Stainless steel is one of the most commonly used materials in the world. It is made of a combination of iron and chromium, along with other trace elements, and is highly resistant to corrosion, temperature, and other forces. Stainless steel is used in a wide range of industries and applications, from medical devices to kitchen appliances.
The most common stainless steel grades are 304 and 316. Grades 304 and 316 are austenitic stainless steels, but unlike 304 grade, 316 has higher Nickel content and a lower carbon content. This allows for better corrosion resistance and higher temperature tolerance. The ‘L’ in 304L and 316L refer to low carbon content and are therefore less resistant to corrosion and temperature, but they are still suitable for a wide range of applications.
304 stainless steel is the most commonly used grade and is used in houses and buildings, kitchen utensils, equipment, cutlery, and sinks. Its also used in automotive parts, architectural trim, railroad cars, water tanks, and brewing equipment. Its low cost makes it a highly sought-after material for a variety of applications.
316 stainless steel is also known as marine-grade stainless steel, because of its high resistance to chloride corrosion. It is suitable for many applications in salt water and other highly corrosive environments. Its used in the medical, food, and chemical industries and is used to construct ships, high-pressure vessels, and bridges.
2205 is a duplex stainless steel that is made up of two phases: an austenitic phase and a ferritic phase. It contains a higher percentage of chromium and molybdenum than other austenitic stainless steels, making it resistant to corrosion, even in high-chloride environments. Its highly sought after in the chemical process and pulp and paper industries, as well as for marine environments, and for applications that require higher strength and corrosion resistance.
403 is a martensitic stainless steel made of 11% Chromium and higher levels of carbon. It has higher levels of hardness and strength than other stainless steel grades. It has lower corrosion resistance than austenitic stainless steels, but is still suitable for applications in warm contaminate environments. It is commonly used for parts in furnaces, valve components, and hand tools.
410 is another martensitic stainless steel that is made of 11% Chromium and lower levels of carbon. Its the lowest cost grade of stainless steel and is used in applications that require minor rust resistance. Its commonly used in cutlery, hardware, kitchen appliances, and hospital equipment.
430 is a ferritic stainless steel grade that is used in applications such as automotive trim, kitchen appliances, and decorative accents. It has a lower corrosion resistance than austenitic stainless steels, but its non-magnetic properties make it suitable for applications where magnetism is undesirable.
Type 440 is another form of ferritic stainless steel, but its harder, tougher, and more resistant to corrosion than other ferritic grades. Its used in applications where wear and corrosion resistance is important, such as knife blades and surgical instruments.
These are some of the most common stainless steel grades, but there are many others that are used for specialized applications. Depending on the application and environmental conditions, the right grade of stainless steel should be chosen to ensure optimum performance and durability.
