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ភាសាខ្មែរStainless steel (inox) is one of the most versatile and widely used materials, prized for its durability and ability to resist rust in almost any environment. With its special properties, stainless steel has become a preferred choice in many different industries and applications. Join Bao Tin Steel to learn details about what stainless steel is in the following article.
What is stainless steel?
Stainless steel, also known as Inox, is an alloy of iron. It is made from a combination of many different metal elements, of which chromium has a minimum content of 10.5% and carbon has a maximum content of 1.2%. Stainless steel has good corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance.
These elements help create a rust-resistant protective surface and improve the steel’s corrosion resistance and durability.
The most popular stainless steel symbols in Vietnam are:
- 201 stainless steel
- 304 stainless steel
- 316 stainless steel
- 430 stainless steel
Stainless steel applications
Stainless steel is a material widely used in many different fields. It is corrosion-resistant, easy to clean, and does not require the surface coating of stainless steel, which would affect its popularity when used in restaurant kitchens and food processing plants. ,..
Stainless steel is rolled into plates, wires, bars, and tubes and is widely used in the following fields:
- Cooking utensils, cutlery, or surgical instruments
- Construction materials in large buildings and structures
- Industrial equipment in paper mills or chemical factories
- Oil tankers, chemical tanks, and food storage tanks
In addition, stainless steel can also withstand high temperatures and is highly durable, so it is used in various industries such as automobiles, healthcare, electricity,…
Types of stainless steel
There are over 100 different types of stainless steel, but they can be grouped into four main types: austenitic, ferritic, austenitic-ferricic (duplex),, and martensitic.
Austenitic steel
Austenitic is the most widely used stainless steel, including steel grades SUS 301, 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 321, and 310s. It has excellent corrosion and heat resistance and good mechanical properties over a wide temperature range.
This type of steel is widely used to make household appliances, tanks, industrial pipes, industrial boats, and other construction projects.
Ferritic steel
Austenitic-Ferritic (Duplex)
This type of steel has properties between the two types of ferritic and austenitic, with the common name DUPLEX. Belonging to this line can include LDX 2101, SAF 2304, 2205, and 253M.
DUPLEX has typical characteristics of high strength and flexibility and is widely used in the petrochemical industry, paper and pulp production, shipbuilding, etc.
Martensitic steel
Martensitic contains about 11% to 13% Cr and has good tensile strength and hardness. Used extensively to make turbine blades.
Advantages and disadvantages of stainless steel
Advantage
Stainless steel not only has outstanding corrosion resistance but also has many other advantages, including:
- Resistant to high and low temperatures: Stainless steel can withstand high and low temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of working environments.
- Easy fabrication: Stainless steel can be fabricated in a variety of shapes and sizes, helping to meet the requirements of different applications.
- Durable: Stainless steel has good mechanical properties, making it resistant to force and impact while maintaining its durability over a long time.
- Easy to clean and maintain: The stainless steel surface is smooth and stain-free, making cleaning and maintenance easy and time-saving.
- Long-lasting and environmentally friendly: Stainless steel is long-lasting, rust-proof, and recyclable. This helps reduce negative impacts on the environment and save resources.
Stainless steel not only meets high technical requirements but also adds aesthetic value. With its sleek and luxurious appearance, stainless steel is often used in high-end architectural and interior designs.
Disadvantages
The most prominent weakness of stainless steel is its higher price compared to other materials.
Easy to accumulate dirt: Stainless steel has the property of easily retaining stains, and if not cleaned regularly, will lose its aesthetic beauty in the long run.
Characteristics of stainless steel
Stainless steel has many outstanding properties compared to low-carbon steel. Some common properties of stainless steel include high forging hardening rates, higher ductility, higher hardness and toughness, higher hot strength, and higher corrosion resistance. In addition, stainless steel has better toughness at low temperatures and a poorer magnetic response than austenitic steel.
However, these mechanical properties are only valid for the austenitic steel family and can vary quite a lot for other steel grades and steel families. These mechanical properties are related to stainless steel application areas but are also influenced by equipment and manufacturing methods.
Comparison between stainless steel and carbon steel
Stainless steel with a high chromium concentration acts as a protective layer against corrosion and rust. Meanwhile, carbon steel with a high carbon content can corrode and rust quickly when exposed to moisture. Stainless steel is also more attractive and can be used to make decorative products. However, carbon steel has higher durability and strength than stainless steel.
Anti-rust ability
Stainless steel is superior to carbon steel in terms of rust resistance due to the presence of chromium and other metals, which help it resist oxidation effectively.
Carbon steel, on the other hand, lacks or only contains small amounts of anti-oxidation metals, so its rust resistance is lower.
Physical and chemical properties
Comparing these properties between stainless steel and carbon steel is not an easy task due to the variety of steel types.
However, most stainless steels often have better ductility and bendability than carbon steel.
This can be explained by the fact that stainless steel contains a large amount of nickel, which enhances the ductility and bending ability of the alloy.
Aesthetics
The aesthetics of these materials depend on the individual. However, if your project requires high aesthetics, stainless steel will be the best choice.
Carbon steel, after a long period of use, will become black, ugly, and rusty, especially in scratched areas. Even if you galvanize or paint the surface, carbon steel can still rust. Meanwhile, stainless steel still retains its original shine, even in scratched areas.
Expense
With many superior features, the price of stainless steel is often higher than that of carbon steel. This is because anti-rust ingredients such as chromium, nickel, manganese, etc. are the main ingredients in stainless steel alloys that have a higher price than carbon steel.
Therefore, if you need to consider cost, this will be one of the things you need to know to choose the right type of steel.
Where can I buy reputable stainless steel?
Currently, Bao Tin Steel is distributing 100% imported seamless steel pipes from China, manufactured according to ASTM A106 and A53 Gr.B standards, especially with full CO and CQ documents.
To buy cast steel pipes at Bao Tin Steel, please contact Zalo at 093 127 2222. Or switchboard at 0932 059 176, or fill out the form below.
Contact Bao Tin Steel’s sales
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Conclude
Stainless steel is an important and diverse material widely used in many industries. With its corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and outstanding properties, stainless steel meets the technical and aesthetic requirements of many different applications.
Choosing the right type of stainless steel for the environment is an important factor. Stainless steel types such as Austenitic, Ferritic, Austenitic-Ferritic (Duplex), and Martensitic have their advantages and are suitable for different applications and usage environments.