Why Stainless Steel?

What is Stainless Steel?

T
he many unique values provided by Stainless steel is essentially a low carbon steel
stainless steel make it a powerful which contains chromium at 10% or more by
candidate in materials selection. weight. It is the addition of chromium that gives
Engineers, specifiers and designers often
underestimate or overlook these values
the steel its unique stainless, corrosion resisting
properties. Benefits of
because of what is viewed as the higher initial
The chromium content of the steel allows the
cost of stainless steel. However, over the total
formation of a tough, adherent, invisible,
Stainless Steel
life of a project, stainless is often the best
corrosion-resisting chromium oxide film on the Corrosion resistance – Lower alloyed
value option.
steel surface. If damaged mechanically or grades resist corrosion in atmospheric and pure
chemically, this film is self-healing, water environments; high-alloyed grades can
provided that oxygen, even in very resist corrosion in most acids, alkaline
small amounts, is present. The solutions, and chlorine bearing environments
corrosion resistance and other making their properties useful in process plants.
useful properties of the steel are Fire and Heat Resistance – Special high
enhanced by increased chromium chromium and nickel-alloyed grades resist
content and the addition of other scaling and retain high strength at high
elements such as molybdenum, temperatures.
nickel and nitrogen. Hygiene – The easy cleaning ability of
There are more than 60 grades of stainless makes it the first choice for strict
stainless steel. However, the entire hygiene conditions, such as hospitals, kitchens
group can be divided into four and food processing plants.
classes. Each is identified by the
Aesthetic appearance – The bright, easily
alloying elements which affect their maintained surface of stainless steel provides a
microstructure and for which each modern and attractive appearance.
Samples of machined stainless steel components is named.
Strength-to-weight advantage – The work
hardening property of austenitic grades, that
Grades / Applications results in a significant strengthening of the
material from cold working alone, and the high
of Stainless Steel strength duplex grades, allow reduced material
thickness over conventional grades yielding
considerable cost savings.
400 Series Martensitic – Typical grade: 410
Straight chromium (12 - 18%); magnetic and can be hardened by heat Ease of fabrication – Modern steel making
treatment. Typical use: Fasteners, pump shafts. techniques mean that stainless can be cut
welded, formed, machined, and fabricated as
400 Series Ferritic – Typical grade: 430 readily as traditional steels.
Straight chromium (12 - 18%); low carbon, magnetic, but not heat treatable. Impact resistance – The austenitic
Typical use: Appliance trim, cooking utensils. microstructure of the 300 series provides high
300 Series Austenitic – Typical grade: 304 toughness at elevated temperatures ranging to
Chromium (17 - 25%), Nickel (8 - 25%); nonmagnetic, not heat treatable. far below freezing, making these steels
particularly suited to cryogenic applications.
Can develop high strength by cold working. Additions of molybdenum (up
to 7%) can increase the corrosion resistance. Typical use: Food equipment, Long term value – When the total life cycle
chemical equipment, architectural applications. costs are considered, stainless is often the least
expensive material option.
Precipitation Hardening – Typical grade: 17-4
Chromium (12 - 28%), Nickel (4 - 7%); martensitic or austenitic. Develop
strength by precipitation harden reaction during heat treatment. Typical use:
valves, gears, petrochemical equipment.

Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc., 10 Discovery Way • Franklin, MA 02038
Phone (800) 528-8650 • Fax (800) 520-1954 • www.eagletube.com
 Stainless Steels
Chemical Compositions and Major Characteristics
Type Cr Ni C Max Other Significant Elements Major Characteristics
303 17.00- 8.00- 0.15 S 0.15 min †Free-machining modification of Type 302
19.00 10.00
303 Se 17.00- 8.00- 0.15 Se 0.15 min †Free-machining version of Type 302. Produces better
19.00 10.00 surface finish than Type 303.
304 18.00- 8.00- 0.08 – †Low carbon variation of Type 302, minimizes carbide
20.00 10.00 precipitation during welding.
304 L 18.00- 8.00- 0.03 – †Extra-low carbon content eliminates harmful carbide
20.00 10.00 precipitation due to welding.
309 22.00- 12.00- 0.20 – †High strength and resistance to scaling at high temperatures
24.00 15.00
310 24.00- 19.00- 0.20 – †Higher alloy content improves basic characteristics of Type 309
26.00 22.00
316 16.00- 10.00- 0.08 Mo 2.00-3.00 †Mo improves general corrosion and pitting resistance
18.00 14.00 and high temperature strength over that of Type 302.
316 L 16.00- 10.00- 0.03 Mo 2.00-3.00 †Extra-low carbon version of Type 316. Eliminates harmful
18.00 14.00 carbide precipitation due to welding
317 18.00- 11.00- 0.08 Mo3.00-4.00 †Higher alloy content improves basic advantages of Type 316.
20.00 15.00
321 17.00- 9.00- 0.08 Ti 5 x C, min †Stabilized to permit use in 800-1500° F temperature range
19.00 12.00 without harmful carbide precipitation.
347 17.00- 9.00- .008 Cb + Ta 10 x C, min †Characteristics similar to Type 321. Stabilized by Cb and Ta.
19.00 13.00
348 17.00- 9.00- 0.08 Ta 0.10 max Cb 0.20 max †Similar to Type 347 but Ta reduced for atomic energy
19.00 13.00 Cb + Ta 10 x C, min applications
410 11.50- – 0.15 – ¥ Lowest cost general purpose stainless steel.
13.50 Wide use where corrosion is not severe.
416 12.00- – 0.15 S 0.15 min ¥ Free-machining version of Type 410.
14.00
420 12.00- – 0.15 – ¥ Similar variation of Type 410 but higher carbon
14.00 min produces higher strength and hardness.
430 14.00- – 0.12 – *Most popular of the chromium types. Combines good corrosion
18.00 and heat resistance and mechanical properties.
430 F 14.00- – 0.12 S 0.15 min *Free-machining version of Type 430.
18.00
440 A 16.00- – 0.60- – ¥ Series of high carbon types. Same basic composition
18.00 0.75 with varying carbon content. Higher carbon produces
440 B 16.00- – 0.75- higher strength and hardness but lower toughness.
18.00 0.95 All Type 440 versions are corrosion resistant only in the
440 C 16.00- – 0.95- hardened condition.
18.00 1.20
446 23.00- – 0.20 – *Similar to Type 442 but Cr increased to provide
27.00 maximum resistance to scaling.
15-5 PH 14.00- 3.50- 0.07 Cu 2.50-4.50 • Similar in properties and characteristics to 17-4 PH
15.50 5.50 but has superior transverse ductility and toughness.
PH 15-7 Mo 14.00- 6.50 0.09 Mo 2.00-3.00 ••Special type similar to 17-7 PH but with higher strength.
16.00 7.75 Al 0.75-1.50
17-4 PH 15.50- 3.00- 0.07 Cu 3.00-5.00 •Special type that combines excellent corrosion resistance,
17.50 5.00 high strength and hardness, low temperature hardening and
good fabrication characteristics.
17-7 PH 16.00- 6.50- 0.09 AL 0.75-1.25 ••Special ultra-high strength type with good formability,
18.00 7.75 excellent fabricating characteristics.

* Feretic, non-hardenable †† Martensitic, essentially non-hardenable °Austenitic, precipitation hardened

Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc., 10 Discovery Way • Franklin, MA 02038
Phone (800) 528-8650 • Fax (800) 520-1954 • www.eagletube.com