If you've decided to use stainless steel in your products, then you have to choose the right grade. This metal has different properties, and each grade has its own features. One of the most common grades is austenitic stainless steel. This type contains higher amounts of nickel than other options.
What are its advantages?
1. Create a Harder Product
If you need a stainless steel with a specific level of strength, then an austenitic product is a good choice. If you need more strength than you would get with a basic grade, then you can harden this steel through cold working. This process gives you the flexibility to quickly get the steel to the right levels of mechanical strength to suit your products.
2. Get Better Temperature Tolerance
Some stainless steels don't perform well at certain temperatures. They might not be able to tolerate extreme heat or extreme cold, for example. Exposure to the wrong temperature can weaken the steel, affect its strength and, in some cases, make it weak enough to break down.
Austenitic stainless steels are unusual in that they can tolerate both heat and cold. If your products will be exposed to higher temperatures, then this steel will hold its own. On the other end of the scale, it can also withstand the effects of sub-zero temperatures. It even has a measure of cryogenic temperature resistance.
3. Improve Corrosion Resistance
While all stainless steels have some measure of rust and corrosion resistance, these metals can still be affected by these problems in some scenarios. If you want a long-lasting metal that can resist corrosion, then austenitic grades are a good solution, especially if you pick super grades which come with extra protection.
These grades usually contain some nitrogen and molybdenum. These materials make the steel less prone to developing pits which encourage corrosion and rust growth. They can even be used in harsher marine environments.
4. Avoid Magnetism Problems
In some scenarios, you need a stainless steel to be non-magnetic. For example, magnetism can make welding more difficult. Magnetic steels can also cause problems if they are close to magnetic fields in buildings or other products.
Austenitic stainless steels are non-magnetic. They weld more effectively and won't affect other magnetic metals or elements in their vicinity.
While an austenitic grade might seem the right choice for your products, bear in mind that this type of steel also has its own sub-grades. You need to choose a steel with the right component mix for the job. For more advice, contact stainless steel fabrication companies.
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