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| Stainless Steels Stainless Steels are iron-based alloys, with around 12% minimum Cr content to prevent rust formation. Stainless Steels are used in a variety of applications - particularly throughout chemical and power engineering, food and beverage industries, transport and architecture. Stainless Steels are often classified by micro-structure and are generally known as Austenitic, Ferritic, Martensitic or Duplex. A fifth member of the family is Precipitation-Hardened or PH Stainless Steels, defined by the type of heat treatment used, as opposed to microstructure. Fabricast's stockholding and processing covers a wide range of sections; plate, sheet, strip and bar, tube and fittings and are generally available in the following materials:- |
| Austenitic Stainless Steels (BS970/EN 1088-3) 303S31 (1.4305), 304S31 (EN1.4301/6), 304S11 (EN1.4307),316S31 (EN1.4401), 316S11 (EN1.4404), 320S31 (EN1.4571), 316S13 (EN1.4435) This is the largest and most commonly-used family member, offering good formability, excellent corrosion resistance and increased strength when cold worked. Indeed this material can be hardened by cold working, but not by heat treatment and although non- magnetic in its annealed condition, cold working may cause it to be slightly magnetic. Austenitic Stainless Steels can be divided into two standard grades (covered by AIS Series 200 & 300) and non-standard grades (including modified versions of the 200 & 300 series, together with higher alloyed Austenitics, Superaustenitic and Valve Steels). 300 SERIES covering the largest category of Stainless Steels are chromium-nickel based (18%Cr - 8%Ni). The basic formula is modified to improve corrosion resistance. These include:- The addition of molybdenum - to improve pitting/crevice corrosion resistance The reduction in carbon content - to reduce intergranular corrosion in welded materials The addition of nickel & chromium - to improve strength and high temperature oxidisation resistance The addition of nickel - to improve stress-corrosion cracking resistance 200 SERIES frequently termed as the low-nickel equivalents of 301 & 302, such alloys were popular in the 1950's due to the short supply of nickel. Fabricast maintains large stocks of the 300 Series alloys. Material is available in many forms, sections and extrusions with full cut to size facilities including billeting, profiling and forming. |
Ferritic Stainless Steels (BS970/EN 10088-3) |
| Martensitic Stainless Steels (BS970/EN 10088-3) Martensitic Stainless Steels 410S21 (EN1.4006), 416S21 (EN.4005) 431S29 (EN1.4507) are similar composition to Ferritics, but higher carbon/lower chromium permits hardening by heat treatment. Broadly Fe-Cr-C alloys with body-centred tetragonal (bct) crystal structure. They are ferro-magnetic and resist corrosion only in mild environments. Martensitics are similar to plain carbon or low-alloy austenitised steels that are hardened by quenching and tempered for ductility and toughness. This alloy has a chromium content in a 10.5% to 18% range and carbon content which can exceed 1.2%. The chromium and carbon content balance ensures martensitic structure. Niobium, silicon, tungsten and vanadium additions modify tempering effects after hardening. Improved anti- corrosion and toughness is achieved with nickel and molybdenum additions; limited to smaller amounts to ensure martensitic microstructure. Machinability is improved by sulphur and selenium additions. Ideal for applications where good tensile, creep, fatigue strength, moderate anti-corrosion and heat resistance to 650ºc (1200ºF) are required. Martensitic Stainless Steels are available in:- Standard 400 series, containing 10.5 - 18% chromium, up to 1.20% carbon and small amounts of manganese and nickel Non-standard grades including free-machining and heat-resistant grades as well as those for gears and bearings |
| Duplex Stainless Steels Duplex Stainless Steels are two-phase iron-chromium-nickel system alloys, having approximately the same amount of face-centred cubic (fcc) austenite and body-centred cubic (bcc) ferrite, with 20 - 30% chromium, 4 - 8% nickel, characterised by their low carbon content, with molybdenum, nitrogen, copper and tungsten additions. Some of the higher alloy, more anti-corrosive grades are termed Superduplex Stainless Steels. Most are referred to by UNS number, or their alloy contents, (eg, 2507 is an alloy of 25% chromium and 7% nickel). Duplexes offer several advantages over austenitics; higher resistance to chloride stress- corrosion cracking, excellent resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion and twice the strength. Achieving sound welds - a traditional problem with Duplex Stainless Steels - is ensured by defining correct parameters and chemistry. For further details please contact the Fabricast Technical Support Desk. |
| Precipitation Hardened (PH) Stainless Steels Precipitation Hardened Stainless Steels are chromium-nickel alloys containing elements such as aluminium, copper or titanium, allowing hardening treatments. Subgroup classifications; Martensitic, Semi-Austenitic and Austenitic PH Stainless Steels are referred to by tradenames or UNS numbers. PH Stainless Steels have good anti-corrosion properties and high strength-to-weight ratios, making them ideal for aircraft, aerospace and defence applications. Available in Martensitic 630 series, 17-4 PH (UNS-S17400). Of all the PH alloys, Martensitic is the most popular, with the 17-4 grade being the most commonly used. For further details please contact the Fabricast Technical Support Desk. |