Stainless Steel is often overlooked by many engineers, specifiers and designers due to the perceived higher initial cost of stainless steel. If you look at that from a one time purchase and compare with the alternative steel, lower-grade carbon steel satina or meteorite finish over carbon steel you will find that the higher grades of stainless steel are in fact more expensive. However when you take a look at the two types of steel over the life of the project stainless steel, which consists of traditional carbon steel mixed with at least 11% chromium and often nickel, is shinier than traditional steel, and doesn't corrode as easily is often the best value option.
What is Stainless Steel?
As we see above it is basically a low carbon steel which contains chromium with 11% or more by weight. The addition of the chromium is what gives the steel it’s unique stainless, corrosion resisting properties.
The chromium content of the steel allows the formation of a rough, adherent, invisible, corrosion-resisting chromium oxide film on the steel surface. If damaged mechanically or chemically, this film is self-healing, providing that oxygen, even in very small amounts, is present. The corrosion resistance and other useful properties of the steel are enhanced by increased chromium content and the addition of other elements such as molybdenum, nickel and nitrogen.
There are more than 100 grades of stainless steel. grades but these are usually sub-classified into distinct metallurgical “families” such as the austenitic, ferritic, martensitic and duplex families. Each is identified by the alloying elements which affect their microstructure and for which each is named.
Benefits of Stainless Steel
Corrosion resistance, Fire and heat resistance, Hygiene, Aesthetic appearance, Strength-to-weight advantage, Ease of fabrication, Impact resistance and Long term value.
Click on the link to find a complete list of all the benefits of stainless steel pipe fittings.
No comments:
Post a Comment