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Stainless steel has five main types. These are austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, duplex, and precipitation-hardening. Each type of stainless steel sheets has special features. They are used for different things. For example, austenitic stainless steel does not rust easily. It is also easy to shape. This makes it good for kitchen tools and food factories. Knowing the types of stainless steel helps people pick the best one for their job. The chart below shows how much each thickness of stainless steel sheet is used in different industries.
There are five main types of stainless steel sheets. These are austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, duplex, and precipitation-hardening. Austenitic stainless steel does not rust easily. It is simple to shape. People use it in kitchens, medical tools, and chemical plants. Ferritic stainless steel is magnetic and not expensive. It resists rust in mild places like car parts and kitchen machines. Martensitic stainless steel gets very strong and hard when heated. It is great for knives, cutting tools, and turbine blades. Duplex stainless steel is strong and fights rust well. It works well for hard jobs in oil, gas, and chemical work. Precipitation-hardening stainless steel gets even stronger with heat. It is used in airplanes, power plants, and medical tools. Picking the right stainless steel depends on what you need. You should think about rust resistance, strength, weldability, and the job. Good suppliers with the right certificates and good packaging help you get stainless steel sheets that last longer and work better.
Austenitic stainless steels have a special crystal shape. This shape is called face-centered cubic. Nickel is added to iron and chromium to make this structure. Because of the nickel, these alloys are not magnetic. The crystal shape helps these sheets bend and stay strong.
Austenitic stainless steels do not rust easily. They can handle many different places without getting stained. These sheets are strong and work in hot or cold temperatures. You can weld and shape them without trouble. Tests show they stay strong even when it is very hot. They do not lose their strength or shape under heat and pressure.
The most used grades are 304, 304L, 316, and 316L. Grade 304 is strong and does not rust much. Grade 316 has molybdenum, so it resists rust even more. This is good for salty or chemical places. The "L" in 304L and 316L means low carbon. This helps stop problems when welding.
Austenitic stainless steel sheets are used in many ways. People use them for kitchen tools, food factories, and medical tools. They are also used in chemical plants. Their strength and rust resistance make them a good choice. Companies like Xintongda make pipes and tubes from this steel. These products are used in building, oil, and other big industries.
Ferritic stainless steels have a different crystal shape. This shape is called body-centered cubic. They have a lot of chromium and little or no nickel. This makes them magnetic and easy to shape.
Ferritic stainless steels do not rust much, especially inside or in mild places. They are not as strong as austenitic types but cost less. These sheets do not crack easily under stress. More chromium makes them resist rust better. For example, AISI 446 has more chromium than AISI 442, so it resists rust more.
| Property / Element | AISI 442 | AISI 446 |
|---|---|---|
| Chromium content (wt%) | ~22.1 | ~24.9 |
| Corrosion current density (µA cm⁻²) | <1 | <1 |
| Current density at 2.0 VSHE (mA cm⁻²) | 8.0 | 3.3 |
Grades 409, 410, and 430 are common ferritic stainless steels. Grade 409 is used in car exhausts. Grade 430 is used for kitchen machines and trim. These grades are not expensive and resist rust well.
Ferritic stainless steel sheets are used in cars, kitchens, and buildings. Their rust resistance and magnetic features are helpful. Companies like Xintongda give ferritic stainless steel to industries that want good and cheap materials.
Martensitic stainless steels start with a body-centered cubic shape. After heating, the shape changes to body-centered tetragonal. These alloys have more carbon and chromium. This lets them get harder when heated.
Martensitic stainless steels are very strong and hard. Heating them makes them even harder. They do not resist rust as well as other types. Studies show they stay hard up to 450°C. After that, they get softer fast. Their strength depends on how they are heated.
Grades 301, 302, and 309 are common martensitic stainless steels. These grades are strong and can be made harder. Grade 301 is used for springs and tools. Grade 302 is used for fasteners and wires. Grade 309 is used where it gets very hot.
Martensitic stainless steel sheets are used for knives, cutting tools, and medical tools. They are also used for turbine blades. Their strength and hardness help them last a long time. Xintongda makes pipes and tubes from this steel for tough jobs. These products are trusted in many industries.
Market research shows that the five main types of stainless steel sheets are used in many industries. Each type has its own special features and uses. Studies and data support these facts.
Duplex stainless steels have a special structure. They have both austenite and ferrite crystals. This mix gives them unique qualities. The two phases help balance strength and corrosion resistance. The structure also helps stop cracks when under stress.
Duplex stainless steels resist corrosion very well. They work in places with salt, acids, or strong chemicals. The two-phase structure makes them stronger than most other types. These sheets do not crack or pit easily. They stay strong even when it is hot. Duplex stainless steels cost less than some austenitic grades because they use less nickel. New technology, like automated welding, helps them work better and makes them easier to use.
| Property | Duplex Stainless Steel (2205, 2209, 2509) | ASTM Standards (A182, A240, A995) | Notes on Performance and Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength | 2205 meets/exceeds requirements; 2209 near limit; 2509 weaker, sometimes below spec | Specified minimum values per ASTM standards | Heat treatment has minimal effect on yield strength |
| Tensile Strength | 2205 and 2209 generally meet specs; 2509 sometimes fails | Specified minimum values per ASTM standards | Solution annealing slightly reduces ultimate tensile strength |
| Elongation | All specimens exceed ASTM requirements | Minimum elongation specified | Heat treatment slightly increases elongation |
| Area Reduction | All specimens exceed ASTM requirements | Minimum area reduction specified | Largely unaffected by heat treatment |
| Build Orientation Effect | Vertical specimens generally stronger than horizontal | N/A | Microstructure and cooling conditions influence strength variation |
Duplex stainless steel pipes are stronger and resist rust better than austenitic stainless steels. This makes them a great choice for tough jobs.
Grade 2205 is the most used duplex stainless steel. It is strong and resists rust very well. Grade 2205 meets most industry standards. Other grades, like 2209 and 2509, are also used, but 2205 is the most common for sheets and pipes.
Duplex stainless steels are used in many industries. They are found in oil and gas, chemical plants, and water cleaning systems. These sheets and pipes work well in places with lots of salt. Their strength and rust resistance make them good for bridges, tanks, and pressure vessels. Companies like Xintongda make pipes and tubes from duplex stainless steel for these hard jobs. Their products meet high standards and help keep industries safe.
Precipitation-hardened stainless steel has a special structure. It starts as a mix of austenite or martensite. Heat treatment adds tiny particles called precipitates. These particles make the metal much stronger.
Precipitation-hardened stainless steel is very strong and hard. Heat treatment makes small, hard particles inside the metal. For example, 17-4 PH stainless steel can reach a tensile strength of 1364 MPa after heat treatment. The hardness goes up to about 45 HRC, but the metal gets less stretchy. These steels still resist rust after hardening. They also resist wear and keep their shape under heavy loads.
| Material Condition | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Stress (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness (HRC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Material (F) | Lower than 1364 | Lower than S+480C-1h | Higher than 2.1 | Lower than 45 |
| Furnace-Cooled Material (FC) | Lower than 1364 | Lower than S+480C-1h | Higher than 2.1 | Lower than 45 |
| Precipitation-Hardened (S+480C-1h) | 1364 | High | 2.1 (sharp drop) | 45 |
Precipitation-hardened stainless steel grades like 17-4 and 15-5 are strong, tough, and resist rust. Heat treatment makes them even stronger and harder, so they are good for tough jobs.
The most common grades are 15-5, 17-4, and 17-7. Grade 17-4 PH is known for being strong and resisting rust. Grade 15-5 PH is tougher and easier to weld. Grade 17-7 PH is extra strong and hard for special uses.
Precipitation-hardened stainless steel sheets and pipes are used in planes, power plants, and medical tools. Their strength and rust resistance make them good for gears, valves, and fasteners. These steels also work well in springs and parts that must keep their shape. Xintongda makes pipes and tubes from this steel for industries that need strong materials. Their products help companies build safe and long-lasting equipment.
There are five main types of stainless steel. Each type has its own mix of metals. The crystal structure is also different for each type. These things change how the metal works. Austenitic stainless steel does not stick to magnets. It is easy to bend and shape. It has more nickel, so it does not rust easily. Ferritic stainless steel is magnetic. It has more chromium and less nickel. This makes it good against rust but harder to shape. Martensitic stainless steel gets very hard after heating. Duplex stainless steel mixes two types, so it is strong and tough. Precipitation-hardening stainless steel uses heat to get stronger. Tiny particles inside the metal help with this.
A report looked at two kinds of 15-5PH stainless steel used in planes. Both types were strong, even though they were made differently. This means small changes in making stainless steel can change how it acts.
Ferritic stainless steel: has lots of chromium, sticks to magnets, resists rust, not easy to shape.
Austenitic stainless steel: most used, does not stick to magnets, easy to weld, resists rust well.
Martensitic stainless steel: strong, can break, gets harder with heat.
Duplex stainless steel: part ferritic, part austenitic, strong and resists rust.
Precipitation-hardened stainless steel: very strong, uses heat and special parts.
Each stainless steel type has good and bad points. Austenitic stainless steel does not rust and is easy to shape. It is used in food, medical, and chemical jobs. Ferritic stainless steel costs less and does not rust, but it is not as strong or bendy. Martensitic stainless steel is very hard and strong after heating, but it can break and does not resist rust as well. Duplex stainless steel is strong and does not rust, so it is used in tough places. Precipitation-hardening stainless steel is very strong and keeps its shape under heavy weight, but it needs careful heating.
Tests show duplex stainless steel bars are stronger and stretch more than carbon steel. When heated, duplex stainless steel keeps its strength better than most other types. This makes it good for hard jobs.
Tip: Pick the right stainless steel for your job. Think about rust, strength, and if you need to bend or weld it.
Here is a table that shows the main features of 304 and 316 stainless steel. These are two of the most used grades. The table shows how small changes in what is inside can change how they work.
| Property / Grade | 304 Stainless Steel | 316 Stainless Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 8.00 g/cm³ | 8.00 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1450°C | 1400°C |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 193 GPa | 193 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | 16.2 W/m·K | 16.3 W/m·K |
| Thermal Expansion | 17.2 x 10⁻⁶ /K | 15.9 x 10⁻⁶ /K |
| Tensile Strength | 500-700 MPa | 500-700 MPa |
| Proof Stress | N/A | 200-240 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 45% | ≥ 40% |
Note: 304 stainless steel is used for kitchen tools and medical tools because it is easy to shape and does not rust. 316 stainless steel resists rust even better, so it is used in boats and chemical places.
Picking the right stainless steel sheet takes a few steps. Buyers look at grade, thickness, and how the surface looks. They also think about what they will use it for. It is important to check if the supplier is good and has the right certificates. Some buyers want to change the size or finish, so they ask if this is possible. Many guides say buyers should:
Check if the supplier has certificates like ISO 9001 or ASTM.
Ask for test reports and proof the material is good.
See if the supplier can change the size, finish, or packaging.
Think about how the sheets will be packed and shipped.
Make sure the supplier cares about the environment and people.
A guide says packaging is not just about money. Packaging keeps the stainless steel safe when it is shipped or stored. Good packaging stops scratches and dents. It helps the sheets look new. Buyers talk to suppliers to pick the best packaging. This is extra important for fancy or expensive stainless steel.
It is important to match the right stainless steel to the job. Tools and guides help people compare grades and features. For example, the Stainless Steel Evaluation System lets users see how grades work in different places. The ABRAMS STEEL GUIDE® and other online tools show how strong or tough each grade is.
| Industry | Application Description | Outcome and Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive | Trim parts that need to resist rust and bend easily | 15% lower cost; good against rust; allowed cool shapes |
| Construction | Wall panels in wet, seaside places | Strong, nice-looking panels; little rust after a year; cheaper than 304 grade |
| Medical Equipment | Surgical tools that must be strong and easy to clean | Met safety rules; saved 20% on cost; stayed clean and safe |
| Marine Hardware | Cleats and hinges used in salty water | Little rust after 6 months; strong and lasted long; customers liked them |
Tip: Know what the job needs first. Use tools to compare grades. Look at case studies for ideas. Read design guides for the best results.
The price and supply of stainless steel sheets depend on grade, thickness, and demand. Prices go up and down because of nickel and chromium costs. Some websites, like Intratec and MEPS International, show prices and supply news every month.
| Segment Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Types of Stainless Steel Sheets | 304, 310, 316, series 200, series 400, others |
| Applications | Construction, manufacturing, automotive, consumer goods, others |
| Key Companies | AB Steel, Nippon Steel, Acerinox, Cadrex, Thyssenkrupp Materials NA, Mead Metals Inc. |
The stainless steel sheet market is getting bigger fast. Experts think it will be worth over USD 35 billion by 2032. New technology, more uses, and caring for the planet help it grow. Big companies help set prices and make sure people can buy stainless steel everywhere. Buyers should watch the market and work with good suppliers to get the best deal.
Stainless steel is used in many industries. It is strong and does not rust. It lasts a long time. Companies use it for things that must stay clean and work well. Reports show stainless steel is used in these ways:
Automotive: Car makers use stainless steel for exhausts, grills, and frames. These parts get hot and must not rust.
Construction: Builders use stainless steel for railings, roofs, and supports. It looks nice and lasts for years.
Heavy Industries: Oil, gas, and chemical plants use stainless steel for pipes and tanks. These must handle strong chemicals and high pressure.
Medical: Hospitals use stainless steel for tools and implants. It is safe, strong, and easy to clean.
Consumer Goods: Many kitchen tools, appliances, and electronics use stainless steel. It looks clean and is easy to care for.
Food Processing Applications: Factories use stainless steel machines to keep food safe and clean.
Reports say construction uses the most stainless steel. Next are cars and heavy industries. The market for stainless steel is growing fast. It may be worth over $157 billion by 2030. This is because of new buildings, more cars, and better healthcare.
| Application Area | Numerical Evidence / Data |
|---|---|
| Global stainless steel use in construction (2006) | About 4 billion tons, or 14% of all stainless steel used |
| Stainless steel grades in famous bridges | Brooklyn Bridge (2205), New Jersey Parkway (2205), Oregon Haynes Inlet Slough bridge (2205), Canada Church bridge (316LN), British Cradlewell Underground Passage (316), London’s Guildhall Yard East Project (304), UAE Sheik Zayed bridge (EN 1.4462) |
| Mechanical properties of stainless steel grades | Austenitic 304: proof strength ~230 N/mm², ductility 45%; Duplex 1.4162: proof strength 530 N/mm², ductility 30%; Ferritic 1.4510: proof strength 240 N/mm², ductility 23% |
| Stainless steel in medical implants | Yield strength is 205 MPa to 1200 MPa, depending on grade and treatment; elongation is 12% to 55% |
| Performance in microbial fuel cells | 3D stainless steel foam bioanode makes 4 times more current than plain stainless steel and 2 times more than carbon cloth |
Note: Stainless steel is also used in ships and docks. It does not rust from saltwater.
Stainless steel pipes are important for many jobs. Companies like Xintongda make many kinds of pipes, tubes, coils, bars, and fittings. These help build safe and strong systems in oil, gas, building, and water cleaning.
Xintongda’s pipes meet strict quality rules. The company has certificates like the Norsok M-650. This shows their pipes are good for use around the world. Xintongda also lets other groups check their products. This helps customers trust them more.
Xintongda’s pipes are used in:
Oil and gas pipelines
Chemical plants
Water cleaning systems
Building projects
Marine jobs
The company makes austenitic, duplex, and nickel alloy stainless steel pipes. Each kind is good for different jobs. Duplex stainless steel pipes are strong and do not rust in hard places. Xintongda packs pipes carefully to keep them safe when shipped or stored.
Xintongda goes to big industry shows, like Wire and Tube Düsseldorf and the China Petrochemical Equipment Procurement Summit. These shows prove the company cares about quality and new ideas.
Stainless steel pipes from trusted companies like Xintongda help build safe and strong systems. Their many products and strong certificates make them a top pick for many jobs.
Knowing about the main types of stainless steel sheets helps people pick the best one for their project. Each type has its own good points, like being strong, not rusting, and lasting a long time. Research from Imperial College London shows that using the right stainless steel sheet makes things stronger and last longer. Market studies also say that choosing carefully helps many businesses do better. If a job is tricky, it is smart to ask a supplier or expert for help. Picking the right stainless steel sheet means you get good results and your project will last.
Austenitic stainless steel is used the most. People use it for kitchen tools, medical tools, and food factories. It does not rust much and is easy to shape.
People can look at the grade number or test if it sticks to a magnet. They can also check the color and finish. Ferritic steel is magnetic, but austenitic is not.
Duplex stainless steel is very strong and does not rust easily. Industries use it in oil, gas, and chemical plants. It lasts longer in hard places.
Yes, grades like 304 and 316 are safe for food. They do not react with food or drinks. Many kitchens and food factories use these grades.
A good supplier should have certificates like ISO 9001 or Norsok M-650. These show the supplier has high quality. Xintongda has these certificates.
Yes, stainless steel sheets can be recycled fully. Recycling saves energy and resources. Many industries pick stainless steel because it is good for the earth.
People use martensitic stainless steel for knives, cutting tools, and medical tools. It gets very hard and strong after heating.
