The Different Types of Stainless Steel

The different types of stainless steel are created by adding different levels of
various alloys such as chromium or nickel during the manufacturing process.
Put simply, there are five basic types of stainless steel, each with its own
individual composition and therefore with particular properties which are
called for in specific working environments. The types of stainless steel in
common use, their properties and composition, are as follows:
Austenitic
Austenitic stainless steel, which is also called the 300 series, is by far the most
commonly used steel. Its basic make up is 18% chromium and 8% nickel and
this is boosted by the addition of elements such as manganese and nitrogen.
It is highly resistant to corrosion and is easily drawn into wires or hammered
into thin sheets. The versatility of this type of steel is demonstrated by the
fact that it accounts for more than 70% of all steel production. As well as the
properties already listed, austenitic steel boasts superb hygiene properties
and is good at working in both low and high temperatures. Common uses for
this type of steel include food processing equipment, kitchen sinks and
chemical equipment and plant.
Martensitic
This type of steel was actually the first to be commercially developed, and in
those initial stages it was used mainly to make cutlery. It has a carbon content
which is higher than most other stainless steels at between 0.1 and 1.2%,
whilst also boasting 18% chromium. Additional materials found in martensitic
stainless steel include the likes of molybdenum and nickel. The application of
high temperature to this steel makes it harder and it also has some magnetic
properties. Whilst able to resist corrosion brought about by environmental
factors, it is still somewhat less durable than austenitic steel. The most
common uses for this type of stainless steel are the manufacture of things
such as spindles, pins, knife blades, shafts and surgical instruments.
Ferritic
Ferritic steel, together with martensitic steel is known, collectively, as the 400
series.
It features carbon levels of 10.5% and as much as 27% chromium. Amongst the
properties which ferritic steel can boast are the following; it is magnetic, is not
as ductile as martensitic and austenitic steel and does not, unlike other types
of steel, become harder after intense heating. The fact that it is very highly
resistant to corrosion means that it can safely be used in sea water, and this is
despite the fact that it is generally actually less durable than austenitic steel.
This ability to resist corrosion means that it is also the material of choice when
manufacturing the likes of boilers and washing machines. It is also extremely
useful when making things such as car trim and exhaust systems.

Duplex
Duplex stainless steel is made, to put it simply, by mixing together the basic
components of austenitic and ferritic steel. The two types of steel are
combined in equal measure and the resulting steel contains a higher level of
chromium and an amount of nickel which is lower. The fact that it is a mix of
two different steels means that it brings the best of both types to bear, being
more resistant than any other type of steel to corrosion as well as being able
to deal with stress and, on occasion, displaying some magnetic properties. As
well as this it is easy to work with, being simple to weld and to form into
specific shapes. The very best quality stainless steel is actually known as
superduplex. The particular qualities of duplex and super duplex mean that it
is highly suited to use in tools or machinery that are to be employed in marine
conditions.
Precipitation Hardening
Initially, this type of stainless steel is austenitic in nature and is then changed
by the addition of other elements. Once altered, it becomes extremely tough,
durable and hard wearing. One of its other chief advantages is the way in
which its shape can be altered once it has been heated to a sufficiently high
temperature. Whilst being tougher than austenitic steel, it is equally as
resistant to corrosion and this feature makes it especially useful in the
manufacturing of aircraft parts as well as the creation of shafts and pumps.

There are different types of stainless steels: when nickel is added, for
instance, the austenite structure of iron is stabilized. This crystal structure
makes such steels virtually non-magnetic and less brittle at low temperatures.
For greater hardness and strength, more carbon is added. With proper heat
treatment, these steels are used for such products as razor blades, cutlery,
and tools.
Significant quantities of manganese have been used in many stainless steel
compositions. Manganese preserves an austenitic structure in the steel,
similar to nickel, but at a lower cost.
Stainless steels are also classified by their crystalline structure:
Austenitic, or 200 and 300 series, stainless steels have an austenitic
crystalline structure, which is a face-centered cubic FCC crystal structure.
Austenite steels make up over 70% of total stainless steel production.
They contain a maximum of 0.15% carbon, a minimum of 16% chromium and
sufficient nickel and/or manganese to retain an austenitic structure at all
temperatures from the cryogenic region to the melting point of the alloy.
200 Seriesaustenitic chromium-nickel-manganese alloys. Type 201 is
hardenable through cold working; Type 202 is a general purpose stainless

steel. Decreasing nickel content and increasing manganese results in weak

corrosion resistance.
300 SeriesThe most widely used austenite steel is the 304, also known as
18/8 for its composition of 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
The second most common austenite steel is the 316 grade, also called marine
grade stainless, used primarily for its increased resistance to corrosion. A
typical composition of 18% chromium and 10% nickel, commonly known as
18/10 stainless, is often used in cutlery and high-quality cookware. 18/0 is also
available.
Superaustenitic stainless steels, such as alloy AL-6XN and 254SMO, exhibit
great resistance to chloride pitting and crevice corrosion because of high
molybdenum content (>6%) and nitrogen additions, and the higher nickel
content ensures better resistance to stress-corrosion cracking versus the 300
series. The higher alloy content of superaustenitic steels makes them more
expensive. Other steels can offer similar performance at lower cost and are
preferred in certain applications, for example ASTM A387 is used in pressure
vessels but is a low-alloy carbon steel with a chromium content of 0.5% to 9%.
Low-carbon versions, for example 316L or 304L, are used to avoid corrosion
problems caused by welding. Grade 316LVM is preferred where
biocompatibility is required (such as body implants and piercings). The "L"
means that the carbon content of the alloy is below 0.03%, which reduces the
sensitization effect (precipitation of chromium carbides at grain boundaries)
caused by the high temperatures involved in welding.

Ferritic stainless steels generally have better engineering properties than

austenitic grades, but have reduced corrosion resistance, because of the lower
chromium and nickel content. They are also usually less expensive. They
contain between 10.5% and 27% chromium and very little nickel, if any, but
some types can contain lead. Most compositions include molybdenum; some,
aluminium or titanium. Common ferritic grades include 18Cr-2Mo, 26Cr-1Mo,
29Cr-4Mo, and 29Cr-4Mo-2Ni. These alloys can be degraded by the presence of
chromium, an intermetallic phase which can precipitate upon welding.

Martensitic stainless steels are not as corrosion-resistant as the other two

classes but are extremely strong and tough, as well as highly machinable, and
can be hardened by heat treatment. Martensitic stainless steel contains
chromium (1214%), molybdenum (0.21%), nickel (less than 2%), and carbon
(about 0.11%) (giving it more hardness but making the material a bit more
brittle). It is quenched and magnetic.

Precipitation-hardening martensitic stainless steels have corrosion resistance

comparable to austenitic varieties, but can be precipitation hardened to even
higher strengths than the other martensitic grades. The most common, 174PH, uses about 17% chromium and 4% nickel.

Duplex stainless steels have a mixed microstructure of austenite and ferrite,

the aim usually being to produce a 50/50 mix, although in commercial alloys
the ratio may be 40/60. Duplex stainless steels have roughly twice the
strength compared to austenitic stainless steels and also improved resistance
to localized corrosion, particularly pitting, crevice corrosion and stress
corrosion cracking. They are characterized by high chromium (1932%) and
molybdenum (up to 5%) and lower nickel contents than austenitic stainless
steels.
The properties of duplex stainless steels are achieved with an overall lower
alloy content than similar-performing super-austenitic grades, making their
use cost-effective for many applications. Duplex grades are characterized into
groups based on their alloy content and corrosion resistance.