Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is alloy steel however has become a class on its own due to widespread applications. This has several unique properties also. Being steel all types of stainless steel essentially contains Carbon, however they also contain chromium. Many of stainless steels have nickel also. The significant properties of stainless steels are mentioned as below:

(a) They contain wide range of strength and stiffness or hardness accompanied by ductility.
(b) Stainless steels resist corrosion since very thin hydrous oxide layer forms on surface, which obstructs more penetration of oxygen.
(c) They exhibit better creep resistance and resist oxidation at elevated temperatures.
(d) They contain good thermal conductivity.
(e) Stainless steels are weld able and machine able.
(f) They can be worked cold and hot.
(g) Because the surface is not corroded, they keep good surface appearance and fini.
(h) It doesn’t show very steep transition ductility to brittleness beneath impact.

Combination of these properties renders stainless steels as the best possible material against corrosion, chemical attacks, and high temp. Low temperature and for critical parts that are needed to be small in size. They are able also to bear high stress concentration like ductility assist plastic deformation under raised stress at stress concentration level. Gears, shafts and springs are made in stainless steel to get advantage of high strength, ductility and corrosion resistance if sizes have to be remaining smaller. Blades for compressors and turbine chemical containers surgical instruments are made in stainless steel to get advantage of anti corrosive properties.