Fundamental Factors for Choosing a Stainless Steel Grade for Manufacturing

Hello, my name is Ian and this is my industrial manufacturing blog. I do not work in the manufacturing business myself, but I have always taken a keen interest in the industry. I subscribe to International Industrial Manufacturing Magazine. I also like to visit my friend Ted who runs an industrial plant on the outskirts of Perth, Australia. He lets me walk around the place and explains what is going on. I have learnt lots of cool and useful things about manufacturing so I decided to write a blog so I could share my vast knowledge with the rest of the world.

Fundamental Factors for Choosing a Stainless Steel Grade for Manufacturing

10 April 2018
 Categories: Industrial & Manufacturing, Blog


Regardless of whether your stainless steel project is for personal or commercial gain, one of the first things you have to establish is which grade of stainless steel will be suited to your venture. Contrary to popular belief, stainless steel is not made up of a single metal. Instead, it comprises various alloys, which are what dictate the type of grade the stainless steel will be classified as. Selecting the right grade for stainless steel manufacturing is critical to ensuring that the inherent properties of the metal will be capable of meeting the requirements of your product. So what are the fundamental factors to have in mind when choosing a suitable grade for stainless manufacturing?

The heat and rust resistance of the stainless steel

Before you can decide on what grade of stainless steel would befit your undertaking, there are two primary considerations to have in mind. Firstly, you need to establish the temperature range at which the stainless steel is going to be manufactured. Secondly, you have to be clear on the environmental conditions that the stainless steel product is going to be exposed to. If a considerable amount of heat will be required during the fabrication process, your grade of stainless steel should be highly heat resistant. Secondly, if the product is going to be exposed to high moisture and the risk of atmospheric corrosion, then lower-grade alloys will be a better option for your needs. Lastly, if the final product is to be used in acidic or alkaline conditions, then a high-grade steel alloy is the recommended choice.

The natural mechanical characteristics of the stainless steel

Stainless steel is a favourite material, as it is renowned for its intrinsic strength without sacrificing its innate flexibility. Nonetheless, you should note that these mechanical properties will vary from one grade to another. Therefore, before you select what type of stainless steel you will utilise for your manufacturing processes, there are various characteristics that you have to consider. Some qualities to pay particular attention to include the impact resistance of the grade, the rigidity of the material and the flexibility of the stainless steel. These qualities are what will ultimately dictate how a particular grade of stainless steel will withstand the stressors that the final product is exposed to. If you are manufacturing your stainless steel at high temperatures, you may want to gravitate toward grades that have a high chromium content, as this metal helps the stainless steel alloy retain its strength even after fabrication.

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Ian's Interesting Industrial Manufacturing Blog

Hello, my name is Ian and this is my industrial manufacturing blog. I do not work in the manufacturing business myself, but I have always taken a keen interest in the industry. I subscribe to International Industrial Manufacturing Magazine. I also like to visit my friend Ted who runs an industrial plant on the outskirts of Perth, Australia. He lets me walk around the place and explains what is going on. I have learnt lots of cool and useful things about manufacturing so I decided to write a blog so I could share my vast knowledge with the rest of the world.

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