STEEL

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon and other elements. Because of its high tensile
strength and low cost, it is a major component used
in buildings, infrastructure, tools, ships, automobiles, machines, appliances, and weapons.

Iron is the base metal of steel. Iron is able to take on two crystalline forms (allotropic
forms), body centered cubic (BCC) and face centered cubic (FCC), depending on its
temperature. In the body-centred cubic arrangement, there is an iron atom in the centre and
eight atoms at the vertices of each cube; in the face-centred cubic, there is one atom at the
center of each of the six faces of the cube and eight atoms at the vertices. It is the interaction
of the allotropes of iron with the alloying elements, primarily carbon, that gives steel and cast
iron their range of unique properties.

In pure iron, the crystal structure has relatively little resistance to the iron atoms slipping past
one another, and so pure iron is quite ductile, or soft and easily formed. In steel, small
amounts of carbon, other elements, and inclusions within the iron act as hardening agents that
prevent the movement of dislocations that are common in the crystal lattices of iron atoms.

The carbon in typical steel alloys may contribute up to 2.14% of its weight. Varying the
amount of carbon and many other alloying elements, as well as controlling their chemical and
physical makeup in the final steel (either as solute elements, or as precipitated phases), slows
the movement of those dislocations that make pure iron ductile, and thus controls and
enhances its qualities. These qualities include such things as the hardness, quenching
behavior, need for annealing, tempering behavior, yield strength, and tensile strength of the
resulting steel. The increase in steel's strength compared to pure iron is possible only by
reducing iron's ductility.

Steel Categories
According to the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI), Steel can be categorized into four
basic groups based on the chemical compositions:

1. Carbon Steel
2. Alloy Steel
3. Stainless Steel
4. Tool Steel

There are many different grades of steel that encompass varied properties. These properties
can be physical, chemical and environmental.

All steel is composed of iron and carbon. It is the amount of carbon, and the additional alloys
that determine the properties of each grade.
Classifications
Types of Steel can also be classified by a variety of different factors:

1. Composition: Carbon range, Alloy, Stainless.

2. The production method: Continuous cast, Electric furnace, Etc.
3. Finishing method used: Cold Rolled, Hot Rolled, Cold Drawn (Cold Finished), Etc.
4. Form or shape: Bar, Rod, Tube, Pipe, Plate, Sheet, Structural, Etc.
5. De-oxidation process (oxygen removed from steelmaking process): Killed & Semi-
Killed Steel, Etc.
6. Microstructure: Ferritic, Pearlitic, Martensitic, Etc.
7. Physical Strength (Per ASTM Standards).
8. Heat Treatment: Annealed, Quenched & Tempered, Etc.
9. Quality Nomenclature: Commercial Quality, Drawing Quality, Pressure Vessel
Quality, Etc.

Steel Numbering Systems

There are two major numbering systems used by the steel industry, the first developed by
the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI), and the second by the Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE). Both of these systems are based on four digit code numbers when
identifying the base carbon and alloy steels. There are selections of alloys that have five digit
codes instead.

If the first digit is a one (1) in this designation it indicates a carbon steel. All carbon steels are
in this group (1xxx) in both the SAE & AISI system. They are also subdivided into four
categories due to particular underlying properties among them. See below:

 Plain Carbon Steel is encompassed within the 10xx series (containing 1.00% Mn
maximum)
 Re-Sulfurized Carbon steel is encompassed within the 11xx series
 Re -Sulfurized and Re-Phosphorized Carbon Steel is encompassed within the 12xx
series
 Non-Re-Sulfurized High-Manganese (up-to 1.65%) carbon steel is encompassed
within the 15xx series.

The first digit on all other alloy steels (under the SAE-AISI system), are then classified as
follows:

2 = Nickel steels.

3 = Nickel-chromium steels.

4 = Molybdenum steels.
5 = Chromium steels.

6 = Chromium-vanadium steels.

7 = Tungsten-chromium steels.

8 = Nickel-chromium-molybdenum steels

9 = Silicon-manganese steels and various other SAE grades

The second digit of the series (sometimes but not always) indicates the concentration of the
major element in percentiles (1 equals 1%).

The last two digits of the series indicate the carbon concentration to 0.01%.

For example: SAE 5130 is a chromium alloy steel containing about 1% of chromium and
approximately 0.30% of carbon.

Carbon Steel
Carbon Steel can be segregated into three main categories: Low carbon steel (sometimes
known as mild steel); Medium carbon steel; and High carbon steel.

Low Carbon Steel (Mild Steel): Typically contain 0.04% to 0.30% carbon content. This is
one of the largest groups of Carbon Steel. It covers a great diversity of shapes; from Flat
Sheet to Structural Beam. Depending on the desired properties needed, other elements are
added or increased. For example: Drawing Quality (DQ) – The carbon level is kept low and
Aluminum is added, and for Structural Steel the carbon level is higher and the manganese
content is increased.

Medium Carbon Steel: Typically has a carbon range of 0.31% to 0.60%, and a manganese
content ranging from .060% to 1.65%. This product is stronger than low carbon steel, and it is
more difficult to form, weld and cut. Medium carbon steels are quite often hardened and
tempered using heat treatment.

High Carbon Steel: Commonly known as “carbon tool steel” it typically has a carbon range
between 0.61% and 1.50%. High carbon steel is very difficult to cut, bend and weld. Once
heat treated it becomes extremely hard and brittle.
 ALLOY STEEL
Alloy steel is steel that is alloyed with a variety of elements in total amounts between 1.0%
and 50% by weight to improve its mechanical properties. Alloy steels are broken down
arbitrarily: Smith and Hashami define the difference at 4.0%, while Degarmo, et al., define it
at 8.0%. Most commonly, the phrase "alloy steel" refers to low-alloy steels.
Strictly speaking, every steel is an alloy, but not all steels are called "alloy steels". The
simplest steels are iron (Fe) alloyed with carbon (C) (about 0.1% to 1%, depending on type).
However, the term "alloy steel" is the standard term referring to steels with other alloying
elements added deliberately in addition to the carbon. Common alloyants
include manganese (the most common
one), nickel, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, silicon, and boron. Less common alloyants
include aluminium, cobalt, copper, cerium, niobium, titanium, tungsten, tin, zinc, lead,
and zirconium.
The following is a range of improved properties in alloy steels (as compared to carbon
steels): strength, hardness, toughness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, hardenability,
and hot hardness. To achieve some of these improved properties the metal may require heat
treating.
Some of these find uses in exotic and highly-demanding applications, such as in the turbine
blades of jet engines, in spacecraft, and in nuclear reactors. Because of
the ferromagnetic properties of iron, some steel alloys find important applications where their
responses to magnetism are very important, including in electric motors and in transformers.

Low-alloy steels

A few common low alloy steels are:

 D6AC
 300M
 256A

Principal low-alloy steels

SAE designation Composition

13xx Mn 1.75%
40xx Mo 0.20% or 0.25% or 0.25% Mo & 0.042% S

41xx Cr 0.50% or 0.80% or 0.95%, Mo 0.12% or 0.20% or 0.25% or 0.30%

43xx Ni 1.82%, Cr 0.50% to 0.80%, Mo 0.25%

44xx Mo 0.40% or 0.52%

46xx Ni 0.85% or 1.82%, Mo 0.20% or 0.25%

47xx Ni 1.05%, Cr 0.45%, Mo 0.20% or 0.35%

48xx Ni 3.50%, Mo 0.25%

50xx Cr 0.27% or 0.40% or 0.50% or 0.65%

50xxx Cr 0.50%, C 1.00% min

50Bxx Cr 0.28% or 0.50%, and added boron

51xx Cr 0.80% or 0.87% or 0.92% or 1.00% or 1.05%

51xxx Cr 1.02%, C 1.00% min

51Bxx Cr 0.80%, and added boron

52xxx Cr 1.45%, C 1.00% min

61xx Cr 0.60% or 0.80% or 0.95%, V 0.10% or 0.15% min

86xx Ni 0.55%, Cr 0.50%, Mo 0.20%

87xx Ni 0.55%, Cr 0.50%, Mo 0.25%

88xx Ni 0.55%, Cr 0.50%, Mo 0.35%

92xx Si 1.40% or 2.00%, Mn 0.65% or 0.82% or 0.85%, Cr 0.00% or 0.65%

94Bxx Ni 0.45%, Cr 0.40%, Mo 0.12%, and added boron

Ni 5%, Cr 2%, Si 1.25%, W 1%, Mn 0.85%, Mo 0.55%, Cu 0.5%, Cr 0.40%, C

ES-1
0.2%, V 0.1%

Material science
Alloying elements are added to achieve certain properties in the material. As a guideline,
alloying elements are added in lower percentages (less than 5%) to increase strength or
hardenability, or in larger percentages (over 5%) to achieve special properties, such as
corrosion resistance or extreme temperature stability.Manganese, silicon, or aluminium are
added during the steelmaking process to remove
dissolved oxygen, sulphur and phosphorus from the melt. Manganese, silicon, nickel, and
copper are added to increase strength by forming solid solutions in ferrite. Chromium,
vanadium, molybdenum, and tungsten increase strength by forming second-phase carbides.
Nickel and copper improve corrosion resistance in small quantities. Molybdenum helps to
resist embrittlement. Zirconium, cerium, and calcium increase toughness by controlling the
shape of inclusions. Sulphur (in the form of manganese sulphide) lead, bismuth, selenium,
and tellurium increase machinability. The alloying elements tend to form either solid
solutions or compounds or carbides. Nickel is very soluble in ferrite; therefore, it forms
compounds, usually Ni3Al. Aluminium dissolves in the ferrite and forms the compounds
Al2O3 and AlN. Silicon is also very soluble and usually forms the compound SiO2•MxOy.
Manganese mostly dissolves in ferrite forming the compounds MnS, MnO•SiO2, but will also
form carbides in the form of (Fe,Mn)3C. Chromium forms partitions between the ferrite and
carbide phases in steel, forming (Fe,Cr3)C, Cr7C3, and Cr23C6. The type of carbide that
chromium forms depends on the amount of carbon and other types of alloying elements
present. Tungsten and molybdenum form carbides if there is enough carbon and an absence
of stronger carbide forming elements (i.e., titanium & niobium), they form the carbides W2C
and Mo2C, respectively. Vanadium, titanium, and niobium are strong carbide forming
elements, forming vanadium carbide, titanium carbide, and niobium carbide,
respectively. Alloying elements also have an effect on the eutectoid temperature of the steel.
Manganese and nickel lower the eutectoid temperature and are known as austenite stabilizing
elements. With enough of these elements the austenitic structure may be obtained at room
temperature. Carbide-forming elements raise the eutectoid temperature; these elements are
known as ferrite stabilizing elements.

Principal effects of major alloying elements for steel

Element Percentage Primary function

Aluminium 0.95–1.30 Alloying element in nitriding steels

Bismuth - Improves machinability

Boron 0.001–0.003 A powerful hardenability agent

0.5–2 Increases hardenability

Chromium
4–18 Increases corrosion resistance

Copper 0.1–0.4 Corrosion resistance

Lead - Improved machinability

Combines with sulphur and with phosphorus to reduce the brittleness. Also
0.25–0.40
helps to remove excess oxygen from molten steel.
Manganese
Increases hardenability by lowering transformation points and causing
>1
transformations to be sluggish

Stable carbides; inhibits grain growth. Increases the toughness of steel, thus
making molybdenum a very valuable alloy metal for making the cutting
Molybdenum 0.2–5
parts of machine tools and also the turbine blades of turbojet engines. Also
used in rocket motors.

2–5 Toughener
Nickel
12–20 Increases corrosion resistance
 0.2–0.7 Increases strength

2.0 Spring steels

Silicon

Higher
Improves magnetic properties
percentages

Sulphur 0.08–0.15 Free-machining properties

Fixes carbon in inert particles; reduces martensitic hardness in chromium

Titanium -
steels

Tungsten - Also increases the melting point.

Stable carbides; increases strength while retaining ductility; promotes fine

Vanadium 0.15
grain structure. Increases the toughness at high temperatures

STAINLESS STEEL
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from
French inoxydable (inoxidizable), is a steel alloy with a minimum of
10.5% chromium content by mass.
Stainless steels are notable for their corrosion resistance, which increases with increasing
chromium content. Additions of molybdenum increase corrosion resistance in reducing acids
and against pitting attack in chloride solutions. Thus, there are numerous grades of stainless
steel with varying chromium and molybdenum contents to suit the environment the alloy
must endure. Stainless steel’s resistance to corrosion and staining, low maintenance, and
familiar lustre make it an ideal material for many applications where both the strength of steel
and corrosion resistance are required.
Stainless steels are rolled into sheets, plates, bars, wire, and tubing to be used
in cookware, cutlery, surgical instruments, major appliances and as construction material in
large buildings, such as the Chrysler Building. As well as, industrial equipment (for example,
in paper mills, chemical plants, water treatment), and storage tanks and tankers for chemicals
and food products (for example, chemical tankers and road tankers). Stainless steel's
corrosion resistance, the ease with which it can be steam cleaned and sterilized and no need
for other surface coatings has also influenced its use in commercial kitchens and food
processing plants.
Stainless steel families

There are five main families, which are primarily classified by their crystalline structure:
Austenitic stainless steel:
Austenitic stainless steel is the largest family of stainless steels, making up about two-thirds
of all stainless steel production. They possess an austenitic microstructure, which is a face-
centered cubic crystal structure. This microstructure is achieved by alloying with sufficient
nickel and/or manganese and nitrogen to maintain an austenitic microstructure at all
temperatures from the cryogenic region to the melting point. Thus austenitic stainless steels
are not hardenable by heat treatment since they possess the same microstructure at all
temperatures. Though they can be strengthened by cold working, but this is limited to thin
sheet and small diameter bar. Their austenitic microstructure gives them excellent formability
and weldability and they are essentially non-magnetic and maintain their ductility at
cryogenic temperatures.
They can be further subdivided into two sub-groups, 200 series and 300 series:

 200 Series are chromium-manganese-nickel alloys, which maximize the use of

manganese and nitrogen to minimize the use of nickel. Due to their nitrogen
addition they possess approximately 50% higher yield strength than 300 series
stainless steels. 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 Series are chromium-nickel alloys, which achieve their austenitic
microstructure almost exclusively by nickel alloying, some very highly alloyed
grades include some nitrogen to reduce nickel requirements. 300 series is the
largest group and the most widely used. The best known grade is Type 304, also
known as 18/8 for its composition of 18% chromium and 8% nickel. The second
most common austenitic stainless steel is Type 316. Its addition of 2%
molybdenum provides greater resistance to acids and to localized corrosion
caused by chloride ions.
Low-carbon versions, for example 316L or 304L, are used to avoid corrosion problems
caused by welding. The "L" means that the carbon content of the alloy is below 0.03%,
which prevents sensitization (precipitation of chromium carbides at grain boundaries)
caused by the high temperatures involved in welding.
Superaustenitic stainless steels, such as Allegheny Ludlum alloy AL-6XN and
Outokumpu’s alloy 254 SMO, possess even greater resistance to chloride pitting and
crevice corrosion because of their high molybdenum content (>6%) and nitrogen
additions. They possess useful service to seawater applications.
Ferritic stainless steels
Ferritic stainless steels possess a ferrite microstructure like carbon steel, which is a body-
centered cubic crystal structure and contain between 10.5% and 27% chromium with very
little or no nickel. This microstructure is present at all temperatures, due to the chromium
addition, and like austenitic stainless steels are not hardenable by heat treatment. They
cannot be strengthened by cold work to the same degree as austenitic stainless steels.
They are magnetic like carbon steel. They are problematic to weld due to grain growth in
the heat affected zone which reduces ductility and may result in cracks. Increasing
chromium and molybdenum contents increase corrosion resistance as it does for
austenitic stainless steels, however, this high alloying results in the precipitation of
embrittling intermetallic phase upon welding. These microstructural problems due to
welding restrict the use of ferritic stainless steels to very thin thicknesses and thus are not
used in the construction of large heavy walled vessels and tanks, and structures like
austenitic stainless steels.
Common ferritic grades are: Type 430 with 17% chromium, which is used in washing
machine drums, dishwasher interiors and refrigerator exteriors. Type 409 with 11%
chromium is used extensively in the manufacture of automotive exhausts.

Swiss Army knives are made of martensitic stainless steel.

Martensitic stainless steels:

Martensitic stainless steels are hardened by heat treatment, which is developed after
quenching from an elevated temperature. They possess a body-centered tetragonal crystal
structure. They are magnetic. Martensitic stainless steels contain chromium (12–16%),
molybdenum (0.2–1%), nickel (less than 2%), and carbon (about 0.1–1%). They are not
as corrosion resistant as the common ferritic and austenitic stainless steels due to their
low chromium content. Their high carbon content enables them to be significantly
hardened and thus they are used for knives, razor blades, cutlery and tools. Common
grades are Types 410, 420 and 440C.
Duplex stainless steel:
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. They are characterized by high chromium (19–32%) and molybdenum (up to 5%)
and lower nickel contents than austenitic stainless steels. Duplex stainless steels have
roughly twice the strength compared to austenitic stainless steels. Their mixed
microstructure provides improved resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking in
comparison to austenitic stainless steels Types 304 and 316.
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.
 Lean duplex refers to grades such as UNS S32101 (LDX 2101), S32202
(UR2202), S32304, and S32003.
 Standard duplex refers to grades with 22% chromium, such as UNS
S31803/S32205, with 2205 being the most widely used.
 Super duplex is by definition a duplex stainless steel with a Pitting Resistance
Equivalent Number (PREN) > 40, where PREN = %Cr + 3.3x(%Mo + 0.5x%W)
+ 16x%N. Usually super duplex grades have 25% or more chromium. Some
common examples are S32760 (Zeron 100 via Rolled Alloys), S32750 (2507),
and S32550 (Ferralium 255 via Langley Alloys).
 Hyper duplex refers to duplex grades with a PRE > 48. UNS S32707 and S33207
are the only grades currently available on the market.
Precipitation hardening stainless steel:
Precipitation hardening 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, 17-4PH, uses about 17% chromium
and 4% nickel.
The designation "CRES" is used in various industries to refer to corrosion-resistant
steel. Most mentions of CRES refer to stainless steel, although the correspondence is
not absolute, because there are other materials that are corrosion-resistant but not
stainless steel.

Grades:
There are over 150 grades of stainless steel, of which 15 are most commonly used.
There are a number of systems for grading stainless and other steels, including
US SAE steel grades.
Comparison of standardized steels
EN-standard EN-standard
SAE grade UNS
Steel name
Steel no. k.h.s DIN

1.4512 X6CrTi12 409 S40900

410 S41000

1.4016 X6Cr17 430 S43000

1.4109 X65CrMo14 440A S44002

1.4112 440B S44003

1.4125 X105CrMo17 440C S44004

440F S44020

1.4310 X10CrNi18-8 301 S30100

 EN-standard EN-standard
SAE grade UNS
Steel name
Steel no. k.h.s DIN

1.4318 X2CrNiN18-7 301LN

1.4301 X5CrNi18-10 304 S30400

1.4307 X2CrNi18-9 304L S30403

1.4306 X2CrNi19-11 304L S30403

1.4311 X2CrNiN18-10 304LN S30453

1.4948 X6CrNi18-11 304H S30409

1.4303 X5CrNi18-12 305 S30500

X5CrNi30-9 312

1.4841 X22CrNi2520 310 S31000

1.4845 X 5 CrNi 2520 310S S31008

1.4401 X5CrNiMo17-12-2 316 S31600

1.4408 G-X 6 CrNiMo 18-10 316 S31600

1.4436 X3CrNiMo17-13-3 316 S31600

1.4406 X2CrNiMoN17-12-2 316LN S31653

1.4404 X2CrNiMo17-12-2 316L S31603

1.4432 X2CrNiMo17-12-3 316L S31603

1.4435 X2CrNiMo18-14-3 316L S31603

1.4571 X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2 316Ti S31635

1.4429 X2CrNiMoN17-13-3 316LN S31653

1.4438 X2CrNiMo18-15-4 317L S31703

1.4541 X6CrNiTi18-10 321 S32100

 EN-standard EN-standard
SAE grade UNS
Steel name
Steel no. k.h.s DIN

1.4878 X12CrNiTi18-9 321H S32109

1.4362 X2CrNi23-4 2304 S32304

1.4462 X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 2205 S31803/S32205

1.4501 X2CrNiMoCuWN25-7-4 J405 S32760

1.4539 X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5 904L N08904

1.4529 X1NiCrMoCuN25-20-7 N08926

1.4547 X1CrNiMoCuN20-18-7 254SMO S31254

 STAINLESS STEEL SERIES
 200 Series
 300 Series
 400 Series

1) 200 Series:
The 200 series is a class of austenitic (highly corrosion-resistant) stainless steels that are
characterized by having low nickel content. These are also referred to as chrome-manganese
(CrMn) stainless steel.

Austenitic steels, which includes both the 200 and 300 series stainless steels, are defined by
their face-centered cubic structure. That is, the crystal structure has one atom at each corner
of the cube and one in the middle of each face.

This is as opposed to ferritic steels, which are characterized by a body-centered cubic

structure.

Production of 200 Series Stainless Steels

Nickel is the most commonly used element to produce this crystal structure, but a post-World
War II nickel shortage led to the substitution of nitrogen for nickel in the production of some
austenitic corrosion-resistant steels. The 200 series of stainless steels was born.

While nitrogen alloyed in steel will also form a face-centered cubic structure, it results in
harmful chromium nitrides and increases gas porosity. The addition of manganese allows
more nitrogen to be safely added, but nickel cannot be completely removed from the alloy.
The 200 series stainless steels are, consequently, characterized by their nitrogen and
manganese content.

Production and demand for low-nickel stainless steels surged in the 1980s as nickel prices
soared and, again, efforts were made to reduce the use of the metal.

This led to the development of a huge production increase in India. Asia is now a major
source for, and consumer of, this family of steels.

Characteristics of the 200 Series of Stainless Steels

While corrosion resistant, the 200 series has a lower ability than 300 series to protect against
pitting corrosion, which occurs in environments that have high moisture and chlorine
contents, as well as crevice corrosion, which results in stagnant liquid and high acid
environments.

This is because, in order to decrease the nickel content, the chromium content must also be
reduced, thereby lowering corrosion resistance.
Series 200 stainless steels have excellent impact resistance and toughness, even in low (even
cryogenic) temperatures. They are generally harder and stronger than 300 series steels,
primarily due to their higher nitrogen content, which acts as a strengthener. Because they are
austenitic, both the 200 and 300 series of stainless steels are not magnetic.

Although austenitic steels are more expensive than their ferritic counterparts, the 200 series is
cheaper to produce than 300 series steels because of their lower nickel content.

The 200 series, however, suffer from lower formability (ductility) than 300 series grades,
although this can be improved with the addition of copper.

Applications for 200 Series Stainless Steels

Due to its lower corrosion resistance, the range of applications for 200 series stainless steels
is narrower than 300 series steels. It is not recommended for use in chemical
environments but has found its way into many household items.

Some applications for 200 series stainless steel include:

 Dishwashers and washing machines

 Cutlery and cookware

 In-house water tanks

 Indoor and noncritical outdoor architecture
 Food and beverage equipment
 Automobiles (structural)
 Automobiles (decorative)

 Food and beverage equipment

 Automobiles (structural)
 Automobiles (decorative)

Grade Chemical Composition

AISI UNS Cr Ni Mn N Cu

304 S30400 18.0-20.0 8.0-10.5 2.0 max. 0.10 max. -

201 S20100 16.0-18.0 3.5-5.5 5.5-7.5 0.25 max. -

202 S20200 17.0-19.0 4.0-6.0 7.5-10.0 0.25 max. -

204 Cu S20430 15.5-17.5 1.5-3.5 6.5-9.0 0.05-0.25 2.0-4.0

205 S20500 16.5-18.0 1.0-1.75 14.0-15.5 0.32-0.40 -

 2) 300 Series:
300 Series stainless steels are classified as austenitic, and are hardenable only by cold
working methods. These grades of stainless have chromium (approx. 18 to 30%) and
nickel (approx. 6 to 20%) as their major alloying additions. Type 304 is the most
widely used alloy of all stainless steels. 300 Series Stainless steel alloys resist
corrosion, maintain their strength at high temperatures and are easy to maintain.

300 series grades are inventoried in in stainless

steel plate, sheet, bar, pipe, tube and structural products

The 300 series consist of austenitic chromium-nickel alloys. Austentic contains a maximum
of 0.15% carbon and a minimum of 16% chromium, and nickel is the important alloying
element. This creates superior corrosion resistance and ease of fabrication. Austentic stainless
steel has a wide range of mechanical properties and can withstand a wide range of
temperatures. Austenitic grades are the most commonly used stainless steels, and are not
hardenable by heat treatment.

Stainless steel alloys are used predominantly in:

 Automotive industry
 Aerospace industry
 Construction industry
The table below shows common types of 300 series steel:

The 300 Series Stainless Steel offers several advantages:

 one of the most common steels, with the ability to be used in a variety of applications.
 superior corrosion resistant properties
 developed for applications requiring extensive machining operations
 non-magnetic properties
 scratch resistant
 many Finishing options: polishing, beveling, etc

3) 400 Series:
The 400 series group of stainless steels has an 11 percent chromium and 1-percent
manganese increase, above the 300 series group. The 400 series is susceptible to rust and
 corrosion under some conditions. Heat-treating will harden the 400 series. The 400 series
of stainless steels have higher carbon content, giving it a martensitic crystalline structure.
This provides high strength and high wear resistance. Martensitic stainless steels aren’t as
corrosion resistant as the austenitic types.

The 400 series includes both ferritic and martensitic steels.

Ferritic steels: non-hardening steels, ideal for conditions in elevated temperatures. Typical
applications for ferritic stainless steels include petrochemical, automotive exhaust systems,
heat exchanges, furnaces, appliances and food equipment to name a few.

Martensitic steels: able to be hardened, ideal for a wide variety of common uses. Martensitic
stainless steels are used extensively in cutlery, sport knives and multi-purpose tools.

The table below shows common types of 400 series steel:

ADVANTAGES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF 400 SERIES STAINLESS STEEL
Ferritic, or nonhardenable stainless steels, are classified in the 400 series. This series is
known for:

 superior corrosion resistance

 resistance to scaling at elevated temperatures
 inherent strength greater than carbon steels
 provide an advantage in many applications where thinner materials and reduced
weight are necessary
 nonhardenable by heat treating
 always magnetic

Martensitic, or hardenable stainless steels, are classified in the 400 series. This series is
known for:

 higher levels of carbon than ferritics

 ability to be heat treated to a wide range of hardness and strength levels
 excellent corrosion resistance
 easily machined
 good ductility