tainless Steel Grade Selection Guidelines

Topics Covered
Introduction
Selection for Corrosion Resistance
Pitting Resistance Equivalent
Stress Corrosion Cracking
Selection for Mechanical and Physical Properties
Selection for Fabrication
Selection Criteria

Introduction
While choosing stainless steel for a specific application, it must be noted that the
fundamental properties listed in Table 1 need to be considered. These properties vary for
all five basic types of alloys, such as precipitation hardening, martensitic, Ferritic, duplex
and austenitic.
Selection for Corrosion Resistance
Selecting an inexpensive steel grade for a particular type of corrosive environment is
difficult. One of the key factors in material selection is the consideration of the service
life of the metal, corrosion resistance properties and environment in which the material
can be used. For selecting grades that are resistant to strong acids, several tables of
recommended grades have been published, in addition to iso-corrosion curves, which
indicate the corrosion rate of each grade. These tables are usually developed in order to
compare different grades and select the suitable one. However, care must be taken, as
there are minor differences between similar environments, which can, in turn, create a
large difference in terms of corrosion rates.
The table below provides the fundamental properties of stainless steels:
Table 1. Basic "Competitive Advantage" Properties of Stainless Steels
Required Property Alloy Groups and suitable grades for selection
Corrosion resistance Selection based on the operating environment.
Heat resistance Austenitic grades, particularly those with high chromium
content, and also with high silicon, nitrogen and rare earth
elements (e.g. grade 310 and S30815). High chromium Ferritic
grades can also be useful (e.g. 446).
Cryogenic (low temp.)
resistance
Austenitic grades offer excellent toughness at very low
temperatures.
Magnetic response Austenitic grades have low magnetic permeability; higher nickel
grades (e.g. 316 or 310) are guaranteed non-magnetic even if
cold-worked.
High Strength Martensitic and precipitation hardening grades.
Stainless steels corrode often through local corrosion. The presence of chloride in the
operating environment controls the mechanisms of crevice and pitting corrosion.
Pitting Resistance Equivalent
The pitting and crevice corrosion resistance of a particular stainless steel grade is
denoted by a Pitting Resistance Equivalent number (PRE), as displayed in table 2. PREs
can be calculated using the following equation:
PRE = %Cr + 3.3 %Mo + 16 %N
It was estimated that grades having high alloying elements such as molybdenum,
nitrogen and chromium are more resistant to crevice and pitting corrosion. Due to this
reason, grade 316, with 2% molybdenum, is used in marine fittings. Super austenitic
steel grades, having up to 6% molybdenum and high chromium and nitrogen additions,
can be used in rigorous chloride-containing environments.
The PRE number for various stainless steel grades are tabulated below:
Table 2. Pitting resistance equivalent number or PRE for various grades
Grade Class PRE
3CR12 Ferritic 11
430 Ferritic 17
303 Austenitic 18*
304/L Austenitic 18
316/L Austenitic 24
2205 Duplex 34
904L Austenitic 34
S31254 Austenitic 43
S32750 Duplex 43
S32520 Duplex 43
*The calculated PRE for grade 303 is inaccurate, due to the presence of sulphur in the
composition.
Stress Corrosion Cracking
Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is one of the most common problems of austenitic steel
grades. SCC occurs in the presence of traces of chloride. The duplex steel grades are
highly resistant to SCC, and Ferritic grades are moderately resistant to this attack.
Selection for Mechanical and Physical Properties
Precipitation hardening and martensitic steels with high strength are the best choice for
valve spindles and shafts. These grades were estimated to have more strength than that
of grades 304 and 316. High strength, like corrosion resistance, is a very important
criterion for selecting stainless steel grades.
The grade is more often selected based on the required corrosion resistance, and the
structure is developed with respect to the physical and mechanical properties of the
selected grade. The secondary properties of these grades should also be considered as
early as possible during the selection process. The selection of high strength duplex
grades, such as grade 2205, solves the problem of corrosion and provides cost
effectiveness due to its high strength.
On the other hand, the selection of Ferritic grades, such as grade 3CR12, can provide
sufficient corrosion resistance for a non-decorative application. In addition, a low thermal
expansion coefficient could be desirable because of less distortion from temperature
changes. The Ferritic grades have thermal expansion rates similar to that of mild stee,l
and two-third of austenitic grades such as grade 304.
Selection for Fabrication
Again, it is usually the case that grades are selected for corrosion resistance
and thenconsideration is given to how the product can be fabricated. Fabrication should
be considered as early as possible in the grade selection process, as it greatly influences
the economics of the product. Table 3 lists some common grades and compares their
relative fabrication characteristics. These comparisons are on arbitrary 1 to 10 scales,
with 10 indicating excellent fabrication by the particular method.
Fabrication affects the cost-effectiveness of the product; hence this factor must be
considered very seriously. Some of the common grades and their fabrication
characteristics are listed in Table 3.
The following table shows the important fabrication characteristics of certain steel
grades. The rate of comparisons in the table is on arbitrary scales with 10 representing
excellent fabrication using a specific method.
Table 3. Common grades and their relative fabrication characteristics
Grade Formability Machinability Weldability
303 1 8 * 1
304 8 5* 8
316 8 5* 8
416 1 10 1
430 4 6 2
2205 5 4 5
3CR12 5 6 6
* Improved machinability versions of these grades offer higher machinabilities in some
products.
It should be noted that the desirable properties of some products might be compromised
during the selection process. For instance, grade 303 has excellent machinability and
high sulphur content, which not only increases its cutting speed but also reduces
corrosion resistance, formability and weldability. Therefore, this grade is not
recommended for use in chloride or marine environments.
Selection Criteria
It is necessary to consider key properties, such as corrosion resistance, prior to the
selection of stainless steel grades. However, secondary properties, such as mechanical
and physical properties, and the ease of manufacture of any grade should also be taken
into account. The appropriate choice is not only based on a prolonged, error-free service
life, but also on inexpensive installation and fabrication.