Stainless metals and alloys are universal and common materials that are used in various industries: from machine-building or shipbuilding to food, pulp and paper, etc.
They are created on the basis of stainless steel with the addition of various reinforcing substances: nickel, titanium, carbon, chromium. In one or another proportion, they are able to change the physical and mechanical properties of the material, make it stronger or, on the contrary, more suitable for bending.
The only thing that remains unchanged: all stainless steel has increased resistance to corrosion and rust.
What are stainless metals and alloys
Today, you can buy stainless metal in various variants. First of all, alloys differ in their composition. For example, the content of chromium: the more it is added, the stronger the finished products are. While nickel in the composition makes the metal more plastic, viscous even at low temperatures, which makes it more suitable for welding.
Regarding marking, there are several hundred different grades of stainless metals on the market today. Familiarizing yourself with the characteristics and properties of all species is not necessary, and it is difficult. However, all brands of stainless steel are divided into 4 main categories:
1. With an increased chromium content, which can reach about 27%. Such metals are extremely strong, which allows them to be used in heavy industry.
2. Austenitic type. The composition of the alloy also includes molybdenum and nickel, which increases its resistance to corrosion and makes this category of stainless steel the most popular among others.
3. Martensite stainless steels. The combination of chromium and carbon adds strength to the metal, which allows it to be used in harsh conditions.
4. Combined. They can consist of several types of stainless steel listed above.
The main advantages of stainless metals and alloys
Today, stainless steel is actively used in various industries: oil refining, machine-building, transport, chemical, food, construction, etc. And it's not for nothing - such metals are endowed with a large number of advantages that make them the best option for creating special parts and equipment. Among the main advantages of stainless alloys are the following:
1. Favorable cost. Today you can buy stainless steel inexpensively. The material costs less, but it is not much inferior to modern and expensive polymers.
2. Term of operation. If you choose the right marking, stainless metal can last for several decades.
3. High resistance to corrosion. This characteristic allows the use of stainless metals and alloys even at enterprises with a high level of humidity.
4. High coating strength without the need to apply an additional protective layer.
5. The material is resistant to mechanical damage, aggressive external factors.
6. Ease of working with metals. You can create structures of a certain type from them, using different methods of working with steel. The base is suitable for molding, welding, etc.
7. Recyclable.
If you want to order stainless steel, decide on the marking and type of material in advance. After all, this is how you can learn more about its technical characteristics, scope of application and resistance to various mechanical or chemical influences. Hundreds of different markings and dozens of types of stainless steel are presented in Ukraine today, so you will definitely be able to find an option that will take into account all the requirements for the finished product.