Stainless Steels

The group of stainless steels contains a large number of very different alloy variations all of which are commonly characterised by a chrome content of at least 12 %. This guarantees that extremely thin, stable oxide layers form on the surface of the steel under oxidising conditions and the steel passes from the active (soluble) to the passive (insoluble) condition. In the passive condition there is increased resistance to oxidising media. However, in the case of a reducing atmosphere, i.e. decreased oxygen supply, the formerly passive steel may pass over into the active condition. The chrome content of at least 12% necessary for a certain chemical resistance of the steel is very often referred to as the parting limit. The alloying element chrome and subsequently nickel represent the basic elements for stainless steels. However, their effect with regard to the crystalline structure in the steel is very varied. With increasing nickel content the gamma area is extended whilst with increasing chrome content the gamma area is confined and above approximately 12% only ferrite (= body-centred cubic mixed crystal) continues to prevail. Above a certain nickel content the microstructure is made up only of austenite (= face-centred cubic mixed crystal) from solidification to ambient temperature. All other alloying elements which are added to the steel to improve specific properties may be assigned to either the chrome or nickel in their effect on the crystalline structure. This means that it is possible to differentiate as follows between ferrite-forming and austenite-forming elements. Ferrite-forming elements: chrome, silicon, aluminium, molybdenum, niobium, titanium, tungsten and vanadium. Austenite-forming elements: nickel, manganese, carbon, cobalt, copper and nitrogen. If one adds sufficient quantities of nickel to a ferritic iron-chrome alloy then it passes over into the austenitic condition. The following table lists the most important groups of stainless steels classified according to the microstructure. micro structure pearlitic-martensitic half ferritic-ferritic soft-martensitic ferritic-austenitic austenitic austenite with ferrite austenite without ferrite
Bhler Schweitechnik Austria GmbH. - Mat-Stainless Steels.doc

typical steel X30Cr13 X8Cr17 X5CrNi13-4 X2CrNiMoN22-5 X5CrNi18-9 X8CrNiNb16-13

These groups of steels differ from each other from both the metallurgical and physical point of view and allowance must be made for the peculiarities in each case by taking appropriate measures when fabricating welds.

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