Stainless Steel Sheet Cutting
Stainless Steels
Stainless steel is the term used for grades of steel that contain more than 0.10% chromium, with or without other alloying elements. Stainless steel resists corrosion, maintains its strength at high tolerances and is easily maintained. The most common grades are:
TYPE 304 - The most commonly specified austenitic (chromium-nickel stainless class) stainless steel, accounting for more than half of the stainless steel produced in the world. This grade withstands ordinary corrosion in architecture, is durable in typical food processing environments, and resists most chemicals. Type 304 is available in virtually all product forms and finishes.
TYPE 316 - Austenitic (chromium-nickel stainless class) stainless steel containing 0.2%-0.3% molybdenum (whereas 304 has none). The inclusion of molybdenum gives 316 greater resistance to various forms of deterioration.
TYPE 409 - Ferritic (plain chromium stainless category) stainless steel suitable for high temperatures. This grade has the lowest chromium content of all stainless steels and thus is the least expensive.
TYPE 410 - The most widely used martensitic (plain chromium stainless class with exceptional strength) stainless steel, featuring the high level of strength conferred by the martensitics. It is a low-cost, heat-treatable grade suitable for non-severe corrosion applications.
TYPE 430 - The most widely used ferritic (plain chromium stainless category) stainless steel, offering general-purpose corrosion resistance, often in decorative applications. 430 stainless is a martensitic stainless with higher levels of carbon (.15%) that allow it to be heat treated. 430 is also highly magnetic.