Applications & Common Uses of Stainless Steel

The invention of stainless steel has a history of more than 100 years, and it is a major achievement in the history of world metallurgy. According to the definition of chemical composition, stainless steel usually refers to an iron-based alloy with a minimum chromium content of 10%. According to the definition of corrosion resistance, the steel that does not rust in the atmosphere, fresh water and other weak corrosive media is usually called stainless steel.

The applications and common uses of various commonly used stainless steels in various industries are summarized as follows:

Common Uses of 300 Series Stainless Steel

300 series austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel: Type 304 and 316 are the most commonly used alloys. Common uses include food and beverage industries such as kitchenware, tableware, sinks, barbecue racks, oven racks, fruit and vegetable baskets, fry baskets, dish drain racks, reusable metal coffee filters, loose tea boilers, fermentation cylinders, etc.; Brewing industry such as kettle brewing filter, mash tun, brew kettle, false bottom, etc.; Household appliances such as washing machine drums, electric kettles, rice cookers, etc.; Petroleum and chemical industries such as pipeline basket filters, valves, flanges, boilers, wedge wire screen, chemical containers, candle filters, knitted wire mesh, gas-liquid filters, etc.; Medical appliances such as scalpels, sterilization baskets, sterilization trays, etc.; Architecture decoration industry, such as building exterior wall cladding and facade, decorative metal sheet, metal curtains used to separate the space of hotel lobby and restaurants.

304L and 316L are ultra-low carbon stainless steels, similar in use to 304 and 316, mainly to improve stress corrosion cracking after welding, and for parts that cannot be annealed.

Type 321 stainless steel is a titanium-stabilized stainless steel with similar properties to 304. Due to the addition of metallic titanium, it has better grain boundary corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength than 304/304L. It is usually used in the temperature range of 800-1500 °F (425-815 °C), such as petroleum exhaust gas combustion pipes, engine exhaust pipes, heat exchangers, boiler pressure vessels, bellows, bolts, etc.

Applications of 200 Series Stainless Steel

200 series austenitic chromium-manganese-nickel stainless steel: 201 and 202 were originally developed to replace nickel with high manganese and used as a replacement for the 300 series. Common uses include sinks, kitchen utensils, fasteners, springs, handrails, gabion baskets and mattress for freshwater river banks and beds, etc.

Common Uses of Martensitic Stainless Steel

410, 420 and 440 (440A, 440B, 440C) are the most commonly used grades of martensitic stainless steel. 440 is a high-carbon stainless steel with high strength and high hardness. Common applications include scalpels, scissors, knives, nozzles, bearings, chisels, measuring tools, etc.

Applications of Ferritic Stainless Steel

430 grade stainless steel is the most commonly used grade of ferritic stainless steel. Because of its low price, it has become an alternative to 304 stainless steel in many applications. Common uses include kitchenware, tableware, kitchen sinks, bolts, nuts, and so on.