What is steel?
Steel is a metal alloy that is made up of iron and carbon. The percentage of mixed carbon will decide the steel’s properties. However, the amount of carbon added will always be less than 1.5%. Aside from that, the properties of steel are affected by other elements added to the alloy, as well as impurities. The most common features found in steel are manganese, tungsten, vanadium, phosphorous, and sulphur. Various grading systems are also used to classify steel into different groups based on its properties.
- Carbon steels
- Alloy steels
- Stainless steel
- Tool steels
What is stainless steel?
Stainless steel is a type of steel. As a result, it is a metal alloy as well. It is an iron-chromium alloy. Unlike the carbon content in regular steel, the chromium content of stainless steel is about 30%. Other elements that may be present in stainless steel include copper, molybdenum, and titanium.
The most desired property of stainless steel is its corrosion resistance. Unlike regular steel, it does not undergo corrosion; therefore, rusting is absent. This property makes it useful in the production of kitchen and healthcare products because it is safe to be used in moist environments. It also has high heat resistance, making it suitable for cooking kitchen items. Stainless steel has a more attractive appearance than regular steel. According to their properties, stainless steel is divided into sub-groups.
- Duplex stainless steel
- Martensitic stainless steel
- Ferritic stainless steel
- Austenitic stainless steel
Steel vs stainless steel
Applications
Steel is an excellent choice for large projects because it is a practical, plentiful, and cost-effective alloy. Steel is widely used in constructing roads, railways, and other large infrastructures. Steel skeletons are frequently used to support modern buildings, stadiums, and skyscrapers. Steel can be used to reinforce concrete structures. Steel is also used for smaller building materials like bolts, nails, and screws.
Stainless steel is valued for both its practical and aesthetic qualities. Stainless steel, like steel, can be used to support large infrastructure, but it also has ornamental properties. Stainless steel fixtures and panels add sophistication to any building’s design. Bridges and sculptures can also be made of stainless steel to take advantage of the metal’s resistance to rain and snow. Stainless steel is also widely used in the food and beverage industries. It is simple to clean and sterilize and does not affect food taste.
Chemical composition
Steel: Steel is made by combining iron and carbon, which hardens the iron. Steel has a lower carbon content than stainless steel, which makes it stiffer and stronger. Various impurities such as sulphur, silicon, phosphorous, and manganese are removed from iron during the steelmaking process.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel production follows the same steps as steel production but adds chromium, nickel, nitrogen, and molybdenum. The chromium content is critical in making stainless steel; it must be at least 10.5% to qualify. This chromium is essential for metal protection because it reacts with oxygen in the environment to form a passive surface layer. This passive layer protects the metal from rust and promotes self-healing in the event of minor abrasions.
Properties
Steel has magnetic properties and is divided into three types based on carbon content: high, medium, and low. Steel has better heat distribution due to its higher thermal conductivity.
Stainless steel is typically nonmagnetic, with some exceptions. There are approximately sixty grades of stainless steel, which are distinguished by their degree of magnetism, chromium percentage, and proportions of other elements. Stainless steel has higher hardening properties than steel, making it less malleable with lower thermal conductivity and heat distribution.
Cost
Another important factor to consider is the price difference between steel and stainless steel. Although prices vary by grade, stainless steels are generally more expensive than steel. This is primarily due to adding alloying elements such as chromium, nickel, manganese, and others to stainless steel. These extra elements all add up to a higher cost than steel. On the other hand, steel is mostly made up of inexpensive iron and carbon elements. If you’re working with a tight budget on your next project, carbon steel might be the best option.
Pipingmart is a B2B portal that specializes in metal, industrial and piping items. Additionally, we share the latest information and information about materials, products and various types of grades to assist businesses that are involved in this business.
