We have a comprehensive range of stainless steels. The majority are austenitic with a smaller range of martensitic.
Stocks include round bar, square bar, hexagon bar, flat bar, sheet, plate, shim, tube, pipe, fittings, flanges and fastenings ( metric and imperial ).
Austenitic grades are those alloys which are commonly in use for stainless applications. The austenitic grades are non-magnetic. The most common austenitic alloys are iron-chromium-nickel steels and are commonly known as 300 series.
Austenitic stainless steels, because of their high chromium and nickel content, are the most corrosion resistant of the stainless steels providing superb mechanical properties. They cannot be hardened by heat treatment, but can be significantly hardened by cold-working.
The "L" grades are used to provide extra corrosion resistance for welding applications. The letter "L" after a stainless steel type indicates low carbon (as in 304L, 316L). The carbon content is kept to .03% or under to avoid carbide precipitation. Carbon in steel when heated to temperatures in what is known as the critical range (800 to 1600 degrees F) precipitates out, combines with the chromium and gathers on the grain boundaries. This deprives the steel of the chromium in solution and promotes corrosion adjacent to the grain boundaries. By controlling the amount of carbon, this is minimized.
The most common of austenitic grades, containing approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel ( 18/8 ). Its uses include chemical processing equipment, for food, dairy, and beverage industries, for heat exchangers, and for the milder chemicals.
Grade 303 is a non-magnetic, austenitic, free-machining stainless steel that is a modification of the basic 10% chromium 8% nickel stainless steel specially designed to exhibit improved machinability while maintaining good mechanical and corrosion-resistant properties.
Contains 16% to 18% chromium and 11% to 14% nickel. Type 316 is used in chemical processing, marine environments, the pulp and paper industry, swimming pools, for food and beverage processing and dispensing and in the more corrosive environments.
This grade has been developed for corrosive resistance for repeated intermittent exposure to temperature above 800 degrees F. Type 321 is made by the addition of titanium.
Grade 310 austenitic stainless steel is typically used for elevated temperature applications. Its high chromium and nickel content provides comparable corrosion resistance, superior resistance to oxidation, and the retention of a larger fraction of room temperature strength than the common austenitic grades.
Stocks are generally only kept in round bar.
Martensitic grades are magnetic. These stainless steelsare hardened by quenching followed by tempering for improved toughness and ductility. Hardenability, strength and wear resistance increases with carbon content but at the expense of toughness and ductility. A chromium content of 11% minimum produces the stainless steel strip properties.
Basic martensitic grade. General purpose, heat treatable stainless steel. Used widely where corrosion is not severe (air, water, some chemicals, and food acids. Typical applications include highly stressed parts needing the combination of strength and corrosion resistance such as fasteners.
Contains added phosphorus and sulfur for improved machinability. Typical applications include screw machine parts.
Contains increased carbon to improve mechanical properties. Typical applications include surgical instruments.
Contains increased chromium for greater corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. Typical applications include high strength parts such as valves and pumps.
We also stock a small range of duplex, super duplex and nimonic grades of stainless steel.