Due to its non-corrosive nature, stainless steel is the primary choice of material for the manufacturing of a large range of products and appliances, both general and specialized, in various industries. As the intended use of the stainless steel varies greatly, so does its potential environment. With this in mind, stainless steel is graded based on its micro structure (most commonly via the SAE Steel Grades) to ensure that the right steel is used in the right circumstance. This article will provide some basic information on the different grades of stainless steel.

Austenitic Stainless Steel (type 100 – 300):

Austenitic (meaning: austenite – a type of iron) stainless steel is possibly the most common grade of manufactured stainless steel. They usually contain roughly 16 per cent chromium and 6 per cent nickel (the most common of these, type 304 contains 18 per cent chromium, 8 per cent nickel) and may contain other elements such as copper or titanium to amplify certain properties. These grades of steel are suitable for highly corrosive and high temperature environments and are known for their usability for welding, ductility and strength.

Ferritic and Martensitic stainless steel (type 400):

These grades of stainless steel typically offer less resistance to environmental factors but are usually great for machining and decorative purposes. For example: type 430 is used primarily for car trim due to its formability, while type 409 can be found in the form of many low cost car exhausts. It should be noted that the martensitic type 400′s are easily hardened through heat and offer excellent abrasion resistance.  This makes 410 Stainless Steel the ideal alloy for Stainless Self Drilling Screws due to its hardness. 

Duplex (combination Austenitic/Ferritic) stainless steel (type 2507 and 2205):

These duplex alloys contain a high chromium percentage but low nickel percentage (e.g. 23% – 4%). They are most often used in desalination plants and marine applications.

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