STAINLESS STEEL OVERVIEW: TUTORIAL
Benefits
Corrosion
resistance
--lower alloyed grades resist corrosion in atmospheric and pure water environments,
while high-alloyed grades can resist corrosion in most acids, alkaline solutions,
and chlorine bearing environments, properties which are utilized in process plants.
Fire & heat
resistance
--special high chromium and nickel-alloyed grades resist scaling and retain
strength at high temperatures.
Hygiene
--the easy cleaning ability of stainless makes it the first choice for strict
hygiene conditions, such as hospitals, kitchens, abattoirs and other food
processing plants.
Aesthetic
appearance
--the bright, easily maintained surface of stainless steel provides a modern
and attractive appearance.
Strength-to-weight
advantage
--the work-hardening property of austenitic grades, that results in a significant
strengthening of the material from cold-working alone, and the high strength
duplex grades, allow reduced material thickness over conventional grades, therefore
cost savings.
Ease of
fabrication
--modern steel-making techniques mean that stainless can be cut, welded, formed,
machined, and fabricated as readily as traditional steels.
Impact
resistance
--the austenitic microstructure of the 300 series provides high toughness,
from elevated temperatures to far below freezing, making these steels particularly
suited to cryogenic applications.
Long term
value
--when the total life cycle costs are considered, stainless is often the least
expensive material option.