Stainless steel is an alloy steel composed of iron, chromium, nickel, carbon, and other elements. There are many types of stainless steel depending on composition and properties. The following are common types of stainless steel:
1. Austenitic Stainless Steel: Austenitic stainless steel is one of the most common types of stainless steel and contains up to 18% chromium and 8% to 10% nickel. It has good corrosion resistance, good weldability, and processability, and still has good toughness at low temperatures. Austenitic stainless steel is commonly used in the manufacture of kitchen utensils, food processing equipment, chemical industry equipment, etc.
2. Ferritic Stainless Steel: Ferritic stainless steel contains 12% to 30% chromium and has good corrosion resistance and magnetism. Compared with austenitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel has higher strength but lower toughness. Ferritic stainless steel is often used to manufacture automobile exhaust systems, gas stoves, etc.
3. Martensitic Stainless Steel: Martensitic stainless steel contains high chromium (12% to 18%) and low nickel (usually less than 2%). It has good hardness and mechanical properties, but poor corrosion resistance. Martensitic stainless steel is commonly used in the manufacture of cutting tools, bearings, and valves.
4. Duplex Stainless Steel: Duplex stainless steel is a mixture of austenitic stainless steel and ferritic stainless steel, containing higher chromium (usually between 18% and 28%) and moderate amounts of nickel. It has good strength and corrosion resistance while maintaining the good weldability and processability of austenitic stainless steel. Duplex stainless steel is commonly used in marine engineering, oil and gas extraction, and other fields.
5. High-Temperature Alloy Stainless Steel: High-Temperature Alloy Stainless Steel has the characteristics of maintaining good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in high-temperature environments. They are commonly used in high-temperature applications such as high-temperature furnaces, heat exchangers, and aerospace engines.
6. High Silicon Stainless Steel: High silicon stainless steel contains a higher proportion of silicon (usually between 4% and 6%). It has good corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength and is widely used in stoves, burners, and petrochemical industries.
7. Low-Nickel Stainless Steel: Low-Nickel Stainless Steel is a low-cost stainless steel with a low nickel content (usually less than 1%). Despite its lower nickel content, it still has some corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. Low-nickel stainless steel is often used in some economical household appliances and architectural decoration.
8. High-Nickel Stainless Steel: High-Nickel Stainless Steel contains a high proportion of nickel (usually more than 25%). It has good corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance, and low-temperature toughness, and is often used in applications requiring extremely high corrosion resistance such as marine engineering, the chemical industry, and the nuclear energy industry.
9. High Molybdenum Stainless Steel: High molybdenum stainless steel contains a high proportion of molybdenum (usually more than 4%). The addition of molybdenum can improve the corrosion resistance and heat resistance of stainless steel. High-molybdenum stainless steels are commonly used in the chemical, marine, and petroleum industries.
10. High-Nitrogen Stainless Steel: High-nitrogen stainless steel is made by adding nitrogen to stainless steel to improve its hardness, strength, and corrosion resistance. It has good corrosion resistance and low-temperature toughness and is widely used in the chemical industry, food processing, and medical equipment.
11. High Hardness Stainless Steel: Hardness stainless steel has higher hardness and wear resistance, which is usually achieved by adding carbon, nitrogen, and other alloying elements. This stainless steel is commonly used to make knives, bearings, valves, and tools in applications that require high hardness and wear resistance.
12. Super Stainless Steel: Super Stainless Steel is a type of high-performance stainless steel with excellent corrosion resistance, high-temperature strength, and wear resistance. They are usually composed of various alloying elements such as molybdenum, cobalt, niobium, and titanium. Super stainless steel is widely used in industrial fields in extreme environments such as chemical industry, petroleum, marine, and nuclear energy.
13. High-Strength Stainless Steel: High-strength stainless steel improves the strength of stainless steel by adjusting the content and microstructure of alloying elements. These stainless steels are widely used in fields such as aerospace, automotive, and structural engineering to reduce weight and increase the strength and durability of structures.
14. High Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel: High corrosion-resistant stainless steel is a type of stainless steel with excellent corrosion resistance. They usually contain high proportions of corrosion-resistant alloying elements such as molybdenum, niobium, and titanium. These stainless steels are widely used in chemical, marine, food processing, and sewage treatment fields to resist erosion by strong acids, alkalis, and corrosive media.
15. Special Alloy Stainless Steel: Special Alloy Stainless Steel is a highly customized type of stainless steel designed for specific applications. They are usually alloyed according to specific requirements and environmental conditions and have unique performance characteristics, such as high-temperature strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, etc. Special alloy stainless steel is widely used in aerospace, energy, medical, and high-tech fields.
16. Cryogenic Stainless Steel: Cryogenic stainless steel is stainless steel specially designed for use in low-temperature environments. They have good toughness and crack resistance and can maintain high strength and corrosion resistance at extremely low temperatures. Low-temperature stainless steel is often used in liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and processing equipment, aerospace fields, and low-temperature experimental equipment in scientific research.
17. Precision Stainless Steel: High-precision stainless steel has excellent dimensional stability and surface quality and is often used in applications requiring strict dimensional control, such as instrumentation, optical components, and electronic equipment.
18. Ultra-Pure Stainless Steel: High-purity stainless steel is a type of stainless steel with extremely low impurity content. It is commonly used in fields that are extremely sensitive to impurities, such as the semiconductor, photovoltaic, and electronic industries.
19. Magnetic Stainless Steel: Magnetic Stainless Steel is magnetic and is commonly used in applications such as electromagnetic equipment, motors, and sensors.
20. Heat-Resistant Stainless Steel: Heat-resistant stainless steel has excellent high-temperature resistance and can maintain its strength and corrosion resistance in high-temperature environments. This stainless steel is commonly used in applications such as high-temperature furnaces, heat exchangers, and gas turbines.
21. Textured Stainless Steel: Textured Stainless Steel is created by creating specific textures or patterns on the surface of stainless steel to increase its beauty and decorative effect. This stainless steel is commonly used in construction and interior decoration, such as walls, ceilings, furniture, doors, and windows.
22. Cast Stainless Steel: Cast Stainless Steel is a stainless steel material manufactured through a casting process and can be used to manufacture complex shapes and large parts. They are widely used in fields such as aerospace, energy, automotive, and heavy machinery.
23. Welded Stainless Steel: Welded stainless steel is the process of joining stainless steel materials together to form structures or parts. Welded stainless steel is widely used in the manufacture of pipes, containers, storage tanks, and mechanical equipment.
24. High Elasticity Stainless Steel: High elasticity stainless steel has a high elastic modulus and elastic limit, and can maintain elastic deformation without permanent deformation when subjected to large stress. This stainless steel is commonly used in areas such as springs, spring elements, and precision instruments.
25. Biocompatible Stainless Steel: Biocompatible stainless steel is a type of stainless steel material with good biocompatibility, suitable for applications where medical devices, implants, and human tissue come into contact. They typically have low nickel content and good corrosion resistance.
26. High-Strength Low-Alloy Stainless Steel: High-strength low-alloy stainless steel is a type of stainless steel that has both high strength and corrosion resistance. They increase strength by adding small amounts of alloying elements and have good corrosion resistance. This stainless steel is commonly used in areas such as bridges, building structures, and automotive parts.
27. High Thermal Conductivity Stainless Steel: High thermal conductivity stainless steel is a stainless steel material with high thermal conductivity. They are suitable for applications that require rapid transfer of heat, such as heat exchangers, radiators, and heat pipes.
28. Duplex Stainless Steel: Duplex stainless steel is a stainless steel with a mixed austenite and ferrite structure and has good strength and corrosion resistance. This stainless steel is commonly used in the chemical, marine, and petroleum sectors and withstands high-stress and corrosive environments.
29. Low Magnetic Stainless Steel: Low Magnetic Stainless Steel has lower magnetism and is usually used in applications that require minimal magnetic interference, such as electronic equipment, computer parts, and precision instruments.
30. High-Pressure Stainless Steel: High-pressure stainless steel is a type of stainless steel material with good pressure resistance and is suitable for applications that withstand high-pressure environments, such as pressure vessels, piping systems, and valves.
31. High Wear-Resistant Stainless Steel: High wear-resistant stainless steel has excellent wear resistance and can resist wear and erosion by abrasive particles. They are commonly used in the manufacture of wear-resistant parts, cutting tools, abrasive tools, etc.
32. Hardened Stainless Steel: Hard stainless steel is a stainless steel material with high hardness after heat treatment or cold working. They are commonly used in applications that require high hardness and wear resistance, such as making cutting tools, molds, and machine parts.
33. High Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel: High Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel is a type of stainless steel material with excellent corrosion resistance. They have high resistance to corrosive media such as acids, alkalis, and chlorides and are commonly used in the chemical, marine, and petroleum industries.
34. High-Temperature Strength Stainless Steel: High-Temperature Strength Stainless Steel has good oxidation resistance and high-temperature strength properties. They can maintain high strength and corrosion resistance in high-temperature environments and are suitable for high-temperature stoves, gas turbines, petrochemical equipment, and other fields.
35. High Gas Tightness Stainless Steel: High gas tightness stainless steel has excellent air tightness and can effectively prevent the penetration of gases and liquids. This stainless steel is commonly used in vacuum systems, gas storage, and transmission equipment to ensure system sealing and safety.
36. High Purity Water Stainless Steel: High Purity Water Stainless Steel is a stainless steel material specially designed for pure water treatment and delivery systems. They have lower solubility and less metal ion release to ensure the purity and quality of pure water.
37. High Electrical Resistance Stainless Steel: High Electrical Resistance Stainless Steel is a stainless steel material with high resistivity. They are commonly used in electrical applications such as resistors, electric heating devices, and electromagnetic heaters to achieve precise resistance control and heating effects.
38. High Electrical Conductivity Stainless Steel: High electrical conductivity stainless steel has high electrical conductivity and is suitable for applications that require good electrical conductivity, such as electronic devices, electrodes, and wires.
39. High Ductility Stainless Steel: Highly plastic stainless steel has good plasticity and ductility, and can easily form complex shapes and structures during processing. They are commonly used in processes such as stamping, stretch forming, and deep drawing.
40. Ultra-High Strength Stainless Steel: Ultra-High Strength Stainless Steel is a type of stainless steel material with excellent strength and toughness. They are commonly used in fields such as aerospace, the automotive industry, and high-strength structures, which require materials to have lightweight and high-strength properties.
41. High Impregnation Stainless Steel: High Impregnation Stainless Steel is a stainless steel material with good impregnation. They are suitable for impregnation applications such as coating, plating, and painting to increase the anti-corrosion properties and decorative effect of the material.
42. High-Damping Stainless Steel: High-damping stainless steel has excellent damping properties and can absorb vibration and noise. They are commonly used in applications such as shock absorbers, acoustic equipment, and vibration control systems to provide a quieter and smoother environment.
43. High Precision Stainless Steel: High-precision stainless steel is a stainless steel material with high precision dimensions and surface quality. They are often used in fields such as precision instruments, optical devices, and high-precision mechanical parts, which require materials with excellent dimensional stability and surface finish.
44. High-Reliability Stainless Steel: High-reliability stainless steel is a type of stainless steel material with excellent reliability and durability. They are often used in critical applications such as aerospace, nuclear energy, and defense, which require materials to remain stable and reliable under extreme conditions.
45. High Magnetic Permeability Stainless Steel: High Magnetic Permeability Stainless Steel has high magnetic permeability and magnetic permeability. It is suitable for applications such as magnetic sensors, magnetic cores, and electromagnetic equipment, and requires the material to have good magnetic properties.
47. High Oxygen Barrier Stainless Steel: High oxygen barrier stainless steel has excellent oxygen barrier properties and can effectively prevent the penetration of oxygen. They are commonly used in applications such as food packaging, medical devices, and electronic components where protection from oxidation is required.
48. High Adsorption Stainless Steel: High Adsorption Stainless Steel has high adsorption capacity and can adsorb and remove pollutants and harmful gases in the air. This stainless steel is commonly used in areas such as air purifiers, gas filters, and environmental protection equipment.
49. High Visible Light Transmittance Stainless Steel: High visible light transmittance stainless steel is a stainless steel material with good light transmittance. They are commonly used in applications such as architecture, decoration, and optics that require materials to have transparent or translucent properties.
50. High-Temperature Stainless Steel: High-Temperature Stainless Steel is a stainless steel material that can maintain stability and corrosion resistance in high-temperature environments. They are commonly used in applications such as oil refining, chemicals, power generation, and high-temperature heating equipment, which require materials with oxidation resistance and high-temperature strength properties.
These stainless steel varieties demonstrate the diversity of stainless steel in various properties and applications. Stainless steel materials are widely used in industry, construction, electronics, energy, medicine and the environment. Depending on the specific needs and requirements, selecting the appropriate stainless steel type can meet the technical and functional requirements of various applications.
