In addition to chromium, stainless steel may also contain other elements such as nickel, molybdenum, titanium, and nitrogen, which can enhance its corrosion resistance, strength, and machinability.
Based on chromium content, stainless steel can be categorized into the following types:
Austenitic Stainless Steel
Contains over 18% chromium and over 8% nickel, offering the best corrosion resistance and machinability. Common austenitic stainless steels include 304 and 316, with the latter having better pitting corrosion resistance due to the addition of molybdenum.
Features and Applications
- Mainly composed of chromium-nickel alloy.
- Has excellent corrosion resistance and machinability.
- Non-magnetic or weakly magnetic.
- Widely used in food processing, medical devices, cookware, and architectural decoration.
Ferritic Stainless Steel
Contains between 10.5% and 27% chromium, with little or no nickel, offering good corrosion resistance and thermal stability. For example, 430-grade stainless steel is commonly used in kitchen utensils.
Features and Applications
- Higher chromium content, typically between 10.5% and 27%, with little or no nickel.
- Good thermal stability but less machinability compared to austenitic stainless steel.
- Magnetic.
- Often used in household appliances, kitchen utensils, and automotive parts.
Martensitic Stainless Steel
Contains between 12% and 14% chromium and a certain amount of carbon, which can be hardened through heat treatment. For example, 420-grade stainless steel is commonly used in cutlery and bearings.
Features and Applications
- Chromium content between 12% and 14%, with a certain amount of carbon.
- Can be heat-treated to alter hardness and strength.
- Magnetic.
- Commonly used in cutlery, bearings, and valves.
Duplex Stainless Steel
Contains a high proportion of both ferrite and austenite phases, offering excellent strength and corrosion resistance, suitable for chemical, marine, and other industries.
Features and Applications
- Structure contains both ferrite and austenite phases in roughly equal proportions.
- Combines strength and corrosion resistance, outperforming single-phase stainless steels.
- Used in chemical, marine, and pulp and paper industries.
Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steel
A type of stainless steel that increases its strength and hardness through a special heat treatment process, suitable for manufacturing high-strength components.
Features and Applications
- Strengthened by adding elements like copper, aluminum, or titanium and through precipitation hardening treatment.
- Offers excellent strength and hardness but less corrosion resistance than other types of stainless steel.
- Used for high-strength requirements such as aircraft parts and pump components.
Ultra-Low Carbon Stainless Steel
Has an extremely low carbon content, typically below 0.03%, much lower than that of ordinary stainless steel. This low carbon content helps to improve the material’s corrosion resistance, especially in high-temperature and chloride-containing environments.
Features and Applications
- Extremely low carbon content to reduce carbide precipitation and improve corrosion resistance.
- Often used in seawater and high-chloride environments.
Super Duplex Stainless Steel
A high-performance alloy that combines the properties of ferritic and austenitic stainless steels, offering outstanding corrosion resistance, strength, and machinability.
Features and Applications
- Higher chromium, molybdenum, and nitrogen content for better corrosion resistance.
- Used in more demanding chemical and marine environments.
L-Grade Stainless Steel
Also known as low-nickel duplex stainless steel, it is an economical duplex stainless steel characterized by a lower nickel content, typically between 1-5%, and a relatively higher chromium content, usually between 21% and 25%.
Features and Applications
- Lower nickel and molybdenum content for lower cost.
- Used in general corrosion environments with balanced performance.
Due to its excellent corrosion resistance, strength, and machinability, stainless steel is widely used in various industries and fields. Each type of stainless steel has its specific application scenarios, and the choice depends on the required corrosion resistance, strength, machinability, and other performance requirements.
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