What do the Chrysler Building, your refrigerator, and an offshore oil rig have in common? They’re all made from stainless steel. These three examples alone show just how vast and versatile stainless steel types and uses are. There are actually more than 100 stainless steel grades and classes!

There are many different grades and types of stainless steel, each with its own set of properties. This allows it to be used in a wide range of applications, from kitchen utensils to industrial equipment. In fact, steel plays such an integral role in our lives that it’s difficult to go a day without using something made from it or marked using it. While your frying pan and the exhaust pipe on your vehicle are both made from stainless steel, they’re not the same type of metal.

Everything made from stainless steel can be broken down into three basic stainless steel types and uses. Read on to learn about the properties and uses cases of each one.

What Separates the Different Stainless Steel Types?

Steel is an alloy, which is a type of metal that’s made when two metals (or one metal and one non-metal) are combined. All types of steel are a combination of iron and carbon. This is necessary because steel in its natural form is too prone to corrosion to be of significant use.

Stainless steel is known for its high tensile strength, making it a durable and long-lasting material. It can withstand significant pressure and mechanical stress. How can it be so different? Stainless steel is a special type of steel that’s resistant to corrosion thanks to the addition of Chromium (cr). In fact, it contains a minimum of 10.5% chromium. Stainless steel gains its corrosion resistance by Chromium forming a passive oxide layer on its surface. The chromium content reacts with oxygen from the air and moisture to form a very thin, stable oxide layer on the surface. This layer acts as a protective barrier. This oxide layer, primarily composed of chromium oxide, prevents the steel from reacting with the environment and gives it its “stainless” quality.

While stainless steel is already different from steel, there are also different types of stainless steel. Each type is a combination of steel and chromium, but they have different proportions of chromium and may add other metals. Each type has a different purpose, which is why they have different chemical makeups.

Austenitic

Austenitic stainless steel is the most common type. This is known for its excellent corrosion resistance, formability, and weldability. It’s non-magnetic and is used in everything from cookware and medical equipment to architecture and pipes. Chances are good you have something made from Austenitic stainless steel near you right now!

This type has the highest resistance to corrosion and rusting. That’s because it has a very high percentage of chromium and nickel. Chromium makes it corrosion-resistant, while the nickel makes it more flexible. Austenitic stainless steel can be strengthened through cold work, but not through heat treatment.

Martensitic

Martensitic is the strongest type of stainless steel, but it’s the least resistant to corrosion. It’s a steel alloy whose only addition is chromium — it typically has no nickel or other added metals.

This type of stainless steel is magnetic, but it cracks easily. Because it can crack, it needs to be preheated and then heat treated for strength and protection. Martensitic is the only stainless steel type that can handle heat treating. After it is hardenable by heat treatment, it is often used for cutlery, tools, and certain automotive parts. It’s also used in knife blades, surgical instruments, turbines, and screw machines.

Ferritic

Ferritic stainless steel is less common than Austenitic because it’s not as resistant to corrosion. It’s also not as strong at high temperatures. Ferritic stainless steel is magnetic and has good corrosion resistance, but are less ductile and not suitable for welding in most cases. It’s usually more affordable than other types of stainless steel, but it can’t be heat treated. It’s used in furnaces, boiler systems, and washing machines.

Ferritic stainless steel has a fair amount of chromium, but very little nickel. It typically also has small amounts of other metals like titanium or aluminum. In terms of strengths and weaknesses, Ferritic stainless steel falls in between Austenitic and Martensitic. It isn’t as corrosion-resistant as Austenitic, but it’s less likely to crack than Martensitic

Using Stainless Steel for Name Plates and Tags

Each type of stainless steel has a unique purpose. While some stainless materials are magnetic, all types are corrosion-resistant. You can’t go wrong with stainless steel when you need a durable and versatile material.

Stainless steel is an excellent choice for a nameplate that needs to go the distance. Stainless steel nameplates offer unparalleled durability when it comes to harsh environments over extended periods. Chemical resistance is one of the major highlights of this type of metal tag, so you can count on them for an array of indoor and outdoor uses. The top applications for stainless steel tags include compliance, signage, barcodes, serial numbers and custom design merchandise.

When you’re ready to learn more about your stainless steel tag options or are ready to order, reach out to Metal Marker! You can do so by calling 1-800-428-0095 or reaching out via our website.