The type of stainless steel that is most frequently utilized is austenitic. The primary factors influencing their formability, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance are their high concentrations of nickel and chromium and relatively low levels of carbon. Additionally, they are not magnetic when annealed, but they can exhibit a small amount of magnetic behavior when cold work.
The AISI/SAE grade system divides austenitic stainless steels into the 200 and 300 series, which contain between 2% and 20% of nickel and between 16% and 30% of chromium.
To completely transform all ferrites into austenite in 18% chromium stainless steel, the ferrite must be converted into the austenitic stainless steels of the 300 series chromium-nickel alloys with at least 8% nickel.
As a more affordable replacement for the 300 series, the 200 series was created in the 1940s. When nickel was much more expensive and scarce, it was designed to use nitrogen in addition to less nickel.
The nickel-based austenitic stainless steel with the designation 304 is the most popular and commonly utilized. Around 8% nickel and 18% chromium are typically found in grade 304 steel.
A different grade of stainless steel frequently used is 316, which has an additional 2% molybdenum content for improved corrosion resistance.
Characteristics of Austenitic stainless steel
- Excellent resistance to corrosion
- After heating, not magnetic
- Fast harden work with cold treatment
- Heat treatment cannot harden anything
- Durable and easily sculptable
- Outstanding Weldability
- Hygienic and very easy to clean
- Excellent functionality at high temperatures
- Outstanding functionality in low temperatures
- Creep resistant
- High cost
Austenitic Stainless Steel Grade
The least quantity of nickel required to completely transform all ferrites into austenite in an 18% chromium stainless steel is found in the 300 series of austenitic stainless steel chromium-nickel alloys.
- 304L – With a minimum of 18% chromium and 8% nickel, alloy 304L is a T-300 series austenitic stainless steel. The maximum amount of carbon in Type 304L is 0.030. The typical “18/8 stainless” is frequently discovered in cookware and kitchen appliances. In the family of stainless steel, alloy 304L is the most functional and popular alloy.
- 304 – The most well-known and widely used austenitic stainless steel based on nickel is 304 stainless steel. Typically, grade 304 contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
- 316– Another commonly used type of stainless steel is 316, which has an additional 2% molybdenum component with enhanced corrosion resistance.
- 310 – Developed for use in high-temperature corrosion-resistant applications, alloy 310 (UNS S31000) is austenitic stainless steel. The alloy can tolerate mild cyclic oxidation up to 2010°F (1100°C).
- 321 – For continuous use at high temperatures, 321 stainless steel is non-magnetic and heat resistant.
Austenitic Stainless Steel Applications
- Austenitic stainless steels are useful for home, industrial, transport, and architectural products because of their high temperatures’ corrosion resistance, formability, strength, and properties.
- Due to their corrosion resistance, austenitic stainless steels have a massive effect on the food, pharmaceutical, chemical, pulp and paper, and petrochemical industries. This is because they involve less maintenance, do not cause product contamination, seem simpler to clean, and have a longer life.
- Cold-worked austenitic stainless steel, with its high strength, is commonly used in transport vehicles, springs, seatbelt anchors, and knife blades.
- Compared to F/M steels, austenitic steels are much more resistant to corrosion and oxidation. In water-cooled nuclear systems are somewhat prone to stress-corrosion cracking and are yet restricted by swelling resistance to radiation.
- Mechanical, thermal, and electrical qualities are equally as significant as corrosion resistance, a highlight of austenitic stainless steels. The requirements on steels, such as maximum load, rigidity, strain, yield stress, etc., must be carefully and in-depth analyzed.
- Understanding the steel’s microstructural examination in light of its particular applications is essential. Understanding fracture processes, nucleation, and micro- and macro-crack propagation under low cycle fatigue conditions are essential for high-risk systems, such as nuclear applications.
- Austenitic stainless steels, which can be highly customized, have many uses, from the automotive industry to the medical field.
Pipingmart is B2B portal specializes in industrial, metal and piping products. Also, share latest information and news related to products, materials and different types grades to help business dealing in this industry.
