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The product has higher resistance to rust and corrosion in many natural and man made environments; however, it is important to select the correct type and grade of stainless steel for the particular application.
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Manufacturing
Watch straps, cutlery, kitchen ware, cookware, hardware, surgical instruments, major appliances, industrial equipment, structural alloy in automotive and aerospace assembly. |
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Construction
Building structure, building materials in skyscrapers, building facades, pipe and fittings., lift door |
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| Specification |
| Stainless steel grades |
| Grade |
Specification |
| 200 Series |
Austenitic chromium-nickel-manganese alloys |
| 300 Series |
Austenitic chromium-nickel alloys |
| 400 Series |
Ferrous and martensitic chromium alloys |
| 500 Series |
Heat resisting chromium alloys |
| 600 Series |
Martensitic precipitation hardening alloys |
300 Series
| Type |
Properties |
| 301 |
Highly ductile, for formed products. Also hardens rapidly during mechanical working. Good weldability. Better wear resistance and fatigue strength than 304. |
| 302 |
Same corrosion resistance as 304, with slightly higher strength due to additional carbon. |
| 303 |
Easier machining version of 304 via addition of sulfur and phosphorus. |
| 304 |
Most common grade; the classic 18/8 stainless steel. |
| 309 |
Better temperature resistance than 304 |
| 316 |
Second most common grade after 304. Alloy addition of molybdenum prevents specific forms of corrosion. |
| 321 |
similar to 304 but lower risk of weld decay due to addition of titanium. |
400 Series
| Type |
Properties |
| 408 |
Heat-resistant; poor corrosion resistance; 11% chromium, 8% nickel. |
| 409 |
Cheapest type, ferrous. |
| 410 |
Martensitic, wear resistant, but less corrosion resistant. |
| 416 |
Easy to machine due to additional sulfur |
| 420 |
"Cutlery Grade" martensitic; excellent polishability. |
| 430 |
Good formability, but with reduced temperature and corrosion resistance. |
| 440 |
A higher grade of cutlery steel, with more carbon in it, which allows for much better edge retention when the steel is heat treated properly. |
600 Series
| Type |
Properties |
| 630 |
Most common PH stainless, better known as 17-4; 17% chromium, 4% nickel |
| Symbol |
Finishes |
| No. 0 |
Hot Rolled Annealed, thicker plates |
| No. 1 |
Hot rolled, annealed and passivated |
| No. 2D |
Cold rolled, annealed, pickled and passivated |
| No. 2B |
Same as above with additional pass through polished rollers |
| No. 2BA |
Bright Annealed (BA) same as above with highly polished rollers |
| No. 3 |
Coarse abrasive finish applied mechanically |
| No. 4 |
Brushed finish |
| No. 6 |
Matte finish |
| No. 7 |
Reflective finish |
| No. 8 |
Mirror finish |
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