Martensitic Stainless Steel
Martensitic stainless steel is one of the most common and versatile types of stainless steel available, and is often used in a wide variety of applications. With its high strength and good corrosion-resistance, as well as high ductility, martensitic stainless steel is one of the most versatile metals available. This type of stainless steel is composed of chromium and a small percentage of carbon and can be heat-treated to form a range of martensite microstructures.
Martensitic stainless steel often contains between 11 and 17 percent chromium, with a maximum of 0.15 percent carbon, and an often-variable amount of other alloys such as nickel, molybdenum, and tanadium. These stainless steels have strong magnetic properties and a generally low ductile-to-brittle transition temperature, making them prone to cracking. However, when quickly cooled, martensitic stainless steels can have higher tensile strength than conventional austenitic stainless steels.
Martensitic stainless steel is most often used in the manufacture of scissors, knives, surgical instruments, and bearings. It is also sometimes used in the manufacture of automotive components, place settings, and high-end jewelry. It is a popular choice for surgical instruments and processing equipment because of its corrosion-resistance, hardness and strength properties. This stainless steel is also resistant to pitting and is relatively easy to form and weld using industrial-grade equipment.
Due to its susceptibility to corrosion, martensitic stainless steel often requires a high degree of care during fabrication, installation and maintenance. It is sensitive to chloride ions, which can cause pitting, so it is usually not recommended for applications involving exposure to chloride-containing compounds. It is also recommended that these grades of stainless steel be repeatedly annealed in order to retain the optimal combination of ductility, strength and corrosion-resistance.
While martensitic stainless steel is not as corrosion-resistant as austenitic stainless steels, its higher strength, tough tempers and low-cost production make it a popular choice for a variety of applications. As with all forms of stainless steel, it is important to understand the material properties before selecting a particular grade of stainless steel for a given application.