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Hi all, welcome to my GEEK Post on Stainless. What are these numbers and what do they mean?Stainless Steel comes in pretty much 3 main categories, Ferrite, Martensitic and Austensitic. Both Ferrite and martensitic are magnetic. We are going to be looking at 3 Austensitic (non magnetic) Stainless Steels that you will often see the numbers of which are regularly thrown about.The 3 numbers we are looking at, 304, 308, 316, are all part of the 300 series of grades for Stainless Steel. There are many many others, but for mailing purposes these are the 3 you will see noted.304 Stainless is pretty much an aerospace spec grade wire. Has amazing strength, durability and cold working ability, which means its great to bend and manipulate without breaking. Perfect for us maillers.308 Stainless is pretty much the same as 304, with only a slight genetic makeup difference, which I will go on further in the evaluation.316 Stainless is often referred to as Surgical Steel. Because of its anti corrosion effects in Saline solution (salt water) and is classed as a specific Marine grade stainless. ArnoldReinhold, CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported , via Wikimedia CommonsAs most of you are aware, there are a certain amount of people that are allergic to Nickel. Nickel is a pretty nasty metal, but is needed to make many Steels behave in a certain way. (Way to geeky to go into for a maille thread) However all of these Steels makeup means that the "leech" of Nickel from the Steels are pretty minor.As I said above 316 is classed as Surgical Steel, BUT only because of its ability to be corrosion resistant to salt water. Salt water over time on Steel causes pitting as the salt eats through various parts that makes up Steel. However 316 has a compound called Molybendium, (2%) which helps greatly reduce this process. Without the pitting, bacteria will build up less in the pit marks, making it Surgical appropriate. HOWEVER 316 actually has a much higher Nickel content than 304,(up to 15%) which is where there can lead to a Nickel allergy occurring. 304 has between 8 to 10% max Nickel in it, PLUS has a higher Chromium content than 316 that also helps stop the Nickel "leach" occurring.There is such a minor difference in the make up between these 2 that it's hard to give you a detailed difference, other than the fact 308 has a slightly higher Nickel content than 304, about 1 to 2% max. Where you will find the difference is in the maliability of 304 v 308. 308, despite only minor composite difference, is actually a lot harder to manipulate than 304, making larger gages pretty tough going on the wrists over extended use and twisting.Pros and cons exist in all, however, the main notable difference between the 3 for mailing purposes are as follows:I often see an L after the numbers, what does that mean?All the L denotes after any stainless, means it has a lower Carbon content, and will be slightly easier to manipulate than the standard grade. You may (pretty rare) see an H after the number, this denotes a higher Carbon level, and will be tougher to manipulate than the standard.I hope you find this post not to geeky😆😆😆 but gives you a better understanding into the behaviour of Steels and uses through only a minor change in the genetic makeup and composition of material.Simon Fryer(Chainmade)
The many unique benefits of stainless steel make it a powerful candidate in materials selection. Engineers, specifiers, and designers often underestimate or overlook these values because of what is viewed as the higher initial cost of stainless steel. However, over the total life of a project, stainless is often the best value option.
Stainless steel is essentially low-carbon steel that contains chromium at 10% or more by weight. It is the addition of chromium that gives the steel its unique stainless, corrosion-resisting properties. The chromium content of the steel allows the formation of a tough, adherent, invisible, corrosion-resisting chromium oxide film on the steel surface. If damaged mechanically or chemically, this film is self-healing, provided that oxygen, even in very small amounts, is present. The corrosion resistance and other useful properties of the steel are enhanced by increased chromium content and the addition of other elements such as molybdenum, nickel, and nitrogen. There are more than 60 grades of stainless steel. However, the entire group can be divided into four classes. Each is identified by the alloying elements which affect their microstructure and for which each is named.
400 Series Martensitic – Typical grade: 410 Straight chromium (12 – 18%); magnetic and can be hardened by heat treatment. Typical use: Fasteners, pump shafts.
400 Series Ferritic – Typical grade: 430 Straight chromium (12 – 18%); low carbon, magnetic, but not heat treatable. Typical use: Appliance trim, cooking utensils.
300 Series Austenitic – Typical grade: 304 Chromium (17 – 25%), Nickel (8 – 25%); nonmagnetic, not heat treatable. Can develop high strength by cold working. Additions of molybdenum (up to 7%) can increase the corrosion resistance. Typical use: Food equipment, chemical equipment, architectural applications.
Precipitation Hardening – Typical grade: 17-4 Chromium (12 – 28%), Nickel (4 – 7%); martensitic or austenitic. Develop strength by precipitation harden reaction during heat treatment. Typical use: valves, gears, petrochemical equipment.
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Corrosion Resistance – Chromium is the alloying element that imparts to Stainless Steel their corrosion-resistant qualities. Lower alloyed grades resist corrosion in atmospheric and pure water environments; high-alloyed grades can resist corrosion in most acids, alkaline solutions, and chlorine bearing environments making their properties useful in process plants.
Fire and Heat Resistance – Special high chromium and nickel-alloyed grades resist scaling and retain high strength at high temperatures. Stainless Steel is used extensively in heat exchangers, super-heaters, boilers, feedwater heaters, valves, and mainstream lines as well as aircraft and aerospace applications. Stainless steel has a high melting point, which means it can withstand elevated temperatures without melting or deforming. (The specific melting point depends on the alloy composition)
Hygiene – Stainless steel tubing has a smooth, non-porous surface that is easy to clean and maintain. It is commonly used in critical applications such as food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, medical devices, and cleanroom environments. Its corrosion resistance further enhances its longevity, making it an essential component in industries where hygiene, precision, and sterility are non-negotiable.
Aesthetic Appearance – The bright easily maintained surface of stainless steel provides a modern and attractive appearance. The availability of various finishes, including brushed, polished, and satin, provides designers with versatility to achieve specific aesthetic effects, ensuring stainless steel tubing’s enduring appeal in a wide range of applications.
Strength-to-Weight Advantage – The work-hardening property of austenitic grades 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 yielding considerable cost savings. The high strength of stainless steel tubing allows engineers and designers to create robust and durable structures and components while minimizing overall weight.
Ease of Fabrication – Stainless steel has excellent formability and machinability. Its versatility allows for various fabrication methods, including cutting, welding, bending, and forming, making it a preferred material in many industries for creating a wide range of products and structures. It is indispensable in medical applications, where precision, hygiene, and longevity are paramount.
Impact Resistance – The austenitic microstructure of the 300 series provides high toughness at elevated temperatures ranging far below freezing, making these steels particularly suited to cryogenic applications. Thicker-walled tubing tends to exhibit greater resistance to impact, especially when designed to efficiently distribute stress. This is important for applications where the material needs to withstand forces and shocks without failing or deforming, ensuring the overall reliability and durability of the system.
Long-Term Value – In considering total cost, it is appropriate to consider material and production cost AND the life cycle cost. When the total life cycle costs are considered, stainless is often the least expensive material option. The cost-saving benefit of a maintenance-free product having a long life expectancy. It has a longer lifespan compared to carbon steel, which can corrode and degrade more rapidly under certain conditions.
100% Recyclable – Over 50% of new stainless comes from old remelted stainless steel scrap, thereby completing the full life cycle. Recycling stainless steel reduces the demand for new materials, conserves energy and minimizes environmental impacts of mining and production. Because stainless steel is non-corrosive and durable, it can be recycled repeatedly without losing its inherent properties.
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