Stainless steel is a ferroalloy, consisting primarily of iron and chromium (Fe + Cr). It also contains minor amounts of nickel, gr atanium, molybdenum, and silicon, depending on the grade. Stainless steel is utilized in many disparate applications due to its extremely useful combinations of the elements which constitute it. It has an excellent corrosion resistance, making it a popular material for use in the food industry, aerospace and chemical plants.
The German standard stainless steel grades are primarily based on the internationally managed material grades. The acknowledged and accepted origin of the stainless steel grade is marked on each material certificate. German standard stainless steel grades from 1.4301 to 1.4571 (304/304L to 316Ti). EN 10088/EN 10222s meet the requirements for the material quality for stainless steel for the various application areas and processes.
The grades follow the DIN EN 10088 and DIN EN 10222-4 standards, for example the following designations for flat products:
1.4404 – 316L
1.4301 – 304
These grades are very common and easily available in the market. This is why they are extremely popular for industry use, especially for industrial constructions (building/constructional) and medical applications where corrosion resistance and magnetic properties take precedence. In these industries, 1.4404 (316L) is the most commonly used grade and it is an ‘extra low-carbon’ version of the 316 grade, offering increased corrosion resistance.
The German standard grade 304 (1.4301) generally has a neutral finish, making it suitable for interior use. It is a versatile grade offering oxidation resistant properties. This grade is also available in cold rolled forms and is ideally suited for applications where hight temperatures are not required and it is good for deep drawing and fast soldering.
For its features, the German standard stainless steel grades are suitable for several applications in different sectors. In automotive industry, these grades are used for different parts, from exhaust systems to grills, from valve covers to rollcages and so on. Stainless steel also is used in exhaust systems in the transport industry, from buses, trucks and trains to marine vessels.
Moreover, this type of steel is used in professional kitchens and in food processing factories, where it is used for several components, from countertops to pans. It is also used for the production of tanks used in brewing beer and distilling spirits.
The German standard stainless steel grades provide electrical and thermal conductivity, strength and corrosion resistant properties, allowing it to be used extensively in many sectors. Also, it is known to resist heat, countertops and mild chemical corrosion, making it an ideal material for applications in a wide array of industries, from automotive to marine, from kitchen applications to chemical processing.
