Applications – Construction/Architectural

Architectural/Construction
Materials for Architectural/Construction applications are required to maintain the integrity of the
structure (i.e. to be sufficiently robust withstand their service environment), to be inert (i.e. corrosion
resistant) and where appropriate, aesthetically pleasing. Stainless steels are widely used in
architectural/construction applications because they are resistance to corrosion, inert and easily
cleaned, can be readily fabricated by a variety of techniques and can accept a variety of aesthetically
pleasing finishes.

In architectural/construction applications, materials for each application are selected on the basis of
their resistance to corrosion in a specific service environment. The following examples may serve to
indicate the considerations made in selecting a suitable grade of stainless steel for
architectural/construction applications. The austenitic stainless steel grade 1.4031 (AISI 304) and its
derivatives are suitable for external rural and mild urban environments, where pollution is minimal.
Grade 1.4401 (AISI 316) and its derivatives are suited to external urban applications, where traffic or
industrial pollution are significant feature, and coastal environments, where chloride is present in the
atmosphere. In warmer coastal climates, where high ambient temperatures are experienced, the duplex
stainless steels grades 1.4462 (2205) and 1.4362 (2304) may be used. In external rural environments,
the ferritic stainless steel 1.4016 (AISI 430) has been successfully used to a limited extent. Austenitic
grade 1.4307 (AISI 304L) and its derivatives and ferritic grade 1.4016 (AISI 430) are used for internal
architectural/construction applications.

Surface finish has an impact on the performance of architectural/construction products. For this reason,
specifications for architectural/construction applications have a variety of surface finish requirements.
In general, the surface finish of architectural/construction products that are unseen by the general
public are not critical. In contrast, the surface finish of items viewed by the public can be an important
feature of a building or structure. Manufacturers recommend the use of smooth, polished surface
finishes for architectural/construction applications, because they resist the accumulation of dirt and are
easily cleaned. In situations where a dull finish is desired, brushed and patterned finishes are sometimes
used to reflect the light and reduce glare. Roughened surfaces are not recommended for
architectural/construction applications visible to the public. Design, workmanship, installation and
commissioning have a significant affect on the performance of both the plant and its materials of
construction. Manufacturers recommend that architectural/construction structures made in stainless
steel are subject to regular cleaning with water.

Typical applications for stainless steels in architectural/construction applications are shown in the table
below.

Architectural/Construction Applications – Applications, Grades and Human Exposure

Application/Use Stainless Steel Human Exposure –

Type EN 10088 Grade Dermal Contact

Cladding/walling Austenitic 1.4301 (AISI 304) Transient for

(external) for buildings, 1.4307 (AISI 304L) producers, installers
tunnel linings, 1.4401 (AISI 316) and users.
guttering, roof channels 1.4401 (AISI 316L)
and downpipes. Roofs, Ferritic 1.4016 (AISI 430)
balustrades
Chimney liners, Austenitic 1.4301 (AISI 304) Transient for producers
ducting, flues 1.4307 (AISI 304L) and installers. No
1.4401 (AISI 316) contact for user.
1.4401 (AISI 316L)
Culverts Austenitic 1.4301 (AISI 304) Transient for producers
1.4307 (AISI 304L) and installers. No
1.4401 (AISI 316) contact for user.
1.4401 (AISI 316L)

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 Application/Use Stainless Steel Human Exposure –
Type EN 10088 Grade Dermal Contact
Flooring, walkways, Austenitic 1.4301 (AISI 304) Transient for producers
structural building 1.4307 (AISI 304L) and installers. Minimal
components - beams, 1.4401 (AISI 316) exposure with flooring
brackets, channels, 1.4401 (AISI 316L) and structural
hollow sections, Duplex 1.4462 (2205) components user.
columns, joists, etc
Fasteners – bolts, nuts, Austenitic 1.4301 (AISI 304) Transient for
rivets and screws 1.4307 (AISI 304L) producers, installers
1.4541 (AISI 321) and users.
1.4401 (AISI 316)
1.4401 (AISI 316L)
1.4547 (254 SMO)
Martensitic 1.4006 (AISI 410)
1.4057 (AISI 431)
1.4005 (AISI 303*)
Ferritic 1.4016 (AISI 430)
Masonry brackets Austenitic 1.4301 (AISI 304) Transient for producers
1.4307 (AISI 304L) and installers. No
1.4401 (AISI 316) contact for users.
1.4401 (AISI 316L)
Ferritic 1.4003 (3Cr12)
1.4016 (AISI 430)
Internal cladding and Austenitic 1.4301 (AISI 304) Transient for producers
walling for buildings, 1.4307 (AISI 304L) and installers.
wall and ceiling tiles, 1.4401 (AISI 316) Transient to user.
elevator/lift panels, 1.4401 (AISI 316L)
door handles, hand rails Ferritic 1.4016 (AISI 430)
Door handles, hand Austenitic 1.4301 (AISI 304) Transient for
rails, lamp posts, 1.4307 (AISI 304L) producers, installers
ladders, street furniture 1.4401 (AISI 316) and users.
and structures (eg bus 1.4401 (AISI 316L)
stops, telephone Duplex 1.4462 (2205)
booths, etc),
Bridges and bridge Austenitic 1.4301 (AISI 304) Transient for
components 1.4307 (AISI 304L) producers, installers
1.4401 (AISI 316) and users.
1.4401 (AISI 316L)
Duplex 1.4462 (2205)
Reinforcing bars for Austenitic 1.4301 (AISI 304) Transient for producers
concrete structures (eg 1.4307 (AISI 304L) and installers. No
motorway road bridges 1.4401 (AISI 316) contact for users.
and elevated sections, 1.4401 (AISI 316L)
marinas and marine
structures).
Urinal and toilet Austenitic 1.4401 (AISI 316) Transient for producers
bowels 1.4401 (AISI 316L) and installers. Minimal
contact for users.
Wall ties Austenitic 1.4301 (AISI 304) Transient for producers
1.4307 (AISI 304L) and installers. No
contact for users.

Window frames, Austenitic 1.4301 (AISI 304) Transient for

glazing support 1.4307 (AISI 304L) producers, installers
brackets 1.4401 (AISI 316) and users.
1.4401 (AISI 316L)
Window hinges Ferritic 1.4016 (AISI 430)
* Resulfirised grade 303

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