Stainless Steel Sheet

• Grade 201 stainless steel has good formability, corrosion resistance, and fabricability. 201 is a low cost alternative to the conventional Cr-Ni austenitic stainless steels, such as stainless 304. Copper is added to compensate for the increased work-hardening rate. Stainless steel 201 has relatively lower ductility and formability compared to stainless steel 304.

• 304 stainless steel is the most versatile and widely used of all stainless steels. Its chemical composition, mechanical properties, weldability and corrosion/oxidation resistance provide the best all-round performance stainless steel at relatively low cost. It also has excellent low-temperature properties and responds well to hardening by cold working. If the potential for intergranular corrosion in the heat-affected zone exists, 304L is recommended.

• Alloys 316 (UNS S31600) and 316L (UNS S31603) are molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steels, which are more resistant to general corrosion and pitting/crevice corrosion than the conventional chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steels. The resultant composition of 316 gives the steel improved corrosion resistance in many aggressive environments. The molybdenum makes the steel more resistant to corrosion in mildly corrosive environments gives the steel good atmospheric corrosion resistance in polluted marine atmospheres.

• 316 offers higher strength and better creep resistance at higher temperatures than 304. 316 also provides excellent mechanical and corrosion properties at sub-zero temperatures. When there is a danger of corrosion in the heat-affected zones of weldments, the lower-carbon variety 316L should be used.

• Grade 409 stainless steel grade provides excellent protection against exhaust gas and atmospheric corrosion at elevated temperatures. These mechanical properties offer critical advantages in the automotive and agriculture industries. One disadvantage of this stainless steel sheet is its exterior finishing characteristics – it is not recommended for decorative applications or where appearance is prioritized (like exterior auto body paneling or appliance surfaces).

• Alloy 410 stainless steel is the general purpose 12% chromium martensitic stainless steel that can be heat treated to obtain a wide range of mechanical properties. 410 stainless steel plate possesses high strength and hardness coupled with good corrosion resistance. Alloy 410 stainless steel plate is ductile and can be formed. It is magnetic in all conditions.
• This alloy is used when strength, hardness, and/or wear resistance must be combined with corrosion resistance.

• 430 is a popular non-hardenable grade most commonly used in indoor environments. 430 is readily cold formed by bending, deep drawing and stretch forming. 430 is relatively easy to machine and is comparable to that of structural carbon steel requiring the same recommendations regarding tooling, cutting speeds and cutting feeds. 430 can be welded although it may require annealing.

• 430 has limited weldability and should not be used in the as-welded condition for dynamic or impact-loaded structures.

• Being a ferritic material, 430 has the potential to suffer brittle fracture at sub-zero temperatures. It should not be used in cryogenic applications.