People have been benefiting from the advantages of stainless steel for more than 100 years: the first patent for steels with high resistance to corrosion was granted back in 1912. These special steels have of course been continuously developed, so that today there are various types of corrosion-resistant steels.
As experts in high-grade steel - which is likewise a non-rusting metal - we would like to inform you here about the properties of this steel. We answer the question: what is stainless steel? Where is it used? What distinguishes it in use and processing? In this way, we want to give you a little help in deciding which steel is right for you.
Stainless steel: a definition
The official definition states that stainless steels are iron alloys containing at least 10.5% chromium and no more than 1.2% carbon. This combination causes a surface layer to form on the steel that prevents corrosion - the so-called passive layer.
The great advantage of this protective layer is that it is, in a sense, indestructible: it keeps forming anew. So if you damage the surface of stainless steel during processing, a new passive layer forms that reliably protects against rust.
There are different types of stainless steel
Based on their composition, stainless steels are divided into four groups. These four groups differ not only in composition but also in their characteristic properties.
Austenitic steels
These are either iron-chromium-nickel alloys or alloys of iron, chromium, nickel and molybdenum. The carbon content is always below 0.1%. It is characteristic that austenitic steels are non-magnetic.
Ferritic steels
This steel is always an alloy of iron and chromium with a carbon content below 0.1%. All ferritic steels are magnetic.
Martensitic steels
Here too, we have an alloy of iron and chromium. The carbon content is below 0.1%. These alloys are magnetic, and martensitic steels can even be hardened, which broadens their range of applications.
Duplex steels
This is an alloy of iron, chromium and nickel. At less than 0.1%, the carbon content is once again very low. What is special is that the microstructure is a mixture of austenitic and ferritic - and duplex steels are magnetic.
Accounting for a good two-thirds, austenitic steels make up the majority of the stainless steels in use. Particularly often used is stainless steel 1.4301, also known under the name V2A. The name is an abbreviation of its original designation: "Versuchsschmelze 2 Austenitisch" (trial melt 2, austenitic).
Properties of stainless steel
When it comes to the properties of stainless steel, a distinction must be made between the basic properties that apply to all metals of this group and the specific material properties. All types of non-rusting metal have the following in common:
- Heat resistance
- High to very high corrosion resistance
- They are easy to clean
- High strength
- They are food-safe
Almost every stainless steel has an attractive appearance. They are also fully recyclable. Processing is generally good and can also be managed by non-professionals - this applies to drilling as well as to brazing corrosion-resistant steel.
Special properties of austenitic steels
We would also like to look once more at the special material properties of austenitic steels, which after all account for around two-thirds of the stainless steels in use.
In particular, the chromium-nickel alloys marketed under the designations 1.4828 and 1.4845 have significantly greater high-temperature resistance, attributable to their higher chromium and nickel content. As heat-resistant stainless steel, they are thus very well suited to transport containers in production facilities and to furnace construction.
To improve weldability, look for a low carbon content or the addition of small amounts of titanium to the alloy. Stainless steel 1.4541 meets both criteria and is therefore ideal if you want to weld sheets of stainless steel.
To increase corrosion resistance even further, molybdenum can be added to the alloy. Steel 1.4436, for example, has a particularly high molybdenum content.
Stainless steel: no off-the-shelf product
As you can see, there is unfortunately no single stainless steel. This is also the main reason why the various alloys cannot be bought like other building materials at the DIY store or builders' merchant. Another reason is that processing stainless steel sheets is not at all easy: most people lack not only the experience but also the right tools.
But that is no reason to despair. Before you start worrying about how to get hold of a stainless steel sheet in the right dimensions, we would like to briefly introduce our offer. We recognised exactly this problem and have therefore tailored our offer specifically to the needs of private customers.
We advise you without obligation
In the age of online retail it may seem a little old school, but we still attach great importance to personal contact with our customers. We stock a wide variety of steel alloys and can thus make sure you order the right sheet. Our experienced staff determine with just a few questions which alloy is the right one for your purposes.
Once you have given us the dimensions, our colleague can calculate the price for you immediately. You are quoted it right away and can then decide whether to order your made-to-measure sheet of non-rusting metal directly from us or whether you need more time to think it over.
We have good arguments
Almost all our orders are produced and dispatched within 48 hours of receipt, so it never takes more than a few days for you to receive your delivery. This is only possible because we permanently hold more than 2,000 tonnes of steel sheet in stock - processing exclusively sheets of European production.
We are happy to pass on to you the price advantage we achieve by purchasing large quantities. Our prices are absolutely transparent, because we calculate every order individually. Through constant investment in our machine park, we can assure you that we work precisely and to the millimetre. This applies not only to cutting but also to forming and surface treatment, which we can offer you as further services for stainless steel.
With us, you get service from a single source
So that you do not have to carry out any further work steps yourself apart from fastening the sheet, we offer you an all-round package. We not only have machines for cutting: for forming into bent sheets or stainless steel angles, machines in various sizes are available. This allows us to guarantee that you always receive a perfectly straight edge - important from both a structural and a visual point of view.
We are also happy to take care of the surface finish, using various grinding processes. Whether you want a matt or a ground surface - we will gladly take care of the surface treatment for you.
Simply give us a call without obligation and have a sheet of stainless steel 1.4541 calculated for you. It only takes a few minutes, and you can place your order immediately afterwards. At the same time, you will have made sure that the sheet you want is actually suitable for its intended location. And because you only have to wait a few days for our delivery, your project will not come to a standstill - you can use the time to think about the fastening method.
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