Strip Terms

Abrasion– resistant Steels — A
family of steel products developed for
those applications involved in sliding and
impact abrasion.
Air Hardening Steel — Steels,
such as low chromium and martensitic
stainless steels, that do not require
quenching to produce hardening by the
martensitic reaction.
Alloying — Alloying, in the com-
mon metallurgical sense, refers to the
dissolving of one or more elements in a
metal to produce a metallic mix or alloy.
Balanced Analysis — A term used
to indicate the relative quantities of
alloying elements necessary to produce
the specified properties or metallurgical
structures in a specific type of steel.
Bright Annealed — Bright anneal-
ing prevents the formation of undesirable
scale that occurs on the surface of steel
during the annealing process. During typ-
ical annealing, t he heated steel combines
with oxygen in the air to form a layer of
oxide on the steel’s surface. In bright
annealing, the steel is heated in a furnace
filled with hydrogen or nitrogen gases,
which prevents oxide scale formation.
Buffing — A polishing operation
utilizing a very fine abrasive compound
on a prepared rotating wheel, which con-
tacts the work surface.
Duplex — Steels exhibiting both
austenitic and ferritic structures.
Intergranular Corrosion — Cor-
rosion that occurs at the grain boundaries
in austenitic stainless steels that have
been heat treated between 850˚ and
1450˚F. Usually caused by precipitation of
the chrome carbides.
Orange Peel — Roughening of the
surface sometimes encountered in form-
ing or drawing stainless steels that have
a coarse grain structure.
Oxide Film Theory — An explana-
tion of passivity based upon the supposi-
tion that a relatively impermeable layer of
oxide forms on the surface of stainless steel
that retards attack by corrosives.
Passivity — The ability of certain
metals and alloys, especially the stainless
steels, to resist normal corrosion to the
point where the metal remains unat-
tacked.

©2007 AK Steel Corporation

AK Steel, the AK Steel logo, 17-4 PH, 15-5 PH, 17-7 PH, PH 15-7 Mo, NITRONIC and Unibrite
are registered trademarks of AK Steel Corporation. G reystone, Black Coat and Color Lock are
trademarks of AK Steel Corporation. Duranar is a registered trademark of PPG Industries.
Bright Annealed — A highly
reflective cold-rolled finish
produced by cold rolling to
gauge, then bright annealing
in a protective inert atmosphere.
This process results in no
scaling of the product, leaving
a bright reflective finish. A
light temper pass on polished
rolls is performed on the bright-
annealed product. This finish is
also available without the final
temper pass, in which case the
finish is not quite as bright.
Unibrite® — AK Steel’s high
luster finish, produced in
the same manner as a Bright
Annealed Finish, except that
the product is conditioned on
a mill buffing unit. This process
results in a finish with uniform
color and reflectivity. It is
comparable to a No. 7 Sheet
Finish, per ASTM A 480.
No. 3 — A polished finish
produced in the same
manner as a 2B Sheet Finish,
except that the product is belt
polished using 120 grit emery
cloth belts.
No. 4 — A polished finish
similar to No. 3 Polish,
except that the product is belt
polished using 150 grit emery
cloth belts, giving it a somewhat
smoother appearance than No. 3.
Precipitation Hardening — Har-
dening that is caused by the precipitation
of a metallic compound from a supersatu-
rated solid solution.
Retained Austenite — A tendency
in martensitic alloys that increases with
the alloy and carbon content and with
rate of cooling, to retain at room temper-
ature a fraction of the austenite phase
that is stable at the high temperature and
which fails to transform to martensite on
cooling.
Unigrain — A rolled-on grit
finish produced in the same
manner as a 2B Sheet Finish,
except that grit rolls are substi-
tuted for polished rolls on the
light temper pass. This product
results in a uniform finish that
can be substituted for polish
finish in many applications.
TM — A rolled-on dull finish
produced in the same man-
ner as a 2B Sheet Finish, except
that shot-blasted rolls are substi-
tuted for polished rolls on the
light temper pass. This product
results in a dull, nondirectional
finish that is suitable for many
painting and coating applications.
Stainless Steel Strip Finishes
No. 1 — A dull gray matte to
a fairly reflective finish,
depending on the stainless steel
grade, produced by cold rolling,
annealing and pickling. This
finish is used for severely drawn
or formed parts, as well as
applications where the brighter
No. 2D finish is not required.
No. 1 finish for strip approxi-
mates No. 2D finish for sheet.
No. 2 — A smooth reflective
surface produced by the
same processing used for No. 1
finish followed by a final light cold
rolling pass, which is generally
Roping — A fibrous surface pat-
tern that can occur in 400 series sheet
and strip when stretched or drawn. This
pattern is always in the rolling direction
and may require metal removal by polish-
ing if a smooth surface is desired.
Semi-hardening — A hardening
treatment for martensitic steels in which
the metal is quenched from such a low
austenitizing temperature that only a
portion of the metal transforms, yielding
a semimartensitic alloy particularly
adaptable to machining operations.
done using highly polished rolls.
No. 2 for strip is a general-pur-
pose finish widely used for
household appliances, automo-
tive trim, tableware and utensils.
No. 2 finish for strip approxi-
mates No. 2D finish for sheet.
Bright Annealed — A bright,
cold rolled, highly
reflective finish retained by
final annealing in a controlled-
atmosphere furnace. The
purpose of atmosphere
control is to prevent scaling
or oxidation during annealing.
The atmosphere usually consists
of dry hydrogen.
Mill-Buffed — Is a highly
reflective finish obtained
by sending either No. 2 or
bright annealed strip through
a continuous buffing pass.
The buffing provides a finish
that is uniform in color and
reflectivity. This finish is used
for automotive trim, household
trim, tableware, utensils and
plumbing fixtures.
AK Steel Custom Finishes
Embossed — An imprinted
overall design on the surface
of cold rolled stainless steel
produced by passing the steel
between rolls etched with the
design pattern. AK Steel’s
Sensitization — A term used to
describe the condition of the austenitic
stainless steels resulting from heating
them in the temperature range of approx-
imately 800˚ to 1500˚F and cooling to
room temperature. When the metal is held
in the sensitization range, the carbon in
the steel combines with some of the
chromium and precipitates as chromium
carbide at the grain boundaries. This
depletes chromium in the area of the
grain boundaries and makes the metal
susceptible in those areas to attack in
some corrosive media.
embossed stainless steel is
suitable for a wide variety of
decorative applications.
Leinen — A rolled-on,
reflective, linen-like finish
produced in the manner similar
to a bright annealed and tem-
per rolled product. The
non-directional glossy gray
surface finish is an embossed
pattern applied in the temper
rolling operation, and either
annealed or bright annealed.
Steel’s Leinen Finish is suitable
for elevator doors, trim, ceiling
panels and column covers.
Greystone™ Bright — A rolled-
on, reflective, pebble-like
finish produced in a manner
similar to a bright annealed
and temper rolled product.
With its random pattern, which
allows for seamless connection
of pieces, Greystone Bright
is ideal for moldings and trim,
elevator door panels, and
exterior building panels.
Greystone Dull — A rolled-on,
dull, pebble-like finish
produced on an annealed
and pickled substrate in a
manner similar to a 2B Sheet
Finish. Initially designed for
roofing applications to minimize
the glare of sunlight, Greystone
Dull Finish is ideal for a variety
of architectural applications.
Sigma Phase — A brittle and hard
intermetallic compound of the general
formula FeCr, but having a composition
range of broad extension, tending to form
particularly in the ferrite of high chro-
mium stainless steels when heated for a
period of time in the general range of
925˚ to 1750˚F.
Subzero Treatment — Part of a
hardening treatment in which the marten-
sitic steel is quenched from the austeniz-
ing temperature and brought immediately
to a very low temperature to promote the
development of martensite — particularly
useful for steels tending to have
“retained austenite”.
AK Steel Corporation
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West Chester, OH 45069
www.aksteel.com

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