Introduction
AISI 321 or 0Cr18Ni10Ti is a basic austenitic stainless steel. It has very good corrosion resistance and good formability, so it is widely used in different applications and industries. This steel is a low-carbon version of grade 304 and it can efficiently resist the development of corrosion.
Mechanical Properties
AISI 321 or 0Cr18Ni10Ti is an austenitic stainless steel that has good mechanical properties. It has high strength at room temperature and elevated temperatures up to 870℃. The mechanical properties of this steel depend upon the alloying elements added to it, as well as its heat treatment process. In general, it has an excellent yield and tensile strength, as well as an elongation of more than 40%. When properly annealed, it can also offer good impact strength at different temperatures. The higher carbon content of this steel (0.05%), improves its hardness, while the nickel and titanium add an extra corrosion resistance.
Physical & Chemical Properties
AISI 321 or 0Cr18Ni10Ti is a basic austenitic stainless steel. It has good physical properties and is a non-magnetic material. It has a density of 7.9 kg/m3 and a Brinell hardness of 217. This steel has a melting point of range about 1400 and 1590 °C, and a boiling point of around 2832 °C. It has a very good formability, with an elongation of more than 45%. It also has a good corrosion resistance due to the presence of chromium (up to 18%), nickel (up to 10%), and titanium (up to 0.5%). This steel provides good resistance to inter-granular corrosion at temperatures up to 816 °C.
Applications
Due to its excellent corrosion resistance, AISI 321 or 0Cr18Ni10Ti is widely used in many different applications. It is often used to manufacture items that need to resist exposure to corrosive environments, such as chemical and petrochemical processing, food processing, chlorination, desalination, automotive, aerospace, and high-temperature industrial environments. Other applications include storage tanks, pressure vessels, piping, heat exchangers, process equipment, and piping systems. AISI 321 is also used to manufacture kitchen utensils, cutlery, and cookware due to its good formability, weldability, and resistance to oxidation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AISI 321 or 0Cr18Ni10Ti is a basic austenitic stainless steel. It has good mechanical properties and a good formability, which make it suitable for a wide range of applications. It offers excellent corrosion resistance due to its high chromium, nickel, and titanium content. This steel is mainly used in chemical and petrochemical processing, kitchen utensils, cookware, and other applications that require additional corrosion resistance.