How Different Types of Stainless Steel Affect Stampings and Springs
Those looking for reliable materials in the construction of their equipment need to understand the variety of options available to them. Metal stampings and stainless steel springs are made from a variety of materials and all affect the performance and effectiveness of the item. Many of them are constructed from iron-based alloys made up of at least ten percent chromium. This, along with an oxide film forming on the surface, helps eliminate oxidation and rusting. Preventing rush is one of the most important aspects of creating a material that is going to hold up for a long time.
Specific types include austenitic, which has low yield strength, high elongation, rapid work hardening and a high level of impact strength. This type is made up of about fifteen to thirty percent chromium and two percent nickel. Other materials that may be used to create austenitic springs include nitrogen, manganese and molybdenum, which help prevent corrosion. This type is not magnetic and at low temperatures, is not subject to impact transition. They will not be hardened by heat treatment and they are strengthened by work hardening. This type is most often used in cookware, food processing equipment, automotive trim and various household appliances.
The ferritic type contains anywhere from ten to twenty percent chromium and are mostly free of nickel. Other materials used include titanium and niobium, which are good materials for welding. They are not hardened by heat treating and only slightly hardened by cold-working. They are usually stronger than other types and have good formability and ductility. They are known for being susceptible to brittle fractures at lower temperatures. They are magnetic and have a high level of resistance to oxidation and corrosion. This type is typically found in hot water tanks and automotive exhaust systems.
Martensitic varieties are anywhere from eleven to eighteen percent chromium and they have a higher level of carbon than their counterparts. They are magnetic and may experience brittle fractures at low temperatures. They can be heat treated for a wider range of strength levels and hardness. They are not as corrosion resistant as their counterparts. This type is typically used in sports knives, cutlery and multi-purpose tools.
Precipitation hardening varieties are made of chromium nickel alloys and include both the martensitic and austenitic varieties. They undergo a procedure that gives them a higher strength. The procedure is a heat treatment administered at around 500 to 800 degree Celsius. The treatment causes hard compounds to form around the crystal lattice as it undergoes the tempering. This type is commonly used in aerospace components. In addition to precipitation hardening, duplex alloys mix austenite and ferrite in their structure and are highly magnetic. They show both high strength and ductility because they are a combination of the two varieties. They are known for having good cyclic oxidation resistance, pitting corrosion resistance, stress corrosion resistance and high strength and good for welding. They do experience brittle fractures at lower temperatures, but still have a high strength. They are most commonly used in heat exchangers, marine petrochemical materials, papermaking industry supplies and desalination plants.
Author Bio: Stewart Wrighter searched the term metal stampings custom stamped metal parts in commercial steels. He searched the term stainless steel springs to locate a firm to make custom springs for a job site he is working on.
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