Stainless steel stands as one of the best materials to use in manufacturing. Its versatility, durability, and resistance to corrosion have made it indispensable across many industries. That’s why it’s become one of the more popular sheet metals available for Edge Metalworks’ parts. Keep reading to see if stainless steel is the right choice for your industry.
What is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is an alloy primarily composed of iron and chromium, with additional elements such as nickel, carbon, and molybdenum often added to enhance specific properties. The chromium within stainless steel reacts with oxygen to form a thin, protective layer of chromium oxide on the surface, rendering it highly resistant to corrosion, hence why it’s called “stainless”.
Properties of Stainless Steel
As mentioned above, stainless steel is valued for several properties, each of which can be tweaked based on the chemical makeup of the final product. In general, these are the properties you can expect out of stainless steel:
Durability
Stainless steel boasts exceptional durability, remaining strong even in harsh environments and extreme temperatures. Its strength and resilience make it ideal for applications requiring longevity and reliability.
Corrosion Resistant
One of stainless steel’s most well-known attributes is its resistance to corrosion. The chromium oxide layer acts as a shield, protecting the underlying metal from rust and degradation, ensuring longevity and structural integrity.
Heat Resistant
Stainless steel exhibits remarkable heat resistance, retaining its strength and form even at elevated temperatures. This property makes it invaluable in industries where exposure to heat is prevalent, such as automotive manufacturing and aerospace engineering.
Types of Stainless Steel
There are three basic categories (and many different grades) of stainless steel that are used for different applications, each with a different chemical composition that exhibits some additional properties to the general ones listed above.
Austenitic
Non-magnetic and highly formable, austenitic stainless steel is prized for its corrosion resistance and versatility. It is commonly used in applications requiring exceptional durability and aesthetic appeal, such as architectural structures and kitchen appliances.
Ferritic
Magnetic in nature, ferritic stainless steel offers good corrosion resistance and high ductility. It is found in heat exchangers, automotive components, and household appliances due to its magnetic properties and lower material cost..
Martensitic
Combining strength with machinability, martensitic stainless steel is heat-treatable and exhibits moderate corrosion resistance. It is widely used in aerospace, medical, and industrial settings for its durability and heat tolerance.
Industries that Use Stainless Steel Parts
You can find stainless steel in just about any industry but here are five of the most common industries Edge Metalworks serves:
Aerospace
From aircraft frames to engine components, stainless steel plays a crucial role in aerospace engineering, providing strength, corrosion resistance, and heat tolerance that is essential for airplanes and rockets.
Automotive
Stainless steel finds extensive use in the automotive industry for manufacturing exhaust systems, structural components, and trim elements, thanks to its corrosion resistance and durability.
Construction
In the construction sector, stainless steel’s strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal make it a preferred choice for modern architectural features, structural supports, and interior finishes, contributing to both functionality and design.
Food
Stainless steel’s hygienic properties and resistance to corrosion make it essential in food processing, catering, and kitchen equipment, ensuring food is processed safely and sanitation standards are maintained.
Medical
From surgical instruments to medical implants, stainless steel’s sterile and corrosion resistant properties make it vital in the medical industry for safe and effective healthcare practices.
Order Stainless Steel Parts from Edge Metalworks
Stainless steel offers unparalleled durability, corrosion resistance, and versatility across a myriad of applications. If you need stainless steel parts, look no further than Edge Metalworks. Our personalized customer service and specialized focus on parts cutting and forming make us an indispensable part of your supply chain. Contact us today to get started.