United States Precipitation Hardened Stainless Steel, Heat Resistant Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip Steel Grades
The United States has long been a leader in the development, production and utilization of stainless and heat-resistant steels. Today, the U.S. steel industry manufactures a vast range of stainless and heat-resistant steel products that meet the most stringent standards and provide excellent corrosion, fire and temperature resistance.
Precipitation-hardened stainless steels, also referred to as PHSS, are alloys that contain chromium and nickel as the principal elements and are hardened by precipitation process of alloys such as aluminum, copper and titanium. Precipitation-hardened steels provide superior strength, hardness and wear resistance, making them attractive for use in a wide range of applications.
Heat-resistant steels, also known as HRS, are a type of steel that has been designed to retain strength and toughness at elevated temperatures. Heat-resistant steels can be used for components that must be highly resistant to fire, heat, oxidation and corrosion. HRS may also be employed in nuclear reactors, waste disposal systems, steam boilers and turbines, aircraft exhaust systems, turbine blades, oil and gas components and furnaces.
The U.S. steel industry manufactures a variety of grades of precipitation-hardened and heat-resistant steels, including austenitic, ferritic, martensitic and precipitation-hardenable stainless steels. Some of the common steel grades are 304 and 321 stainless steel, 405 and 410 stainless steel, Inconel 600 and Hastelloy X. All of these grades are available in several sizes and shapes, including plate and sheet, bar, rod, tubing and structural sections.
The superior corrosion, fire and temperature resistance of U.S. precipitation-hardened and heat-resistant steels enable designers to create longer-lasting products with less maintenance and a lower cost of ownership. For example, 304L stainless steel is a versatile austenitic stainless grade with excellent corrosion resistance, strength and ductility. This grade of stainless steel is often used for components and equipment in the food, pharmaceutical, chemical and general industries.
Heat-resistant steels are also important materials for a variety of applications. The higher mechanical properties of heat-resistant steel, such as creep and fatigue strength, temperature resistance and excellent oxidation resistance, make them a preferred choice for power plants, petrochemical industries and mining operations. Inconel 600 is a popular heat-resistant steel grade that can be used in applications temperatures up to 1100°C.
The United States is a leading producer of high-quality precipitation-hardened and heat-resistant steels that offer superior strength and corrosion resistance in a range of applications. From plate and sheet steel grades to bar, rod and tubing, precipitation-hardened and heat-resistant steels have been engineered to meet the most rigorous requirements for a variety of industries. Whether you need corrosion and temperature resistant stainless steel or heat-resistant steel, the U.S. steel industry has the solution for you.