Stainless Chromium-Nickel-Steels

A short introduction

Introduction
The property of Cromium is used to form tight layers of Chromium-Oxide which is a protective layer. This effect sarts at 13% Cr and is fully present at 17% Cr.
There is a distinction between: Ferritic chromium steels (ferritic-martensitic) and austenitic Cr-Ni steels.

Ferritic steels
Ferritic Chromium Steels:
1.4016 X8Cr17 Classical chromium steel for e.g. washing machines

1.4113 X6CrMo17 with molybdenum against pitting by halogene ions. Used for e.g. automotive bumper bars. No welding because of hardening cracks !!

Austenitic Cr-Ni steels

The addition of Nickel widens the austenitic area, at a certain amount, the austenite is stable down to sub-zero temperatures. The austenitic texture has a highe r corrosion resistance and a better weldability because of no hardening and no martensite.
The classical alloy type is Cr-Ni 18 8, which was developed in 1920 by Krupp in Germany. It is purely austenitic. Details may be seen in the Schaeffler diagram. Warning: Nickel dust is cancerogene !

Schaeffler diagram

Inter-cristalline corrosion
The carbon is concentrated at the grain boundaries. In the heat, the carbon attracts the chromium at the grain boundaries forming chromium-carbides. That effect takes away the cromium from the grain boundaries and thus the corrsion resistance as well. The corrosion appears on both sides of the weld in the heat affected zone. Remedies: a) Stabilizing: Addition of Titanium or Niobium (8 x C) which has a higher affinity to carbon and snatches it away from Cromium. b) Removal of carbon, giving the low carbon (LC) or extra low carbon (ELC) steels. c) Diffusion heat treatment (seldom used).

Crevice corrosion
Typical corrosion in crevices. If the crevice is wide enough, then there is enough oxigen from air to build up th protective layer. If the crevice is very narrow, then there is not enough oxigen from air to start corrosion. If it is in between, then there is enough oxigen for corrosion but not enough for the protective layer.

Remedy:
Avoid crevices by design!

Induced corrosion
If iron dust or stain gets on the surface, the protective layer cannot form at these spots. Corrosion is the consequence. Remedy: Have the fabrication in shop as clean as possible. Separate stainless fabrication from others. Use separate tools.

Pitting corrosion
Pitting corrosion is caused by halogene ions, as e.g. by clorides, iodides and bromides. Remedies: a) Avoid the contact with e.g. salt. b) Add 2% or more molybdenum to the alloy. That improves the resistance against halogene ions.

Stress corrosion cracking

Stress corrosion cracking is released by a susceptible combination of stress and chemical agent, e.g. halogene ions. Remedies: a) Never use Cr-Ni bolts at salty solutions! b) Take another material which is not sensitive!

Often used stainless steels

The classical type Cr-Ni 18 8 is no longer used. Because of weldability, there are only stabilized and LC qualities available. For reasons of resistance against pitting, these steels exist with or without molybdenum.
LC steels Without Mo With Mo Stabilized steels Without Mo With Mo 1.4301 AISI 304 1.4401 AISI 316L 1.4541 1.4550 1.4571 1.4580 X5CrNi 18 9 X5CrNi 18 10 2 X10 CrNiTi 18 9 X10 CrNiCb 18 9 X10 CrNiMoTi 18 10 2 X10 CrNiMoCb18 10 2

Product availability
Sheet products up to about 4 mm are colled rolled, heat treated and pickled.
Plate material mostly comes warm rolled, ground at grain 500 and pickled. At thick plates, plating with austenitic material is often used. Also bars and shapes are available. (Be carful, they somtimes contain sulfur for better chipping. Not for welding !!)

Welding procedure
Fillers do mostly match the base matal. If stabilized qualities are joined, then preferably by columbium (niobium). Titanium has the tendency to burn away because of the high affinity to air oxigen.

The filler should be selected to give a ferrite content of 3 5%, in order to avoid hot cracking. That can be controlled at the Schaeffler diagram. Steps: a) Edge preparation as usual b) Welding (MIG, TIG, MMA) c) Grinding up to a grain 500 d) Pickling and passivation with chemicals

List of stainless steels 1

List of stainless steels 2

Duplex steels
These steels consist of austenite and ferrite half half. Higher mechanical and chemical resistance than austenites. At welding, the cooling time from 1200 to 800 C should be more than 10 seconds. Duplex steels according to EN 10088 pp

Austenitic vs. Duplex steels

Duplex steel in the Schaeffler diagram

Welding of duplex steels

Application lower than 300C to avoid 475C-embrittlement. Welding with no or low preheat to reside only a short time in the area of 600C.

Black-white welded joints

The welded joint between structural steel and austenites is often referred as black and white. Filler materials are usually in a higher alloy. The mixed weld deposit material (assuming 1/3 2/3) should have ferrite content of 3 5% and no martensite. A high manganese filler material about 6% may also be used. More details can bessen from the Schaeffler diagram.

Goal areas in Schaeffler diagram

Dilution of weld metal

Weld metal and melted base metal mix and result into a dilution

Example of dissimilar base materials

Example 1 for a cladding

Example 2 for a cladding

End