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Stainless Steel

5 Facts You Need to Know About Stainless Steel Tubes

5 Facts You Need to Know About Stainless Steel Tubes Unless you are a metal maestro, you may not know all there is to know about metal alloys and their properties. And from carbon steel to cast iron to stainless steel, there are several materials to choose from when it comes to tubing for hydraulic, pneumatic, or other industrial projects. When choosing which material is best for the job, why not weigh the pros and cons of the metal and its properties? But before you become overwhelmed with alloy grades and chemical properties, let us help you organize your thoughts with some must-know facts about stainless steel tubing. 1 Strength & ductility: Stainless steel offers greater strength and higher mechanical properties than other tubing options including carbon steel and cast iron tubes. Even at high temperatures, stainless steel tubes keep their high tensile and stress-to-rupture strength. And because stainless steel is as strong as it is, the walls of stainless steel tubes can be made thinner, giving it higher ductility, as well.2 Resistance: Thanks to its chromium, nickel and molybdenum composition, stainless steel tubing offers significantly more resistance to corrosive elements, oxidation, erosion, and high temperatures than most other metal tubes. And because it resists corrosive elements like those often found in seawater environments so well, stainless steel tubing is the premium choice for shipbuilding and maritime applications.3 Heat Treatability & Welding Capabilities: Certain stainless steel alloys, such as 410, are heat treatable. This can be helpful when stainless steel tubes need to be modified to achieve certain physical or chemical properties. Certain stainless steel sheets can also be easily welded into various shapes and sizes.4 Versatility: Stainless steel tubes work for an extensive range of applications thanks to its strength, ductility, durability, corrosion resistance, and lower coefficient of friction.5 Cost Effectiveness: One of the most appealing benefits to hydraulic and pneumatic industry professionals is the fact that stainless steel tubes cost less to maintain and can save you money over time because of their long service life.  So is stainless steel tubing the best candidate for the job? If it is, you can also gain the peace of mind that you are simultaneously supporting a more sustainable environment. Stainless steel tubes are 100 percent recyclable and do not cause pollution.

Steel and Other Heat-Resistant Metal Qualities

Steel and Other Heat-Resistant Metal QualitiesThere are several major factors that you may be considering for any project that involves metal materials, and heat resistance is often on this list. Whether a project itself is carried out in high heat conditions or it’s expected that the product’s application will involve a need for heat resistance, this is a key area to be focused on – and steel is one of several metals that may be ideal here.Why Does Heat Resistance Matter?Firstly, before we get into the specifics of heat resistance, it’s important to remember why this trait is even necessary. In most cases, it’s because the application of a product could require withstanding temperatures that would otherwise be too high for normal use.For example, a steel-made product used in the automotive industry or other related industries, may be exposed to temperatures of up to 1000°F. To survive those conditions and still operate as required, you’d need adequate heat resistance.In other cases, the application may require that a product is as resistant to heat as possible, such as when using steel to make foodservice equipment or drinking tanks. In either case, it’s useful to know what types of metal or metal alloys are better suited for these high temperature tasks.What Makes a Metal Heat Resistant?Various elements may play a role here, but most in the metal industry consider 1200 degrees Fahrenheit to be roughly the “threshold” for metal heat resistance. Here are some of the qualities that help make a metal able to resist damage or deformation at temperatures at or above this range:· Oxidation resistance: Oxidation is a chemical reaction that occurs when oxygen interacts with certain metals. Heat can accelerate oxidation and cause damage to the metal over time, so higher oxidation resistance helps make a metal more heat resistant.· Stress rupture life: When a metal is heated and then cooled, it can be subject to a process called thermal cycling. This repeated heating and cooling can cause stress fractures, which reduces the integrity of the metal. A metal with higher stress rupture life can better resist this effect.· Malleability and ductility: When heated, some metals may become very brittle or breakable, so having malleability and ductility can be advantageous.· Tensile strength: Finally, metals with higher tensile strength are often able to maintain their shape better when exposed to extreme temperatures.Possible Sacrifices to Achieve Heat ResistanceDepending on the metal alloy in question, those looking for extreme heat resistance may have to sacrifice some other metal qualities. These may include:· Weldability: In some cases, having an excessively high melting point can make a metal difficult to weld.· Corrosion resistance: Heat-resistant metals may not always be corrosion resistant to the same degree as other alloys.· Strength at lower temperatures: Some heat-resistant alloys may have less strength in normal use conditions.· Creep: Referring to scratch resistance, some heat-resistant alloys may be more prone to scratching or damage from contact with other objects.· Thermal fatigue: Metals with a high melting point may be more likely to suffer from thermal fatigue, which is damage caused by repeated heating and cooling cycles.· Thermal expansion: Another issue with some heat-resistant metals is that their thermal expansion rate may be higher than desired for certain applications.Metals With High Heat ResistanceMany metals can exhibit one or more of the qualities listed above, but some are better suited for extreme heat resistance than others. Here are some of the top examples:· Stainless steel: One of the most well-known heat resistant metals, stainless steel is often used in high temperature tasks. It’s often corrosion resistant, and it offers a high tensile strength at elevated temperatures.· Titanium: This metal is popular for its exceptional heat resistance, as well as low thermal expansion and excellent weldability.· Tungsten: This is another metal with exceptional heat resistance, and it also boasts a high melting point.· Nickel alloys: Nickel-based alloys are often used in extreme temperature applications, thanks to their oxidation resistance at high temperatures.· Molybdenum: This metal can resist temperatures up to 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s also corrosion resistant.· Inconel: One of the top heat-resistant alloys, Inconel is often used in aerospace applications due to its exceptional strength at high temperatures.No matter which metal alloy you choose for your next project, familiarizing yourself with the qualities listed above can help you make an informed decision and choose the best heat-resistant metal for your job. Knowing what possible sacrifices may be required to achieve heat resistance is also essential, as it helps provide a full picture of what any given alloy can offer. 

440C Stainless Steel Characteristics and Applications

440C Stainless Steel Characteristics and Applications What is 440C Stainless Steel?Characteristics of 440C stainless steel440C has the highest hardness of all stainless and heat resistant steels and is used for nozzles and bearings. 440F is a steel grade that improves the easy cutting properties of 440C steel and is used for automatic lathes. Martensitic stainless steel has the same characteristics of hardening by quenching as alloy steel, so a wide range of different mechanical properties can be obtained by selecting the grade and heat treatment conditions. 440C stainless steel contains C 1.2% carbon, this steel has good rust resistance, is currently imported in mass production of small knives more commonly used, its chromium content of up to 16-18%, is also one of the first stainless steel used for tool making, quite popular. If heat treated as bearing, a deep cooling treatment is generally recommended prior to the tempering operation. Such a deep cooling treatment improves the hardness of the steel and increases wear resistance and dimensional stability. Therefore, deep cooling treatment of 440C is also often used for tool heat treatment. 440C stainless steel chemical composition (%)C :1.10Mn :1.00P :0.03S :0.010Cr :17.50Mo :0.60Ni :0.60Cu :0.50Si :1.00 440C stainless steel applicationsIt is mainly used for manufacturing bearing parts that work in corrosive environment and strong oxidizing atmosphere without lubrication. 440C has good high temperature dimensional temperature property, so it can also be used as corrosion resistant high temperature bearing steel. In addition, it can also be used to manufacture high quality tools such as medical scalpels, scissors, nozzles, bearings, etc. 440F is a steel grade that improves the easy cutting properties of 440C steel for automatic lathes, and has the same hardening properties as ordinary alloy steel through quenching, so a wide range of different mechanical properties can be obtained by selecting the grade and heat treatment conditions. 440C stainless steel is a modern steel known for its high corrosion resistance, wear resistance, strength and hardness qualities among all stainless steel alloys, up to HRC 60 after heat treatment. 440C has good resistance to corrosion by air, fresh water and weak acids, creating smooth polished surfaces and razor sharp edges in the process of making cutting tools. and razor-sharp edges. This steel is used for cutting tools, rolling bearings, valve seats, high quality sharpening tools, surgical instruments, chisels, ball bearings and production cutting tools including hair clipper blades, surgical blades, daggers and razor blades. 440C Stainless Steel Features440 steel actually refers to the steel system consisting of 440A, 440B and 440C, but in terms of making cutting tools, 440 steel is generally referred to as 440C. The only difference is that its carbon content is slightly higher (0.65%-0.75% and 0.75%-0.95% for the remaining two steels, respectively). Although the higher carbon content causes the hardness of the cutting tools to be high, the corrosion resistance is slightly reduced. Although these three steels are standard steel grades of the same grade, 440C is in fact more practical than A and B. The other alloy, 440F (UNS S44020), has the same carbon content as 440C. From the current point of view, the use of 440C steel is very common. Higher hardness and moderate wear resistance, it has the disadvantage of being more sticky and heating up quickly when grinding. It is recommended to use chrome corundum or microcrystalline corundum grinding wheels for grinding. 440C has a very low annealing temperature and the hardness can usually reach HRC45-54 when heat treated as tools and bearings, and HRC56-58 if deep cooling treatment is carried out. corrosion resistance and toughness are very strong, now it is more widely used in hand-made knives and high-quality factory-made tools.

Raising the standard with stainless steel

Raising the standard with stainless steel Water quality plays a crucial role in the decontamination and reprocessing of reusable medical devices, and stainless steel has helped facilitate the standard required for their sterilisation.  The release of AS/NZS 4187:2014 Reprocessing of reusable medical devices in health service organisations requires hospitals across Australia to comply with a range of stringent new requirements consistent with European and global standards for sterilisation processes. Its aim is to ensure reusable medical devices are adequately cleaned, disinfected and sterilised to protect patients and prevent infection. Water quality is critical for sterile processing, and one requirement of the revised standard includes the replacement of non-compliant cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising equipment. There are minimum water quality requirements for pre-cleaning, cleaning and the rinse(s) prior to final rinsing. These include water hardness no greater than 150 mg/L and chloride no greater than 120 mg/L. AS/NZS 4187:2014 also specifies water quality requirements for the final rinse stages of sterile processing across Tables 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4, including final rinse water for manual cleaning and washer-disinfectors, and feed water for a dedicated steam generator. Despite the Australian water quality guidelines, water supplies are variable in chemical impurities and the microbiological purity may also be a challenge. Therefore, water used for the final rinse of the disinfection process and the generation of steam for sterilisation must undergo treatment to achieve the water quality requirements. Reverse osmosis technology delivers a solution to meet the physical, chemical and microbial water quality required for the final rinse. Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water treatment process that uses a semi-permeable membrane and applied pressure as the final step to filter out ions, unwanted molecules and large particles. The process is effective for the removal of micro-organisms and both organic and inorganic chemical components. ASSDA Member and Accredited Fabricator J&T Mechanical Installation have delivered stainless steel bioprocessing equipment for over 25 hospitals across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria to meet the new specification and requirements of AS/NZS 4187:2014. The ongoing work includes the fabrication and installation of new equipment and replacement of non-compliant ring mains, water distribution networks and RO water treatment systems. The RO water treatment systems must accommodate the required regular thermal disinfection to mitigate bacterial endotoxins and deliver a high level of microbial water quality. The treated water is reticulated to central sterile services departments (CSSDs) where surgical instruments and other reusable medical devices are sterilised. Continuous bacteria control is critical to supplying the required microbial water quality and the use of ultraviolet (UV) light in the ring mains to treat return water delivers compliance with AS/NZS 4187:2014. UV sterilisation is 99.99% effective in killing microbiological substances, and  is a safe, chemical-free process. Stainless steel is the standard material of construction in water treatment applications, offering hygienic properties, durability, and optimum long-term performance. With excellent corrosion resistance and hydraulic conductivity characteristics, stainless steel is the first-choice material for best overall water system design.   In addition, plastic materials are not viable in high water purity applications due to potential leaching, and copper may also be an issue because of cupro-solvency in soft water.  

WHAT IS STAINLESS STEEL USED FOR?

WHAT IS STAINLESS STEEL USED FOR?There’s no denying that stainless steel is an essential part of our everyday lives, with over 150 grades available. Stainless steel is commonly used across several key industries, including:Food & DrinkMedicalConstructionTransportEnergy Let’s take a look at those in a bit more detail:  Food and drink Stainless steel is commonly used for cutlery, cookware and other kitchen accessories. More ductile grades of steel are used for cookers, saucepans and any other items that can be molded into shape; whereas steel with less ductile grades are used to create knife blades. One of the other common stainless steel uses are larger pieces of kitchen equipment, such as fridges, freezers and dishwashers. Stainless steel is also used for the storage and production of food, as it doesn’t have any impact on the flavour; plus the fact that it’s corrosion resistant and easily cleanable, means it can kill bacteria to keep the environment hygienic. MedicalAs stainless steel is so resistant to corrosion and can be easily sterilised, one of its most common uses is for medical uses, due to its high hygienic standards. Operating tables, MRI scanners and other surgical instruments are all made out of stainless steel; as are replacement joints such as hip joints, and they also help to fix broken bones as they make plates and steel pins. ConstructionIts resistance to corrosion makes stainless steel a popular choice in many industries; and the fact that it’s strong and flexible makes it sought-after in construction. The exterior cladding of large buildings are usually made out of stainless steel, but it’s also used in interiors too – from countertops in kitchens, to handrails on staircases and much more. With a growing trend towards more sustainable buildings, stainless steel has never been more popular. Not only is it low-maintenance with an attractive finish, but on average, stainless steel is made up of up to 90% of recycled metal. Plus, its typically polished finish helps to reduce energy consumption, as it attracts natural light. Some of the world’s most prominent architecture is made out of stainless steel, including Singapore’s Helix Bridge, and London’s Waterloo Eurostar terminal. TransportFord was the first automotive company to start using stainless steel in their concept cars, back in the 1930s. Today, this is much more widespread, and is most commonly used in car grills and exhaust systems. However, with a growing trend towards more sustainable vehicles, stainless steel is being used in structural components too. But it’s not just cars that are constructed out of stainless steel: so are refuse vehicles, shipping containers and road tankers.  Due to its anti-corrosive nature, it’s also effective for the transportation of food products, chemicals and other liquids. EnergyToxic substances, and high levels of heat are commonplace in the oil and gas industry; and certain grades of stainless steel have been developed to enable them to be used in this environment. For stainless steel that is corrosion resistant in an even wider range of temperatures, it is used during the production of components such as valves, pipes and storage tanks. Another important stainless steel use is on off-shore oil rigs, as it can deal with highly corrosive crude oil, and sea water.

What Is 420 Steel

What Is 420 Steel?The 420 steel is part of the 400 series of steels that’s very popular due to their very friendly prices. The 420 steel has been around for a long time, and its particular combination of low price with adequate performance will most likely keep it popular for many years to come.The 420 steel is popular for many types of uses, particularly because despite the low price it is hard enough for use in knives. In addition, it qualifies as stainless steel, so it doesn’t rust very easily.Common Uses of 420 steelThe 420 steel is actually kind of versatile, since plenty of manufacturers find the adequate hardness and good corrosion resistance useful for many types of consumer items. These items include:· Budget pocket knives· Low-end hunting knives· Butterfly knives (balisong knives)· Cutlery (including steak knives and other types of table knives· Scissors· Shear blades· Surgical instruments· Needle valves· Various hand tools420 Steel Chemical CompositionLet’s check out the specific alloys used for 420 steel, and the amounts for each alloy. Each alloy will have a particular effect on the steel, depending on the amount.· Carbon, 0.15% at the most· Manganese, 1.00% at the most· Chromium, 12% to 14%· Silicon, 1.00% at the most· Phosphorus, 0.04% at the most· Sulfur, 0.03% at the mostCarbon, 0.15% at the most: The carbon content is the principal element for determining the hardness of the resulting steel. As you can see, there’s really not much carbon here.But the 420 steel can be treated properly that it can still be useful for knives. The carbon here also helps with the hardenability of the steel, meaning that the 420 steel responds nicely to proper heat treatment.Manganese, 1.00% at the most: Many consider manganese as next in importance only to carbon. At this amount, it helps with boosting the strength of the steel. It also improves the surface quality of the steel.Chromium, 12% to 14%: With this amount of chromium, the 420 steel qualifies as stainless steel (or at least, lower-end stainless steel). The chromium is instrumental in boosting the corrosion resistance of the steel. In addition, chromium can improve the yield strength of the steel, as well as its hardenability.Silicon, 1.00% at the most: The silicon acts as one of the main removers of oxygen bubbles in the molten steel. The silicon also strengthens the steel when the silicon dissolves in the iron content.Phosphorus, 0.04% at the most: That’s a tiny amount of phosphorus, because in general the phosphorus is considered an impurity. Even a little bit can make the steel brittle. But when limited to such a tiny amount as this, it’s actually helpful. It boosts the strength of the steel, and even helps with corrosion resistance. It also makes the 420 steel more machinable.Sulfur, 0.03% at the most: This is another impurity at higher amounts, but here it helps with machinability. You just don’t want more than this tiny amount, as that can reduce the toughness and ductility of the steel.420 Steel HardnessThe hardness of 420 steel will depend on how the manufacturer treats the steel before it’s available for purchase. In 420 knives, however, the hardness can reach at least 50 HRC.That’s basically good enough hardness for knives, but just barely. That’s why 420 steel knives aren’t meant for heavy duty. These knives aren’t hard enough compared to just about al the other knife steels out there, so edge retention is a problem. But at least its relative softness makes it easier to sharpen.Does 420 steel rust?Well, it can rust but not all that easily. In fact, if you take good care of the knife and wipe it dry regularly, then it will take a long time for corrosion to be an issue.That’s because there’s enough chromium here for 420 steel to qualify as stainless steel. It nicely resists corrosion that can be caused by fresh water, air, foods, alkalis, and mild acids.Of course, you should avoid using this in a seawater environment. And its best to minimize its use on unwashed food substances, as that can lead to pitting corrosion.Properties of 420 steelExtremely AffordableThis is perhaps the most distinguishing feature of 420 steel. A 420 steel knife is definitely a budget option, so it’s great when you’re buying dinner knives in a set.Easy SharpeningWhile the edge retention for 420 steel knives isn’t great (it’s nearer to lousy, to be honest), at least it doesn’t take much to sharpen an edge. Any sharpening tool can do the job with much time and effort needed.Good Corrosion ResistanceThis has enough chromium to qualify as stainless steel, though just barely. You should still wipe the steel blade dry after each use, and you don’t want to use this in saltwater. But it won’t have any problem with regular fresh water and even food acids.VersatileThis can be used in a wide variety of knives. It works for ED and outdoor knives, as well as dinner knives.420 Equivalent Steels or AlternativeAnother effective way of realizing the true worth of 420 steel is to compare it directly with other steels with somewhat similar attributes. Here’s how the 420 steel does in relation with some other steels.420 vs 440 stainless steelBoth these steels are part of the 400 steel series, and they’re both known for their carbon and chromium content.But the 440 steel contains a lot more carbon, ranging from 0.60% to 0.75% carbon. That makes the 440 steel better at wear resistance and edge retention. The resulting steel is definitely harder in the 440. The 440 steel also contains more chromium, so it’s even more corrosion-resistant. But the steel is more expensive than 420 steel.420 vs 430 stainless steelThe 430 steel is much different than the 420, as the 430 contains several other alloying elements not found in 420 steel. While the 420 steel offers excellent corrosion resistance, the 430 is even better at resisting corrosion.But the 430 steel doesn’t really work for knives, since it doesn’t harden through heat treatment. You may find the 430 steel used for butter knives, but not for any other type of knife that cuts materials harder than butter.420 vs 316 stainless steelThe 316 is a very common type of steel used for stainless steel tools for surgical and food applications. It’s also an extremely corrosion-resistant steel, as it can even perform well against saltwater. But it doesn’t contain a lot of carbon, so you basically never find this steel used for knives. You can’t use heat treatment for 316 steel.420 steel vs 1095The 1095 can be found in some knives, and like 420 steel it’s very affordable. It offers decent edge retention and good toughness. However, it’s not nearly as corrosion resistant as 420 steel, because 1095 steel doesn’t qualify as stainless steel.  

Duplex Stainless Steels Introduction, Applicable Standards, Chemical Compositions, PREN

Duplex Stainless Steels Introduction, Applicable Standards, Chemical Compositions, PREN IntroductionDuplex stainless steels form the latest family of stainless steels, tested as early     as in the 1930’s and mass produced from the 1970’s onwards. Their excellent mechanical properties and their corrosion resistance have made them a first choice material for high-load applications in corrosive environments. The development of the modern duplex stainless steel family began with a few grades, the most representative being UNS S31803, later S32205, often referred  to as 2205 (EN 1.4462).  Then it went on in two opposite directions:ƒMore corrosion-resistant “Superduplex” and “Hyperduplex” stainless steel grades to meet the demands of very aggressive environments.ƒ“Lean Duplex” stainless steel grades for demands of higher strength but for less corrosive environments, typically for structural applications. They offer low maintenance and low Life Cycle Costs, just like the other stainless steel families. Their high strength, high corrosion resistance, good processing properties – once their specifics are taken into account - have begun to be valued in a wide range of new applications such as long-lasting structures (bridges, floodgates...) and equipment (desalination plants, water and energy utilities…). Duplex stainless steels complement other stainless steel families, particularly austenitics. In some cases, duplex stainless steels should be the first choice, while in other cases, duplex stainless steels solve unexpected corrosion problems. Applicable StandardsDuplex stainless steel grades are covered by major standards, such as EN, ISO, ASTM for a number of products and/or applications . Although there is a fairly long list of UNS grades, only a few of them make the largest part of today’s production. Chemical compositionsDuplex stainless steels have a structure of about 50 % ferrite (a body centered cubic crystallographic structure) and 50 % austenite (a face centered cubic crystallographic structure). To achieve this, elements that stabilise the ferrite phase (Cr, Mo, Si, W …) are balanced by elements that stabilise the austenite phase (Ni, N, Mn …). The ferrite/austenite ratio depends not only on the alloying elements but also on heat treatments. The classification of duplex stainless steels is done according to their corrosion resistance which depends on the alloying elements. It is customary to distinguish them according to their Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number (PREN). The next section provides More information on PREN.–Lean duplex grades (typefied by UNS S32304 -EN1.4362),PREN 22-27, with a lower Ni content, without or with some Mo, are best for less severe environments.–Standard Duplex (typified by S32205 (EN 1.4462), PREN 28–38, with 22%Cr and 3%Mo, which is mid-range in terms of corrosion resistance.–Super duplex (typically S32520 (EN 1.4507)), PREN 39–45, with 25%Cr, 3.5% Mo and 0.22-0.3%N.–Hyper duplex with PREN 45 for very severe environments, usually in the oil and gas industry.Note: PREN stands for Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number: PREN = Cr+3.3Mo + 16N where Cr, Mo and N are the contents expressed in weight percent of the three elements chromium, molybdenum and nitrogen respectively. Many duplex stainless steel grades are offered today, partly as a result of patents, partly because new grades are needed to meet new requirements, particularly for use in the oil and gas industry. 

S32205 VS S31803

S32205 VS S31803 What is UNS S32205 material?UNS S32205 is two-phase, ferritic, austenitic with chromium of 22%, molybdenum of 3%, and nickel 5 to 6% alloyed stainless steel. It is the most widely used grade of duplex stainless steel and is characterized by high yield strength and it doubles that of the standard austenitic stainless steel grades. It has high resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion and has excellent in most caustic environments and also has good weldability. S32205 Applicationspulp millsfood processingoil and gas piping,chemical processing, and more. What is UNS S31803 material?UNS S31803 is a duplex grade with a ferritic-austenitic microstructure. This alloy consists of around 40-50% ferrite in the annealed condition. The duplex microstructure has the high strength of the ferritic grades although maintaining the corrosion resistance of the austenitic grades. S31803 ApplicationFlue gas filtersChemical tanksHeat exchangersAcetic acid distillation elements S31803 and S32205 Chemical CompositionUNSCarbonPhosphorusSulphurSiliconManganeseNickelMolybdenumNickelChromiumS318030.03max0.03max0.02max1.00max2.00 max0.08-0.22.5-3.54.5-6.521.0-23.0S322050.03max0.03max0.02max1.00max2.00 max0.14-0.23.0-3.54.5-6.522.0-23.0 S31803 and S32205 Mechanical PropertiesUNSTensile strength, min, MpaYield strength, 0.2% offset, min, Mpa,Elongation, A5%S3180362045025S3220565545025 S31803 and S32205 WorkabiliyThey have high temperature strength which is similar to that of Type 430 in the range of 950~1150℃. However it shows rapid increase in the strength below 900℃. Regarding cold workability, care is needed as proof stress is high and elongation is low in comparison to Type 304. S31803 and S32205 WeldabilityVarious welding process can be performed in the same manner as with the standard austenitic stainless steels, including TIG welding, shielded metal arc welding, and plasma welding. It is suggested to use welding electrodes. Preheating and post heating are not required. The interpass temperature should not be more than 100℃ in welding, in order to prevent formation of intermetallic. S31803 and S32205 Heat TreatmentThe solution annealing should be performed at 1040℃ and higher followed by being quenched in water or rapidly cooled by other means.  S31803 and S32205 PicklingA mixture of nitric acid and fluoric acid is used in pickling. However, due to descaling it is somewhat difficult in comparison with Type 304, alkali immersion before acid pickling, and if possible, shot blasting are extremely effective. S31803 Vs. S32205: Distinguishable DifferencesUNS S31803 and S32205 represent alloys with more characteristics in common than distinct differences are that firstly it is both stainless steels with similar elemental compositions. Both UNS S31803 and S32205 belong to the duplex 2205 family, which means they comprise almost equal parts austenite and ferrite. Secondly, they are both outstandingly strong and durable alloys. S31803 and S32205 are both incorporated into some of the more hard-wearing and inhospitable production processes requiring materials that can resist repeated and sustained rides through the proverbial ringer. The most noticeable inconsistency between the two is that UNS S32205 contains a higher nitrogen content which gives an extra shield of safety to an already solid surface. The presence of treated nitrogen offers an additional protective cover against any corrosive compounds looking to attack and eat into the steel solution. This heightened capability for corrosion resistance gives UNS S32205 a slight but significant edge over its closest contemporary. An increase in its capability to protect itself as a knock-on effect of the introduction of nitrogen is the icing on the cake. What was previously a highly dependable piece of duplex steel, it provides an enriched tendency to protect against wear and tear and preserve the quality of any application. 

Titanium vs Stainless Steel what is the Difference?

Titanium vs. Stainless Steel, what is the Difference? Stainless steel and titanium are traditional metals that are used very often in the manufacturing sector. Both the traditional metals have a unique set of strength and properties and are exquisite in their characteristics. You need to have proper knowledge about titanium and stainless steel to help you achieve your objectives in your projects. The following is a comprehensive guide to distinguishing between the two metals. Stainless steel and titanium exhibit some unique characteristics that differentiate these metals. Titanium stainless steel differs based on its corrosion resistance, elemental composition, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, weight, hardness, melting point, and many other points. · Element Composition· You can compare titanium and stainless steel based on their element composition. Pure commercial titanium includes several elements such as oxygen, nickel, hydrogen, iron, and nitrogen. Stainless steel comprises chromium, silicon, nitrogen, aluminum, copper, etc. The presence of chromium in stainless steel helps in preventing rust and offers heat resistance features.· Corrosion Resistance· Titanium is known as a specialty metal since they are highly corrosion resistant. This metal offers great corrosion resistance and mechanical stability, which may be lacking in other metals. Compared to titanium, stainless steel stands inadequate in its corrosion resistance application. In the aerospace industry, titanium nuts and bolts are considered significant because of their corrosion resistance properties. Stainless steel provides good mechanical properties, but has limited corrosion resistance application. Titanium is a specialty metal with corrosion resistance application, so it is used in corrosion-sensitive tools and equipment in different industries. Titanium has more corrosion-resistant powers than stainless steel in diverse fields like corrosion against acid alkalis, industrial chemicals, and natural waters.· Electrical Conductivity· Electrical conductivity involves the flowing of electrons via material due to a drop in their potential. Atomic structure in metals is a result of their electrical conductivity. Based on electrical conductivity, titanium shows poor conductivity, so it is fair resistors. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is a good conducted of copper 3.5%, while titanium exhibits only 3.1% copper conductivity.· Melting point· The melting temperature at which a metal converts into a liquid phase from a solid phase is known as its melting point. At this temperature, both the liquid and the solid phase of the material exist in the equilibrium stage. The material can be used for thermal applications to reach this temperature level. Titanium is mostly preferred over stainless steel when metal is needed for melting point application because it exhibits 3000 to 3040 degrees Fahrenheit whereas stainless steel exhibits only 2250 to 2790 degrees Fahrenheit.· Hardness· The hardness of a metal is the value that describes how much the metal can respond to deformation, scratching, itching, denting, etc. This measurement is done with the help of indenter machines. For example, stainless steel is harder than titanium regarding heat treatment and alloy composition. On the other hand, titanium easily deforms when being scratched or indented.Is Titanium Stronger Than Steel?Based on their tensile yield strength, stainless steel is mostly preferred over titanium because it is much stronger than titanium. A popular misconception among people is that titanium is stronger compared to other metals, but the reality is that it is only on par with stainless steel. Regarding the overall strength, stainless steel is preferred as alloys of stainless steel surpass other metals in yield strength. If designers are looking only for strength, they should use steel, whereas designers concerned with strength per mass unit should select titanium.Is Titanium Expensive?Titanium is more expensive compared to stainless steel. This is why this metal is more costly for some industries like the construction sector, where huge quantities are required in industrial sectors. In industries where money becomes a crucial factor, stainless steel is preferred over titanium. 

Is 317 stainless steel well worth Cost Over 316 & 304?

Is 317 stainless steel Well Worth Cost Over 316 & 304? Grade stainless 304 withstands adverse environmental conditions while Grade stainless 316 can sustain under high cryogenic temperature and corrosive actions by chlorides etc. On the opposite hand Grade stainless 317 is brought into the image against extreme operating conditions of temperature and moisture that demand even higher performance characteristics as compared with grades like stainless 304 and stainless 316. Though of these alloys share some similar characteristics but they are doing have difference in their respective chemical compositions. Now, allow us to have a look on their actual chemical composition:Grades                                      Reference Chemistry(%)ENASTM   CSiMnPSCrMoNi 1.4301304Max 0.07Max 1Max2Max0.045Max0.03017.5-19.5_ _ 8.0-10.5Max0.111.4401316Max 0.07Max 1Max2Max0.045Max0.03016.5-18.52.0-2.510.0-13.0Max0.111.4449317Max 0.07Max 1Max2Max0.045Max0.03017.5-19.53.0-4.013.0-16.0Max0.11 As clearly noticed from the table above that especially , the quantity of metal Chromium, Nickel and Molybdenum varies in them from one another . Molybdenum is added so as to supply resistance against pitting corrosion from chlorides, that’s why these grades are getting used in chemical, gas oil refinery and marine industry to perform well in acidic environment. Moreover, Nickel add variety of properties to them prefer formability, hot working, high strength ,welding ability and sustainability. Hence these elements (Ni, Mo), in turn, also enhances the value of those grades in accordance with their increasing percentage content. SS 317 is costliest among them whereas SS 316 is slightly expensive than SS 304. stainless 317 convince be an honest material in device manufacture because it resists Galvanic Corrosion between the plates and therefore the frame of the warmth exchanger during a much better way than stainless 304 and stainless 316. The trend in PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) values also depicts an equivalent superiority of stainless 317 over stainless 304 and stainless 316. One can easily conclude by reading the table below that stainless 317 is almost 20% and 40% more immune to pitting corrosion than stainless 316 and stainless 304 respectively. In nutshell, all the figures reveal this incontrovertible fact that stainless 317 justifies its extra cost due to extra longevity because it lasts for a extended time before failing within the same manner that stainless 304 and stainless 316 fail. PREN Value                                           ASTM GradeSS 304SS 316SS 317212429 

Duplex Stainless in Pulp and paper, Chemical engineering and Nuclear Energy

Duplex Stainless in Pulp and paper, Chemical engineering and Nuclear Energy Pulp and paperThe Pulp and Paper industry is very competitive, and reducing costs a priority. In spite of it, or because of it, this industry has been one of the earliest ones to recognise the value of duplex stainless steels. For example, S32205 (EN 1.4462),S32304 (EN 1.4362) and S32101 (EN 1.4162) can be used in digesters, pressure vessels and liquor tanks as well as in paper machines. For more aggressive environments, such as bleaching, super duplex S32750 (EN 1.4410) is needed. The properties that led to this development are the overall low life cycle costs,     the high strength (reduction of weight), the increased corrosion resistance (particularly to SCC) and the higher surface hardness. The latter property is important to resist the abrasion of wood chips and pulp (particularly in digesters). The optimum material choice today is a selection of austenitic, duplex and super- austenitic stainless steels that complement each other. Chemical engineeringDuplex stainless steels are used along with other stainless steels to process/ produce a wide variety of chemicals: fertilisers, polymers, pharmaceuticals, etc. Their corrosion resistance and high strength make them particularly valuable for key process equipment such asƒpressure vessels,ƒheat exchangers,ƒcondensers,ƒstorage tanks,ƒdistillation columns,ƒand all the ancillary equipment: tubes, pumps, valves, fittings, filters, fasteners, agitators, ….Presence of impurities such as chlorides or fluorides, abrasive solids and of course elevated temperature increase the aggressiveness of the medium. Nuclear EnergyIn this industry with very high safety standards, any change in materials specifications takes a very long time. Nevertheless, duplex stainless steels are being specified in some new build and in decommissioning uses.Their high SCC corrosion resistance ensures long term safety (up to 150 years), while the high strength allows a simpler design. In addition, a better thermal performance is obtained thanks to a relatively low thermal expansion and higher thermal conductivity compared to austenitic stainless steels. In new built plants, duplex stainless steels are used in the piping of the secondary water cooling circuit of the power plants.In decommissioning, they are now one of the preferred materials for boxes in which slow-decaying radioactive materials are placed for geological storage. An example is provided by the Pile Fuel Cladding Silo at Sellafield, one of the world’s oldest nuclear storage sites, which will need a total of 2200 duplex stainless containers, weighing 1.3 tons each, to keep the nuclear waste for at least 500 years. Other applications are canisters for transport and storage of nuclear fuel.

CLASSES OF STAINLESS STEEL

CLASSES OF STAINLESS STEELWhat is Stainless Steel?Stainless steel is a low carbon steel which contains chromium; it is this addition of chromium that gives plain steel its unique stain and corrosion resisting properties. The chromium in the steel allows the formation of a rough, invisible, corrosion resisting chromium oxide film on the steel surface. If the material is damaged either mechanically or chemically, the film heals itself (providing that oxygen is present). With the addition of chromium and other elements such as molybdenum, nickel and nitrogen, the steel takes on increased corrosion resistance and other properties.The Classes of Stainless SteelStainless steels are generally grouped into 5 different classes. Each is identified by the alloying elements which affect their microstructure and for which each is named.Martensitic stainless steelsFerritic stainless steelsAustenitic stainless steelsDuplex (ferritic-austenitic) stainless steelsPrecipitation-Hardening (PH) stainless steelsMartensitic Stainless SteelMartensitic Stainless grades are a group of stainless alloys made to be be corrosion resistant and harden-able (using heat treating). All martensitic grades are straightforward chromium steels without nickel. All of these grades are magnetic. Martensitic grades are mainly used where hardness, strength, and wear resistance are required.Grade TypesType 410: A basic martensitic grade that contains lower alloy content. It has a relatively low cost, and it is a general purpose, heat treatable stainless steel. Typically used where corrosion is not too severe (such as air, water, some chemicals, and food acids.). Applications for this product can include parts needing a combination of strength and corrosion resistance, such as fasteners.Type 410S: Holds a lower carbon content than Type 410, but provides improved weldability with lower hardenability. This is a general purpose corrosion and heat resisting chromium steel.Type 414: This type has increased Nickel content (2%) for improved corrosion resistance. Typical applications include springs and cutlery.Type 416: The added Phosphorus and Sulphur in this type allow for improved machinability. Typical applications include screw machine parts.Type 420: Increased carbon in this type helps improve the mechanical properties. Typical applications include surgical instruments.Type 431: Has increased chromium content for greater corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. Typical applications include high strength parts such as valves and pumps.Type 440: Further increases to the Chromium and Carbon content help improve toughness and corrosion resistance of this type. Typical applications include surgical instruments.Ferritic Stainless SteelFerritic Stainless grades resist corrosion and oxidation, whilst remaining resistant to stress and cracking. Although these steels are magnetic, they cannot be hardened using heat treatment. Once annealed these grades can be cold worked. They have a higher corrosion resistance than martensitic grades, but are mostly inferior to the austenitic grades. These grades are straight Chromium steels with no Nickel, and are often used for decorative trim, sinks, and certain automotive applications such as exhaust systems.Type 430: A basic grade that has less corrosion resistance than Type 304. This type has a resistance to corrosives like nitric acid, sulfur gases, and many organic and food acids.Type 405: This type has a lower chromium content combined with added aluminum. This chemical makeup helps prevent hardening when cooled from high temperatures. Typical applications include heat exchangers.Type 409: One of the least expensive Stainless grades due to its decreased chromium content. This type should only be used for interior or exterior parts in non-critical corrosive environments. Typical applications include muffler stock.Type 434: This type has an increased Molybdenum content that gives it improved corrosion resistance. Typical applications can include automotive trim and fasteners.Type 436: This grade has columbium added for corrosion and heat resistance. Most typical applications include deep-drawn parts.Type 442: Has improved scaling resistance due to the increased Chromium content. Applications can include furnace and heater parts.Type 446: Even higher chromium content has been added to further improve corrosion and scaling resistance at high temperatures. This grade is very good with oxidation resistance in a sulfuric environment.Austenitic Stainless SteelAustenitic Stainless is the most commonly used stainless class. The high Chromium and Nickel content of the grades in this group provide superior corrosion resistance and very good mechanical properties. They cannot be hardened through heat treatment, but can be hardened considerably through cold-working. None of the grades in this class are magnetic.Standard GradesThe standard grades of austenitic stainless steel contain a maximum of .08% carbon; there is no minimum carbon requirement.Low Carbon Grades (L Grades)The “L” grades are used to provide extra corrosion resistance after welding. The letter “L” after a stainless steel grade number indicates low carbon. Carbon levels are kept to .03% or under to avoid carbide precipitation, which can lead to corrosion. Due to the temperatures created during the welding process (which can lead to carbon precipitation) – “L” grades are typically used. Quite commonly, Stainless mills offer these stainless grades as dual certified, such as 304/304L or 316/316L.High Carbon Grades (H Grades)Stainless “H” grades have a minimum of .04% carbon and a maximum of .10% carbon. The higher carbon helps retain strength at extreme temperatures. These grades are indicated by the letter “H” after the stainless grade number. The use of this designation would be when the end-use involves an extreme temperature environment.Type 304: One of the most commonly used (Austenitic) Stainless grades. Its high content of Chromium and Nickel make it a preferred choice when making processing equipment for the chemical (mild chemicals), food/dairy and beverage industries. This grade possesses an excellent combination of strength, corrosion resistance and fabric-ability.Type 316: This Stainless grade has 18% chromium, 14% Nickel and added Molybdenum; these in combination increase its resistance to corrosion. In particular, it is the molybdenum that is used which helps to control the pit type attack of corrosion. This grade will resist scaling at temperatures up to 1600 F. Type 316 is used in chemical processing, the pulp and paper industry, for food and beverage processing and dispensing and in the more corrosive environments. It is also used in the marine industry due to its resistance to corrosion.Type 317: Containing a higher percentage of molybdenum than 316, it is used in highly corrosive environments. The Molybdenum content of this grade must be greater than 3%. Commonly used in scrubber systems of air pollution control devices that are used to remove particulates and/or gases from industrial exhaust streams.Type 321: Contains a Titanium addition of at least five times the carbon content. This addition is made to reduce or eliminate chromium carbide precipitation – resulting from welding or exposure to high temperatures. Used in the Aerospace industry.Type 347: Has a slightly improved corrosion resistance over type 321 stainless steel in strongly oxidizing environments. Type 347 should be considered for applications requiring intermittent heating between 800ºF (427ºC) and 1650ºF (899ºC), or for welding under conditions which prevent a post-weld anneal.Duplex (Ferritic-Austenitic) Stainless SteelsDuplex grades are a combination of austenitic and ferritic material. These grades are about twice as strong as the austenitic and ferritic grades. While they do have better toughness and ductility than the ferritic grades, they do not reach the levels of the austenitic grades. Duplex grades have a corrosion resistance very close to the austenitic grades such as 304 and 316. Grade 2205 is the most widely used in the duplex class.Type 2205: Duplex 2205 is ideally suited for high-pressure and highly corrosive environments. It also has high corrosion and erosion fatigue properties as well as lower thermal expansion and higher thermal conductivity than austenitic. The usage of this grade should be should be limited to temperatures below 315° C, as extended elevated temperature exposure can result in brittle material.Type 2304: Duplex 2304 is generally used in the same applications in which Alloys 304 and 316L are used. It has corrosion resistance very close or slightly better than austenitic grades 304 and 316, but it has nearly doubled yield strength. It is suited for use in temperatures between -50° and 300° C. This grade has a high mechanical strength and a high resistance to stress corrosion cracking. It has good weldability, machinability, and is easy to fabricate.Type 2507: Duplex 2507 is a super duplex stainless steel. It is in applications which require exceptional strength and corrosion resistance, such as chemical process, petrochemical, and seawater equipment. This grade has excellent resistance to chloride stress, corrosion cracking, high thermal conductivity, and a low coefficient of thermal expansion. The high chromium, molybdenum, and nitrogen levels provide excellent resistance to pitting, crevice, and general corrosion.Precipitation-Hardening (PH) Stainless SteelsPrecipitation hardening stainless steel can be strengthened and hardened by heat treatment. This offers the designer a unique combination of fabric-ability, strength, ease of heat treatment, and corrosion resistance not found in any other class of material. These grades include 17Cr-4Ni (17-4PH) and 15Cr-5Ni (15-5PH).Type 17-4: Alloy 17-4 is a chromium-copper precipitation hardening stainless steel that is used for applications requiring high strength and a moderate level of corrosion resistance. It has high strength and good corrosion resistance in all heat treated conditions. This grade can be heat treated in a variety of temperatures; resulting in a wide range of finished properties. This grade should not be used in temperatures above 300° C or very low temperatures.Type 15-5: This is a variant of the older 17-4 chromium-nickel-copper precipitation hardening martensitic stainless steel. The 15-5 alloy was designed to have greater toughness than 17-4. It is used in applications requiring better corrosion resistance and transverse properties compared to other similar martensitic grades.

WELDING PROCESSES FOR STAINLESS STEEL

WELDING PROCESSES FOR STAINLESS STEEL Warped metal, charcoal-colored welds, and frustration; these are some of the things that can happen when welding stainless steel. While it contains similar elements to that of carbon steel, stainless steel has the addition of alloying elements such as chromium and molybdenum, and that presents an altogether different set of challenges when fusing two or more pieces of stainless steel rather than carbon steel. The oxygen surrounding the molten pool of stainless steel must be kept to an absolute minimum. The weld pool will behave differently than aluminum or carbon steel. The thermal conductivity of stainless steel is much less, making distortion and heat input a large concern. While there are many items to consider when welding stainless steel, one of the most important decisions to make is what welding process to use. Welding Processes for Stainless SteelBelow we discuss the most popular welding processes used for stainless steel. Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding/Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)MIG welding, or gas metal arc welding as it is more formally known, is one of the more popular ways to weld stainless steel. There are many similarities between MIG welding stainless steel and welding carbon steel. No special drive rolls need to be used, and the electrical polarity remains the same. However, shielding gas compositions are typically different. Lower amounts of oxygen are allowable when welding stainless steel, so O2 or CO2 levels should be kept around 2% or lower. It is quite common for tri-blend shielding gases that contain argon, helium, and carbon dioxide or oxygen to be used when MIG welding stainless steel. Since corrosion resistance will typically be desired in the weld as well as the base material, stainless steel welding wire must be used. Furthermore, to prevent cracking, the filler wire and base stainless steel should be a low carbon version or have stabilizers in them such as tantalum or niobium. Using a pulsed welding waveform can also help users MIG weld stainless steel more successfully. Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding/Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)TIG welding, more formally known as gas tungsten arc welding, is another process that is frequently used to weld stainless steel. This process also has similarities between when it is used to weld carbon steel and when it is used to weld stainless steel. Both materials require a direct current electrode negative (DCEN) polarity. Typically, nearly 100% argon or helium shielding gases are used. As with MIG welding, TIG welding requires stainless steel filler metal to prevent making a weld that will be easily susceptible to corrosion. Low carbon or stabilized grades of stainless steel should be used as filler metals, and the base metals should also be low carbon or stabilized. Distortion can be a major problem when welding stainless steel, so it is important to keep travel speeds somewhat fast and heat inputs low when TIG welding stainless steel. Flux-Cored Arc WeldingIn general, welding processes that use flux are not optimal for welding stainless steel. That being said, it is possible to weld stainless steel with the flux-cored process. Special gas mixtures need to be used. Gas-shielded flux-cored arc welding is typically a better choice of process to weld stainless steel than flux-cored arc welding since it relies less on flux than the latter process to shield the weld metal from the atmosphere. Metal-Cored Arc WeldingA better cored wire alternative to both self-shielded flux-cored arc welding and gas-shielded flux-cored arc welding is metal-cored arc welding. This is mostly because metal-cored arc welding does not rely on flux at all. The metal core of the filler material, while it does have certain kinds of deoxidizers, is mostly packed with powdered metals to increase deposition. With the proper shielding gas and wire feeding system, metal-cored arc welding can be used to make high-quality welds on stainless steel. For the most part, a pulsed waveform or spray-transfer arc is required to make a high-quality stainless steel weld with metal-cored arc welding. Laser Beam Welding (LBW)Laser beam welding is frequently used to join together stainless steel at very fast travel speeds and with very low heat inputs. Care must be taken to avoid porosity and cracking when welding with lasers. Cracks and porosity can be avoided through reducing the amount of oxygen via a shielding gas and weld parameter optimization. Laser beam welding is never performed manually, and therefore, must be automated if it is selected as the process to be used for welding stainless steel. Other Welding Processes Used on Stainless SteelThe above-mentioned processes are perhaps the most common processes used to weld stainless steel. There are many other, somewhat less popular processes out in the industry that can be used to weld stainless steel. They include plasma arc welding (PAW), electron beam welding (EBW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), friction stir welding (FSW), and resistance welding (RW). This list is not exhaustive, and there are many more welding processes that can weld stainless steel together with varying levels of success.

No. 2B/No. 4/No.8 STAINLESS STEEL FINISHING SURFACE

No. 2B/No. 4/No.8 STAINLESS STEEL FINISHING SURFACE There are a number of stainless steel finishing options that alter more than just the appearance of the material. Whatever the intended use, choosing the right finish option is essential. In projects when design is a primary consideration, an attractive finish will enhance the appeal of the end-product. For example, in architecture and the automotive industries, different finishes can be used to achieve a variety of visual effects. In retail products, particularly kitchen appliances, stainless steel No. 4 finish is one of the most popular finishes available. The choice of surface finish is also important where fabrication processes will be applied. Rough surface finishes are appropriate when the steel will be ground prior to painting and gluing. Smooth surface finishes are better where the steel will be blended. The choice of finish should always be clearly specified and properly defined by standard industry designations. The development of the surface finish standardDuring the late 1970s, British Steel scientists found that dull polished finishes on stainless steel showed a wide range of surface roughness. Further testing revealed that steel with high surface roughness was heavily damaged by the polishing operations, whereas steel with low surface roughness was relatively unscathed. During the mid-1980s dull polished finishes became widely used on projects such as high-profile architectural projects. However, it was soon discovered that some of these dull polished finishes had poor corrosion resistance, especially when exposed to seawater. Consequently a new surface finish description was introduced which remains in use to this day. Three more common stainless steel finishing options are:No. 2B – Matte finishNo. 4 – Brushed finishNo.8 – Mirror finish No. 2B – Matte FinishNo. 2B is the mill finish, meaning it has not been processed further. Matte finishes are dull in appearance and are not ideal for aesthetic end uses. However, they are a good choice where appearance is not important or when further finishing is intended. No. 2B Matte finishes are the least expensive of the stainless steel finishing options. The finish is produced by cold rolling stainless steel through special rolls or dies. The cold rolling produces a smoother, less pitted surface. Next it is softened and de-scaled in acid solution. The steel is given a final pass on polished rolls to further enhance its smoothness. Common applications include:Chemical plant equipmentPharmaceutical equipmentPaper mill equipmentLaundry and dry cleaningRefrigerationSewage equipment No. 4 Brushed FinishThe No. 4 Brushed finish can vary with different suppliers and even from batch to batch from the same supplier. The variations arise from differing manufacturing conditions, such as wearing of the abrasive belts used in these finishes. Some level of variation should be expected when ordering No. 4 Brushed finish. It can be helpful to request a sample of a few square inches to ensure the finish achieves the desired effect. Brushing the stainless steel produces a distinctive look with a muted luster and a pattern of fine parallel lines. It has strong decorative appeal without being too reflective, as too much reflectiveness can be undesirable. For example, overly reflective stainless steel accents on a building could be blinding in bright sunlight. The drawbacks to this finish include reduced corrosion resistance, because the grooves of the finish are susceptible to rust. The finish is created by sanding the stainless steel in one direction with a 120-180 grit belt, followed by softening with a 80-120 grit medium non-woven belt. Common applications include:Jewelry and watchesHome appliancesAir conditionersWater heatersArchitectureAutomotive design No.8 – Mirror finishMirror finishes are highly reflective and created by polishing the stainless steel. The polishing process enhances appearance and consistency, making cleaning easier. It also masks the after-effects of welding and hides surface damage. No. 8 Mirror finish is created by mechanically treating the surface with a series of progressively finer abrasives. Alternatively a special rolling procedure is used which can simulate the appearance of mechanical abrasion. For this stage, it is essential to remove deep scratches as any surface defects will be very noticeable on the finished product. The final process involves buffing the surface for 5-10 minutes to create a mirror-like, highly reflective finish. A benefit of No. 8 Mirror finishing is that it improves corrosion resistance. The polishing eradicates crevices where corrosive particles can lodge themselves. Common applications include:MirrorsOrnamental trimClean roomsColumn coversWall panelsReflectors