The term Stainless was adopted as a generic name for steels that are combined with a minimum of 10.5% chromium and are used in applications that need to be corrosion and oxidation resistant.
To further enhance the formability, strength and cryogenic toughness, of the steel other alloys are added.
There are a number of different systems for grading stainless and other steels which can be divided by either their properties i.e. Martensitic steel, Ferritic steel, Austenitic steel; or by their components i.e. Chromium stainless steel, Chrome-nickel stainless steel and Chrome-manganese nitrogen stainless steel.
Below are some common types of stainless steel and their properties:
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Martensitic stainless steel : High strength, but very ductile with poor weldability |
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Ferritic stainless steel: Has extra (12% to 30%) Chromium. Its corrosion resistance, toughness and weldability properties are increased with the greater amount of Chromium. |
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Austenitic stainless steel: Contains greater than 18% chromium and 8% also contains a small amount of nickel and molybdenum, titanium, nitrogen and other elements providing it with good overall performance and increased corrosion resistance . |
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Austenitic - ferritic duplex stainless steel: Combines the benefits of both austenitic and ferritic stainless steel with the advantage of having extra plasticity. |
Overall stainless steel has good formability and weldability, with high strength materials making it ideally suited to being used in nuclear, aviation and aerospace industry applications.
There are six divisions designed from SAE designation by components, the most common being the 300 and 400 series:
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300 Series—austenitic chromium-nickel alloys |
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Type 304—the most common grade; contains less carbon to increase weldability. |
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Type 316—the second most common grade (after 304); for food and surgical uses; it has had molybdenum added to prevent specific forms of corrosion. It is also known as marine grade stainless steel due to its increased resistance to chloride corrosion compared to Type 304. |
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400 Series—ferritic and martensitic chromium alloys |
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Type 409—cheapest type; used for automobile exhausts; ferritic (iron/chromium only) |
Stainless steel is constructed from 100% recyclable materials of which 60% is composed of recycled material. This 60% is in-turn made up from approximately 40% of end-of-life products and about 60% comes from manufacturing processes.
Advantech’s stainless steel panels and monitors are built for demanding applications with industrial requirements, such as food processing, clinical, chemical, pharmaceutical or hazardous applications. Advantech’s HMI products are rugged, reliable, and resistant to dirt, dust, water, and chemicals making them ideal for versatile applications and harsh environments.
