An Overview Of Stainless Steel

Features Of Stainless Steel

The higher initial cost of stainless steel often causes designers and engineers to overlook the material in there selection process. However stainless steel is a powerful candidate and has many unique values. Over the total life of a project, stainless steel is often the best value option.

Benefits Of Stainless Steel

High and low temperature resistance

Certain grades will maintain high strength at very high temperatures, while other grades possess exceptional toughness at cryogenic temperatures.

Corrosion resistance

Generally all stainless steels have a high level of resistance to corrosion. The Low alloyed grades resist corrosion in atmospheric conditions while higher alloyed grades can resist corrosion in most acids, chloride bearing environments and alkaline solutions.

Strength

With cold work hardening properties of many stainless steels they can be used in design processes to reduce material thickness's as well as reduce weight and costs. Stainless steel may also be heat treated to make very high strength components.

Aesthetic appeal

Stainless steel is available in many different surface finishes which are determined during manufacture. This offers an appealing option when aesthetics is required.

Ease of fabrication

Stainless steel can easily be welded, cut and machined readily.

Life cycle characteristics

Being a low maintenance material stainless steel is durable and is often the least expensive choice in a life cycle cost comparison.

Hygienic properties

Easily cleaned stainless steel makes it the first choice in food applications, pharmaceutical processing facilities and hospitals.