- Ella Townsend
STAINLESS STEEL CLASSES AND GRADES
Updated: May 27
Stainless steel is not a single alloy. Understanding stainless steel classes and grades will help you understand where each type is best used and for what fabrication. Stainless steel grades fall under 4 families: austenitic, ferritic, duplex, and martensitic.
AUSTENITIC
Non-magnetic when annealed with a solution
Cannot be hardened with heat treatment
Excellent resistance to corrosion
Great for welding
Popular grades of austenitic stainless steel are 301, 303, 304, 316, and 321.
301- This is very ductile. It hardens quickly during mechanical working and has good weldability and wear resistance.
303- This has additional sulphur and phosphorus, making it an easier machining version of 304.
304- This is the most common grade. It’s a classic 18/8 stainless steel. 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
316- This is the second most common grade. The alloy addition of molybdenum prevents some kinds of corrosion. It’s also referred to as ‘marine grade’ steel because of its extended resistance to chloride corrosion.
321- Like 304 but added titanium gives it a lower risk of weld decay.
FERRITIC
Lower nickel content
Often contain chromium, molybdenum, niobium, and titanium
One of the most cost-effective families
Mainly magnetic
Good corrosion and oxidation resistance
Good weldability
Common use in indoor or hidden applications
Cost and performance outweigh visual appearance
Popular grades of ferritic stainless steels are 409 and 430
409- the cheapest type, commonly used for car exhausts.
430- for decorative use, it has good formability. However, has reduced temperature and corrosion resistance.
DUPLEX
Combination of properties from austenitic and ferritic stainless steels
Created with different alloys to address specific concerns
Good weldability and formability
Some improved corrosion resistance
Some common duplex alloys are 318L, LDX2101, LDX2304, 2507, 4501
MARTENSITIC
Can be tempered and hardened as a result of added carbon
Popular for blades, knifes, scissors, medical tools
Chromium steel without nickel
All grades are magnetic
410- High levels of strength and resistant to wear and corrosion and can be heat treated.
420- Known as ‘surgical steel’. It is like 410 but has more strength and hardness. Can be hardened through heat treatment meaning good ductility for metal fabricators.
Here we have highlighted just some of the different stainless steel classes and grades. At Any Weld we use stainless steel for many projects, for any more information about specific grades get in touch with us at enquiries@anyweld.co.uk