There are four types of stainless

There are four types of stainless steel: austenitics, ferritics, duplex and martensitics – all with varying characteristics in terms of strength, corrosion resistance, hardness and weldability.

Austenitic

The austenitic grades offer good to excellent corrosion resistance, as well as good formability and weldability. Their high impact strength at low temperatures is often exploited in cryogenic applications. Austenitic grades are non-magnetic.

Ferritic

The standard ferritic grades are alloyed with chromium (11.2–19%), but with no or negligible addition of nickel. Ranking among the most expensive alloying elements, nickel is subject to high price volatility. The low nickel content of ferritic grades makes them more price stable than grades with high nickel content.

Duplex

Duplex grades have a ferritic-austenitic microstructure that combines many of the beneficial properties of ferritic and austenitic stainless steels. The duplex microstructure also contributes to high strength and high resistance to stress corrosion cracking.

Martensitic

The martensitic grades are the smallest group of stainless steels. For improved strength and hardenability, they have higher carbon content than other grades, and nitrogen is sometimes added to further improve strength.

 

FOUR TYPES OF STAINLESS

DUPLEX

AUSTENITIC

FERRITIC

MARTENSITIC

High strength and toughness

Good to excellent corrosion resistance

Low carbon and nickel content

High strength

Very good corrosion resistance

Good weldability and formability

Good corrosion resistance

High wear resistance

Good weldability

Good creep resistance

Good weldability and toughness

Limited corrosion resistance

Lightweight

Non-magnetic

Magnetic

Magnetic

Magnetic

 

 

 

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