In the recent years, the demand for stainless steel has continually risen, and the stainless steel manufacturing industry has continued to boom. This is because apart from the fact that stainless steel has become the preferred building material among contractors due to its attractive appearance, its resistance to corrosion, its strength, and low-maintenance characteristics, the stainless steel manufacturing firms have also developed innovative ways to use them. These innovations highlight the unique characteristics of stainless steel – one of which is ability to withstand corrosion even when exposed to the elements. Stainless, for example, is now used to make outdoor stainless steel products which include portable outdoor stainless steel sinks and cabinets. The success of stainless steel manufacturing is certainly more evident in appliance stores. Appliances made of steel, — which were traditionally considered “white goods” because of the white paint that are used to coat the appliances – are being replaced by stainless steel appliances.
New strides in stainless steel manufacturing
As with all steel products, not all stainless steel items are made equal. Different stainless steel manufacturing firms manufacture different kinds.
You see, stainless steels are iron-based alloys that contain about 11% chromium, which is what forms the protective “self-healing oxide film” or the shiny surface of the material which makes it corrosion resistant.
However, stainless steel manufacturing firms have “experimented” with the material by combining the iron not only with different amounts of chromium but other materials as well, which are alloyed with the iron. As a result, the process of stainless steel manufacturing now involves the production of different kinds of stainless steel that can serve different purposes.
One of these types is the Mertentistic stainless steel, which, like carbon steel, could also be hardened by heat treatment and is also magnetic. Another type of stainless steel is the Ferretic stainless steel, which contains between 11% to 18% chromium. This type of stainless steel is magnetic, moderately corrosion resistant, and is not susceptible to stress corrosion.
Another type of stainless steel is the Austenitic stainless steel, which is made up of iron alloy, 18% chromium, and 8% nickel. This type of stainless steel is not magnetic and is considered to be one of the most corrosion resistant types of stainless steel. On the other hand, Duplex stainless steel is made up of 18% to 26% chromium and 4.5% to 6.5% nickel, but it is also considered highly resistant to corrosion. Another type of stainless steel is the Precipitation hardening stainless steel, which are commonly used for heavy duty engineering components.
The future
Nowadays, stainless steel manufacturing is a very dynamic industry. Apart from the high demand for stainless steel products, the new multiple uses of stainless steel keeps the trade going strong. Companies involved in stainless steel manufacturing can look forward to an even wider market.